2011 WR250R

 Three years later, the design is holding tough, with basically just graphic changes. Yamaha says the bike can trace its lineage to YZF motocrossers and more aggressive enduro bikes, and we came away convinced this was not just marketing hype.

Our 298-lb California model weighs just one pound more than the 49-state version, and with its lights, turn signals and license plate, made riding to the trails and then hitting it a fairly do-able proposition.

 We’d estimate this is about a 60:40 bike in terms of its street/offroad prowess, and changing the tires to full-on knobbies would make it about a 50:50.

If you’re more an on-road person, you may also want to look at the WR250R’s supermoto-style sister, the WR250X, which differs mainly by use of 17-inch wheels, sport tires, larger front brake, slightly taller gearing, and different graphics. Both of these bikes were extensively reviewed when they were launched

 The WR250R’s fuel-injected, 4-valve-per-cylinder mill churns out respectable go-power, even with relatively lean, EPA-satisfying tuning and three-chamber muffler. When cold especially, it displayed a slight off-idle stumble at times, but this is something that could be tuned out.

We dyno’d the same-engined 250X model last year, and its oversquare, 11.8:1 compression ratio powerplant returned 27.7 hp and 16.95 ft-lbs torque. Combined with its wide-ratio six-speed transmission this is enough to stay ahead of traffic around town. It will easily wheelie in first, and second gear with a little clutch slip.

On the open road, with a 200-lb rider geared up and acting like a sail, it will still pull just shy of 90 mph into mild headwinds, and up to around 95 mph or so when tucked in, which is enough power even if traveling via interstate highways.

If desired, this bike could be pressed into duty as an ultra-lightweight adventure tourer, at least for several hundred miles, if not longer, depending on your needs and tolerance – particularly if much of your route is on secondary roads and off road.

Handling from the 55.9-inch wheelbase machine is stable enough at speed, yet light and nimble around town. Riding on 18-inch rear and 21-inch front wheels, the Bridgestone Trail Wing TW-301 front and TW-302 rear tires have adequate grip on tarmac. The 46mm, 10.6-inch-travel KYB fork, coupled with Soqi shock offering equal travel in the rear, soak up expansion joints and potholes with aplomb.

Slowing down the action is easy enough with a single 250mm disc brake up front, and 230mm rear disc.

Passenger pegs make it possible to carry someone at least moderate distances, and, if desired, the stock 36.6-inch ride height can be shortened by nearly an inch by means of a shock-linkage-mounted clevis pin arrangement. While sitting on the bike, normal sag under my 185 lbs dropped the ride height so I could just plant both feet flat beneath my 34-inch inseam.

The bike comes rather softly set up for street duties, but front and rear suspenders have provision for spring preload, as well as compression and rebound damping adjustments – items lacking on less-expensive Japanese competitors.