2020 Yamaha WR250F First Look Preview

Yamaha is serious about winning off-road races and providing trail riders with the lightest, most powerful 250 the company has ever built. Meet the new 2020 WR250F. The new WR250F is closer than ever to the championship-winning YZ250F as it incorporates the same bilateral beam frame, KYB suspension, and reverse cylinder engine as the motocrosser, replete with all the necessary enduro accoutrements.

Related: Red Bull Romaniacs Extreme Off-Road Enduro In Photos 2019

The fuel-injected engine is based on the YZ250F, but for 2020, the starter has been relocated from the front to the backside of the cylinder, while a new forged aluminum piston, revised valve angle, and exhaust cam timing optimizes enduro power delivery. The kickstarter has been omitted in the interest of saving weight.

A new clutch is more durable while offering a lighter pull at the lever, which makes it easier to navigate the six-speed gearbox when the going gets technical. In the past, the little WR was knocked for having a heavy pull at the lever so it makes sense the tuning fork guys addressed one of the small but important issues with the old bike.

The airbox has been relocated to the front of the motorcycle, making it easier than ever to inspect and replace the air cleaner. A new lightweight plastic resin skid plate provides increased protection for the frame and water pump, while the forged aluminum kickstand, sourced from the YZ250X, looks better and saves a little weight as well.

The headlight cowling is slimmer, plus the new full-function enduro meter now connects to the front wheel via a speed sensor that eliminates the old-school cable design and makes front tire changes much easier. Plus, the speed sensor is lighter, and these days, every ounce counts.

On the outside, the chassis and suspension components are nearly identical to the YZ250F, with a few modifications to improve the overall capability of the bike in enduro trim. It rolls on an 18-inch rear wheel with a 21-inch front shod with Dunlop tires and is suspended by the same fully adjustable KYB SSS coil-spring-type fork with speed-sensitive damping and enduro-spec settings.

The outer tubes are the same as the YZ250F and contribute to a secure feeling of ground contact, but the diameter of the cartridge cylinder and piston have been increased from 24mm to 25mm. According to Yamaha, “The mid-speed valve (MSV) that provides damping in the mid-speed range has been changed from a coil-spring type to a leaf spring type. This mechanism responds to even the slightest amounts of oil flow and delivers excellent damping feel at low speeds.”

Also, the rear shock now features a coil spring that Yamaha claims has “a higher fatigue strength than the current model and an 11.5mm wire diameter that achieves a weight reduction of approximately 350 grams. The capacity of the shock reservoir has been increased by 30cc to run cooler and achieve a more stable damping force.” Like we said, the suspension has been tuned for enduro riding and Yamaha is doing everything possible to bring us a bike that is nearly ready to race right out of the crate.

A look at the styling of the 2020 WR250F reveals a flatter seat that makes it easier for the rider to move around on. As woods racers have evolved, so to has the layout of these motorcycles. In the past they were always a bit bigger and bulkier, but these days, riders are asking for enduros that feel like racebikes and are tailored for enduro or GNCC-style riding, and new models like these are the result. The radiator shrouds are narrower, and the new 2.2-gallon fuel tank looks and feels identical to the YZ250F because the added fuel capacity is held in the reshaped lower half of the tank so it doesn’t get in the way of the rider as they move around on the bike while navigating the rocks, roots, and trees that make up the majority of the terrain these bikes will be ridden through.

The 2020 Yamaha WR250F will be available at dealers starting in October. They will only be offered in the Team Yamaha Blue livery with an MSRP of $8,599.

The 2020 Yamaha WR450F is a carryover from last year with the same big-bore power and off-road chops that has made the WR450F one of the most popular Open-class enduros in recent years. The bike is relatively unchanged after having been redesigned for the 2019 model year. MSRP will be $9,699 for the big blue enduro.

As always, Yamaha is also offering up $5 million in contingency for bLU cRU riders, so make sure to sign up for a chance to win your fair share at yamahamotorsports.com.