250-500cc 2013 WR 250 Top End Service?

[Rider52]

I've owned my WR 250 since new and it has been a great bike in my opinion. I mostly use it for trail riding through technical single track in the woods and occasionally more open terrain. I keep on top with the maintenance keeping the air filter clean, fluids changed, swing arm greased, etc. Right now it has close to 80 hours on it and I'm considering replacing the top end soon, (piston, rings, wrist pin bearing, gaskets, etc.) It still runs excellent! Should I replace the top end soon or are these bikes known to run longer before a rebuild? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[rancher1]

With your great service the bike should double those hours at least.

 

[justintendo]

wouldnt even think of opening the topend at 100 hours with your service and riding style.

 

[juicypips]

Check compression but i echo above statments

 

[lankydoug]

My 09 wr250 has well over 200 hours on it and still has 205 psi cranking compression. I pull the pipe and the reeds at least once a year to look at the rings and piston. The main thing that you need to look out for is on the intake side the port is very large and the piston will start to get vertical wear grooves that line up with the sides of the port. When you can feel the groove it's time to replace the piston if you don't the intake side skirt will break along the wear groove and trash the top and possibly the bottom end. Of course if your rings or ring groves are worn or you see a lot of discoloration below the rings on the exhaust port side then it's time for a top end as well.

If it needs a top end, which i doubt very much it will, it's best to pull the cylinder and look for a stamp marking the factory piston size then I'd call Halls or Bills and order the correct piston kit. It's always a good idea to dial bore check the cylinder to verify roundness and size... I always do.

I have often heard of 500+ hours riding on a stock top end on the 250s especially if you do your type of riding but every once in a while the piston skirt on the intake side will let go due to the wear mentioned above so it's best to have a look every once in a while. The 300s don't seem to get near the life the 250s do... at least from what I've read on the forums.

 

[Rider52]

Sounds like Husky built a very durable machine and I should get many more hours of enjoyment without any hassle. It's a shame that the Italian version Husky has been replaced by KTM. I've owned KTMs in the past and I prefer the Husky for my style of riding. With the Husky having a bike that provides mellow usable power down low, explosive power when needed, and excellent handling for carving through technical terrain is impressive to me. It may be behind in technology compared to some of the more modern bikes, but it has proven itself in many ways.

 

[gwynfryn]

Replaced the piston in my 09 250 at 87hours, there was considerable blow by. I could have got away with rings only I guess but I like the security of a forged piston.

 

[shawbagga]

personally 80 hours be my limit on a 250 for my style riding. 100 hours on 300. cheap peace of mind in my books but im sure it will be fine for another 80 hours. worn rings, skirt cracking or little end bearing calling it quits be my concerns plus i like to look inside to see whats going on

 

[lankydoug]

The good thing is that it's easy to have a look. If it looks good you have piece of mind and if not you already have the reeds and the pipe pulled so all you have to do is pull the cylinder. I think wear and tear has a lot to do with what fuel and oil you are running. Crappy pump gas will hammer the top end out of a high compression 250 in short notice.