Yamaha WR250F Advice

[Fladdem]

Hello everyone, I have been offered a 2003 Yamaha WR250F for £1000 by a friend of a friend and I would like to know a few questions about them.
1). Seeing as I am on a 33bhp licence I would like to know if it falls under this or on it, I am guessing it won't but still...
2). How much maintenance is required or rather how frequently will it need to be done?
3). Does it make a good bike for the road? Again I am assuming no as from what i have heard it's basically an MX bike with a number plate.
4). As a beginner, if it meets all the above requirements, would I be able to learn how to ride trails as easily as say an XR250, i.e. is it novice friendly?
Thanks in advance.
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[Babba]

[Fladdem]

As it is my only form of transport, apart from the MT50, I would like it to be a fairly good commuter, would I be a fool to turn it down?
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[Babba]

[Fizzer Thou]

I have been working on a '56 WR250F recently.

It has no ignition switch.Just a push on/off switch to isolate the ignition/starting circuit.
From what I remember the early WRs were kickstart only.The later ones have electric and kick start.
The standard chain and sprocket quality is a bit suspect.Factor this when contemplating the bike.
The sub-frame is aluminium.See if the tail-light lines up with the rest of the bike.This will be expensive to replace if it is bent.
The valves are titanium on the later models.These stretch and cause the valve clearances to close up.If this is not checked on a regular basis it can also cause the valve seats to burn out.
The WR250F is an enduro model so will come with road going equipment like lights,horn,brake lights etc.Check to make sure that they all work.
The WR that I have been working on has a washable foam air filter and is accessable via a removable panel on the left-hand side.Check to see if it has been cleaned recently.If filthy dirty,this may well point to irregular service periods.Black oil may well show up worn piston rings and also how regularly it has been changed.
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[spaz]

I raced a WR 250F in the 2009 and 2010 British Enduro Championship - it is a very capable bike but it is NOT a YZ 250F with lights on.
The ECU map is smoother, has a larger flywheel, wider ratio gearbox, different cams.

Try to ascertain what it has been used for;
generally, a race bike will have to be well maintained to ensure it's longevity to complete events.

Electric start was introduced in 2003.
2007 models onwards have the aluminium frame.

Look out for botched repairs, stripped threads on the oil filter cover and sump plug, poorly maintained bikes.

As previously mentioned, the valves stretch as a result of being thrashed (no need to thrash them, torque is lower down) and the valve clearances close up - this becomes evident with poor hot starting. The valve clearances can be adjusted up to a point but when the valves are beyond their max length they need replacing (£70 per valve).

Renew the piston kit & camchain at 100hrs without fail or it gets messy. Also keep on top of air filter maintenance, along with oil & filter changes.

[Fladdem]

[/quote]I see from your sig you have/had a Varadero 125 ?

I can't say whether you'd be a fool to turn it down m8. Only you or your bestest m8 can do that.

All I can say is . . . I'd consider one if it was a good example of its age & price.

The Varadero is at home right now but my dad has nicked it to commute on, apparently a spaceship gets better MPG than his Suzuki GS850G.

From what i have found the WRF is somewhere between 25-40BHP but that might be measured in different areas or mods have been done.

Thanks for the advice, I will talk him on Friday hopefully, as it is my bosses mate, if I can arrange a viewing I'll let you know how I got on, if you care.

If it goes horribly would there be anything similar you'd recommend?
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.

[Babba]

[Fladdem]

[Babba]

[Fladdem]

Sorry I forgot to say how it went. I really like the bike it has been looked after no smoke or rattles regular oil & filter changes, apparently. Has had a bit of a hard life but well looked after. So I think this bike will be sat in the garage soon. Thanks everyone.
____________________
Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.