A Ducati with Japanese reliability? That was the plan. The Yamaha TRX850 was a match for Ducati’s 900SS of its day but never sold well – the last few machines were ushered out of showrooms for under £4K. Shame. the Yamaha TRX850 is a sporty motorcycle but road biased with tons of character. Can be a bargain on the used market as they last well.
Engine
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Yamaha TRX850uses parallel twin also used in Yamaha’s TDM850. It produces less power than sports 600s of the same era but it’s much gruntier and more satisfying to use thanks to that twin cylinder character. 270 degree crank (one piston is a quarter of a cycle behind the other) makes Yamaha TRX850 feel like a V-twin.
Ride and Handling
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Slightly bouncy when new – most Yamaha TRX850s would benefit from new fork oil and springs as a minimum now. But the Yamaha TRX850 is still neutral and nimble and has the feel of a proper sports bike without being intimidating. Brakes were, again, fine in their day but Yamaha calipers are famous for seizing so a strip and grease may be needed.
Equipment
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Very few frills on the Yamaha TRX850. There’s some luggage space under the pillion seat but that’s about it. Headlights and mirrors are on the poor side. Comfort’s not brilliant for the pillion but it’s ok for the rider. Yamaha TRX850's wind protection is reasonable but there’s quite a bit of weight on the wrists – better at speed than round town.
Quality and Reliability
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Yamaha had a bad patch in the 1990s for quick-corroding bikes. The Yamaha TRX850 is, unfortunately, one of these machines. Fasteners and brackets will almost certainly be rusting already. If it’s spread no further that’s ok but if it’s well set in anywhere, be careful. Yamaha TRX850 reliability problems are rare but big wheelies can starve the engine of oil – listen for nasty noises.
Value
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A few years ago the Yamaha TRX850 was one of the biggest bargains on the market. Unfortunately prices have reached that level where they don’t drop any further and Suzuki’s SV650 offers a similar experience for a reasonable price too. Clean, bargain Yamaha TRX850s are still out there if you hunt – and they have much more presence than the effete SV.
Model History
1996: Original Yamaha TRX850 launched.
Other Versions
None.
Specifications
| Top speed | 135 mph |
|---|---|
| 1/4-mile acceleration | 11.8 secs |
| Max power | 79 bhp |
| Max torque | 63 ft-lb |
| Weight | 190 kg |
| Seat height | 800 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | 43 mpg |
| Tank range | 165 miles |
| Annual road tax | |
| Insurance group | 13 of 17 |
| Engine size | 849 cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | 10v parallel twin, 6 gears |
| Frame | Steel trellis |
| Front suspension adjustment | Preload, rebound |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Preload, rebound, compression |
| Front brakes | Twin 320mm discs |
| Rear brake | 248mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 160/60 x 17 |
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