I'm interested in getting into adventure riding. I've been a road bicyclist and mountain biker most of my life. The TR 650 has captured my interest. I plan on taking a motorcycle safety foundation course. I see myself mostly exploring dirt forest roads and maybe doing some short overnight camping trips. A friend has a Yamaha WR250R they would sell me for a good price. I am 6'1" and weigh 170 pounds. Would it be better for me to start with a lighter lower horsepower bike? One concern is that the TR650 won't be available much longer. I can probably still pick up a Strada locally for a good deal. I'm thinking I might also do the Rawhyde Adventure class in the fall.
A WR250 is barely capable of sustained hwy speeds... A Terra is barely capable of terrain tougher than a dirt/gravel road.... If you are going to be mostly on the street and gravel roads then either the Terra or Strada should work fine. If you see yourself trying dirt single track then the WR would be better, but a Husqvarna TE250 or 449 might be better yet.
The TR is 400 pounds and not short. Might be a bit much for a noob. the power is EZ to handle so thats not an issue. Lots of it but semi slow reving making it manageable. 2x the power of the WR, maybe 3x. How much have you ridden motorcycles? Even thought the Yamaha looks like a turd on paper it is not a bad bike for your mission. The TR is going to be a far better long range street bike. Every motorcycle is a trade off. Explain better what you are wanting to do now and in the future and what your needs and expectations are and we can help more. Also really need to know how much time and what kind of MC you have ridden before. The WR is 100 pounds lighter and that might be the deciding factor. On the other hand if your idea is long range adventure type riding you would be better off slightly struggling early on with the big TR as it will be a far better long range adventure bike once you get used to it.
Better to grow into a bike than out of one. Get the tr650. If you get the 250 you will want the 650 in 6 months. Trust me I did the 250 first.
You are in a catch 22, as are most new riders. You are about to take a class that will introduce you to motorcycling. From that class, you'll understand the fundamentals of riding, but you'll still be utterly clueless as to what you like. Motorcycles are like underwear. Different occasions call for different types of underwear, but everyone still has one type of underwear that they like to wear the most. Until you've bought and worn a whole bunch of underwear, you really don't know what you like. Unfortunately, as a new rider, you're probably going to be apprehensive about test riding motorcycles. However, that is exactly what you need to do. Ride the piss out of everything you can get your hands on, and eventually you'll start to get a grasp of what is comfortable for you. I've been riding a long time, I've owned countless motorcycles, and I'm still finding that my tastes are changing. I recently sold a motorcycle that I'd ridden for years because, all of a sudden, I noticed it had been sitting in my garage for two years virtually untouched. Why? At some point, it was no longer comfortable for me, and it didn't suit my riding style anymore, so with a bunch of other motorcycles in the garage to ride, it just got neglected. The WR250R is a tall and lightweight bike. In theory, its power and weight make it ideal for a beginner. However, its height is going to make it difficult for many to manage, and its road manners are going to suck. I love the WR250R, but if it were my daily rider, I'd probably spend a lot more time as a pedestrian. The same goes for the DRZ400. When discussing riding sub-400cc thumpers to a charity event to teach doctors how to ride into remote regions of Africa, a friend of mine said this gem "....But on the DRZ the road could be made of Megan Fox's ass riding into a horizon of Scarlett Johanson's rack and I would still hate it after 100 miles." And that about sums it up, a guy who puts 15,000+ miles a year on a motorcycle shudders at the idea of riding his small thumper 100 miles on the asphalt. If you are going to do some road miles, which you probably will, the WR250R probably isn't the best choice. I'm not trying to talk you in or out of the TR650, or the WR250R for that matter. Just understand that it is highly likely that you'll still be buying another bike in a year. Personally, I would try to go in as cheap as possible for my first bike. When I find that what I had is limiting what I want to do with it, then you've got a direction to look for your first upgrade. Most riders don't keep a first motorcycle very long. They get something, they learn why it doesn't work well for them, and then they move on. Very few people successfully pick the right bike the first time. And very few people end up with only one motorcycle.
If you are brand new to motorcycling, it is a new world. I am a relative newcomer, at a late age, and bought a really old bike to beat up until I could decide what I really wanted and to learn the motorcycling nomenclature.
Welcome azrunner. Your topic is one I'm very familiar with, I had the same question, slightly qualified with 'offroad newbie'. I rode on and around the farm as a kid growing up, then took about 20 years off, then started riding road bikes about eight years ago and have most recently been spending a lot more time off pavement, but mostly forest roads and 'easy' two track etc. I'm averaging about 20k miles of pavement a year. I've been teaching Oregon's entry level rider classes for about five years as well. My standard recommendation for new riders is to get a bike that's right for you right now, then get the bike you want after you've got a year or two under your belt. I recommend used bikes, with the idea that a rider can get a nice entry level bike, ride it for a year or two, and likely sell it pretty close to what they paid for it. I also recommend that folks complete a training course FIRST, then buy the bike. I'd say on average about 10% of my students come away from class having learned that motorcycling is not for them. As an experienced two wheeled pilot you probably wouldn't be in that category. I think a WR250R is an EXCELLENT first bike for someone who fits it, and your 6'1" stature qualifies. It's an easy bike to ride, well proven reliability, enough power to get around, but not so much that you get into too much trouble. They also have excellent resale for when/if you want to make a change. You basically can't go wrong with the WR250R for your first bike. The downsides of the WR are lack of power, lots of shifting, lots of buzz, range of <120mi, etc. Many folks can't manage the stock seat, but with bicycle shorts I found it worked better than expected. When you are trying to go down pavement at freeway speeds, loaded up with gear, and against the wind with a bit of grade, you'll struggle to maintain 60MPH. On the flat with just you, 70,75 is possible, but not much fun at all. I bought a Strada last October, and a WR250R at the end of November with the intent of keeping just one. Rode the Strada about 3k, and the WR250R about 2k before making my decision. 75% of the total miles were pavement, but I really focused on off pavement, as that is why I wanted to add a bike to my garage. My pure road needs are already covered. Of the five months of evaluation, there were times when I could have gone either way. In the end, about two weeks ago I sold my WR250R. Here's some of the reasons I went with the Strada, most would apply to a Terra as well. - I, somewhat surprisingly, found the Strada to be a very qualified road bike. I would not want to spend the entire day on the freeway with it, but am quite happy exploring secondary paved roads here in Oregon where the speed limit is 55MPH. When I do have to run on the freeway, the bike is comfortable at 75, with power left to pass as needed. I tolerated the WR at freeway speeds, and even on secondary roads I did not enjoy it for very long. It was ok at first, but I found the smoothness of the 650, the lower RPM at cruising speed, and the more than adequate power of the 650 to win hands down. - The typical 55MPG I'm seeing with the 3.6ish gals of fuel capacity translate to a stock range of just under 200 miles which I find to be just right. The WR at about 120 mile range, was going to need a tank upgrade. - Off pavement, on the typical gravel roads and two track that I plan to focus on with this bike, I didn't see any disadvantage to the Strada, and I actually preferred the power delivery. - I'm a big guy, 6'4", 280. The Yamaha was immediately challenged with any sort of grade. The 650 is a much better match. In a pinch, I could ride two up on the Strada, not a chance on the Yamaha. Fully loaded with a camp setup and my heft, the Strada just delivers all the performance I need. - I really liked the option of being able to run very road oriented tires, or very dirt oriented tires as my needs changed. If I don't end up liking the off pavement stuff, the Strada will still have a purpose. In fact, since I bought it I've put <500 miles on my K1600GTL. It's been mostly relegated to a two up mile muncher, with the Strada as the general purpose exploration vehicle. - For the times I'm riding on pavement, I'm a big fan of ABS. I also like the notion of having ALL abs bikes so in a emergency situation on pavement i don't have to think about what bike I'm on and how to apply brakes etc. Off road I can just turn it off. - The seat is fine stock for me, although I want some height and will be upgrading that shortly. I think I want about an inch of rise in the bars too. Other than than, ergonomically I'm really pleased with the Strada. You'd likely be a better fit than I. Downsides to the Strada/Terra? Maintenance is a bit more intensive that the WR250R. Dealers are few and far between. It's about 75-100 lbs heavier. (good on the road, not good picking it up off road) Resale is likely not what is for the WR. Reliability is TBD, although the core engine design has been around for a long time. There are many folks here who own or have owned WR250Rs. You'll likely get a bunch of input. Check out http://bigdogadventures.com for one riders perspective on both bikes. Lots of good background. If I was going to ride off road 100% of the time, I'd buy a WR250R, or something more dirt oriented. Given my likely 50/50 split, I think the Strada is 'just right.' A Strada or Terra would work for you as well, you'd just need to be a bit careful at first. All of the bikes are similarly priced new. Used you'll see more WR250Rs as they've been around a lot longer. Be careful, a lot of them have seen considerable 'experience.' The real good news here is that you can't make a wrong choice, you'll enjoy either bike. Again, welcome the the powered side of two wheeling!
I say get the wr from your buddy, being new to adventure/dirt riding you are going to dump the bike a few times getting used to riding off road. The wr will be easier to get replacement parts for and easier to pick up when you dump it and in 6 months if your tired of it buy something else and sell the wr. Don't fixate on one particular bike there are plenty of nice motos available.
By all means being you are new to this you'll be much better off with the WR250R as the TR650 is a 400lb plus beast and lighter is better especially off road!
I'm appreciating all the input. I'm pretty much a total 53 year old noobie. I rode a couple of friends bikes back in my 20's and realized at that age my love of speed would be life threatening. I've mellowed over the years. I envision day trips on secondary roads and dirt roads into the mountains of Southern Arizona where I live. I also imagine heading up to Colorado and riding some of the Jeep trails (Imogene, Engineer's Pass, etc) I used take in my old Toyota 4wd truck. My friend's 2008 WR250R has 3000 miles and is in good shape. He's a retired 70 year old former F16 pilot who has raced cars and motorcycles. A back condition has delegated him to pavement. He's enthusiastic about me getting into motorcycling and has offered me a great deal on his WR250R with some nice farkles (seat, exhaust, etc). No doubt I could turn it in a few months with out losing much. I'm definitely a gear nut and tend to over research things. My only hesitation on getting the WR250R now is missing out on the TR650 down the road if it is discontinued. Who knows, by then I might want an F800GS or an 800XC.
I would go for that WR if I were you. You can always pick up a used Terra or something later...heck I pick up 2-3 per year Someone mentioned height as an issue, but a good suspension guy can lower it for you.
I'm reasonably sure getting both is the answer. Get the WR first, then the TR650 when the time is right. Keep the WR for when friends come over, or when you feel doing a bit more offroad.
Anhother opinion; I know, I know, everybody has one.... I have a WR250R, a TE630 and a TR650. I've made multi-thousand mile trips on both the TE and the WRR, and will be doing the same on the TR this summer. All three are different, no surprise there. My first return to dual sport was the WRR and it is set up for the TAT and similar rides. I have to disagree with those who say it can't do long miles as I have spent day after day on the interstates covering thousands of miles, just at a lower speed than you might want to. It will maintain 65 all day long, and 70 as long as you are not pushing a headwind. The engine is smooth and nowhere near the redline at those speeds. I rode from Oregon to Houston in four days; that's averagaing 700 miles a day! On the trail, it is definitely going to be more capable and easier to handle than the TR. No comparison. Mine is set up with modified suspension and lots of aftermarket farkles to make it a real adventure bike, and it just works. The TR is now my road bike, and I also use it for easier adventure riding. I'll be taking it on the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route this summer and I think it will be just fine for that. If you can do it on a R1200GS it will be a breeze on the TR. I will not take the TR some places that the WRR has gone. The extra weight makes a real difference. You can throw the WR down over and over and no problem. With the TR, you better get some good guards before trying that, and have strong back muscles too. On the road, paved or gravel, the TR really shines and is terrific. Lots of power, smooth, and just a joy. I can't ride as fast or as long on it as I could on my R1200RT that left home after the TR arrived, but I don't plan on riding it that way. I'll just take fewer miles per day now, and be able to go lots and lots of places that I couldn't on the RT. The TR suspension is a big limiting factor as well, and on rough roads or trails you just have to slow down as the short travel can't cope with the things the WRR and TE can take in stride. Trail maintenance on the WRR is a breeze as I can change oil in an auto parts parking lot with nothing special in the way of tools or setup. On the TR, it is a bit more involved, but still doable. Also, the WRR goes 26,000 miles between valve checks! How are you going to beat that. The TE is an in between bike, and I ride it more like the WRR, although the additional power really sets it apart. However, the wide turning radius, longer wheel base, and extra weight make a difference. When the going gets tight and tough, give me the WRR. In fact, as much as I love my Husky(s), if I could only have one bike, it would be the Yamaha. Fortunately, I don't have to make that choice. On a regular basis I ride the TR most, the TE second most, and the WRR is reserved for more serious trips except for occasional trips around here to keep things in good working order. If you are just get into, or returning, to dual sport, light weight will be very important. I guess it all depends on how fast you want to get somewhere, and what you want to do when you get there. I have a friend in Tucson who had a KTM, has a BMW R1200GS (Alaska and back) and recently wanted to try my WRR. Keep in mind that both of us are mid 60's. After a test ride on mine, he went out and bought a WRR! Best advice, make room in the garage and buy both! Ken
Kenneth Webb speaks my viewpoint well. I own both the WR250 (bought in 08) and the Terra. The WR250R can handle the occasional crash like a dirt bike, the Terra won't so much. The WRR is now in its sixth year of the same design so there's plenty of parts available and aftermarket stuff like tanks, racks, etc. The WR is much lighter at 300 lbs and feels like a feather after I ride the Terra. You can go into the woods deeper with the WR and if you fit it with DOT knobbies it can go just about anywhere. That little engine is amazing - really. But...the WR needed a different seat for my candy-arse bottom, and the safari tank that I got for more range was pretty expensive too, although the IMS tanks now available are cheaper. All in all, if I were starting out, I think I would go with the WRR - it is a bullet-proof well-thought out design that does just about anything well but long hiway commutes in traffic (mostly because of lighter weight)....and won't hurt near as much as the Terra if you decide to slide along underneath it :-). A lighter bike is also more forgiving if you go too hot into a turn -
Noobie, You need HP. you will be trying to pedal the 250 after the first 10 miles of pave. If its dirt with a short ribbon of asphalt then a te 300r You can already handle two wheels go for the tr 650. I mt. bike 3 days a week. Have the Strada, which does it all. If I want more dirt I will buy some desert style knobs for that trip.
Strada has ABS brakes, a good thing for new (or most) riders IMO. I am amazed at how nice the Strada is on the freeway. Very smooth under 70mph, and comfortable at 80. Plenty of power and stability for fast LA freeways. And it is also very, very fun on canyon roads.
