WR250R vs CRF250L: Comparison Review 

I owned both bikes and this video is very accurate. I started on the 250L, rode it for two seasons about 7000 km, and then traded it in for the 250R. I am an intermediate skill rider and I only do day trips that involve everything from some pavement to rough single track The most important factors for me are weight and suspension. Unless you race the power difference in these two bikes is virtually irrelevant. Both bikes can be lightened by removing the road legal bits like tail gear and stock mufflers but ultimately the 250R will be about 20 lb lighter. Over the course of a day of trail riding the 20 lb is very noticeable specially when it is removed from high up like the tail and the mufler. if you adventure it like having the ability to carry extra 20 lb in gear and still be at the same weight as the 250L. At 205 lb (95 kg) with safety gear and max preload I kept bottoming out the CRF. This was the trigger for me to consider the 250R. Ultimately, the decision will come down to rider skill. The 250L is an beginner to intermediate skill motorcycle and the 250R is and intermediate to advanced skill moto. Both are well engineered machines but the extra money for the WR shows in parts quality and fit and finish. I prefer the seat on the 250R for the trail and the seat on the 250L for the road. 250R is more like a dirt bike seat but it is more padded near the tank thus more comfortable on the trail. I have no regrets owning either machine. Both are a pleasure to own.

At age 64 with a 30" inseam, and having ridden for 48 years, decided to get back into dirt/dual sport riding after a 30 year absence. Got a '17 CRF250L for $3,999 (US) when Honda was having a rebate program going. Of course, with delivery charge, dealer set up, and licensing it was $5,100 out the door. Did the usual stage 1 mods (13t countershaft, exhaust can, EJK controller, air filter mod) plus dual sport accessories (rear rack, RotoPax 1.75 gal, drybag, tank bag, skid plate, radiator guard, protaper bars, handguards, iphone mount, usb powerport). Put on about 3000 miles of mixed road and trail last year, including hundreds of miles on the MABD, an AMA adventure ride in Pennsylvania, forest trails in state forests, and country roads near where I live. Love the bike for all the reasons stated in this video, principally the relatively low seat height and the easy nature of the bike (instant start, featherweight clutch pull, slick gearbox [snick snick snick]) with total reliability. The only issue I had with it was the soft suspension when in tricky technical high speed offroad use. So, I bit the bullet and went with the RaceTech suspension upgrade (spring, gold valve, fork oil in front; new shock in back). Just did several more sections of the MABDR a few weeks ago, and it was a night and day difference offroad. Absolutely no bottoming, and potholes virtually disappeared. I've never ridden the WR so can't compare, but I find the limited but friendly nature of the CRF's power totally adequate. Have regularly done 200+ mile days of mixed road and trail. And lest you think that I don't know power or speed, I used to road race an RD350 and also own a '99 R1 with 55,000 miles on it and a Factory Five AC Cobra replica with 45,000 miles on it that I built , and used to play around in the Mojave with my '80 YZ465G set up for the desert. This "street bike dressed up for dirt" is just plain fun!

In this video, I learned I can adjust the suspension on my bike!

Excellent job I was really going between these two bikes you’ve help me make my decision going with the Honda thank you

I find this review to be very objective and well-thought-out - congratulations!

Great review! Thanks for posting. I hope you’re still doing videos like this. Much better than most.

Really good review, very balanced and very informative. If you're looking to buy either of the bikes you need to watch this! Good job

was thinking of a WR , but now going with the CRF ,thankyou , very good video, not too long and good points of review.

By far the best comparison review I've seen of the two bikes. Great job!

Each vid is better than the previous one! You seem so relaxed and having fun in front of your camera. Well done :)

That was a cool video liked it a lot, keep them coming

Good revue, a very confident assessment of the two bikes. Thank's.

thank you, one of the best comparisons I have watched yet

Awesome review thanks so much. Just subscribed. Looks like the Honda for me based on your feedback. Cheers!

Very nice video. I just bought a wr250r last week. Probably won’t get to ride it much until spring. I also just subscribed. Thank you for sharing

Excellent comparison, You hit 1 point after another after another that helps someone distinguish and pick between these two bikes. I kept thinking well for me that would be the better bike based on your real world observations. Great job.

excellent comparison, and excellent review of both bikes!!!!!!!

Great bike review! Tried dirt last spring on a YZ250...and yeah that bike tried to kill me!! you have helped me confirm the CRF direction I was leaning towards

One of the greatest reviews I have seen!! Deserved LIKE!

Top notch review, and an exemplar for all such reviews, whatever the bike. Thanks so much for doing this, as it helped in my making a decision between the two.

Excellent review. I like that you thoroughly and objectively explored the upsides and downsides of each, identifying the markets rather than concluding one as the 'winner' so to speak. I've owned the CRF250L since 2013 and love the bike. I've modified mine for increased, snappier power, especially at the low to mid range, and swapped the tank for the larger Acerbis tank. It's a go anywhere, do anything bike for sure. Cheers :-)

COS good job mate been a big help to me so many thanks RSMF .

My 2014 CRF is being delivered this coming Wednesday and I CANNOT bear the wait !! She looks stunning, she feels solid and reliable and puts a massive grin on your face. All that from the test ride. I knew within half a mile of the dealership ( RPM Milton Keynes UK ) that I had found MY bike.

Great comparison bro!! I concur with almost everything you said.

Just subscribed after watching a couple of your videos, and i can say, i will definitely share some of them

Excellent video mate, just what I was looking for now I think I have my top pick

Best review I have seen! Keep up the great work.

Great review, you definitely changed my mindset being a returning rider. I’d previously owned a WR in the 90’s and loved it, it was the two stroke and was not street legal. So being vertically challenged the CRF makes a lot of sense for this 55 year old man who will see way more street than dirt . Thanks again

Love your videos/reviews COS. You have a talent for this medium. I'm currently working out a deal for a WRR for all the reasons you mentioned but I liked your assessment - it reinforces my thoughts. Blessings to you mate (I'm American but Matt Mladin is still loved over here) :-) Merry CHRISTmas!

I know this is an old(ish) video, but it is a great comparison. Thanks much!

Great review, thanks for sharing, unfortunatly that Yamaha is not sold in Mexico. Congratulations very solid information.

Nice comparison sir. I've ridden both and own a WR250R. If you're 5' 9"-ish or taller and have the extra $$$ go with the WR. If not go with the CRF and have no worries either way. One thing I found mandatory on the WR was a seat replacement. The stock seat is not comfortable for long rides. I went with a Seat Concepts low-cut seat and did an 800 mile day on it last summer on a trip from Washington to Arizona and back.

Decided on the 250L since a beginner

Man that was the best comparisons video i have ever seen :) you can tell you put a lot of time to getting to know each bikes good and bad points. 2 thumbs up :)

thanks man, that was very helpful and informative review.

Excellent review. Probably the most informative I have ever seen on You Tube.

What a great detailed review. Hope someday the WR250R and KLX250 will receive the same review.

best review I've come across of the two

I've been looking for a small bike for the purpose of adventuring. I stumbled onto the CRF 250L, but you've opened some nice options avaliable, cheers man.

Really good video - helped me to decide. Thanks!

Great vid! Really liked your comparision between the two and made excellent point on either machine. For having the chance of riding both, you are absolutely right! A friend and I bought last spring (in May) our first brand new bike ever. Me a CRF 250 Rally and my friend a WR250R. The Rally as a first bike (ever) wasn't a good choice at all, well in my case, cuz out of 5 000km put in it this summer, 4 000km (at least) out of it, was in the wood and some heavy terrain wich the bike as never been designed for... Dropped it again and again (its stock tires certainly didn't help) and broke the left side panel on my very first ride in a muddy/snowy trail. Hard motorbike lesson I must say! After the first 1000km, I was getting pretty use to it and dropping was less an issue of course. At the end of the summer I had the chance to try a 2017 CRF 250L and man, its day and night compared to the Rally. (Rally's fork is around 1 inch longer and 1 more degree inclined towards the front) As a result, the 250L is way more agressive than the Rally. That's the bike I should had bought in the first place. Now I'm looking for a 250L or the "brand new" KLX250, wich on paper, is superior to the Honda counter part and has some very similar spec to the Wr250r for around 2000$ cheaper. I think the Rally is the closest thing you can get for a true 50/50 dual-sport bike. Its windshield, high LED beams and larger fuel tank makes it a real comfortable bike for commuting and is more than capable for off-road riding. That being said, for hardcord dirt riding, it is not well suited as I previously mentioned but nevertheless, I was able to follow my friends somehow without any big struggle wich are riding WR250R, XT250, 250L and DRZ400.

very informative reviews,.

Yes. this is probably the best comparison video of two competitive bikes

Thank you for an awesome review!

Very informative and unbiased. Thanks!

Just discovered your channel today and am considering a small dual sport, so this was extremely helpful--I know it's 3 1/2 years old now but very helpful nonetheless. Grew up riding dirt bikes, thought about buying a street bike 15 years ago but held off but glad I did as I think a small dual sport would be perfect. At my age, 59 (but in very fit), mostly want to ride forest/mountain rides and easy trails--nothing too technical or gnarly, just want to have some fun and enjoy riding again, as I've missed it. Hope to move to a small mountain town and then I'll pull the trigger. Thanks!

EXELENT VIDEO THANKS !!!

Very excellent presentation. Thanks very much.

The lower price and my height (5'7") make the Honda a winner for me. I'm also a returning rider having had a 2000 KTM 300 EXC in the past. Thanks for the great vid and unbiased comparison!

Appreciate the review

Excellent review there....looking to get the WR here in Canada.

Your mate on the KTM 690 at 12:50 is hilarious!

Great review!

Most comprehensive and usable comparison I’ve found with the 2 bikes !! I would like to hear your thoughts about the CRF250L and the KLX250 too. Im from Canada btw and we roughly have the same prices you mentioned between the WR and the CFR. actually the WR is a bit cheaper here but the CRF is the same price (even tho Canadian dollar worths less).

wow this was very comprehensive, congrats!

Great review

Outstanding comparison. Thanks.

absolutely beautiful review from start 2 finish! thank you so much for being so thorough & taking your time. The way u feel about your WR Is similar to the way I would describe the motor & a few other things but mine was the street version & yours was dirt so obviously I don't know how it rode in the dirt. 😂 I used to have the '08 wr250x supermoto I absolutely love that bike it was 100% stock so beautiful even when I sold it I regretted it, I missed it so much over the years, now I purchased a 2018 CRF250 rally. (2 fill that void) I wanted to get the 300 rally but they literally wanted $1,900 more & I decided for that kind of 💰 I'm getting the 250 it's a 2018 but only had 172 miles. Possibly not the best bike compared to the KLX 300, WR & a few other ones but it will hold its own & still have a good time with my friends riding 🤷🏻💯% God bless all🙏

Very well done comparison! Agree on all points!

Great review, Thanks

Good review

Thank you very much for this completely review. That was really nice to watch this video, with a little bit sightseeing of Australia. I used to own a XT 600 and now I'm looking around for a WR. I am interested in capability of dual sport and reliability of course. Greetings from Poland.

What a great review. I've looked at both bikes but in the end, my wallet dictated which I could buy, so Honda it was. After owning it and modding it up a bit, the Honda has been a fun bike to own, though I wish it had just a bit more horses to play with.

Good video man👍

Thank you for the excellent comparison. You did not leave anything out. CRF it is, since I am vertically challenged.

Great review, thanks. Also great comedy moment at 12.48, WTF. Thanks :)

Good review. I'm looking at selling my CRF and getting something a little more powerful and adept at loading on some camping gear and going in to the mountains for the weekend!

Que buen video, aunque mucho no entendí . Tuve un WR 400 pero cometí un error al no comprar la xr 400 allá por el año 1998. El wr supera en prestaciones a la Xr pero la sensación que daba era que estaba pensada para la competición en cambio la xr 400 iba dirigida a un público más amplio o personas que se iniciaban en el enduro. Gracias. Thank You. Un saludo desde Argentina!

I really enjoyed this review! But the best bit was at 12:50😂😂couldn't stop watching it a pissin' myself!!

Thank you for a great review, the Honda's for me.

Great video. It helped me make a decision between these two bikes. I'm an old guy and a beginner, so it's the Honda for now. I do like the specs on the Yamaha, but it may be too much for me. Thanks. ;-)

im looking at getting a first bike and i finally decided one of these 2 and this video is helping me narrow down, definitely leaning towards the honda since its lower maintenance especially as a first time owner, so this video was helpful and pointed out some good things for me. also where in Australia are these clips from? really beautiful

I love my WR, much like everyone else I just wish it had a bit more power. Great review, thanks!

Great video dude. I own a WR450F and I'm about 5'10 and need to stand on my tippy toes. I also have the Highway Dirt Bikes bark busters, They are awesome but at $300 AU they're a bit pricey.

The biggest factor that pushed me to get a WR250R over the KLX250 and CRF250L was my height. Being 6’2”, the KLX and CRF felt so small under me. I can stand flat foot over the WRR. The KLX wasn’t as bad, but the only bikes that felt truly comfortable were the WR250R and DRZ400, and who wants carb in 2020? Yamaha it was 😎

Really well done. I've researched both of these bikes extensively and I'm pretty sure you covered everything. I like the crf250L because, well it's Honda, and also I tend to ride along slow and easy enjoying the scenery. I like the wr250r mostly for the seat height and somewhat for the adjustable suspension. I haven't sat on a wr250r but I did get a chance to sit on a crf250L and at 6'5" I can easily flat foot it with bent knees.

hey buddy great comparison of the CRF 250L VS the WR250r me and my buddy are starting a tour company here in alaska and have bought 4 WR250r's but we were looking for a more user friendly bike ,like a few CRF 250L's or a few XT250's,they are so easy to ride (lower Ht) enjoyed watching the video ( which one would you pick )ride safe my motorcycle brother,,liked (thumbs up )

good review

I think this video is absolutely spot on, and the thing that really struck a chord with me is your quote that the "WR250R has more potential to allow you to grow as a rider". I've just clocked 1000 km on my new WR250R purchased a few weeks ago. This bike gives you more and more confidence off-road every time you go out. Whenever I park it up after a day's ride, I just want to get back out there again and try out a few more challenges. Yamaha have produced an absolute gem. It's extremely capable off-road and is also a lot of fun on the tar and twisties. Thanks COS for an great review, which helped me make a very good decision.

Wr250 all day, nothing really compares to it. However, you must mod the wr250r to get it proper. I put about 4k in mods and my bike is awesome now, rips compared to stock.

nice video champ. seems like those bikes together with the DRZ400 are the main competitors in the small everyday adv bikes!

great review! never drive one or the other but always pending of those bike on the web. if you see at my videos i'm now a Yamaha material .. . but at a smaller scall :) but still, that CRF is a great machine !

Great video! Thanks

You did a fantastic job on your review. I greatly appreciate your time,effort and knowledge base. It is such a tough choice. It probably can come down to a decision of money ? Since both suspensions need aftermarket work, can the CRF. With the full Race Tech suspension treatment front and rear get the CRF up to par and still be below The out the door price of the WR ? Only time will tell how the new 2017 CRF engine upgrades will shake out, add that it has ABS makes it an even tougher choice Good work my friend. Be safe Rich

awesome!! great info!!

Nice vid m8

I had the 2013 CRF250l Honda. It's fun, easier for me to touch the ground, less expensive, looks great, and gets great gas mileage. Once I got use to it, I wished I had a little bit more punch. It could barely raise the front end. I know the Yamaha WR250r is a little tall for me and they make a yamalink adjustment that should get it close to the Honda's height. I've seen on quite a few videos of the Yamaha leaving the Honda. I've seen the WR hanging with 400's. That YZ frame makes it a good bit lighter than most dual sports. I know they're not meant to be really fast, but I would like to try that Yamaha one day. I also had an XT225 and XT250. They were just too low to the ground. The 250XT was a good bit heavier than the 225xt. For adventure, all dual sports are fun. The fuel injected is more responsive than the carburetor. I would like to see the KLX250 upgraded to fuel injected.

lmao at 12:45 your riding bud cracks me up. great vid very informative thanks!

The price difference is almost enough to get the parts to make the CRF just as capable as the WR, a tuner and some front shocks would be almost enough to equalize them. Of course the 17 model would only need the adjustable front forks, as it will have basically equal power to the WR.

65 year old 250lb rider here. Love my WR250R. I’ve ridden both these and Honda is just a more primitive machine. The fuel injection is worth it’s weight in gold. So is additional ground clearance.

Just watched the video again, I'm 5'6" & get on ok with the WRR yes it's tall but I also have a TTR & before that a XR400RC so used to a tall bike. However I adjusted the yoke on the rear shock & slipped the forks through the triples & I can touch tippy toe with both feet in sneakers so should be easier with boots on. Agreed with the rear shock, it's not as good as the TTR in the rear standard but the front is pretty good. Lucky enough to own both a TTR & WRR & each bike has it's own strong points, in fact I took the TTR over the WRR to the Flinders late April...plenty of videos of both the TTR & WRR on my channel if anyone is interested. Cheers Terry

I’m trying to decide between this, or DRZ400 or Versys X300 for first bike. Any tips? I don’t intend to do off road and would swap for street tires

Great video very informative Where is the riding location looks great

do the wr250r vs the new klx250. I'm curious is the wr250r is worth the extra 2500$(cdn market) over the new klx250.

Would you really recommend the CRF for someone who only has onroad experience? I am kind of hesitating a little bit because I don't want to spend money twice. Regarding the CRF being pretty cheap you certainly will lose money selling it, so why not buy a WR in first place? Will it be that hard to learn riding offroad with the WR?

Great review. Which of these bikes will be better for a ride through the Simpson desert? Lots of sand.

Wouldn't the Yamaha XT250 be a closer comparison to the CRL250L? Just seems the WR250R is such a different ride.

I have had an xt 250 for a few years now. I love it so much, but just wish it had a little more. I have spent some time on the crf and it is quite nice in comparison, I am eyeing the wr, or a 350.

Fantastic review.. ××××× 5 stars. I've just moved from Mandurah to Canning vale.. and about to get a 250 on a budget for such rides. Any small club or groups to join or contact? Past endo bikes IT465, XR500, much later a TE510.. so now you know how old I am.. Now I need a bike I can pick up..Thx G

Yes, safety is a big concern when your out in the dirt. Especially when your with your Kato handicap.