Do you want to buy a Yamaha YZ85, but aren’t sure about the YZ85 Top Speed? It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for your first dirt bike, want to race motocross, or somewhere in between, you’ve come to the right place!
For the year 2024, Yamaha has updated the YZ85 mini motocross motorcycle. Motorcross motorcycles are available in two variants with a starting price of $4,799. The engine is a two-stroke, 85cc liquid-cooled, reed-valve induction engine. There is a 6-speed transmission on the Yamaha YZ85, as well as a fully adjustable suspension at the front and the rear.
Here is a review of the YZ 85 Top Speed that will help you decide whether it’s right for you, what to expect when looking for one, and what to expect when owning one.
Overview of Yamaha YZ85
Yamaha’s new YZ85 features updated and sharp-looking graphics, but only one color option is available. To optimize strength and rigidity, Yamaha enhanced the chassis in this year’s models.
Lightweight aluminum swingarms provide improved handling stability and reduce weight. An adjustable KYB link-type rear suspension and 36mm KYB inverted front forks are featured on this motocrosser.
There is a single hydraulic 220 mm front disc brake and a single hydraulic 190 mm rear disc brake on the Yamaha YZ85. With 17-inch front and 14-inch rear tires, it comes with 17-inch front and 14-inch rear wheels. There is a 12.6-inch ground clearance on this car, and it weighs 161 pounds.
| Engine | 85cc liquid-cooled 2 stroke |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual clutch |
| Seat Height | 33.1” (84.1cm) / 34.8 (88.4cm) |
| Wheelbase | 49.4″ / 50.6″ |
| Suspension Travel (Front/Rear) | 10.8″/11.1″ |
| Weight | 161 lbs / 165 lbs |
| Horsepower | 20 HP |
| Top Speed | 65 MPH |
Yamaha YZ85 Specs
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
- Manufacturer – Yamaha
- Model – YZ85
2. Brakes
- Front – Hydraulic disc, 220 mm
- Rear – Hydraulic disc, 190 mm
3. Tires
- Front – 70 / 100-17 Dunlop® Geomax MX3SF
- Rear – 90 / 100-14 Dunlop® Geomax MX3S
4. DIMENSIONS
- Length – 71.7 in.
- Height – 44.7 in.
- Width – 29.9 in.
- Weight Wet – 161 lb.
- Ground Clearance Maximum – 12.6 in.
- Wheelbase – 49.4 in.
- Seat Height – 33.1 in.
5. DRIVETRAIN
- Transmission – 6-speed
- Final Drive – Chain
6. ENGINE
- Engine – 2-stroke; reed-valve inducted
- Cooling – Liquid
- Displacement – 85 cc
- Bore x Stroke – 47.5 x 47.8 mm
- Compression Ratio – 8.2 ~ 9.6:1
- Clutch – Multiplate wet
- Carburetion – Hitachi Astemo® Keihin PWK28
- Fuel Capacity – 1.3 gal.
7. OPERATIONAL
- Front Suspension – KYB® inverted fork; fully adjustable
- Travel – 10.8 in.
- Rear Suspension – KYB® single shock; fully adjustable
- Travel – 11.1 in.
- Rake – 26.3°
Trail – 3.5 in.
Best Features of Yamaha YZ85
Wondering about the features? Well here are the best features of Yamaha YZ85.
- A removable rear subframe is available
- Swingarm made of aluminium with high rigidity
- Inverted front forks with 33 mm KYB full adjustment
- Rear suspension with fully adjustable KYB linkage
- Hydraulic disc brakes with wave design at the front and rear
- Master cylinder redesign at the rear
- 17-inch spoke rims on the front and 14-inch spoke rims on the rear
- Dunlop MX3S tires with high performance
- Ergonomic adjustments for riders
- Engine with a single cylinder and two strokes
- System for Yamaha power valves
- Carbide flat-slide 28mm Hitachi Astemo Keihin
- Tuned expansion chamber
- Radiators with high capacity and lightweight
- Transmission with six speeds
What is the Yamaha YZ85 Top Speed?
The Yamaha YZ85 Top Speed is around 65 mph (105 km/h). For a small lightweight bike like this one, the YZ85 Top Speed might not sound like much compared to bigger bikes.
To reach maximum speed, the engine is designed to consume as little fuel as possible without putting too much strain on the engine parts. You can control and maneuver it easily around tight corners and tricky terrain.
Furthermore, it is capable of reaching 30 mph (48 km/h) in just four seconds! This makes it ideal for races in which you need to launch off the starting line quickly and have enough power to overtake your opponents. Furthermore, it allows you to stay ahead of other riders who might be trying to catch up on straightaways.
How to Increase the Yamaha YZ85 Top Speed?
You can increase your dirt bike’s top speed by improving its engine’s performance. So, how to increase the Yamaha YZ85 Top Speed?
This includes things such as increasing compression, improving air-fuel ratios, changing spark plugs, and changing ignition timing. It’s crucial that these modifications are done properly by a professional mechanic or technician who knows exactly what they’re doing.
If not done correctly, improper engine work can cause damage to your bike and even accidents!
1. Aftermarket Parts
Purchasing aftermarket parts means purchasing parts other than those supplied by the manufacturer. There are several upgrades you can make to your bike to increase its performance, including exhaust systems, carburetor kits, high-performance air filters, and others.
Installing these components correctly can yield great results, but they can be expensive. To ensure that your parts are compatible with your YZ85 model, you should research each part before you buy it.
2. Gearing
Last but not least, you can also increase the top speed of your bike by changing its gearing. The smaller the sprocket, the higher the RPM, but the slower the top speed will be; while the larger the sprocket, the more torque it will deliver at lower RPMs but also the slower top speed.
The best option for achieving higher speeds on your YZ85 may depend on where you ride and what type of terrain you typically encounter.
3. Keeping the tires inflated
If you want to increase the top speed of your YZ85, you should check the tire pressure first. The more your tires are inflated, the more rolling resistance they create and the slower your speed will be. In contrast, underinflated tires will result in a slower ride because grip and handling are reduced.
You can usually find this information in the owner’s manual, so make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended level so that they won’t hold you back.
4. Adjustment of the gear ratio
A second method of increasing top speed is to adjust the gear ratio on your bike. As gear ratios increase, acceleration will increase, but maximum speed may be limited due to increased friction between gears.
A lower gear ratio, on the other hand, will provide more torque but may limit acceleration. Find a gear ratio that gives you good acceleration and high top speeds by experimenting with different ratios.
5. Cleaning of air filters
It is also possible to increase your bike’s top speed by cleaning and replacing your engine’s air filters regularly.
An air filter helps prevent dust and debris from entering an engine’s combustion chamber, which can reduce power at high speeds due to restricted airflow. You may need to replace your air filter if you notice a decrease in power when revving up past certain RPMs.
What are the Safety Features Available in the Yamaha YZ85?
Yamaha’s Yamaha YZ85 boasts a powerful engine and adjustable suspension system, making it a great choice for young riders. An electric starter is also included in this vehicle as its safety features.
So it can be started in cold weather even with dual disc brakes. Besides providing plenty of control, the handlebars are also designed to be comfortable while riding on rough terrain.
How Much Does the Yamaha YZ85 Cost?
It costs $4,799 MSRP for a brand new YZ85, but used ones go for considerably less. It depends mainly on the model year and condition of the used vehicle to determine a used vehicle’s value.
The value of an older or poorly running YZ 85 may be only between 800 and 1200 dollars, but a good and well-running YZ 85 may be worth between $2000 and 3000 dollars.
What are the Pros and Cons of the Yamaha YZ85?
The pros and cons of the YZ 85 are listed below if you haven’t decided if you should buy one. This will help you avoid wasting your time and money on a bike that you don’t need.
Pros of Yamaha YZ85
- It’s a great motocross bike for kids 9-15 years old who have experience riding race bikes
- Such a small bike has a lot of top-end horsepower
- Handles well and is lightweight
- Rebuildable engine with a simple design
- For newer riders/racers, this engine has more mid-range power and low-end torque
- A great deal of durability and reliability
- There are a lot of parts available at reasonable prices (for the most part).
Cons of Yamaha YZ85
- Kids shouldn’t use this dirt bike as a beginner
- Low-end torque makes learning clutch work at slow speeds more difficult
- Due to engine and suspension characteristics, this dirt bike is one of the worst for trail riding
- Lack of maintenance can result in rough-looking used bikes
Major Competitors of Yamaha YZ85
There are other Japanese manufacturers who didn’t stay behind even though the bike is very powerful and develops more horsepower than expected. Since they know how important it is for a rider to maintain a certain line throughout their riding years, they have to be impressed from the beginning.
Kawasaki introduced us to the KX85 (an even cheaper bike with as much to offer as the Suzuki) in order to gain a certain clientele. Honda produces the CR85R (probably Yamaha’s largest competition), Suzuki entered the market with its RM85 (a cheaper motorcycle with a lot to offer), and Kawasaki with its RM85 (a cheaper motorcycle with a lot to offer).
1. The KTM 85 (Small wheel or Big wheel)
There are two types of KTM 85s: small wheels and big wheels.me in the motocross world. Both the small wheel KTM 85 and the big wheel KTM 85 are available. There are cheaper bikes in this class, but this one is more expensive.
2. The Kawasaki KX 85
There is a little to be desired when the Kawasaki KX 85 is compared to the Yamaha YZ 85. When negotiating corners, it takes a bit more clutch power. However, it still consumes a lot of energy.
3. The Suzuki RM 85
The Suzuki 85 dirt bike is the most affordable of the Japanese four dirt bikes in this class. Its main selling point is not its only one. It is made of durable parts. In addition, the throttle response on the Kawasaki is snappier.
Is the Yamaha YZ85 reliable?
In terms of a race bike, it is actually reliable, but it is highly dependent upon a few factors. How do you maintain your dirt bike? Where do you ride? How do you maintain your dirt bike?
When you ride a lot in sand or mud, parts will wear out faster since the sand gets into everything. Dirt that is loamy or hard-packed, on the other hand, is likely to last longer.
How Long Will the Yamaha YZ85 Last?
However, if you race motocross wide open all the time, you will have to rebuild the engine more often. Hard riding might cause the top-end to lose compression and power after 10-20 hours.
If you ride casually, you could get 100+ hours out of your YZ 85 before having to rebuild it. Proper maintenance makes this even more true.
Clean air filters, regular oil changes, and using proper oil mixtures are all part of proper maintenance.
Is the Yamaha YZ 85 Good for Beginners?
You shouldn’t start riding dirt bikes on this bike if you’re a first-timer, for numerous reasons. In learning how to use the clutch and throttle, you’ll find the engine to be abrupt and peaky.
Due to its motocross racing and jump-focused suspension, it’s pretty stiff if you weigh less than 100 pounds. Beginners might find the TTR 125 to be a good choice.
Can You Trail Ride with a Yamaha YZ 85?
It can be ridden on the trails, but it’s not the best dirt bike for this kind of riding. When I first started riding dirt bikes with clutches, I had a CR80, which is a Honda version of the YZ 85. It was a terrible bike for trails and forest riding.
There was not enough torque (power) if you let the RPM drop too low, so it would not accelerate. The clutch was somewhat difficult to use, especially since I am a new rider.
Conclusion: YZ 85 Top Speed
In essence, the YZ85 embodies the spirit of motocross. Unlike most dirt bikes designed for beginners, this Yamaha is not meant for beginners. It is still possible for kids aged 10-12 to gain great control of the bike with the higher seat height. Obviously, it depends on how big the child is and how much experience he or she has riding.
Throughout the years, the shroud of this bike has been significantly improved. Yamaha’s commitment to improving the technology of this bike is evident in this achievement. The YZ 85 is recommended for achieving speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h).
Read more of our articles here.
Read Also: 2023 Yamaha YZ85 Motocross Motorcycle
FAQs
1. Is the YZ85 powerful?
With its high compression ratio and close ratio 6-speed transmission, the YZ85 provides outstanding acceleration and race-winning power.
2. Is a YZ85 a 6-speed?
Powered by an 84.7cc water-cooled, two-stroke, reed valve inducted engine, the 85 has a six-speed, constant mesh manual transmission and a wet clutch.
3. Is YZ85 good?
Sure! Overall, the power is snappy, has good carry-through, and has more than enough oomph to handle 135 pounds.
4. How heavy is a YZ85?
Wet – 161 lb. The vehicle’s wet weight includes all standard equipment, all fluids, including oil, coolant (if applicable), and a full tank of fuel. Optional or accessory weights are not included.
5. Is a YZ85 a full-size bike?
In a small package, the YZ85 offers big-bike specs. A Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVSTM) increases the low- and mid-range power of the 85cc liquid-cooled, two-stroke engine.