2021 Yamaha WR250F

When you pull DNA from the top-of-the-class YZ250F, there aren’t many downsides. The WR250F is a capable four-stroke enduro with plenty of power, suspension comfort, and handling capability for great trail riding.

The 2021 Yamaha WR250F is based on the YZ250F motocross platform, but with an enduro, trail-focused spin. It differs from the YZ-F by including a skid plate, 18-inch rear wheel, 2.2-gallon fuel tank, radiator fan, sealed O-ring chain, enduro meter, steel rear sprocket, different ECU tuning, spark-arrestor-equipped muffler, a headlight, taillight, and kickstand. The combination of these qualities make the quarter-liter WR-F ready and willing to tackle technical trails.

Seeing as the 250 enduro received several updates last year, the only changes seen are in its appearance, namely in the form of a blue headlight, blue side number plates, black fork guards, and new graphics.

At $8,599, the WR250F is $300 more than the bLU cRU’s motocrosser of the same displacement.

Accelerating the WR250F up and down trails is a 250cc liquid-cooled four-stroke engine. In order to make it suitable for enduro-style riding, it is equipped with a spark-arrestor-type muffler approved by the Forestry Service and unique ECU tuning. Other than that, the engine is the same as its off-road model counterpart, the YZ250FX. In his review on Dirt Rider, Allan Brown noted that the engine runs very well, but its muffler does decrease power output, making it produce 1.7 and 2.9 hp lower than the YZ250FX and YZ250F, respectively. When this enduro-focused machine was put on the in-house Cycle World dyno the result was 36.1 hp at 12,000 rpm and 17.9 pound-feet of torque at 8,100 rpm at the rear wheel.

First and second gears of its six-speed gearbox are particularly useful, Brown writes, because when in second gear throttle response was not lost at crawling speeds and that gear could be used longer than expected. This made for reduced shifting in low-speed, technical trail sections. Fourth, fifth, and sixth have a little more of a noticeable gap on the wide-ratio gearbox. Brown continues, “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.”

In short, the WR250F is very comfortable to ride. Its highly praised KYB Speed Sensitive System (SSS) coil-spring-type fork and KYB shock have different valving and spring rates specific for enduro, and have a softer feeling compared to the motocross version, but offer plenty of bottoming resistance. Suspension travel is listed at 12.2 inches (front) and 12.5 inches (rear). Because suspension is softer, Brown reports that it helps the bike “corner well without losing any of the Yamaha trademark stability.”

“Straight off the showroom floor,” he said, “I was able to ride the WR250F to 90 percent of my comfort zone and enjoy every minute of it.”

With a front Nissin two-piston caliper, 270mm disc and rear Nissin single-piston caliper, 245mm disc, the WR-F has a 5mm larger rear disc than the YZ250F, which we reported had plenty of stopping power, but its brakes were not as strong as the KTM 250 SX-F’s and Husqvarna FC 250′s Brembos. Still, the WR250F’s Nissin brakes are some of the most progressive on the market.

While miles per gallon is currently unlisted, the WR250F has a 2.2-gallon fuel tank which is 0.6 gallon larger than the YZ250F motocrosser. This tank size fits within the confines of the bodywork without any unusual protrusions.

Test rider Brown would prefer a slightly taller seat for the WR250F, but the aftermarket is a great source for those types of modifications. Riders taller than 6 feet would also consider repositioning the handlebar in order to open up the cockpit. Being an enduro machine, we would have also liked to see hand guards come stock.

The WR250F features electronics such as an electric starter, headlight, taillight, and an enduro meter that lists two tripmeters, and a race mode that features an average speed display and timer.

The 2021 WR250F comes with a 30-day limited factory warranty.

With YZ250F DNA coursing through this enduro-tuned 250cc liquid-cooled four-stroke machine, the WR250F provides usable power for technical riding. Many trail riding features are stock, but patrol the aftermarket for a taller seat and hand guards.