The 2001 Yamaha WR250 & 426.My first ever ride on a motor bike was when a school friend offered me the chance to pilot his near new 175cc Yamaha road/trail bike. It was I thought, a superb looking machine and I literally jumped at the chance. I had no knowledge of gear change or clutch operation, so I putted around a small circle of dirt track a couple of times and returned it to him intact. I was to say the least very pleased with myself, although I was asked why I never took it out of first gear.
Dirt bikes have evolved greatly since their early days of merely swapping the exhaust and tyres of a heavy road bike for a jaunt into the scrub. Even those very good Japanese dirt bikes of the early 70’s suffered a bit of a weight problem, giving them dicey handling at speed through our Aussie, tree lined rock strewn and corrugated dirt tracks. As with all things, time marches on, and today, the construction of enduro/dirt bikes starts with a ‘clean sheet’ (although most of it is done on computer now) for the engineers to do a purpose built ground up design, and not try to create a one from road bike parts already in production. So it was that I threw my leg over the very tall saddles (Seat Height 998mm) of the Yamaha WR250 & WR426 enduro bikes. The first thing I noticed (apart from barely touching toes to ground) was how extraordinarily well balanced and light both the bikes were (102kg. & 112.5kg dry respectively). The water cooled, 5 valve D.O.H.C. single cylinder four stroke engines, are powerful (no figures available) and have a broad spread of useable torque with which to conquer any terrain you might find between here and the Gulf. There is some 300mm of suspension travel, with enough ground clearance to get over the top of a minibus, and, with 14 litres of fuel, enough range to get you to the Wollombi Pub for a well earned coldie without touching rubber to tar. After some kick start tuition on the 250, (decompression valve and no ignition key, so buy a disk lock) I was off around the back of the shop to try out my very basic dirt bike skills, while trying not to drop the $11,000 (on road) thing in front of any watching citizens. It wasn’t long, such is the balance I spoke of before, that I felt completely at home in the seat (and out of it), spinning up the rear wheel and digging up the dirt. The WR is quite good out on the tar as well, and I caught quite a few people taking second glances at the Team Yamaha Blue & White coloured blurr as I thumped past. As with all nobbly tyres, the ride on ordinary blacktop at residential speeds was fair, with highway running a little better however instead of dodging the potholes as I usually do, I found myself looking for them to ride over. Surprisingly, the rear view mirrors didn’t vibrate as much as I thought they would and I found that the disk brakes would be the envy of some road bikes. But, it is in the dirt that these bikes excel and the fact that I, with my mediocre dirt skills, was finding it very easy to fling the WR at good speed over any and all loose surfaces with absolute confidence, is a testimony to its design. I wish they’d had bikes like this when I was a lad.Test bikes supplied by Inskip Motorcycles of Toronto phone 49592937.
Specifications Yamaha WR250 & 426.
Engine Cubic Capacity 249 & 426cc liquid cooled singles
Bore/Stroke 250 = 77/53.6mm 426 = 95/60.1mm
Max Output ?kw ?bhp at ?rpm
Max Torque ?Nm
No. of Cylinders 1
Titanium Valves per Cyl. 5 (DOHC)
37/39mm flat side Keihin carburettor with throttle position sensor
Gearbox 5-speed wet clutch
Front Suspension consists of 46mm inverted Kayaba telescopic forks
Rear Monoshock & chain drive –
Spring Travel Front/Rear – 300/315 mm
Brakes - Front 250mm disc and
Rear 240mm disc
Tyres Front – 80/100 21" Rear – 110/90 18"
Dimensions/Weights
Rake/Trail - ?
Wheel Base - 1490
Seat Height 998mm
Weight – Unladen with full fuel tank – 112.5kg for the 426 don't know
about the 250 but definitely lighter.
Fuel Tank 250 = 14.5 litres 426 = 12 litres
Colours - Team Yamaha Blue White