By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro
KTM 690 Enduro R (MY2009) vs Yamaha WR 250R (MY2008)
KTM 690 Enduro R vs Yamaha WR 250R: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll notice the Yamaha WR 250R's single hums along with barely a tingle in the bars and a hushed exhaust. Wind it up on the KTM 690 Enduro R and the chassis settles in. The KTM doesn't wander as the speed builds.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Enduro R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: 690 Enduro R
Through a string of corners, the 690 Enduro R feels a little more eager. That comes from harder acceleration and a sportier chassis. The gap is small, so ride both.
Real off-road capability
Inches ahead: 690 Enduro R
Off-road ability leans slightly toward the 690 Enduro R. It's a narrow gap, so don't plan a trip around it.
The WR 250R has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: WR 250R
For the Monday-to-Friday grind, the WR 250R pulls a nose in front. The difference is lower running costs. Your own commute could easily flip it.
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: WR 250R
Over a year of riding, the WR 250R noses ahead on running costs. A neglected example would wipe that out.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
Neither bike is the clear better buy at these used prices. The WR 250R costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend.
What makes each one tick
690 Enduro R
The 690 Enduro R's light trellis frame skips across broken dirt, and rough ground is what it's built for. A sharp bump doesn't kick it off course: the WP fork and monoshock soak up the hit without bouncing. The engine's pickup snaps hard. It'll hold a tight line through paved corners.
WR 250R
The WR 250R's compact steel frame doesn't get twitchy at highway pace. There's a smooth answer to the throttle from the fuel-injected engine, which keeps pulling to its peak at 10,000 rpm.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 690 Enduro R makes more peak power: 63 hp (46 kW) vs 31 hp (23 kW).
- The 690 Enduro R makes more peak torque: 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) vs 18 lb-ft (24 Nm).
- The 690 Enduro R has the larger engine: 654 cc vs 250 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
They come out level on a first bike. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Enduro R
What owners say
Strengths
- Impressive road manners for an enduro
- Premium fully adjustable WP suspension
WR 250R
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth and quiet engine
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Enduro R
- Weak rear subframe bolts The bolts securing the rear subframe can loosen or break, especially when the bike is loaded with luggage and ridden off-road.
- Fuel pump failure The in-tank fuel pump and associated filter are prone to failure, often due to clogging. Symptoms include stalling, hard starting, or no-start. Replacing the pump assembly is the common fix.
WR 250R
- Stator coil failure (NHTSA Recall 15V-410) Recall 15V410000 Insufficient heat resistance in the stator coil insulation can lead to short-circuiting and engine stalling. Affected units need stator replacement.
- Clutch push lever oil seal failure (2014-2016, NHTSA Recall 16V-800) Recall 16V800000 Factory Modification Campaign: incorrect assembly process may cause the clutch push lever oil seal to crack, leading to oil leaks that could reach the rear tire.
- Fuel pump failure on early 2008 models Some early builds experienced fuel pump failures, causing stalling or no-start conditions. Dealer replacement under warranty was common.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old 690 Enduro R with a 15-year-old WR 250R.
- 690 Enduro R
- about $5,500
- WR 250R
- about $4,400
At 15 years old, the KTM 690 Enduro R sits around $5,500 while the Yamaha WR 250R lands near $4,400. That's a $1,100 gap in the Yamaha's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Seat height
- 36.6 in (930 mm)
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Enduro R | WR 250R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 654 cc | 250 cc |
| Power | 63 hp (46 kW) | 31 hp (23 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 18 lb-ft (24 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,000 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| 690 Enduro R | WR 250R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L) | 2.0 US gal (7.6 L) |
| 690 Enduro R | WR 250R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 80/100-21 |
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 | 120/80-18 |
| Wheelbase | 59.0 in (1498 mm) | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 11.0 in (280 mm) | 11.8 in (300 mm) |
| Front travel | 10.8 in (275 mm) | 10.6 in (269 mm) |
| Rear travel | 10.8 in (275 mm) | 10.6 in (269 mm) |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
