2021 Yamaha WR250F Review

[Hugh Janus]

Riding the 2021 Yamaha WR250F at Cahuilla Creek MX in Anza, California. (Mason Owens/)

Every year a heavy focus is placed on motorcycle manufacturers’ newest motocross bikes as well as their cross-country racers and dual sports. However, sometimes it’s easy to overlook models that fall in between an off-road racebike, like the Yamaha YZ250FX, and a street-legal dirt bike such as the KTM 350 EXC-F. Although the Yamaha WR250F is not California green-sticker-eligible like some other manufacturers’ enduro models, it does qualify for a California red sticker like its YZ250FX counterpart.

Last year, Yamaha’s 250 four-stroke enduro model was granted many of the same updates the YZ250F received in 2019. The WR250F is unchanged mechanically for 2021. (Mason Owens/)

Designed for trail riders and enduro racers alike, the WR250F received several updates last year, many of which were also given to the YZ250F in 2019. We did not get an opportunity to test the WR250F last year due to the pandemic, so we were extra excited to get our hands on the 2021 model, which is mechanically the same as last year’s bike. After weighing, measuring, and dynoing it, we took the WR250F to some of our favorite trails in SoCal’s high desert and ended our rides with an ear-to-ear grin.

Being that it’s an enduro bike, we would like to see the WR250F come with hand guards in stock trim. (Mason Owens/)

2021 Yamaha WR250F Engine

While the WR250F has different ECU tuning than the YZ250FX and a Forestry Service-compliant spark arrestor-type muffler, the engine itself is the same as the YZ250FX. What’s different is the WR250F’s enduro-specific engine tuning, which naturally means the ignition and fuel-injection maps are designed for enduro riding and racing.

Aside from the ECU tuning and Forestry Service-compliant spark arrestor-type muffler, the WR250F’s engine package is the same as the YZ250FX’s. Our only gripe about the powerplant is that it’s a little hard to start when in gear. (Mason Owens/)

What should be understood here is that because Yamaha designed the WR250F for enduro racing, the Tuning Fork guys made no attempt to make it a hybrid dual sport or, if you live in California, green-sticker-compliant. There is no carbon canister nor emission controls, which means you have a better-running enduro bike straight off the showroom floor. While the WR250F runs very well, its Forestry Service-compliant spark arrestor-type muffler causes its power output to be less than the YZ250FX and YZ250F, specifically 1.7 hp and 2.9 hp less at peak, respectively, than those two models.

The six-speed transmission is shared with the YZ250FX and offers optimized gear selection for technical terrain as well as wide-open fire roads. The first and second gears are particularly useful. In second gear, I was able to still get down to a very low speed without losing throttle response; yet I was able to carry that same gear much further than expected. Because of the surprisingly long second gear, the amount of shifting on tighter trails is noticeably reduced, as is the gap between second and third. As expected, fourth, fifth, and sixth gears have a little more of a noticeable gap on this wide-ratio gearbox.

A couple of the WR250F’s enduro-specific features include a multifunction enduro meter and a radiator cooling fan. (Mason Owens/)

The 2021 WR250F engine has received a clutch basket update for durability, and the overall performance remains very good. Even though the engine is slightly restricted, clutch fade is almost nonexistent due to good gear ratios and sufficient roll-on power to make abuse of the clutch unnecessary.

2021 Yamaha WR250F Suspension

The WR250F comes equipped with the same KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) coil-spring-type fork and KYB shock as the YZ250F, but with different valving and spring rates for enduro competition. Fork and shock travel are 12.2 inches and 12.5 inches, respectively. The fork is adjustable for compression and rebound damping, while the shock features spring preload, high-/low-speed compression, and rebound damping adjustability.

The WR250F is an incredibly comfortable ride. The suspension settings are noticeably softer in comparison to the motocross version, but still offer plenty of resistance to bottoming. The fork offers enough holdup under braking that you still have confidence to drive harder into corners in comparison to other models. While they are still plush enough in the initial part of the stroke, you can ride through rocky sections with comfort. The shock is well balanced in relation to the fork.

Although the WR250F’s engine is not quite the equal of the YZ250FX’s, it still makes plenty of usable power. (Mason Owens/)

2021 Yamaha WR250F Chassis/Handling

Keeping in mind that last year’s WR250F was completely updated to the 2019–2020 YZ250F chassis design, no changes were made to the 2021 model. The WR250F shares the same frame, subframe, swingarm, and suspension as the highly rated YZ250F. The KYB SSS fork and KYB shock are some of the most highly praised stock suspension components available.

Some of the features differentiating the WR250F from its motocross-focused YZ250F counterpart include a larger 2.2-gallon fuel tank, which fits directly in place of the smaller motocross version without any unusual displacement of the bodywork; a radiator cooling fan, to assist in keeping the engine cool while negotiating tighter enduro-type trails; a full-coverage composite skid plate; an off-road-sized 18-inch rear wheel; Dunlop Geomax MX3S tires; a kickstand; a steel rear sprocket; and a sealed O-ring chain.

The KYB suspension settings are noticeably softer in comparison to the YZ250F but still offer plenty of resistance to bottoming. (Mason Owens/)

Additionally, the WR has several enduro-specific features including fuel level and engine warning lights, a stylish front headlight, and a compact taillight. There is also a multifunction enduro meter that incorporates two tripmeters, a clock function, and a race mode featuring an average speed display and a timer.

How Does the 2021 Yamaha WR250F Ride?

This bike is about as close as you can get to the full-race motocross version while still checking almost all the enduro requirement boxes. There are zero changes to ergonomics, even with the larger fuel tank. It may be bigger, but it’s no wider, as the Yamaha designers found a way to extend the tank lower in the chassis. The headlight and taillight are both well thought out and stylish in design. The taillight also seems to be extremely durable in comparison to some models using a more street-legal assembly. Considering the restrictive spark arrestor-equipped muffler, the engine produces an impressive 36.1 hp on the dyno.

The WR250F’s engine power is certainly not equal to the YZ250FX or YZ250F, but it still makes plenty of usable power. The combination of gear ratios, engine settings, and rear sprocket size are well matched. First-gear crawling is very low, perhaps not two-stroke first-gear crawling low, but still impressive. Second gear is also usable down to almost the lowest possible speeds; the surprising part was how long it seemed to pull. I was able to make good use of second gear in single-track and did not have to shift nearly as often as expected, impressive for an enduro-tuned 250F powerband. Clicking up to third on flowing trails was also very good; keeping the revs up helped with recovery in some of the G-out sections where the rear suspension was a little softer. In fourth and higher, the bike ran clean with plenty of power for the two-track and fire-road sections.

The WR250F’s chassis offers amazing comfort while not giving up too much performance. (Mason Owens/)

The WR250F has the same sitting-in-the-bike feel as the motocross version. It also feels very planted, and because of the softer suspension, corners well without losing any of the Yamaha trademark stability. For me, a slightly taller seat would be nice; luckily, several aftermarket options are available. Also, if you are 6 feet tall or more, consider moving the handlebar mounts into the forward holes with the mounts facing rearward, which might help open up the cockpit.

I rode this bike on two separate days at different locations and made zero adjustments. Straight off the showroom floor, I was able to ride the WR250F to 90 percent of my comfort zone and enjoy every minute of it. The most impressive thing was how well the whole package performed. We already know the YZ250F is at the top of its class; Yamaha has injected that DNA into its WR250F enduro racer.

If you want more performance from the WR250F, Yamaha offers a line of Genuine Yamaha Technology Racing (GYTR) performance products featuring more than 50 items including a fully loaded GYTR performance cylinder head assembly, high-compression piston, and performance exhaust system. If you plan on racing the WR250F, you will most likely want to purchase an aftermarket muffler; if you do so, keep in mind that GYTR offers a performance ECU, programmable via the Yamaha Power Tuner app, which requires the GYTR Communication Control Unit (CCU) to connect to your phone.

We already know the YZ250F is at the top of its class, and Yamaha has injected that DNA into its WR250F enduro racer. (Mason Owens/)

Gearbox

Helmet: Shoei VFX-EVO

Goggle: Scott Prospect

Jacket: Alpinestars Session Race

Jersey: Alpinestars Techstar Venom

Gloves: Alpinestars Techstar

Pant: Alpinestars Techstar Venom

Boots: Alpinestars Tech 7

2021 Yamaha WR250F Tech Spec

PRICE	$8,599
ENGINE	250cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke
TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE	6-speed/chain
MEASURED HORSEPOWER	36.1 hp @ 12,000 rpm
MEASURED TORQUE	17.9 lb.-ft. @ 8,100 rpm
FRAME	Aluminum bilateral beam
FRONT SUSPENSION	KYB Speed-Sensitive System (SSS) coil-spring fork, compression and rebound damping adjustable; 12.2 in. travel
REAR SUSPENSION	KYB shock, spring preload, high-/low-speed compression and rebound damping adjustable; 12.5 in. travel
FRONT BRAKE	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 270mm disc
REAR BRAKE	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 245mm disc
WHEELBASE	58.3 in.
MEASURED SEAT HEIGHT	37.6 in.
FUEL CAPACITY	2.2 gal.
MEASURED WEIGHT	254 lb. wet
AVAILABLE	Now
CONTACT	yamahamotorsports.com

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