MountainMichael's Dual Sport Ride - "Anywhere"
Bored on an Easter Sunday, so a bit of a ramble.
First off, Happy Easter!
Back to topic: 2008 Yamaha WR250X "supermoto" (??) converted for dual sport riding. Street legal bikes as shipped with 6 speed trans and EFI. I converted to dual sport (on road/highway and off road) due to where I live out 'in the sticks' at this point in life.
7k in mods all DIY; won't bore you with the list. Favorite mod: Revloc Automatic clutch - I especially enjoy the clutch ON road. Go figure. Also surprising to me, 2nd favorite mods are windshield and highway pegs.
It is an easy handling, nimble, lightweight bike off road and on tripling my off road abilities compared to my old pig.
It repeatedly kept up with or slightly ahead of a well modified KLR650 in highway acceleration comparisons at very high altitudes (9000+ feet) on steep inclines or on the level from zero to 70 - KLR rider was 30 pounds lighter than me. 70 up, the KLR slowly edges ahead. Not that KLR's are fast.
The other rider subsequently got rid of his KLR650 and picked up a WR250R. Stable in wind at 90 actual; never any "golly wobble" or other untoward excitement.
I've owned many motorcycles including a new Suzuki GSXR1100 back when. The WR250X is no speed demon, but it is very fun due to being so nimble, friendly and comfortable (after mods).
This first pic is with Greenhorn Mountain in the background.
Second pic is in across the road from my home in my rural subdivision:
We WR250R/X zealots use this motto:
"Anywhere"
Yup, we even have our own "Anywhere" t-shirts. ;-)
One caveat: These bikes can be too tall for some people. Although mine is the X model and is somewhat lower than the R, I still had to lower it a bit more to be comfortable. My excuses would be age, shorter than average legs, artificial joints, weak legs, etc.
PROPAGANDA ADVISORY:
I guess this is deteriorating into a sales pitch, so the rest "shouldn't be read by anyone":
Item perhaps of interest: Many people love to say: "KTM's are faster. Just go with a KTM." Of course, most of those people have never owned or ridden a KTM - and most have never had to live with a KTM on the highway. I concede, however: In a comparison of power, the KTM is tremendously more powerful than a WR250R or X.
Consider this, though: What is the impact of comfort, ease of use, nimbleness and reliability? One of our WR250R "Anywhere" zealots rode his bike long distance on interstates and highways to get to a race event. He finished in the middle of the field in a multi-day off road race populated mostly by trailered in KTM race bikes. And then perhaps adding insult to injury, he rode his WR250R home.
As many say of motorcycle racing, "it's the rider, not the bike". One point perhaps contradicting that statement in this particular instance... the WR250R rider was middle aged, not a kid, racing against mostly much younger riders. And... perhaps in defense of the orange bikes???: A lot of the KTM racers bikes broke down being fatally delayed or not able to finish the race - no offense to KTM owners or non-owner-fans intended - it's just how it was in one isolated race.
Truth in advertising: I'm no racer. I couldn't have pulled that off regardless of equipment.
Respectfully submitted. Probably not a bike for the masses, but I am exceptionally enamored with this one. It is my personal favorite of all the motorcycles I've owned or ridden; tremendous character and personality irrespective of the diminutive cc's.
Ok; off to Easter celebration back in civilization..
Mick
