After months of waiting we finally got to throw a leg over Yamaha's all new electric start 2003 WR 250F. Just as Yamaha made everyone play catch up in 1998 with their release of the high performance YZ400 four-stroke, they've done it again but this time in the middleweight 250 class. It's electric start and engine that revs to the moon with excellent handling make it a formidable off road machine. You can literally hop on this bike and within a few turns be comfortable enough to ride it fast.

Pushing the start button brings the WR to life with a quiet exhaust note. Then a quick twist of the throttle lets you know this isn't your daddy's 4-stroke as the engine revs to 13,500 RPM. Put her in gear dump the clutch and hang on! I'm a pretty big guy at 6'0" 215 pounds in my birthday suit and the WR250 just about yanked my arms from the sockets when it hit the power band.

Besides having an almost 2-stroke like punch the suspension works well and the horizontal seat let's the rider make rear to front seat movement effortlessly. You do however pay a price for the ease of seat transition with a somewhat firm seat. Smaller riders will be at home with the riders compartment but bigger riders will find it somewhat cramped. Ride it like you stole it types will absolutely love the way the WR250F likes to be ridden, high in the RPM's and in full attack position. Less aggressive riders will also like this machine with its nice suspension, handling, quick turning ability and supple low-end power.

As with its big brother the WR450F, the bone stock WR250F does need some tinkering to impress you. To import the WR's from Japan Yamaha must meet a boatload of requirements so, yes, you guessed it, bog city as delivered from the showroom. Even though the stock bike is castrated it still does not meet the standards in California to receive a green sticker. For those wishing for more power then the stock machine delivers Yamaha has you covered. Your first two modifications are free, remove the throttle stop and boot from the air box. The next one will cost you $39.95.

New sound requirements (96dBa) limit you from running a wide-open exhaust so Yamaha's "GYT-R" came up with a muffler insert that keeps the noise level below the standard and makes more horsepower then the tiny OEM insert. Yamaha dealers should have the trick looking inserts in stock, part number GYT-5TJ93-75-00 (muffler insert). With these modifications and a skid plate for off road use this one nice off road weapon!

In 2003 the WR 250F didn't get all of the upgrades of the YZ 250F but did get an electric start so the trade off will make most off road's happy.