It isn’t just super powerful, but the handling more than makes up for it. While the lower power makes it nice for beginners, a taller experienced rider would also like this bike because it is so flickable. Direction changes are no-brainers, and it doesn’t take long for you to start scraping the foot pegs. For more power an FMF pipe and programer can be added.

Over all this bike is near-perfect for a beginner, the only problem a beginner could have with this is the throttle response can seem abrupt before you get used to it.

It’s easy to ride but I wouldn’t really say it’s a beginner bike. It’s more of an beginner/intermediate machine since it has a dauntingly high seat height so don’t expect to be able to flat foot both feet even if you’re pretty tall. Also the bike is torquey and requires good throttle and clutch control.

The Kawasaki KLX250SF, and Honda CRF230m are also supermoto style bikes but have lower seat heights, not as torquey, and also cheaper.

But if you have at least a year of riding experience, or looking to get into stunt biking, or recreational supermoto riding, then the WR250X will fill the bill.

Way more fun than a big sportbike on city streets and for everyday riding. The WR250X carves corners like a J.A. Hinkels through a ham on Thanksgiving. It will chump more powerful sportbikes on tight twisty roads. Really nasty road, and chewed up pavement? Stand up on the pegs and let the WR250X eat it up. Handles well in wet road conditions too thanks to its lightweight, easy handling, and those meaty slicks. You wanna jump it? Go ahead! How many street bikes can say they can do all that and still get 70mpg?

It’s also very comfortable and easy to ride. Only criticism is that some may be put off by the high seat height (which really isn’t a big problem because the bike balances like a gyroscope at low speed), and you can feel heat off the high mounted exhaust when not moving.

It’s also an anti-sportbike for people who don’t want to follow the crowd.

Many cite that it is priced rather high vis-a-vis other comparable bikes including Yamaha’s other dual sport line – the XT250. But this is due to its higher build quality.

It may only be 250cc if you look only at engine numbers, but Yamaha’s fuel-injected engine puts out 28 HP on a sub 300 lb stock bike and is rated to get 70mpg. The Suzuki DR-Z400sm, by comparison, is 400cc but only has around 7 more HP in stock form over the WR250X, and is rated at 50mpg.

It’s also way less maintenance than its European exclusive brand counterparts. High performance and low maintenance is often an inverse relationship. High performance autos and motorcycles often require a lot more maintenance than consumer aimed daily drivers/riders. Yamaha has balanced the two by providing a high performing motorcycle with low-maintenance so you get a daily commuter friendly bike which also rides like a thoroughbred. If you see it this way, it’s a bargain.

At 250cc, it’s got its limits when you put it up against more powerful bikes. But unless you’re planning to ride it on the Autobahn, it will cruise comfortably at 115-120km/h or 70-75 mph in sixth gear with power to spare. Only caveat is that it’s not comfortable at speeds above this due to the lack of windshield, and its short wheelbase and quick steering makes it a bit twitchy at high speeds.

My ratings are based on what the bike is intended for and whether it meets or exceeds those intentions. In my opinion, the WR250X exceeds its intended purposes as a 250cc bike designed to be street friendly while delivering performance.