The BikeReview.com.au Long Term WR250R Tenere Rep continues to be a favourite of 2019. Here's the latest update on the mini Tenere... Words: Nick Ware Pics: BikeReview
We’ve had our Tenere Replica for three and a half months now and have done thousands of kilometres and hundreds of hours on the bike. There really isn’t much this LAMS approved 250 can’t handle, from daily M1 Motorway trips from the Central Coast to Sydney to hardcore single trail or fast open dirt roads. We’ve updated the tyres to the Bridgestone Battlecross E50 FIM tyres, washed it a few times, but aside from that it hasn’t needed a thing…
The WR250R has taken us on many an adventure since it joined the BikeReview stable…
The most recent person to use the BikeReview WR250R Tenere is Nick Ware, who had the bike for a month and used it to pass his P Plates, ride to uni daily and go off road on weekends…
“Hey Mate, you want to ride this for a couple of weeks?” I’m sure I’d pulled out the old dirt gear and raced over to grab the mini Tenere before Jeff even had a chance to lock his phone and put it back in his pocket… At first glance, the WR looked like a load of fun. Once aboard, it definitely was…
Having strayed away from the dirt for what I’m ashamed to say is far too long, the WR screamed mud, sand, dirt, bush and adventure… I was pumped.
Nick’s first stop was to get his P Plates…
I recently managed to squeeze in the P1 provisional road ride between work and uni. Luckily enough for me the WR was ready and willing. The weather was, unfortunately, really bad. It more or less poured rain the entire time. The bike held up really well despite the full knobbies on the flooded course.
I spent a lot of months living with and riding our Benelli Leoncino long termer last year, then had a few other quick rides throughout this year but since I sold my YZ then RMZ I haven’t really spent a lot of time off road, aside from when I borrow a bike and go riding with Winston. Getting the WR was fantastic and it was a perfect bike for me to ease back into off road, while having a practical daily ride. With the big 14L tank and the fairing this one is perfect, not to mention the rear rack for carrying my uni gear.
Standing at 193cm I’m taller than average so I usually need a big bike. The WR is actually quite comfortable for a taller rider on the road in all situations and on the trails most of the time. On the longer, seated trails, it is OK, but on the tighter sections when standing I personally could do with a bit of height in the ‘bars, just to make it a little easier on the lower back. Speaking of ‘bars, they are super soft and I bent the hell out of them first time I clipped a big branch.
We will replace those ASAP with something tougher…
Commuting to uni a few times a week, a 200km round trip, the WR has no problems on the freeway. Cruising at 110km/h (or 90km/h with the P-Plates on) is absolutely not an issue. The wind gusts and trucks cause a few wobbles but I never feel uncomfortable, the awesome Safari fairing kit makes the bike seriously easy to cruise and tour on. A couple of sneaky overtakes aren’t an issue for the 250 either. The huge Safari 14L fuel tank means the bike gets a ridiculous amount of kilometres on the clock before a fuel up, 300 to 350km depending on riding. I can’t remember the last time I had to fill it!
The clutch and gearbox are as smooth as butter. Quick trails and rough shifts on the dirt, as well as bumper-to-bumper, stop-start Sydney traffic don’t seem to phase the WR clutch whatsoever.
Road or trail the WR soaks it all up…
The brakes hold up nicely for me and being a heavier rider at 100kg that’s quite a task. No issues on the dirt at all, meaning I am usually super confident and comfortable grabbing the front and locking the rear at every corner. Enough feel and power for what the bike is.
A small detail, yet probably one of my favourite parts of the bike, is the positioning of the headlight. By far the best visibility I’ve had the chance to experience. Dusk trail rides and night trips home from uni prove no issue with fantastic high beam and running beams.
The Bridgestone Battlecross E50s have a surprising amount of grip on tarmac for what they are. The road riding is a breeze. You wouldn’t want to waste them too much on the road though, but I found if I rode smoothly I could minimise wear and save them for the off road. Obviously as soon as you push through turns you are two-wheel drifting and you can’t brake hard on the front but they are not road tyres, so the fact they cope with commuting and getting to the dirt is admirable.
On the dirt these hardcore enduro tyres are absolutely fantastic. Plenty of traction in the mud and sandy fire trails as well as on the faster open dirt tracks. A plush sidewall and great feel. I could grab the front and step on the rear brakes without the stress of losing it. One of the most versatile enduro tyres I’ve had the opportunity to ride on. They are holding up really well also, a month in and still good…
We will have another big update shortly, along with a service feature and a full review on the tyres. In the meantime, I have to hand the bike back for a few weeks while Jeff does some testing, then will get it back with some different tyres to test.
2019 Yamaha WR250R Specifications
Price: stock $8,299 + ORC
Colours: Team Yamaha Blue and White
Dry weight: 127kg
Fuel capacity: 7.6L
Engine: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve, 250cc, 77 x 53.6mm, 11.8:1 compression, EFI, TCI
Gearbox: Constant mesh six-speed
Clutch: Multi-plate wet clutch
Chassis: Semi double cradle – aluminium main frame, steel engine cradle, steel sub-frame, Rake: 26°, Trail: 111mm
Suspension: Fully adjustable USD forks, 270mm travel, fully adjustable Monocross rear shock, 270mm travel
Brakes: Hydraulic single disc, 250mm (F), Hydraulic single disc, 230mm (R)
Wheels & Tyres: 80/100-21M/C 51P, 120/80-18M/C 62P
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1420mm
Seat height: 930mm
Overall height: 1230mm
Overall width: 810mm
Instruments: Digital multifunction display
BikeReview Long Term WR250R Gallery
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