[Ironhead401]

As some of you already know, I picked up a 2013 WR250R. My original idea was to use this bike as a true dual sport and use it to zip around town and occasion rides into NYC where I work. Well, the places that my buddies are ridding require true off road knobbies, so that idea sort of went out the window.

I then went on a modding spree, dropping weight and trying to improve performance.

So far what I have done is as follows:

Flapper mod - Under the seat is a servo that opens and closes a flap that allows more air into the air box. I removed this mechanism and the wiring attached.

EXUP servo removal / Replace stock exhaust with FMF Q4 - When removing the stock exhaust, you must disconnect the EXUP, which an exhaust valve. Once disconnected, you can remove all of the wiring and servo itself. Once this is removed, an emulator (or dummy plug as I call it) is needed to keep the check engine light from coming on. The FMF Q4 sounds awesome and is a lot lighter than the stock exhaust.

AIS (Air induction System) Removal - Once an aftermarket exhaust is added, this is no longer needed.

Sprockets and Chain - Previous owner had a 42t rear sprocket installed. Stock is 43. That gearing is way too tall for off road use. Switched to a 48t rear and 13t front. Great mod. Also got a 112 link standard colored DID chain.

Protective accessories - Added Cycra hand guards. Moose racing skid plate and Flatland racing radiator guard. Must haves for single track woods riding.

Tires - I am lucky to have great friends. One gave me practically brand new off road tires. Perelli MT ? (forget which one) and a Metzeler front. Great step up from the tires that came with the bike.

Added Decals - A 20hp increase minimum. Highly recommended.

So far with all of these mods, the bike feels like a brand new bike. Next on the list is to have the suspension rebuilt. OEM is not that great. Will probably need need springs as I am heavier than the stock springs recommend. I will post as I progress. Pics are coming. Thanks for looking!

 

[Ironhead401]

Bone stock. More pics coming later...

 

[oldfart01]

Nice! I know my XR650R is a real adventure going 100 with fucking knobbies on! :lol
If it still has the stock fish oil in the forks, change that shit. That alone can make a big difference in smoothness of the fork.

 

[Ironhead401]

Speaking of knobbies. The tires that came with the bike and then the new shoes.

 

[Ironhead401]

Added some graphics. (Sorry, not sure why they are showing up sideways)

 

[Ironhead401]

Nice! I know my XR650R is a real adventure going 100 with fucking knobbies on! :lol
If it still has the stock fish oil in the forks, change that shit. That alone can make a big difference in smoothness of the fork.

Yeah they re valve, change the oil and use new components when putting it all back together. I have a local guy here who is a wiz with the suspension. It's around 900 though with new springs. Pretty steep but I know it will be worth it.

 

[Ironhead401]

Did a ride in South Jersey a couple of weeks ago called The Hammer Run. Cold ass morning. Its a 90 mile ride. I broke down 35 miles in. When I removed the EXUP valve, I left the wire and connector hanging instead of zip tying it. Well during the ride it go caught in the chain and ripped off. Bike wouldn't start so I started walking it out. A nightmare. I stopped out of exhaustion and saw that there were some wires touching. I separated them and it started. I could have finished the ride, but by the time I got out of the woods it was too late in the day and I was spent from pushing the bike. To top it off, I lost my cell phone in the process. But me and the wife drove down 2 days later, hiked into the woods and found the damn phone! HA!

 

[Carnage]

Nice! I know my XR650R is a real adventure going 100 with fucking knobbies on! :lol

Only a few here will understand that! :biggrin :spit

Did a ride in South Jersey a couple of weeks ago called The Hammer Run. Cold ass morning. Its a 90 mile ride. I broke down 35 miles in. When I removed the EXUP valve, I left the wire and connector hanging instead of zip tying it. Well during the ride it go caught in the chain and ripped off. Bike wouldn't start so I started walking it out. A nightmare. I stopped out of exhaustion and saw that there were some wires touching. I separated them and it started. I could have finished the ride, but by the time I got out of the woods it was too late in the day and I was spent from pushing the bike. To top it off, I lost my cell phone in the process. But me and the wife drove down 2 days later, hiked into the woods and found the damn phone! HA!

At least you weren't like me and dropped your only bike key in the woods at night! :facepalm

 

[Ironhead401]

Only a few here will understand that! :biggrin :spit



At least you weren't like me and dropped your only bike key in the woods at night! :facepalm

That blows. However, I did drop the key in the morning while taking the bikes off the trailer. It was daylight and I did find it. Panic started setting in. Not a good start to the day. Actually the started worse when I woke up with diarrhea at 4am from Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant the night before. :twitch

 

[kevinc]

Nice work bike looks good, I'm sure it's a lot of fun in the trails now. And you could always get a spare set of WR250X wheels/tires to swap on if you feel the need to rip around on the street.

 

[Ironhead401]

Nice work bike looks good, I'm sure it's a lot of fun in the trails now.

Thanks, tons of fun. I am actually going for a ride in about 30 mins in some territory I really haven't been before.

And you could always get a spare set of WR250X wheels/tires to swap on if you feel the need to rip around on the street.

I could, but explaining that to my wife would be difficult. :lol Actually, the next bike purchase is a small dual sport for her. Not sure what to get her yet. She want's to join in on the fun.

 

[RaiderGT]

Yeah the trick is to get an extra set of wheels with a different tire setup. Although on my DR I drove on the street with off-road only knobbies(Kendas) and it was honestly fine up to 60mph. Also $900 seems REALLY pricey for a fork upgrade. Springs are cheap, oil is cheap, seals are cheap.

 

[RaiderGT]

TW200. Low seat, fat rear tire, stupid reliable, excellent parts availability. Perfect female/novice dualsport. Can't recommend that enough.

 

[kevinc]

Thanks, tons of fun. I am actually going for a ride in about 30 mins in some territory I really haven't been before.



I could, but explaining that to my wife would be difficult. :lol Actually, the next bike purchase is a small dual sport for her. Not sure what to get her yet. She want's to join in on the fun.

Good deal man be safe. I hear ya, and that's awesome she wants to ride too!

 

[PopsK5]

The more i see these bikes, the more i want to swap out my drz for one.

 

[Ironhead401]

The more i see these bikes, the more i want to swap out my drz for one.

They are fantastic bikes. Way better than a DRZ IMO. Once I had my suspension rebuilt, it was like a new bike. I ride some really gnarly stuff in North Western NJ. This bike keeps up with KTM EXC350's and Husky FE350's etc. It will go anywhere and is a lot lighter than the DRZ.

It takes some money to get it where I have mine, but you really see how great and reliable these bikes are.

If you actually get one, PM me if you have any questions. There are certain cheap mods you can do right off the bat to save weight. I would suggest re-gearing immediately. Keep a 13t in the front, no lower. The back I have a 50t but I run off road only. If you're on the highway, maybe 47 or 48t. Get a new exhaust and PCV (with ignition) and you're set. Down the road, definately redo the suspension, front and rear. Huge difference but about $1000 if you drop the bike off. Cheaper if you take it apart yourself. Well worth the money.

 

[Ironhead401]

The bike in your picture has a the larger IMS fuel tank. Stock is 2 gallons or so, that one is probably the 3.1 gal but I believe they make a 4.7g too.

 

[PopsK5]

Nice! Thanks for the info and I will keep it in mind. I run two setups on my drz with the motard and dirt/adv setups. Its been ultra reliable and is still going strong. When the time comes to replace, the wr is looking like a clear winner at this stage. Would still love a 6 speed, injected, 400cc suzuki though...

Check this out if you have a spare 30 minutes

 

[Ironhead401]

I will check that out, thanks. I should clarify my statement a little. I think the wr is the better off road bike. With a motard set up, I'm sure it's nice to have the 400cc's on the street. :thumbup

 

[PopsK5]

I will check that out, thanks. I should clarify my statement a little. I think the wr is the better off road bike. With a motard set up, I'm sure it's nice to have the 400cc's on the street. :thumbup

Definitely a better off road/ride to the trail and back home type bike. Im sure having roughly 30 pounds less would make a big difference in tight trails and picking it up etc. What gearing do you run on the bike?