2012–2020 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
Bulletproof Flick Machine
Yamaha built this one by taking the WR250R dual-sport chassis, dropping it onto 17-inch wheels with street rubber, and leaving the rest alone. The engine is a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 250 single with roots in Yamaha's YZ-F motocross line, good for 31 hp at 10,000 rpm and 17 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm. Wet weight lands at 295 lb (134 kg), and both ends of the suspension are adjustable out of the crate. Ground clearance sits at 10.2 in (260 mm). In a class that usually asks for either big money or big maintenance, this one asks for neither.
On the road it plays the way a light supermoto should. There is more lean angle available than most riders will ever use, the chassis talks back honestly, and the whole machine answers small inputs, which is why it works threading through city traffic and on a tight mountain road alike. It ages well, too. These motors hold up, service stays cheap, and the parts catalog behind the platform runs deep. The caveats are honest ones. The seat sits 35.2 in (894 mm) off the ground, the tank holds 2.0 gal (7.6 L), and 31 hp means a long freeway drone is work rather than pleasure.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 31 hp (23 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 17 lb-ft (24 Nm) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 250 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front tire | 110/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-17 |
| Ground clearance | 10.2 in (260 mm) |
| Front travel | 10.6 in (269 mm) |
| Rear travel | 10.4 in (264 mm) |
| Seat height | 35.2 in (894 mm) |
| Wet weight | 295 lb (134 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.0 gal (7.6 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Potential fuel pump failure
Some owners have reported fuel pump failures leading to poor running or stalling. This issue was more common on earlier models.
Clutch slippage
Clutch slippage may occur due to worn clutch plates, often indicated by loss of power during acceleration.
Spongy front brake
Some riders report a spongy brake feel, possibly due to air in the lines or worn pads.
Where this Yamaha WR 250X pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the WR 250X is actually built for.
On tight, broken canyon pavement this thing is a proper weapon, and it will make you a sharper rider. Accept that the fast crowd walks away on the straights and you'll still have more fun than they do.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
Built for exactly the technical, low-speed corner work you chase on the Dragon and the Cherohala. The interstate run in from Atlanta or Knoxville is the part you'll hate, so plan your fuel stops.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
It shines in city traffic and on the ridge roads above it, and it costs next to nothing to run. Know that it's a plain machine with no rider aids, and the seat is tall for stop-and-go work.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2008–2011
Light, Sharp, Street-Ready
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Yamaha WR 250X. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2017
Two-Stroke Trail Assassin
Roughly $2,200 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr
Competitor · 2012–2013
690cc Hooligan, Maximum Lean
Same Platform · 2008–2020
Full Off-Road Ticket, Street Plates
About the same used price as this bike at 9 yr