Is the WR250R worth the hassle over a CRF250L
 

Hello folks of HU.

Here's the script.

So me and the other half are about 6 weeks into our RTW adventure, all is well. We have decided that as our European leg of the trip comes to an end, in around another 8 weeks time, we will select a much smaller bike for the trans-Asian route. We are currently riding 2 x F800GS's.

Once our loop of Europe is complete we will head back to Scotland, as we have to anyway, to sort out a few recent Visa/Embassy issues.

And therein lies a problem. The WR250R by all accounts and reviews is by far the better bike of the two... aaaaand it's not available here in the UK. Great.

So I am wondering; Is the Yamaha so much better that it would be worth the extra hassle to source one from Germany/Holland/Poland etc. Have it carted all the way up here and registered in the UK, over just going for the CRF250L?

I have read extensively through the CRF250 and WR250 RTW/long haul reports and although both seem capable... the WR250R still seems to come out on top.

Worth the hassle? Is the WR250R really the smart mans 250 RTW choice?

Interestingly my other half, Kyla, who is on this trip with me has a brother in South Africa who is planning his own Trans-Africa adventure and is in EXACTLY the same situation. He is choosing between a CRF or a WR... and the Yamaha isn;t available in SA either. HA.

My 5 cents thoughts about it:

The Yamaha WR is better when it comes to weight as it is around 14-15 kgs lighter. Its better when it comes to power as it has 30,7 HP compared to the CRF that has 23 HP. The stock suspension is also of higher quality on the WR compared to the CRF.

The WR has also been longer on the market so theres more aftermarket alternatives although the CRF has out a few years now too and aftermarket stuff are probably readily available for it too. The one thing I have noticed is that the biggest aftermarket fuel tank for the Crf is the Acerbis 12,5 liter whereas I think you can get a 20-21 liter fuel tank for the WR.

When it comes to reliability Im not an expert at all but in general its hard to beat a Honda. But the Yamaha is probably great too.

Another factor that might count in - youre going to Asia and Southeast-Asia maybe? The Honda CRF are made in Thailand, and thus parts, accesories, tyres are readily available there and to a certain extend in neighbour countries, and bike mechanics that know that model well are "everywhere". The CRF are also sold in Malaysia and I belive to a certain extend in Cambodia and Laos too.

There is a welsh woman going RTW on and CRF and a dutch couple too - on two bikes of course. So theres someone to get in touch with and get first hand information and experience.

I think a 250 bike is a very good choice through Asia.

Interesting post. Wasn't aware of those main differences. Haven't seen the CRF up close. I think there is a couple going around Africa on them and can't remember reading about any trouble. I've got the WRR and love it. Super reliable. Lots of aftermarket options and rider's knowledge. The CRF has a rear tank option as well though, so you should be fine for fuel.

I think getting one from across the ditch shouldn't be that much of an issue. Hire a van and go for a weekend away. Not sure on registration requirements though. If it was me the ups outweigh the downs. Weight and suspension is everything. At first it won't matter because it'll feel featherweight compared to the BM. But you adjust quickly and suddenly you'll be looking for less weight still. I'm finding the WRR heavy now.

Your points seem to match my research. The only things the Honda has over the Yamaha is the fact that it is in fact a Honda, and thus trans Asian travel would be a dream for parts availability and local knowledge of the brand.

I've looked over all the CRF250L RTW reports and although they seem like a fine steed they are not without thier problems. The Dutch couple on the RTW ride have listed 6 failures on their site. I wonder how many more minor faults they have had.


Like I said above the dutch couple in Africa have reported 6 failures on their page with the CRF's.

Although of all the WR reports I am following I have only stumbled upon 1 major failure, although it was a complete engine failure at 30,000km.

I'd love to jump in a rental van and go scoop a couple WR's from Poland or something. I just worry about the Registration, tax and import issues. Plus the cost of travel, rental and hiking it home. Pair that with the fact that the WR is already +£1,500 more than the CRF it could turn out to cost double what the Honda's would.

Dammit Yamaha, you just ain't making this easy.

If I remember right Steph - the welsh woman riding RTW only had one major issue with her bike and was that the rear frame/subframe snapped. However she got it welded and reinforced quite easily even in Indonesia - so not that bad. And I think she is somewhere between 60-80 k miles on her bike by now. She just wrote that the valves had to be adjusted for the first time on the trip - and thats quite impressive.

The dutch man have had some issues with his CRF. But afaik and understand it was because the aurfilter somehow came loose a bit and let in dirty air in the engine. And of course after a while that caused some major issues.
The dutch woman havent had any problems and they are both 90 k kms +.

If the price is almost the double and its a lot of hassle getting hold of a WR I might have taken a CRF.

I haven't owned either, but I have ridden WRR's and have friends with both the CRF and the WRR, the WRR is probably the better bike to ride dirt on out of the box, but for a long trip like yours and with the lack of (cheap & easy) availability of the Yamaha I would go with the CRF and be happy that you are riding a Honda.

What price is the WRR in Europe? if it cheers you up I can buy a brand new WR250R here in Canada for 4,130 GBP or a CRF250L for 3,000 GBP, taxes in- out the door prices :)

I have ridden both bikes and they are both good. I rode a Honda xr250 baja which is close to the crf, across Sri Lanka and Cambodia. I rode it like it was my sportbike (tried anyway) on the highway and off road like my old paddle tired suzuki rm250 on sand dunes. That little bike took all the punishment I could throw at it and ran like a champ. In Asia they are everywhere parts are readily available and cheap. For the difference in cost I would go with the cheaper option because on the road you I think you would be happy with either one.

What are the registration issues? Have you contacted the DVLA? Didn't think within the EU there was import issues (might change in a week and a bit). You could also just fly in and ride it back.

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The WRR sells for between £4,800 in Poland, way up to £6,200 in Germany. so $8,750 - $11,300 Canadian. When it sold here in the UK my closest dealer in Edinburgh sold it for £6,100, so not far off the top of the scale.

Where do you see a price that low for out-the-door? Lowest I can see is about $8350 in Toronto/Ontario area. Are other Province's cheaper, perhaps? I'd like to look into the possibility of a Canadian bought bike to do the Americas on... I'd love a bit of help on the matter from a real Canadian!


You may be right. Trans Asia might make sense for Honda, and for the rest then it'd be an even keel.

I'll look over the CRF one more time!

In Alberta, Saskatchewan and a few other provinces you only pay GST (Goods and Service Tax) which is currently 5% compared to most other provinces where there is another sales tax of 7-8% on top - combined its called HST (Harmonised Sales Tax).
In Alberta a 2016 WRR is $6,999 CAD but there are nearly always deals to be had on the unsold previous years models still in stock with a few hundred bucks off and you can normally barter with a smaller dealer - especially around the time of the next years model coming out (i.e. picking up a 2015 when the 2017's come out)

Another awesome deal is the venerable DR650 available at $5,799 + pdi + taxes, which works out about ~ 4000 GBP out the door - however they do need a lot of modifications to make them decent.


2016 Suzuki DR650SE | dirt bikes, motocross | Edmonton | Kijiji


BTW Im British, but living in Canada :)

Very interesting. I knew the prices in Canada were good, but this is excellent info. Also the pound seems to be doing quite well over the CA$ just now so all the better.

Do you know what the rules are for registering a vehicle in Canada? Can we just use a PO Box address for our ownership papers etc?

In theory Yes, lots of people have a PO Box as their mail (Billing) address, but you do need to show proof of insurance and a valid drivers license when you register the vehicle

I think for registration it's just a case of how to attain a V5, costs, waiting time etc. It's hard to pijn down any real facts.

You are correct that there is no import duty, only registration fees.

Insurance as in valid vehicle insurance before you register the vehicle? Crazy!

Sounds easy enough.


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