Advice needed: WR250X or KLR650???

[jmducha]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Looking for a new bike to make a small commute and tour the local beaches and light offroading. This will be the first bike for my wife and I and will be a learning experience. Here are my thoughts on the two, and the bike must be black if your wondering how I narrowed it down to these two:

WR250X: Small and nimble, powerful and should be fun to ride and easy to control. Could possibly be too small and is more expensive for some reason. Plans would be to use it stock and put a dirt tire conversion on it.

KLR650: Larger, more powerful and faster. Would handle long trips easier but may be harder to handle and less capable offroad. Least expensive of the two.

I don't need a bike for long trips since I have an outfitted Rubicon Unlimited but need to have a good starter that is fun to ride and easy to control.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Trail Monkey]

leaving the color aside.

I would more compare the WR250R to the KLR650

the KLR is better two up for sure. both may need to be lowered for your wife, the KLR is very very tall.

If your just zipping local and want a bit of a dirt bike too, the WR250R is excellent and very versatile. If you do decide to venture further the KLR650 will be much more comfortable.

both are excellent bikes, a bit different.

 

[MarcFJ60]

When you say "wife and I" are you referring to riding 2 up or are you both going to ride seperately? Two up would definitely give advantage to the KLR.

The WR is more expensive because it is a much more modern design (and fuel injected).

What are your measurements :Wow1:? I think the KLR can be a great first bike if you are fairly big. There is no way in heck I would have wanted one as a first bike and, frankly, given my height (5'8") I wouldn't want a bike that size now unless it was a lot more capable on the street (i.e. DL650).

Why not a DRZ400 or DR650 (both of which are available in black either new or late model)? The DRZ has a supermoto version like the WR.

"fun to ride and easy to control" speaks much more to the WR than the KLR IMHO. And you may be the first person in the world to use the words KLR and powerful in the same sentence. Although the KLR will handle highway better, the power to weight on the WR is better.

If you plan to change elevations, the FI on the WR would be a godsend. But I think we need some more info to help you out.

last disclaimer - I have never ridden a KLR nor a WR. The opinions above are based solely on knowledge gleaned from the internet (and throwing a leg over both at dealers). Take it for what little that is worth.

 

[jmducha]

Thanks for the advice. The wife and I won't be riding double, I won't take liability for her and I'm sure she agrees. We haven't seen the DR or the DRZ to compare them to the ones I've listed but I'm right at 6' and 195 lbs. so I think either would work for me and she could handle it more than likely.

I think the KLR would be better overall but still feel the WR would be a great starter with more mobility and on hand power to get used to.

All my recent experience is in various internet forums and everyone I know rides street bikes from bar to bar and offers no help for dual purpose bikes.

Keep the opinions coming, I'm not partial to anything and need the advice. I consider the Jeep Rubicon the best in it's class and would like a bike that has the same reputation without being a beemer, which isn't a practicaly first bike in my opinion.

 

[rctr03]

i just bought an 09 klr 650 for 4,200.0 brand new. great bike. a little heavy for a starter bike.

my 02 cents

jimmy

 

[roscoFJ73]

Why does it have to be black? You miss out on a lot good bikes putting form before function.
The Honda XR range have some good bikes,I just got myself a XR650L.

I would recommend a 250cc to start with and upgrade when you feel ready.

 

[Oni]

I'd maybe start with a Honda CRF230, Yamaha XT250, Kawasaki Sherpa...all used of course.

Easier to learn on a smaller bike...and these are all pretty bulletproof and easy to ride/learn on. After a year or so...and when you have a better idea what type of riding you want to do...sell it and move on/up.

Just because they are small doesn't mean they aren't tons of fun!

 

[edgear]

I'd maybe start with a Honda CRF230, Yamaha XT250, Kawasaki Sherpa...all used of course.

Easier to learn on a smaller bike...and these are all pretty bulletproof and easy to ride/learn on. After a year or so...and when you have a better idea what type of riding you want to do...sell it and move on/up.

Just because they are small doesn't mean they aren't tons of fun!

Another great beginner bike is the Suzuki DR200. Reliable, inexpensive, very lightweight, and great fuel economy (with a stock 3.4 gallon tank).

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Wow, interesting decision.

There's little doubt the WR250R would be better for learning, but I'd be afraid you would outgrow it quickly. I recommend people start out with a used 250, then make a decision what to do from there. If you decide you are fine with a 250, buy a nice new one then. If you want bigger, trade up. Either way, you aren't out much money if you bought the learner bike new.

I have a WR250F, which is more powerful than the R or X. I use it for wood racing and pretty extreme off-road. I would be pretty bored with it on the street or dirt roads.

If the Yamaha was a 400-450, then I'd say it might be worth the risk to buy it new from the start. But I don't know why they made a 250 dual-purpose. I know there are others from Suzuki, etc. but those companies have other models to fill out the lineup. Yamaha has 3 dual sports, and they're all 250's, doesn't make sense to me.

 

[scarysharkface]

Not so sure about outgrowing the WR250R, as it's a bike lots of folks seem to be trading their larger dual sports for. Not a highway travel bike for sure, but might just be perfect for exploring and hauling across the country on a hitch carrier. Fuel injection, so no need to rejet at altitude...

I ride a KLR650 and it's a great machine, but I'm looking to pickup a smaller bike that's more dirt-friendly and easier to pick up. WR250R would be fantastic in those regards, and you could always sell it if you decide you want something larger..

John

 

[jmducha]

Great recommendations and advice. Thanks to all. I had a chance to get on a KLR650 today and it was huge. Although I loved it, I can't see learning on it.

I also got on a KLX250 and it fit like the WR so the height was about the same as the KLR but the narrower seat allows my feet to hit the ground firmly.

Sounds like the consistent advice is a used bike in the 200-250 range to learn and determine what is needed in the future. I completely agree and think the Yamaha may be the best purchase due to fuel injection.

If anyone is wondering about the color, here you go:

2008 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon - BLACK
2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4 - BLACK
2007 Ranger Cayman 191 - BLACK
Wife - WHITE, but thinks the BLACK vehicles look BAD....keep her happy and get more toys. You understand...

 

[T.Low]

Used, schmused. Go for the Gusto.:Wow1:

2010 Gas Gas ec450

Of course you realize GAS GAS just took first overall Men's and Women's in the 2009 ISDEs, FWIW.

And you aint kidding bikes look bad in black.

 

[rynosurf]

Have you looked at the Yamaha TW200? Great little bike, has a fat rear tire for beach riding and will run for a long, long time. It sits real low so it would be a great begginer bike then when you decide to upgrade your wife can ride it with no problems. Best of all you can find one in black:bike_rider:.
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Yamaha-TW200.jpg

 

[jmducha]

Wife bought a TTR230 this weekend to run around the neighborhood. I'll probably go with the WR250 this week and the TTR50 for the kid. On a side note, got on a KTM 530 EXC, wow nice bike.

 

[rynosurf]

Wife bought a TTR230 this weekend to run around the neighborhood. I'll probably go with the WR250 this week and the TTR50 for the kid. On a side note, got on a KTM 530 EXC, wow nice bike.

Can't go wrong with Yamaha:bike_rider: The KTM is sweet but you will probably get all three of the other bikes for the same price!