Best Enduro: 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year Awards

The 2020 bikesales Bike of the Year (BOTY) Awards recognise excellence across 11 separate motorcycle categories.

And here’s how it will work. After a massive five-day test through north-east Victoria in late November – utilising the stunning roads around the picturesque Victorian township of Bright – we'll whittle our category winners down to one outright bikesales Bike of the Year winner, to be announced on Friday, December 18.

Let's continue the 2020 BOTY by announcing the Yamaha WR250F as the winner of our Enduro category.

In years gone by, the lines between an enduro bike and a trailbike were a little blurred, but with the 2020 Yamaha WR250F, there are no illusions – it is a true race-bred weapon.

The Japanese firm used its championship-winning YZ250F motocrosser as the main inspiration for the updated 2020 WR250F. That means that all the innovations that were added to the YZ250F in 2018, are now present on the WR250F.

Headlining those innovations is wireless smartphone tuning, which uses onboard Wi-Fi to help you make ignition and fuel timing changes via the Yamaha Power Tuner app on your phone. In addition, you can upload changes to a handlebar-mounted map switch, which allows you to change settings on the fly.

Elsewhere, the 2020 Yamaha WR250F has received some engine tweaks, a new free-flow air filter, a lighter and tougher clutch, a new lightweight front-wheel speed sensor, a lighter and less obtrusive sidestand, and an overall slimmer profile. The 2020 WR250F also features the same aluminium bilateral beam frame as the YZ250F, but with alterations to the engine mount brackets to provide the flex needed for enduro riding.

Yamaha’s unique reverse-cylinder engine, under-seat fuel tank and front-mounted airbox all carry over from previous WR250F models, as well as the popular KYB suspension set-up, which is also borrowed from the YZ250F.

On the trails, Yamaha’s intentions are clear. The snappy motor likes to be ridden fast, with the meaty midrange sure to put a smile on your face. Less experienced riders or leisurely trailriders might find the high-performance engine to be a little difficult, but racers and expert level trailriders will be in their element.

Handling is superb, with the KYB suspension almost faultless. It is firm, which adds to the bike's sporty nature, but it gives you full faith in all conditions. It keeps the bike planted and handles the rough stuff with ease.

While the WR250F weighs in at 115kg (wet), it is surprisingly agile and nimble, and very comfortable to ride (for a dirt bike, obviously). It feels quite short and narrow through the flanks, but that just adds to the agile and compact feel.

The Nissin brakes and Metzeler rubber both do a fine job, although naturally there are better tyres than the ADR-compliant Metzeler Six Day hoops on the market. The bike is ADR-compliant and sold road-ready. A free competition kit comes with the purchase.

Like the Best Motocross category, choosing a winner for Best Enduro is tough, because there are so many great options these days. But with the fresh update and race-inspired DNA, the WR250F was a relatively easy choice. Congratulations, Yamaha.

Related reading:
2020 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards
2019 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2018 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2017 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards: in summary
2016 Bikesales Bike of the Year Awards