Commute on WR250R?
- Thread starter enki
- Start date
motomania2007
TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
street but not freeway, just not enough top end...
HadesOmega
Well-known member
I don't see how it would be bad for commuting. It is geared so you can ride on the freeway with it. You probably won't have superbike passing power. But yeah probably a short commute like less than 20 miles, seat is probably not the most comfy also and no wind protection unless you add a windscreen.
mototireguy
Moto Tire Veteran
Ok for maybe 5 minutes max on the freeway. Yes it will do it but singles are not happy campers slabbing at full steam.
Perfectly great fun for everything else.
Perfectly great fun for everything else.
HadesOmega
Well-known member
It wouldn't be going full steam, the WRR has a 6th gear/overdrive gear. Many people adventure ride with WRRs. I rode one once and it seemed ok on the freeway. But it was modded a little. I've ridden a KLR250 on the freeway and it's damn near scary. It's like you'll get on wind the sucker up have no passing power and your in the slow lane all the time. You'll want to get off in like 5 exits max.
youtu.be/saUbySPk1V0
youtu.be/saUbySPk1V0
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mototireguy
Moto Tire Veteran
+ zero wind protection and lightweight means getting blown around in breezy conditions.
Ocho
Well-known member
I met two guys over the weekend and they rode those things everywhere. In Texas.
Roadstergal
Sergeant Jackrum
I prefer something with a little more luggage. You can make it a commuter, but that's making it less of a WR250R...
ctwo
Merely Rhetorical
That looks fun! Buncha pansies. Bay area highways are the new bay area trails, ruts, potholes, and asphalt/concrete dung bums all around, it would be perfect.
I rode a less capable Honda 185 street something very early on, all around the bay. CHP even pulled me over since they did not believe it was highway legal. Could barely keep it at the 55 limit. It blowed up going over the big pass...
HadesOmega
Well-known member
Yeah specially sf
dittoalex
Too much lean angle...
No, the WR bars are at the height of most cars' mirrors. I'd recommend a heavier street fighter with lower bars for splitting, whose added weight and heavier suspension will make it bounce less on the dots.
I sold my lightly modded WR250X because of the 100~ mile gas range when flogging it.
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motomania2007
TC/MSF/CMSP/ Instructor
I had a KLX250 for a short time and yes it is a freeway legal motorcycle, flat out it went about 80mph and it did not like going that fast.
It would probably cruise at about 60-65 OK.
Just not fast enough to get out of the way of freeway traffic that is moving at freeway speeds.
If traffic is going a lot slower like typical commute times, then a KLX or WR250 would be fine.
It would probably cruise at about 60-65 OK.
Just not fast enough to get out of the way of freeway traffic that is moving at freeway speeds.
If traffic is going a lot slower like typical commute times, then a KLX or WR250 would be fine.
I commuted on a 250 cruiser once, 120 miles a day. 80 mpg was fantastic.
It could do 70 as long as it was on a flat or no stiff headwind.
Lasted a few months until I realized I wanted ABS.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't ride below a 650, and prefer a little more. I have learned that torque is king for commuting when you want to get out of tight spots while splitting. If I have to downshift to get to the power I need a bigger engine.
So I prefer big(ish) twins now. 800 is working for me nicely.
But even it won't go from say 70 to 90 very fast (like a 1200 would), but I don't go over 75ish anyway, other folks can have the tickets.
Maybe a nice compromise bike could be say a 500 adv, like a Honda 500X, I rode one of those for a while. It was ok, I upgeared it and it did better on the freeway, but I had to downshift a gear or two to get any power at all.
And I didn't feel comfortable splitting over about 30 mph because it couldn't get you out of a tight spot in anything above 2nd gear.
It could do 70 as long as it was on a flat or no stiff headwind.
Lasted a few months until I realized I wanted ABS.
Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't ride below a 650, and prefer a little more. I have learned that torque is king for commuting when you want to get out of tight spots while splitting. If I have to downshift to get to the power I need a bigger engine.
So I prefer big(ish) twins now. 800 is working for me nicely.
But even it won't go from say 70 to 90 very fast (like a 1200 would), but I don't go over 75ish anyway, other folks can have the tickets.
Maybe a nice compromise bike could be say a 500 adv, like a Honda 500X, I rode one of those for a while. It was ok, I upgeared it and it did better on the freeway, but I had to downshift a gear or two to get any power at all.
And I didn't feel comfortable splitting over about 30 mph because it couldn't get you out of a tight spot in anything above 2nd gear.
2strokeYardSale
Moab on my mind
I used the WR250X for a several years of daily freeway commuting and traded it with 33K miles on it (all mine from new). Great fuel economy, especially stock before PowerCommander. The wind blast wasn't bad.
I didn't like the lack of power against a headwind on the uphill ride home.
60 mph is a sweet spot, 65-70 is meh OK, over 70 is less desirable. (Actual GPS speeds, not speedometer indicated.) I think I had it up to 97 or 98 indicated on the track.
I didn't like the lack of power against a headwind on the uphill ride home.
60 mph is a sweet spot, 65-70 is meh OK, over 70 is less desirable. (Actual GPS speeds, not speedometer indicated.) I think I had it up to 97 or 98 indicated on the track.
It's a street bike. It was made for the freeway with a sixth gear and tall gearing. It is designed to run at high RPM for 26000 miles, then you have to do a valve lash inspection.
RRrider
Enthusiast, Fukrwe Club
great for around town - pot holes and curbs? NP.
in heavy stop and go (read: splitting), the mirror issue is a concern - I like the mid size naked suggestion above.
For slabbing it, the engine size is a concern.
Sure you can do it. But depending on your commute, there may well be better options.
in heavy stop and go (read: splitting), the mirror issue is a concern - I like the mid size naked suggestion above.
For slabbing it, the engine size is a concern.
Sure you can do it. But depending on your commute, there may well be better options.