Yamaha WR250F 2019 — Specifications

Is it still necessary to introduce the Yamaha WR250F? This machine is a monument, an enduro legend that, since its redesign in 2015, has continually refined its offering. The 2019 model, the one we have here, represents the culmination of a generation, a bike that is well-worn and almost perfect for serious trail riding.

Beneath its understated appearance and new graphics for 2019, it hides a warrior's mechanics. Its heart is a four-valve, 250 cm³ single-cylinder engine with titanium valves, directly derived from the motocross YZ250F, but with injection and character reworked for enduro use. With 32 horsepower, it is not the most powerful in the lineup, but its strength lies elsewhere: in its reliability, its progressiveness, and that feeling of power that covers the entire rev range. The flat-top piston with DLC-coated axis, the specific camshafts, and the optimized ECU, all introduced in 2018, make this engine a precise and incredibly smooth tool. It starts electrically, without a button, and is piloted with a long six-speed gearbox and a clutch specially designed for difficult terrain engagements. Compared to a KTM 250 EXC-F, it is less explosive, but easier to live with and more predictable, a major asset for long hours of combat.

The chassis is another strong point. It borrows the aluminum bilateral frame from the YZ, adapted with a wider central beam and repositioned footrests to offer perfect balance. At 117 kg fully fueled, with 325 mm of ground clearance and a 965 mm seat height, it is a tall and agile machine, but not intimidating. The fully adjustable KYB suspension is directly inspired by motocross fork technology, with its separate air and oil chambers. On the WR250F, the settings are specific for enduro use, offering increased rear wheel travel of 10 mm compared to the YZ. The result is a bike that devours roots and rocks with remarkable stability, while remaining lively in direction changes. The centered 7.5-liter fuel tank and the air filter position contribute to this exceptional mass centralization.

At 8499 euros, the price of the 2019 WR250F is in the high average of the segment, but justified by its level of equipment and finish. It is not homologated for road use in standard version, but a street-legal kit exists for those who want to link the trails. It is a motorcycle for the committed rider, the one who seeks a machine capable of everything, from technical trail riding to enduro competitions, without the quirks of some European competitors. Tests of the Yamaha WR250F continue to confirm this impression of robustness and efficiency. Previous models, such as the Yamaha WR250F 2017 or 2018, have prepared the ground, and this 2019 version is the most accomplished. For those considering a used Yamaha WR250F, the 2021 to 2023 versions are very similar, with perhaps a few aesthetic adjustments. Yamaha seems to have found an ideal formula with this generation, and rumors about a future Yamaha WR250F 2024 or 2025 are awaited, as it is difficult to see where the brand could still improve it without changing philosophy.