Bike Tests and Details
Reports on bikes by riders in Scotland.
2003 Bikes .
First off of course has to be the new Yamaha WR250f - now with electric start. (My bike). Well worth the wait !
New for 2003 - Electric start, Revised brakes, new swingarm, quick access
airbox, hot start button on the handlebar, bigger tank and all in one rear brake (No
master cylinder). The bike feels the same as last year - but I've only just run it in and
had a run round a motocross course, plenty of grip and very stable, jumps well and power
is instant when needed. Basically carrying on from last year and improving. Suspension is
still top notch and tracks where you want to go. The best thing is the engine - which
delivers loads of effortless and controllable power - no surprises - just say what you
want and does it.
The QD airbox is easy to get into - just like on the XR Hondas and may encourage me
to do a filter change half way through a very dusty event
Starting with the button is effortless and works hot or cold. The manual gives
methods for all conditions and is worth reading. The automatic decompressor makes kick
starting dead easy for when you need a bit of exercise. It also makes it easy to bump
start on hills - just pull in the clutch and roll away.
Couple of niggles - you have to remove the tank to change a plug - but I never
changed a plug all last year so no problem. No grab hole in the side panel on the left of
machine ??. That's all.
Still the best 250 around and makes average riders look like an expert. Only comes in blue - what other colour is there ?
Click photos to enlarge
 Brand new 03 |
 Electric foot |
 QD air box |
 No access to plug |
 24Hours later - in it's element. |
Yamaha WR450f - the new tool for the Scottish Champion Supplied by Ride On Motorcycles - Glasgow. Report by Derek Litttle
My thoughts on the 450F are this…..Magic!
Huge amounts of power that grips and drives you forward! Not violently, just smoothly and very, very rapidly. I had always said that the 250F could be ridden by anyone from a trail rider / sportsmen to a world class enduro star like Bergval. I don’t think the same is true of the 450F as, although it is still manageable, the rider will get there so much quicker that they may get in trouble. I actually overshot a turn off a trail by about 30m because I didn’t realise how fast I was going!
Although it is a big bike and it has a huge 10litre tank, it feels pretty nimble and turns without much effort – definitely not the same beast as the Honda 450F!
The electric start is just superb – it will save the rider so much frustration and energy, it simply isn’t fair on 2 strokes now! With that simple addition, the 4 strokes from Yamaha will have opened up a whole new market of the "less serious trail rider", who wants high performance with ease of use. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THE 250F!
I’ll do a full report for the site once I have actually raced the bike.
 New Looks and the power to match |
 QD Air box |
 Electric Foot - worth it's weight in Gold |
 Scotlands No 1 Yamaha Team |
KTM 400 EXC
 Very popular 4 stroke |
 Reliable and very powerful engine |
 The
All important |
KTM 250 EXC
 Full blown KTM woods racer. |
 Linkless Monoshock |
Suzuki DRZ 400
This is a new section starting with the magnificent YAMAHA WR 250 F Four stroke. Details on the KX 250 to follow. Or send me a report on your own bike.
Yamaha WR 250 F Four Stroke - new for 2001. ( Charlie Mackenzie Clubman )
This is the latest of Yamahas long history of four stroke dirt bikes starting with the XT/TT 500 back in the 70's. I have owned most of these TT550, XT500, XT350 and now the pure enduro WR250. By far the standard by which the new four strokes are to be judged. I am biased of course as I own one. At present only two in Scotland and the other is being run by the current Scottish Champion.
Weight - just over 100 kilos. Power - more than an XR400. Handling - just like a 125 - turns so sharp you will cut yourself. The power delivery is right off the bottom and keeps on going to 11,000 revs. It powers up hills faster than any other bike I have owned.
It's biggest feature is how small and light it feels and the lack of power. The power is perfect - not too much too scare you but you can attack the course and know you will not come into a corner too hot. It allows you to ride all day without getting tired as you are in control - not the bike. Where a 250 2 stroke pulls you round the course the WR lets you ride round in charge of the bike and being a 4 stroke it also has engine braking when you need it.
An ideal beginners machine but also a very focused tool for the experienced rider. Stephen Peterhansel (750 cc DAKAR racer) is competing on one this year in the World Enduro Chamionship and wants to be the first rider on a 250 4 stroke to win overall.
Starting is not a problem and it starts when hot using the HOT START button. If it floods give it a few kicks on full throttle then start as normal. Electric start would be nice but is not really necessary yet. Still - if you are stuck on a hill with a hot bike that is when the wee buton comes into it's own.
If you want full specs on the bike contact Stephen at Ride On Motorcycles in Glasgow.
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Some folk say that you have ride an "enduro bike" in the enduos because the motor is smoother, the suspension is plusher and Bla Bla Bla. That is not to say that an out of the crate enduro bike is no good. Indeed most are the tool for the job. Only problem is they cost a fair bit more than your bog standard motocross bike and if you like the feel of riding the Japanese bikes, like I do, there is not much of a choice.
This year I am riding a ‘2002’ Kawasaki KX 250 from Mickey Oats Motorcycles in Glasgow. Setting up the bike for an enduro is not as difficult as you wood expect:
 | A 13oz Flywheel weight was bolted on to the standard item to take some of the sharpness of the motor. |
| The compression and rebound damping have been backed off a little to gain more grip. |
| The standard shock spring was replaced for a slightly heavier 5.4 kg rating to better suit my weight (14.5 stone). |
| A glide plate from Gadget Racing was added to protect the crank case from rocks etc and stop the frame digging in when jumping ditches and other hazards. |
| To register the bike a self-certification form is all that is required now by the DVLA. |
| Before the bike was even started it was stripped down, greased and checked over. (see Initial Inspection and Maintenance below) |
The bike feels sharp in handling as all the Japanese bikes do but the power delivery is now much smoother pulling strongly from the bottom. The bike is not sliding around or breaking traction that would normally happen with the standard setup. I have found the bike very easy to ride on the going and it is strong on the special test when you need it.
The standard suspension on the bike is fine for enduro riding as long as it is backed off a little (not to much or it will be difficult in the ruts and on the faster rougher sections) to produce that little bit more grip that is required in some of the tricky sections.
Initial Inspection and Maintenance
Before even running in the bike I would strip the bike down, paying particular attention to the following items:
| Rear suspension linkage and swing arm requires to be greased with a quality waterproof grease. The standard stuff is only assembly grease and is crap. |
| Steering head bearings – as above |
| The standard (elastic band) chain was replaced with a quality ‘O’ ring chain. |
| The steel radiator stays at the back of the radiators have been removed to allow some movement in a crash. Also the top bolt attaching the radiator fins to the radiator has been removed to allow easy cleaning access at the checks. |
| All the zip ties holding the electrical connectors in place have been replaced with electrical tape. This prevents the zip tie rubbing through your cables. |
| Standard steel handlebars have been replaced with a quality aluminium aftermarket set with bar pad. The steel bars will only last until the your first minor crash. Aluminium bars will also reduce any vibration from the bike transmitted to the bars. |
| Grips have been wired to the handlebars to prevent any slipping. |
| The air filter was re-oiled as the factory never does this properly with a new bike. |
| The gear oil was replaced with a quality brand. The bike comes standard with transfer oil that is topped up by the dealer. |
After the run in period I would change the fork oil and the gear oil (again).