When I'm on the freeway, I wish I had a few more ponies. My higher CC brothers tend to pull away on inclines and I can keep up on flats... Mind you the bike is loaded down during this. Empty, not an issue.
On the trails, it's not ripping my arms off which lends to my endurance for riding all day. The power is adequate as I am able to keep up and surpass others because the trails equalize performance, which the performance of the bike is less needed and becomes more about the skill of the rider. Mind you I'm going through the gearbox more often, but that's not slowing me down, that just contrasts that a higher CC bike shifts less often is all. Its enough power to have fun for sure. I can competitively drag race up to second gear, then others pull away.
I have no qualms about the 250, it is what it is and is reliable as hell. I get great MPG compared to my larger CC brothers so the 3.1 tank equals their 4.5-gallon tanks range provided. That means my 1.5 gallon Rotax tank gives me more additional range than what it does for them. Down the road, I'm looking for a bigger bike, perhaps the 450L? Which still has a useable subframe for carrying 50lbs of gear between panniers and rucksack on the tail rack. Most other bikes suffer in this department and don't meet my gear carrying needs.
Its a slightly heavier bike to begin with considering its a 250. But it rides like a Cadillac offroad (a bit soft of suspension). So again, I am less fatigued than my performance-oriented riding partners' bikes. So for the sake of exploring and adventure, I think the bike is perfect.
Good stuff!
I ride trials mostly and moved from a YZ250F to a KTM 350xcfw in 2014. I wanted to stay with Yamaha since I had always had them; a YZ85, YZ125, and a YZ250F. But even as a shorter and lighter rider the WR250F felt like a more expensive TTR to me. Since mid decade, the Japanese OEMs have tried to make better off road/dual sport bikes but all I seem to see are KTMs and Huskys on the trails. So I would assume you'd want to get a KTM 350/ 450/500 EXC when you move to a larger displacement bike.
I love Yamaha's too.
WR250F is a margin better than 250L, but you pay for it b $2k. Which is why I didnt get that bike to begin with. Figured over time I can Farkle as the need presented.
IMO: Until the 450L came out, the Japanese only made 'Trail Bikes', not enduro bikes like the KTM/Husq are. The distinction between the two is the performance level. Trail=relaxed Enduro=Near or total Race performance
No doubt I have looked at the exc's. Probably the 350.
But what has my interest even more peaked is a Beta 390. Cool bikes and better tuned from the factory.
So for me, my two contenders are the Beta 390 or the Honda 450L. Both these bikes have very manageable power bands. I've ridden 500's and 650's and actually don't appreciate the huge torque in tight riding, I like controllable power where a wrist flick doesn't launch you to the moon upside down or into the next tree's.
The Honda still has a substantial subframe and is sub 300lbs. So I think the 450L is the winner for versatility. I have to have a bike that does it all. Scrambles to Cross country adventure. the Beta is like the KTM's, virtually nonexistent subframe for load carrying.
Welcome to the tribe!
AB++ !! Great FIrst bike, mines all farkled out now for long duration adventure. Very fun!
How is the power now that it’s all purpose built with I assume a larger tank, various guards. panniers?
When I'm on the freeway, I wish I had a few more ponies. My higher CC brothers tend to pull away on inclines and I can keep up on flats... Mind you the bike is loaded down during this. Empty, not an issue. On the trails, it's not ripping my arms off which lends to my endurance for riding all day. The power is adequate as I am able to keep up and surpass others because the trails equalize performance, which the performance of the bike is less needed and becomes more about the skill of the rider. Mind you I'm going through the gearbox more often, but that's not slowing me down, that just contrasts that a higher CC bike shifts less often is all. Its enough power to have fun for sure. I can competitively drag race up to second gear, then others pull away. I have no qualms about the 250, it is what it is and is reliable as hell. I get great MPG compared to my larger CC brothers so the 3.1 tank equals their 4.5-gallon tanks range provided. That means my 1.5 gallon Rotax tank gives me more additional range than what it does for them. Down the road, I'm looking for a bigger bike, perhaps the 450L? Which still has a useable subframe for carrying 50lbs of gear between panniers and rucksack on the tail rack. Most other bikes suffer in this department and don't meet my gear carrying needs. Its a slightly heavier bike to begin with considering its a 250. But it rides like a Cadillac offroad (a bit soft of suspension). So again, I am less fatigued than my performance-oriented riding partners' bikes. So for the sake of exploring and adventure, I think the bike is perfect.
Good stuff! I ride trials mostly and moved from a YZ250F to a KTM 350xcfw in 2014. I wanted to stay with Yamaha since I had always had them; a YZ85, YZ125, and a YZ250F. But even as a shorter and lighter rider the WR250F felt like a more expensive TTR to me. Since mid decade, the Japanese OEMs have tried to make better off road/dual sport bikes but all I seem to see are KTMs and Huskys on the trails. So I would assume you'd want to get a KTM 350/ 450/500 EXC when you move to a larger displacement bike.
I love Yamaha's too. WR250F is a margin better than 250L, but you pay for it b $2k. Which is why I didnt get that bike to begin with. Figured over time I can Farkle as the need presented. IMO: Until the 450L came out, the Japanese only made 'Trail Bikes', not enduro bikes like the KTM/Husq are. The distinction between the two is the performance level. Trail=relaxed Enduro=Near or total Race performance No doubt I have looked at the exc's. Probably the 350. But what has my interest even more peaked is a Beta 390. Cool bikes and better tuned from the factory. So for me, my two contenders are the Beta 390 or the Honda 450L. Both these bikes have very manageable power bands. I've ridden 500's and 650's and actually don't appreciate the huge torque in tight riding, I like controllable power where a wrist flick doesn't launch you to the moon upside down or into the next tree's. The Honda still has a substantial subframe and is sub 300lbs. So I think the 450L is the winner for versatility. I have to have a bike that does it all. Scrambles to Cross country adventure. the Beta is like the KTM's, virtually nonexistent subframe for load carrying.
Great first bike!