250-500cc What to do about WR250 tranny?

Well I'm loving my 04 wr250. Awesome power. But, I'm only 150lbs and the suspension is super stiff. I can see why it's great on the track with its comparable suspension from a husky CR250.

One thing that I really don't like about this bike is the close ratio tranny. The bike rips and has an awesome top speed for faster trail type riding, but first gear is horribly high. If I gear it any lower, I'm not ganna have that fast open trail speed. Is there another tranny that I can put in? Would the older 6 speed WR tranny work? I'm open to all options ( if there is any lol) thanx.

Yes, the older 6 speed works, do a search. It's kind of odd that it's called WR when it has a CR transmission...

the older 6 speed will fit, but, make sure you get EVERYTHING including all the shifter parts
there have been threads here on this if you do a little searching
had and sold a 5 speed KTM for the same reason, geared it for single track and it sucked everywhere else, MXC model
funny but the Husky was a 6 speed and went to 5
KTM was a 5 and went to 6

I put a 92 WR360 six speed in my 04 WR 250. It really changed the bike for the good.
The 6 speeds from the 92-02 360s and the 92-98 250s work. After 98 there was a wide ratio 5 speed iin the WRs till 02 I think. WallyBean (Walt) pioneered the trans swaps:
http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/532293-wr-250-5-speed-to-6-speed-swap/

Awesome news guys, thanx. The hard part now will to be finding a 90's 6 speed wr tranny.

I plan on getting a rekluse 3.0. Do you guys think that the rekluse will make me happier with the 5 speed WR/CR tranny? I'm just wondering if I'll be able to lug around slower in first gear while maintaining the good top speed/gear that I already have. If not, 6 speed all the way ( if I can find one). Thanx.

Just go 6 speed the reckuse stops you stalling and allowes lazier riding.
6speed means nice power low down progressive to warp factor 9 ontop
If im not mistaken most 6speeds from husky 1993-2002 will fit in 250 cases that means 360 transmittion fits in too. Double check that you get shims for primary shaft and everything too.
Good luck hunting.

a 91 250 tranny and clutch are working fine in my 95 360..thats the first year that will work

1990 will also work.

I've got a 2000 WR250 and it does indeed have a wide ratio 5 speed. 4th and 5th are fairly tall. I passed a friend who was on a KLR650 and he said he was doing 75mph when I went by him. I don't like to hold it wide open too long so not really sure what the top speed is on my WR is but anything over 80 mph is pretty fast on a logging road! Stock sprockets on my bike too.

360 6 speed did 89 according to mates speedo. So the gearings plenty fast enough.

I did a 360 6-speed swap in a 250. It was great for 2 enduros. By the 3rd race (a harescramble) 1st and 2nd gear were gone, but I still have yet to split the cases on that bottom end and figure out what went wrong.

I know it won't be the popular suggestion, but that 5-speed wide ratio tranny would be appealing. Just the fact that the gears are going to be wider with more contact area makes me feel a bit better. The other thought, is that for your two complaints (1) suspension and (2) 1st gear not being low enough, is that the suspension and the 250 in particular are happier going a bit faster. The 250 lugs compared to some other 250s, but it's not near as happy down there as the 300. Unless you need to split the cases anyway due to bearings failing or rod slop, then I'd suggest instead of replacing the transmission, to swap out the piston, cylinder and head for a 300. That should get you set with a better low speed ride, even with the same gearing and it's not going to sacrifice your top end much if at all.

In my manual for 2002 cr250 ,first gear is the same for wr. You shouldn't have a low gear issue but maybe a fifth gear issue if you ride 80 mph. Where I ride here in Pa. there is no need for a wide tranny unless you ride on the street. I know some guys say 2002 wr came with the cr tranny so maybe I'm wrong.