2009 Yamaha YZ85 Review

Introduction

2009 Yamaha YZ85

The bike’s main feature is the 84.7cc liquid-cooled cranckcase reed-valve inducted engine that comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. An enjoyable revver, the two-stroke motor remains a dear friend on each track section and the small in size, low in weight gearbox is there to make sure you get the best out of it. All through the rev range, there is a lot of power, perfect to make it a leader in motocross races.

Read about the single backbone, semi-double-cradle frame and you’ll know that this is not a bike that goes out of control easily and together with the adjustable suspensions, it definitely competes as the most adaptable offering on the market.

History

2002 Yamaha YZ85

Having used their dirt bike legacy that started early in the 1970s, Yamaha has pulled out an impressive bike from the very first model year (2002). It arrived late – that’s a fact –, but it made its presence felt from the very first race.

There haven’t been done much modification to it, except styling, and the bike simply followed its ascendant line through its relatively short and bumpy career. Many motocross riders “made their hands” on one of these things and there was no better time to launch the new one than together with the entire 2009 lineup.

Competition

It would have been a perfect world if nobody else would have thrown the glove, but we wouldn’t have spoken about competition in that situation and this is the generating factor to heavy development almost each and every time.

2009 Suzuki RM85

Suzuki is in for conquering the hearts of small motocross addicts and the results of this fact are known as the RM85 and the RM85L. Also being developed like a true competition motocross bike, the RM is an identical alternative to the bike we’ve decided to study for today. The engine is, as you can suppose, an 84.7cc, liquid-cooled, case-reed and comes fitted with aluminum exhaust valves. These Suzukis are also inspired on their bigger siblings and, like on the Yamaha, the gearbox has six speeds so that it will push the engine further more. The only thing remaining to be mentioned is the chassis, composed of the rigid frame and fully-adjustable suspensions for adaptability and ease of riding.

Differently from Yamaha, Suzuki also offers the RM85L. This last comes with bigger wheels and a longer swingarm apart from the model just presented.

2009 Kawasaki KX85

Kawasaki wasn’t supposed to retrieve from initiating beginners into motocross so it renewed the KX85 for 2009 model year. The engine is the same 84cc liquid-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder, but implements new features such as the electrofusion-coated cylinder. All in all, it develops comparable power with the previously mentioned bikes and the frame is also a high-tensile perimeter one, making it feel the same as a Yamaha or Suzuki, only that it comes with green coloring.

What comes as an advantage on the Kawasaki is the Uni-Trak rear suspension unit that keeps it more stable around the corners, something that contributes at gaining performance.

The Honda CR85R is also a powerful opponent even though it hasn’t been revised from 2007 so it doesn’t get our full attention.

Exterior

2009 Yamaha YZ85

Yamaha’s smallest motocrosser is also the nicest as it has the racing design features of bigger models that lead to its creation. Bikers who were upgrading to 125cc bikes after only riding mini motorcycles felt like the step was too big for them to handle and this is how the medium-sized YZ85 was introduced.

Of course, it had to look good and make a great first impression because, as you already know, a kid will always choose with its heart, even though it plans to race. Also, that very same kid will stick to the maker that initiated him and that is another reason why Yamaha needed the gorgeous small model.

From fenders, side panels and seat to mudguards and number plates, the Yamaha YZ85 is a small replica of either the YZ125 or the YZ250, you choose it. Compact and aggressive, this is the 2009 model year.

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