Yamaha WR250R Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Yamaha WR250R.

The Yamaha WR250R is a capable dual-sport motorcycle. It’s powered by a fuel-injected DOHC single-cylinder engine with electric start and a single-speed gearbox.

The WR250R has been fundamentally unchanged since it was first introduced in 2008.

It also has relatively little in common with its similarly named cousin the Yamaha WR250F, apart from the fact that they’re both 250cc four-stroke dual-sport motorcycles. The 249cc single makes a decent peak of 23 kW / 30 hp, and is quite revvy, going up to 10000 rpm.

So this maintenance schedule applies to the Yamaha YR250R from 2018 through 2021. The WR250R has unfortunately been discontinued in many markets.

2018 Yamaha WR250R
Yamaha WR250R

By the way, yes, there have been updates to the WR250R along the way — a few more reliable components like fuel pumps, and revised designs. But nothing affects the spare parts or the maintenance schedule.

What you need to service the Yamaha WR250R

To service the WR250R you need the following parts and consumables, per the manual.

PartYamaha WR250R spec consumables
OilYamaha recommends Yamalube 10W-40 or Yamalube 10W-50. It’s affordable and high quality.
Oil filterOEM part is 5D3-13440-09-00. The K&N part is KN-140.
Air filterThe OEM part 1LN-14451-01-00 or the K&N part YA-3586.
Spark plugsUse NGK spark plugs per the manual, part number CR9EK.
Brake fluidYamaha recommends using DOT 4 brake fluid.
Brake pads (front)You can use OEM or aftermarket for more bite/less fade. Use OEM part 32D-W0045-00-00, or EBC double hardened HH FA185R.
Brake pads (rear)You can use OEM or aftermarket for more bite/less fade. Use OEM part 1C3-W0046-B0-00 or EBC double hardened HH FA367R.
CoolantYamaha recommends “Yamacool”, which is hard to find, but is just 50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix.
Consumables needed for WR250R

You will also need the following generic consumables that you can use for any motorcycle.

Description
Paddock Stand — Makes maintaining your chain or doing other maintenance much easier.
Motul chain paste — one of the most highly-regarded chain lubes. Easy to apply, doesn’t fling off. If you need more stuff, get the Motul chain care kit as an affordable package.
Always good to have on hand lithium soap-based grease for lubing external pivot points (like the swingarm) and bearings.
Use Protect all cable life to lubricate your cables and controls.
General motorcycle maintenance consumables and tools

Yamaha WR250R Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha WR250R. It’s slightly modified to fit a web page format, and simplified slightly (combining two parts that were split apart).

Notes

  • At the end of the maintenance schedule, follow in the pattern observed
  • Yamaha recommends you only grease external parts, lube the chain, and change the oil, and take everything else to the dealer
  • Air filter: The air filter needs more frequent service if you are riding in unusually wet or dusty areas.
  • Regularly check the brake master cylinder fluid levels and top up as required.

Yamaha WR250R — US Maintenance Schedule

The US maintenance schedule for the Yamaha WR250R has 4000 mile / 6 month service intervals.

mi x 10000.647101316
months1612182430Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-40)
Replace oil filter (part 5D3-13440-09-00 or KN-140)
Check spark plugs, adjust gap and clean.
Replace spark plugs (CR9EK)
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold26600 mi
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (ethylene glycol pre-mix)
Check drive chain chain slack, alignment and condition. Adjust and lubricate chain with a chain lubricant thoroughly (Motul chain paste)300 mi / 500 km, or when chain gets wet / dirty
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Adjust brake lever free play and replace brake pads if necessary.
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping
Replace brake hoses.4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of master cylinder and calipers2 years
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Clean air filter with solvent (not with compressed air). Replace if necessary (YA-3586)
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check wheel runout and for damage. Tighten spokes if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm pivot bearing assemblies for looseness
Moderately repack with lithium soap-based grease
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness. Moderately repack (R) with lithium soap-based greaseR
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct if necessary.
Lubricate brake lever with silicone grease lightly.
Lubricate brake pedal and clutch lever with lithium soap-based grease.
Check sidestand operation. Lubricate with lithium soap-based grease lightly.
Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary.
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check rear suspension link pivots. Correct if necessary
Check operation of front and rear brake switches.
Lubricate control cables (Protect all cable life)
Check throttle grip operation and free play and adjust if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing.
Check lights, signals and switches. Adjust headlight beam.
Clean spark arrester
Check crankcase breather hose for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary
Check exhaust system for leakage. Tighten and/or replace gasket(s) if necessary.
Check evaporative control system for damage. Replace if necessary.
Check the air induction cut-off valve and reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace damaged parts if necessary.
Maintenance schedule for the Yamaha WR250R

Yamaha WR250R — Europe Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Yamaha WR250R from the European manual, in km, with wider service intervals (10000 km / 12 months).

However, you still have to change the oil every 5000 km or year.

km x 1000110203040Every
Change engine oil (Yamalube 10W-40)Every 5000 km or Year
Replace oil filter (part 5D3-13440-09-00 or KN-140)
Check spark plugs, adjust gap and clean.Year
Replace spark plugs (CR9EK)
Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold40000 km
Clean air filter.
Replace air filter (YA-3586)
Check cooling system hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessary.
Change coolant (ethylene glycol pre-mix)3 years
Check clutch operation. Adjust or replace cable.
Check front brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Adjust brake lever free play and replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check rear brake operation, fluid level, and for fluid leakage. Replace brake pads if necessary.Year
Check brake hoses for cracks or damage, and for correct routing and clamping
Replace brake hoses.4 years
Change brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) and rubber parts of master cylinder and calipers2 years
Check drive chain chain slack, alignment and condition. Adjust and lubricate chain with a chain lubricant thoroughly (Motul chain paste)300mi/
500km/
when chain
gets wet
Check wheel runout and for damage. Tighten spokes if necessary.
Check tire tread depth and for damage. Replace if necessary.Year
Check wheel bearings for smooth operation. Replace if necessary.
Check swingarm pivot bearing assemblies for looseness
Moderately repack swingarm pivot bearing with lithium soap-based grease
Check steering bearing assemblies for looseness. Moderately repack (R) with lithium soap-based greaseR
Check all chassis fitting and fasteners. Correct if necessary.Year
Lubricate brake lever with silicone grease lightly.Year
Lubricate brake pedal and clutch lever with lithium soap-based grease.Year
Check sidestand operation. Lubricate with lithium soap-based grease lightly.Year
Check sidestand switch operation and replace if necessary.Year
Check front fork operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check shock absorber operation and for oil leakage. Replace if necessary.
Check rear suspension relay arm and connecting arm pivot points
Check operation of front and rear brake switches.Year
Lubricate moving parts and cables (Protect all cable life)Year
Check throttle grip operation and free play and adjust if necessary. Lubricate the throttle grip housing.Year
Check lights, signals and switches. Adjust headlight beam.Year
Check fuel hoses for cracks or damage. Replace if necessaryYear
Adjust engine idling speed.Year
Check muffler & exhaust pipe screw clamps for loosenessYear
Check the air induction cut-off valve and reed valve, and hose for damage. Replace damaged parts if necessary.Year
Yamaha WR250R (Europe maintenance schedule)

About the Yamaha WR250R

Yamaha WR250R Blue RHS front studio web

The Yamaha WR250R is the most capable compact dual sport bike in Yamaha’s line-up.

It’s an unassuming bike. Many people go right past the WR250R and head straight for the 450, but many experienced riders think the 250 is the better bike.

The engine of the WR250R is a low-maintenance and very capable gem. It’s a 250cc single that’s fuel injected and has four valves. It winds right up to 10000 rpm but still gives such good fuel economy that you’d be shocked (in the US, 71 mpg, and in metric, 3.3 litres per 100 km).

The engine likes to be wound up — it’s responsive and sporty feeling. This is thanks to both the electronic fuel injection system in the Yamaha WR250R and the coil-on-plug ignition system.

Yamaha uses its EXUP exhaust and an electronic intake-control valve on the Yamaha WR250R, both in an attempt to stretch the usable powerband both left and right.

Gearing on the WR250R is quite off-road oriented down low, with low-speed gears designed for rocky roads at low, controlled speeds. But you can also do freeway speeds on it.

The Yamaha WR250R runs out of steam at around 120 km/h (75 mph), but it gets up to there and even dances between the last 10 km/h quite easily. With patience, you can get to over 140 km/h or over 85 mph — but you do need patience! (and no headwinds). Anyway, that’s not what this bike is for.

Both the front and rear suspension are really capable. The front fork is a 46mm fully adjustable inverted fork, and the rear suspension is also fully adjustable. You get a whopping 270mm (10.6 inches) of travel on both ends.

If you were wondering how the WR250R compares to the Yamaha XT250, Yamaha’s budget do-everything dual sport — suspension is a good place to start looking!

The brakes are also decent, with a 250mm disc up front gripped by a Nissin two-piston calliper. It’s nothing to write home about, but the WR250R is also a very light bike — with a wet weight of 134 kg (295 lb).

The WR250R is blessed with extremely wide service intervals. This is a VERY low maintenance bike. You change the oil every 3000 miles (or 5000 km), but you only have to do a valve inspection every 26 600 miles or 40000 km (depending which schedule you go by). It’s a trouble-free bike.

Of course, it’s a liquid-cooled motorcycle, so you do periodically change the coolant, as well as the brake fluid and rubber parts of the braking and cooling system, and maintain the chain. But aside from that, you can leave the Yamaha WR250R for months and it’ll still work.

Reference — Manual for the Yamaha WR250R

The above maintenance schedule came from the US manual for the WR250R. The European schedule came from the European manual. See them both below for similarities and differences.

The items are largely the same, but the keen eye will notice that the US manual has shorter maintenance intervals (4000 mi / 6000 km), and the European one has wider ones (10000 km / 6000 mi). Also, the US manual tends to require things (e.g. oil changes) every 6 months, where as the European manual says every year.

Other archive versions of the WR250R manual are below.

The above information was gleaned from the owner’s manual for the Yamaha WR250R.

You can download it from Yamaha’s website here.

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