2009 Yamaha YZ85 Review

Test Ride

2009 Yamaha YZ85

There’s nothing more enjoyable and fulfilling for a rider than to know that it made the right choice from the very first ride on his new bike and that is the feel you get from the 2009 YZ85. Considering the fact that we didn’t even bought the bike and experience that despite the fair share of experience behind our backs imagine how a teenager will react. If you’re a parent reading this, be ready to sign up for some serious sponsorship.

By now, it is no doubt that the Yamaha YZ85 offers an accurate idea of what serious motocross riding means and it is all due to the always winning combination of a light and versatile chassis powered by a capable and very dependable powerplant.

The motor starts effortlessly at the first kick and provides a unique sound and rush that dirt riders will miss later when turning to four-stroke models, but that’s how things are in this sport. An important step in a rider’s evolution, the YZ85 will most likely be these’s first two-stroke so it is good knowing that two-stroke bikes really need to give them gas (…and oil) and I am not referring to the mixing process, but to acceleration. This type of engine doesn’t provide impressive low-end torque (especially with 180 pounds to carry on its back) so revving is always the solution to position yourself on top of the crowd.

A young rider will also have to select the gears properly as it has six to work with. First gear is fairly short while second and third are ideal to work with especially if riding for the first time. I wasn’t, so the track’s main stretch allowed me to achieve a more than decent 50 mph in fifth gear.

2009 Yamaha YZ85

The great thing about the YZ85 is that it doesn’t spare its rider from scary (for the parents) wheelies and jumps as well as treacherous riding over whoops. Very light (156 lbs wet) and easy to maneuver, it feels inviting and not overwhelmed even though my physique doesn’t fit in the machine’s target. With all possible suspension tune ups, I just couldn’t have theYZ85 react as smooth as I needed, but this doesn’t mean that 14 year old kids won’t. Still, the front end didn’t bottom out very easily and the rear end remained stable while cornering at all speeds.

Being incredibly well engineered and with a single goal – performance – the Yamaha YZ85 handles extremely easy, just like it should as a an entry-level bike. But, more importantly, it is precise so there are no troubles in directing both wheels on that perfect trace. Though it would have been nice to see an “L” version of it, the 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels remain Yamaha’s choice and there’s always a bigger two-stroke bike in their lineup and riders will most likely stick to that as long as Yamaha continues making them. After such a ride, we can only hope they do.

Price

Deciding to go for the Yamaha is the easiest thing and I bet the price will also have a certain influence. Even though it is not the lowest, the MSRP of $3,349 situates it between the Suzuki RM85 ($3,699) and the Kawasaki KX85 ($3,299).

Also showing it can be advantageous, the new 85cc Yamaha dirt spreader is in for a successful year.

Conclusion

2009 Yamaha YZ85

The Yamaha YZ85 stands as one very interesting 2009 Yamaha model which, although not heavily revised, makes quite an entry due to its refreshed looks and small details that complete the overall renewed feel.

It is indeed small, but its performance and adaptive behavior determine a rider to ride it for several seasons until finally feeling like it excelled it and heading towards angrier two- or four-stroke models.

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