Well, ... the WR400F came with steel valves and 500km interval.

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One life - live it

Some of them came with TI , thinking the Exhaust valves only, unless I'm thinking the '01 426's . It was common for those to have short life and most replaced with the steel versions.

Service intervals really only need to be done by how a bike is used. Someone not revving the crap out of it running high rpms all the time can go to more "normal" specs. 500km I would guess is for racing and I've never known anyone to follow that close. 2000- 3000km is more like it and that's even getting short personally.

Hoping members here can steer this thread back to the WR250R.
Yamaha don't make a 400/450 street legal dual sport bike ... probably won't have one anytime soon. Current Yam 400/450's will never make good travel bikes like the WR250R is.

Why?

As discussed, race motor needs frequent service. Low elec. output, has no real sub frame or way to carry heavy loads, motocross suspension.

WR250R has all this and more. It is also a proven long distance travel bike.

If you own a WR250R or have traveled on one, lets hear about it. Maybe leave the other stuff out or start another thread?

The bike doesn't need much. Just the usual the factory always forget to put on or subpar stuff they do put on and some minor things.

Bars, heated grip pads, might as well put decent grips back on, hand guards, decent mirror, thicker form oil with when riding with luggage, USB chargers, spot lights, I’ve also got that sandman sprocket cover, bit of Zeta protectors but that’s more of a nice to have, bash plate, large fuel tank, rim locks, pivot pegs (goes on all my bikes), steering stabilizer (never ride without it anymore), smaller tail light and plate hanger, wider seat is nice, don’t need a screen IMHO, I like to have SS oil filters and twin air air filters and I ended up putting vibranators on it which really work. Next bike I’ll just swap my bars over.

Most of this stuff I'd put on any overland bike.

It certainly doesn't need any brake upgrades.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Wow! You've got most of it covered! Nice! I've love a steering damper, but oh so pricey ... but nothing better in deep sand for me. Guess I'll have to bite the bullet on that one.

What about your suspension? The serious off road WR guys mostly ALL up grade suspension at both ends. I've not ridden the WR in serious off road ... but I'd guess on a loaded WR travel bike ... that it would be a good thing.

Any plans to upgrade suspension?

What is your typical on board load on your WR? Camping gear or no?

Any clever weight saving ideas? (pipe, passenger pegs? )

Hope Paul (OP) chimes back in soon. Love to hear his thoughts after he's taken his new WR out in the boonies.

Thanks.

I did most of that stuff on my DRZ-E too which was a trails only bike. I'm still hoping that at some point some factory starts putting that stuff on themselves. Who rides without a bashplate and hand guards? Just put it on. For a while Honda included the hand guards in Australia I think.

Anyway, no I didn't do anything to the suspension. I measured the sags loaded and only my heavy frame needed a stiffer rear spring. To minimise dive in the forks I changed to a thicker oil.

The shims in the stock shock are way to small, so there is definitely room for improvement, but this is not a trail bike IMHO. After this next trip I'll think hard about getting a 100kg bike instead with a more suited gear box. It's a little too spread on the WRR for my liking on single trail. Didn't fiddle with the gearing much though, because it's too heavy for fun single trail anyway.

But ignoring the power and ok suspension Yamaha built the ultimate "overland dirt trail travel bike" (I'm making it a new category!).

I travel with camping gear and my gear with 6l of water weighs 20-25kg.

There is a weight saving thread on another forum and I think it wasn't more than 20kg off. So that still is heavier than a nice 450. Not worth the effort I think.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

Many long term WR riders swear by lower gearing. They feel stock gearing is TOO HIGH. Most add a few teeth on rear sprocket, some do front sprocket as well, but you have to be careful not to rub chain into swingarm using a too small front sprocket.

Plenty of guys are riding lightly loaded WR's on some crazy-ass trails. I'm too old and very weak to do such antics ... but many do it and do OK. I barely survive by having old, learned skills and instincts and good technique. If I have to lift the bike ... I'm done.

After reading Mick and Tan's reports from Africa, I would MUCH rather be on a WR250R than their very heavy DR650's. Their DR's are modified with stuff I would never do. Way too much extra weight added from their mods.
I believe their bikes are pushing up on 550 lbs. (250 kg) fully fueled/loaded. (Stock DR650 is 367 lbs wet)
That positively ruins the DR650 off road. May as well be on a BMW or Vstrom.

Hopefully Yamaha (and other Japanese OEM's, are thinking of the poor aftermarket guys out there ... and giving them a break. LOTS of companies provide aftermarket goodies (bash plates, hand guards, racks, et al) in different styles, price range and quality.

I prefer to pick my own from the pack of providers. Same with hand guards and many other items and services.

You've got your gear down nice and lite at 25 kg. with camp gear.

I don't see the WR250R as a true trail bike either ... but if traveling, hopefully it is capable enough to get through tough situations you typically find going Walk-A-Bout. Things like fast, choppy desert tracks with wash board, deep sand tracks, steep and rough mountain roads.

In Mexico I've Chickened out from dozens of possible dirt routes, being uncertain riding my DR650. And at times in Baja, I struggle in deep sand ... whose condition constantly changes. (Wind, Race Buggies, Rain, Heat) When it's damp it's good and right after the buggies go through it's better as at 100 mph buggies literally BLOW the sand out of the track, making it easier on a bike ... sort of.

Much as I'd love a lighter 350 KTM, Husky, Beta or other Euro bike, I'm still not convinced I could put 50,000 trouble free miles on any of them. Also, most are WAY too tall for me. The WR actually fits my short arse.