Maybe include the WR250R in your search if you're concerned about riding sandy stretches and other off road fun. Like Molly said. It is fun and addictive. Hard to find in some places of the world so when you encounter it on your trip and didn't bring the right tool you might feel robbed by your own decisions.

It handles as good on the road as my BMW Dakar did and smoother too. Might have to down shift on the climbs.
No comparison on the dirt. Just plain fun.

I needed a lot of convincing to go to a 2dirty but glad I looked at it.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

G'day Alan,

It's been my experience that the on/off road question becomes harder that older you are. I'm 55 now and I wish that I had learned to ride on dirt when I was much younger. The reality of the consequences and no fear attitude of youth helps.

My first trip was Singapore to UK and for that I used the 1200. No regrets and the route was 95% tarmac. No problems.

The second was from TDF to Alaska and I'd say 80% tarmac with Routa 40 Copper Canyon and the Dalton Highway being the "off road" parts, again with the 1200 and no regrets.

This year was UK to Magadan through Mongolia and the ROB. This year I used the 660 Tenere and for me it was too tall (if you are 6ft tall you will have no problem) but not under powered. The route was about 60% tarmac 40% dirt this time.

I have always found the the extra power and nice suspension to be a bonus when you are on the tarmac, and depending where you feel comfortable going that will be probably most of the time unless you are one of the die hard "off roaders" that like you write about how daring and hard the adventures can get. I've now found my limits and don't mind admitting it.

Like moloydog says you've done the hard part, you know the bikes and their limitations. There is no perfect bike. Now you have to work out where you want to go and the route you want to take, then buy the bike or bikes??

Chris

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http://wombatstravels.blogspot.com.au/

I appreciate and agree with what you say but for me I imagine I would be frustrated with the lack of torque that a 250 has and would find the pace frustrating. I could be wrong however as I am still thinking Euro touring...?

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have fun with your helmet!

You know what? It does depend on your frame of reference and expectation. In Australia I ride a lot of double (4wd) and single trail so everything feels zippier because of the close proximity of things. I don't get it over 100kph on that much. So I have a different frame of reference from the euro situation (grew up in Holland) where everything is wide open and dirt is non existing. So when I was suggested a 250 I wasn't sure neither. I read reviews about people testing this one when it first came onto the scene and was surprised about them. It's no ordinary 2fitty. So when I took the jump from a 650 Dakar, modified to a wet weight of 180kg and test rode it I was blown away.

Those engineers are amazing. It's a cylinder from an R1 with bit and pieces borrowed from other bikes R&D.

It's not for 4 lane motorway obviously. You're you exposed for that. So getting out of Europe you'll probably think WTF. Wrong bike. But on the dirt and even on country roads it's a lot of fun. Smoother at 120kph than the BM Dakar and it's happy to do it and a little more. Blew my DRZ-E out of the water which Ted took on one of his trips which i was planning to do well. Got rid of both bigger bikes. The gearing is better for road compared to the Suzi so you won't notice the power difference. The Suzuki has a good power to weight ratio for RTW but the gearing let's it down. Technology moved on too.

With the WRR You'll just have to down shift at HWY speeds when the road start to climb. To me this gives a sporty ride rather than a cruisy ride.

I'd suggest take it for a test ride with an open mind and possibly back to back with something bigger and imagine the unpredictable gravel or potholed roads.

Go lightweight in luggage and let the opportunities come to you. It's a great feeling standing at an intersection and not having to debate if it's a good idea.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329337

You can read about the Yamaha WR250R on above thread on ADV Rider.
Few talk about it here except TMotten. 40K posts there, lots of info. I've read most of it ... but lost interest in the bike ....

Did a short 20 minute test ride, ON and OFF road. Impressive.
Not sure the WR is the "perfect" RTW travel bike for everyone, but it's damn GOOD ... both ON and OFF road. But, I've read of surprising reliability issues in above ADV thread. Unusual for Yamaha. But mostly all good reports.

One would have to pack really light on ANY 250. I owned a WR250F (race bike) until recently, owned several 250's in the past. My Fav was former XR250R. Amazing bike, didn't travel RTW on it but did some long-ish rides.

No doubt, once off road in bad conditions a 250 would be a holiday compared to even a well set up 650. Much easier riding.

But realistically, how much true off road nasties will you go looking for? Most travelers take a "road" somewhere, not a trail. A well set up 650 can handle most roads. Mud and Sand? Advantage 250.

The WR-R is a tiny bike, fit me perfect (at 5'7"). The owner I borrowed it from is 6'2", he looked funny on the thing ... "Like A Monkey Humping A Football"

And what will happen to it's "light, nimble handling" once loaded up for RTW riding? My guess is it will go to Hell unless very carefully modified. (suspension? stabilizer? braced sub frame?)

250 class bikes (WR-R may be the BEST out there) have advantages beyond riding off road:

Positives:
1. Great fuel economy/Range (bigger tank needed on WR-R)
2. Great in congested cities, filtering, curb jumping, riding down sidewalk, easy parking and getting into Hostels/Hotels.
3. Relatively easy maintenance, long intervals. 250's have LONG service life on Chains, Sprockets, Tires. (This is BIG for a traveler IMO )
4. Easy and FUN to ride off road. Easy(er) to pick up.

Negatives:
1. May feel "strained" at speeds over 60 mph, weak in mountains. Lack of power/torque riding over 2000 meters. (In S. America, riders often go to 4K meters, stay there ALL DAY) All bikes lose power up high, a 250 is badly affected by this.
2. Limited load carrying ability, possible broken sub frame or frame if overloaded or if luggage packed improperly and ridden HARD off road.
3. Very small bike, not Large Rider friendly, less leg room, narrow seat, suspension would need upgrading for heavy rider with gear.
4. Not 100% bullet proof over long distance (WR250R). Quite a few negative reports on BIG ADV Rider WR-R thread. But about 80% of posts there are cheer leaders for the WR-R. (as expected)
5. F.I.: Blessing and Curse. Blessing: GREAT fuel economy, performance and ability to compensate at altitude, Curse because F.I. is very battery dependent and if even ONE component fails or is corroded ... you are DONE. (NOTE: this is very unlikely as most modern elec. components will never fail)

Curse because F.I. also depends on reliability of a high pressure fuel pump. Bad fuel/dirty/watered fuel can sometimes DESTROY the fuel pump. (filtering fuel would solve most of these woes)

As suggested, ride a few bikes, see which ones speak to you. Be sure to imagine that bike with 30 kgs. of luggage/extras strapped onto it.


250's Rock! Baja, XR250R