Competitions are always meant to be won; that's been the onus for everybody who has ever laced up a pair of racing shoes to compete in off-road motorcycle racing.

So when you've decided that you're 100% serious about winning off-road bike races, there's only one company that you look for to satisfy your lust for competition: Yamaha->ke301.

Built on a history that includes championships in motocross and enduro races, Yamaha offers the most competitive engine and chassis packages, plus class-leading technologies and legendary build quality.

Part of Yamaha's championship DNA is building bikes for all types of people, even for the young 9 to 14-year old kids that want to start breaking into the scene. For this particular instance, that bike is the YZ85, born from the company's award-winning YZ->ke2652 competition bikes.

The YZ85 is the ideal bike for the up-and-comers of the scene. It's got tremendous performance capabilities mixed in with superior handling to allow even the greenest of drivers to warm up to the bike in no time.

Find out more about the Yamaha YZ85 after the jump.

2011 Yamaha YZ85

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2011 Yamaha YZ85
  • Engine/Motor: liquid-cooled engine
  • Transmission: close-ratio six-speed gearbox
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Design

To accommodate the market it's catering to, Yamaha decided to give the YZ85 a stunning yet scaled-down bodywork of one of the company's large-capacity YZ models. Yamaha used polypropylene for a lot of the materials in the bike, including the fenders, side panels, and the fuel tank. This was done to account for the lightweight nature of the YZ85 while also paying clear attention to keeping it as tough and sturdy as possible. For the tires, Yamaha is offering a number of options for youth riders, including standard wheel and large-wheel options. For the standard YZ85, there's a 17" front wheel and a 14" rear wheel, while the large-wheel YZ85LW carries a 19" front wheel and a 16" rear wheel.

Performance

Looks can very well be deceiving; the 2011 Yamaha YZ85 has the performance capabilities to be a contender in the ranks. A liquid-cooled, 85cc engine has been tuned to deliver plenty of free-revving performance for the kind of acceleration that not only wins races, but also championships. The engine is then mated to a close-ratio six-speed gearbox which, with the adjustable suspension up front and out back, is the kind of recipe you want for your kid's off-road bike. The radiator is lightweight and has large cores and louvers with the water pump coming in a special cast aluminum impeller for maximum cooling efficiency. To aid in the bike's performance capabilities, the YZ85's engine comes with a specially-designed expansion chamber exhaust.

Brakes and Suspension

The lightweight suspension of the YZ85/LW is built to the same advanced specification as that of the company's larger MXGP-winning racers, delivering the kind of unbelievable handling and precision steering reserved for only the best of its kind on the market. The front suspension is handled by a 36mm Kayaba inverted cartridge fork with a fully adjustable compression and rebound dampening. Meanwhile, the rear comes with a Kayaba shock providing 11.1" of travel with a fully adjustable compression. Another key element of the YZ85 is its braking capabilities. For the new model, Yamaha put in one of the best set-ups in the class: a 220 mm front disc that generates strong, controllable and progressive braking combined with a 190 mm rear disc that provides reliable stopping power at the rear end.

Pricing

Here in the US, the 2011 Yamaha YZ85 is currently available at the cost of $3,850.

Specifications

Model

YZ85A

Engine Type

85cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke;

reed-valve inducted

Bore x Stroke

47.5 x 47.8mm

Compression Ratio

8.2:1

Fuel Delivery

Keihin PWK 28

Ignition

CDI

Transmission

Constant-mesh 6-speed;

multiplate wet clutch

Suspension/Front

Inverted fork; fully adjustable,

10.8-in travel

Suspension/Rear

Single shock; fully adjustable,

11.1-in travel

Brake/Front

Hydraulic single disc brake, 220mm

Brake/Rear

Hydraulic single disc brake, 190mm

Tire/Front

70/100-17-40M

Tire/Rear

90/100-14-49M

L x W x H

71.7 x 29.8 x 45.7 in

Seat Height

34.0 in

Wheelbase

49.5 in

Ground Clearance

13.8 in

Fuel Capacity

1.3 gal

Wet Weight

156 lb

Color

Team Yamaha Blue/White


Quotes

Motorcycle.com ---- "This good Motorcross with Lightweight, compact, 84.7cc, liquid-cooled, crankcase reed-valve inducted, 2-stroke single also Crankcase reed valve induction and 28mm Keihin flat-slide carburetor ensures seamless throttle response across the powerband."

Motorcycle-usa ---- "With quite a few days spent on the YZ, our tester is really falling in love with the power of the little 85. While it took a bit to get used to the top-end bias, he has adapted well to the engine characteristics. The roomy ergos fit him well and allow a little room to grow. He really likes jumping the YZ and is very impressed with how well it soaks up any hard landings. The only problem at this point will be telling him the test is over and we have to give the bike back to Yamaha. Looks like I might have to start saving up."

Totalmotorcycle ---- "You also get an ultra-rigid, single backbone, semi-double-cradle frame and fully adjustable suspension. Designed to suit a wide range of riders from novice to mini expert."

Hubpages ---- "Take the mighty 2011 Yamaha YZ450F, a bike which just may be the most advanced, capable, and talented four stroke large displacement motocrosser in this part of the galaxy and wash it in hot water. Really hot water. Until it shrinks. Pull it out of the tub and there you have it: The 2011 Yamaha YZ85."