Awarded Dirt Bike of the Year in 1991 despite lacking ADR compliance, the 1995 Yamaha WR200R finally got its road-legal tick in 1995. That opened the door for broader appeal and stronger market presence, going head-to-head with the dominant Kawasaki KDX200.
Visually, it hadn’t changed much from the ’91 model – just the addition of road-legal gear like blinkers, a speedo and ignition switch. The water-cooled two-stroke started easily, but the stubby kickstarter required careful foot placement to avoid bruising. Once fired, the pre-mix motor ran smooth with minimal noise and delivered a wide, usable power spread, with a strong midrange punch.
The suspension felt progressive, but at higher speeds struggled to keep up – suggesting a change of oil or springs might be needed. The front brake impressed, the rear was a little grabby, and the WR200’s light, nimble feel was a standout. With some carby mods to the TM30SS and a pipe swap, the mild motor could be turned wild.
Specs: Tank: 10.6L | Dry Weight: 102kg | Suspension Travel: 300mm/310mm | Gears: 6-speed | Price: $7,633 + ORC
