IT MIGHT be dubbed the super trail from its makers, but the Yamaha WR250R is a true road trail machine with the right blend of both road and off-road manners.

First released back in 2008, the WR250R fits right between the ageing yet venerable TT-R 250 and the enduro weapon WR250-F, and nothing has changed in this regard today. It is intended to be a user friendly bike that is a capable commuter, but when the time arises it can cut a good trail pace when it’s time for the dust to fly.

Sporting the perimeter frame it stands apart from its sibling models in the looks department, but it shares the same bottom end as the WR250F, however the ‘R’ model continues with the fuel injected motor and a four valve head.

A poke around

At first glance it becomes obvious the WR250R is set up for regular road use, as it features road-trail tyres, pillion pegs, and a large and very quiet exhaust. Prying a bit deeper reveals a steel tank with lockable fuel cap shrouded by modern plastics, key start on the digital dash and a nicely placed tool kit strapped to the rear sub frame.

Furthering its road going nature is the six-speed transmission and taller gearing over the competition models, which makes light work of your 80 and 100 km/h areas regularly found on the daily grind to that ugly four letter word, WORK.

Bar and seat position provide comfortable riding although the bars do feel a tad narrow, while all switches for road going requirements are easily reached and operated, and a very bright and powerful headlight ensures you will never be left in the dark. In regards to the fuel tank, it carries a mere 7.6 litres of fuel and although this may seem a bit lean, the WR250R is capable of well over 100km on road or not, with my trail ride of just over 90km using about ¾ of a tank.

On the trail

Suspension on the WR250R comes in the form of adjustable USD forks which offer 270mm of travel, while at the back end the adjustable rear shock also offers 270mm of travel. Braking for this multi-purpose machine comes in the form of wave rotors front and rear with a 250mm disc up front providing plenty of feel to the front end, while a 230mm disc on the rear handles the duties without fuss, and at times was even found to be a little too strong. Road/trail tyres are standard fitment and provide good road service, however if you intend regular off road jaunts, a set of knobby tyres is certainly a must.

Heading off-road, the WR250R feels very much at home although the tyres are its biggest downfall when the going gets tough or slippery. To its credit though, the bike made it through every bog hole and slippery hill encountered but you always had to be mindful of pushing beyond the limits of the tyres. With that in mind the WR250R was pushed though it spaces on a mixture of tight single trails, open fire trails and plenty of fast paced tracks in the forest west of Newcastle.

Road gearing was noticeable where at times you found yourself at the limits of one gear and reaching for the next started to push tyres beyond their limits. For riders looking to spend more time in the scrub you may want to look at shorter gearing and the addition of a bash plate, however for the average punter the gearing is adequate.

Overall, the suspension and brakes are fairly well up to the task, however the rear suspension may need a little tweak for the heavier riders over the 80-90 kg mark, which I happen to fall into, and I felt things were a touch soft in that department. Bearing in mind my last personal ride was a WR250F the ‘R’ model was considered fairly compliant in some rough and rutted terrain.

Tipping the bike through corners was child’s play as the frame geometry allows the rider to lock their knees into the shrouds and simply tip in and power out whether you are sitting or standing. The WR250R does carry a little more weight than its enduro brother, and this is evident to a degree due to the large exhaust pipe and pillion pegs. Once again depending on its intended use these items could be discarded or replaced with lighter options.

Verdict

Yamaha’s WR250R is a true multi-purpose bike as it has great road manners and is equally at home on the trails. This bike is not as hard edged as the enduro model, but it’s no lazy boy either. It’s backed by Yamaha's 24 month unlimited parts and labour warranty, and is available in blue, white or black. With a price of $9,999, it is sure to give plenty of riders a true trail bike option which is hard to beat.