What I didn’ t expect was that it still works in the really tight stuff. Normally you’ d worry shorter gearing would make a bike feel busy, but the WR carries it well and the fuelling is smooth enough it never feels snatchy. For the mix of terrain I race, it’ s been a good compromise, and it’ s a cheap change that makes a noticeable difference. Anyone buying one should compare the stock gearing figures online and think about what suits their local rounds.
LIVING WITH IT The thing that keeps winning me over between races is how easy the WR is to look after. The air filter sits up the top in its own little sandwich, so cleaning it is quick and you’ re not fishing around in a dirty airbox with your fingers crossed. Greasing the suspension components is a breeze too, which means the jobs that usually get put off actually get done. Servicing a race bike yourself between back-to-back weekends, that kind of easy access saves real time and keeps the whole thing healthier over a long season.
VERDICT SO FAR The more I race the WR250F, the more I rate it. It turned up more race-ready than anything I’ ve owned straight off the floor, and the parts I have added have been about fine-tuning and personalising rather than fixing any shortcomings. The suspension rewards a hard / fast rider, the chassis suits taller blokes like me, and it’ s a genuinely easy bike to live with when the racing is relentless. If you’ re after a 250 enduro weapon you can race hard and maintain without a workshop full of specialist tools, the WR should be right at the top of your list. It’ s earned its spot in my shed.
KIWI RIDER 53