YAMAHA has been a leader in the four stroke revolution of off road bikes, which is a testament to the quality and number of its bikes you see hit the trails or track with regularity. For 2010 little has changed in that department as both the WR250F and WR450F continue as strong performers in true off road fashion. Although this is not intended to be a back-to-back test between the two Yamaha enduro bikes, it gives you a real idea of how they work in the real world with the average rider.

No fuel injection?

It’s a terrible thing to be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the right machine for your off road needs, but with the two bikes available from Yamaha the division between the two is not as clear cut as you may think. Apart from the engine capacity of one being 250cc and the other being 449cc, the WRs have a great deal in common with each other.

Both bikes have a power delivery that is very usable, without being intimidating, and this equates to a less fatigued rider, who is able to keep on the throttle for longer periods. This smooth power also becomes your best ally when the terrain gets ugly, as either bike can tractor along with a minimum of fuss. Don’t think for a moment that Yamaha has dulled down either of these motors as we at Cycle Torque can certainly testify to the fact both of these engines love to rev, especially the smaller 250cc machine.

Motors for both the WR250F and 450F still retain the five valve, double overhead cam engine, dry sump lubrication, five-speed transmission and electric start, with a kick for back up. It may come as a shock to some, but Yamaha have retained standard carburation on both bikes instead of fuel injection which is seen as almost commonplace on current enduro bikes. The WR250F uses the FCR MX37, while the WR450F keeps the FCR MX39 carbie, both of which are fed via the eight litre fuel tank. Whether the GFC has been the reason for Yamaha to not follow the fuel injection path or they are simply planning to release an entirely new WR model with EFI in the future, it remains to be seen, but it certainly leads to plenty of discussion around the office and out on the trail.

Mini thumper

On the trail is where both these bikes shine, and for different reasons. On one hand the WR250F feels light and nimble, tipping the scales at 118kg with fuel, steers like a gem and feels very sure footed. The motor, as mentioned, loves to rev and this is truly a high point of this bike, but due to its very forgiving nature a less experienced rider can throw a leg straight over it and not feel overawed by it. Much of the positive feel and handling manners derives from the frame and suspension, which on the WR250F feels very good. The adjustable 48mm Kayaba USD forks have a smooth action and provide plenty of travel from the 300mm on offer and will tackle without complaint almost any obstacle an off road rider is likely to encounter. At the rear a Kayaba shock keeps the back end tracking in the right direction and is completely adjustable for high and low speed compression damping and rebound, offers 310mm of travel, while the large piggy back reservoir aids fade resistance.

The big girl

The WR450F on the other hand has gob loads of usable grunt, with a motor that will tractor you out of just about any predicament, but with a twist of the throttle the wick lights up and cracks you through the trees with gusto and this is where you realise that you are in big bore country. Weight is certainly a noticeable difference between the two bikes, but it is fair to say that the WR450F is far from a heavyweight tipping the scales at 123kg with eight litres of fuel on board. A very broad power spread allows the rider to get the most from the 450 and with the Kayaba suspension package akin to its sibling the whole package works very well from a trail rider’s perspective. Minor tweaks to the front or rear end suspension is all we would prescribe to set the bike up for the terrain and rider's skill level, which is certainly available through the 20 way adjustment for compression and rebound on the front end.

Noise levels from the lightweight exhaust on both the WR250F and WR450F are very pleasing and certainly don’t show any restriction to the power spread of either motor and unless you intend on using either bike for competition use, you would not rush out and waste your hard earned dollars on an aftermarket exhaust system.

Common bits

Keeping with a common theme of these bikes is the braking system, where wave rotors feature prominently; both front and rear and equipment are Nissin aluminium calipers. Up front a 250mm floating disc handles the duties, while a 245mm disc handles things out back, thanks to the integrated rear master cylinder and reservoir unit. We have always liked the feel of the front brake system on the WR models and nothing has changed on the 2010 models, with the front end offering a firm and positive feel to the rider. The rear end has equally good feel and because it works so well, can go unnoticed.

Front brake levers on both bikes are nice and short, with two fingers all that’s generally needed to apply the right amount of stopping pressure. Looking across the bars to the clutch lever, Yamaha has managed to stick with a cable clutch, with on the fly adjustment and a rather long and outdated lever. Many would ask why they haven’t gone the way of a hydraulic unit which would negate the need for an on the fly adjuster, but it may come down to dollars and cents, and who knows, maybe it may turn up with the fuel injected model. Pro Taper bars are a nice inclusion and make the cockpit area feel quite roomy. A small on/off button beside the digital speedo enables the electric start to be activated, while on the flip side a kill button on the clutch side stops all engine activities. There are plenty of options and modes within the digital speedo, such as a clock, trip meter, and with the push of a button the ‘race’ function is activated, which delivers a timer, distance compensating tripmeter and average speed to all assist those cutting times on a loop.

Which one?

It could be fair to say that the Yamaha WR250F and 450F are your typical ‘meat and three veg’ machines, they are as reliable as the day is long. They are a hard machine to overlook when it comes to value for money and they are a proven favourite for both trail riders and racers alike. Sure there may be more exotic machines available, but can they boast what these machines offer in terms of rider comfort and rider experience, and of course both bikes are LAMS approved which certainly adds to their appeal.

It’s certainly not hard to see why the Yamaha WR450F and the WR250F are some of the best selling bikes in Australia as they are bikes which can be ridden by a novice rider all the way to an expert. They have race proven heritage and bang for buck that are hard to beat.

Some may say Yamaha is falling behind a little when it comes to fuel management, but the powers that be behind Yamaha’s R&D are sure to be hard at work with new and exciting innovations for the next generation of WR models.

Until this occurs we will just have to cope with being spoilt for the choice of deciding which bike is best suited to you. Our recommendation is to find a friend, take both bikes out for a test ride and the one your mate doesn’t choose to buy, is the one you go home with. Problem solved.