TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: YAMAHA YZ85 ROOTS

Most likely, you started riding at an early age. Whether it was a CX50 Cobra, Yamaha PW50 or KTM 50SX, your first foray into the moto world was on a pint-sized bike. Many kids follow a progression, starting on a 50cc bike before graduating to 65cc and then a 85cc mini. The Yamaha YZ85 has always been a popular bike for those moving up. Last year at Loretta Lynn’s, over a dozen riders competed on a YZ85 in the 85cc and Supermini classes. Hunter Cross finished third overall in the 85cc (9-11) class. He also placed third at Mammoth Mountain this year in the 85cc (9-12) class.

You’ll have to take Mr. Peabody’s WABAC machine to 1974 in order to find the origins of the YZ85 (which was called the YZ80, as it had a displacement of 80cc). Yamaha had a burgeoning line of motocross bikes in those days. As a result, the YZ85 was somewhat overshadowed by the YZ125, YZ250 and YZ360. Trickle down technology from Yamaha’s mainstays, such as the YZ250, found their way to the YZ80. In 1978, the little bike used a monoshock.

The YZ80 engine was known for having a lot of top-end power. In 1982, the bike would change from yellow plastics to white, and it featured a new water cooling system. A year later the rear suspension received a major upgrade–a true modern rising rate single shock system. More than a decade later the bike was changed from white to blue (its current iteration) in 1996. It wasn’t until 2001 that Yamaha upped the displacement to 85cc. On the whole, the YZ85 has remained mostly the same for the past decade. However, it’s still a venerable racing machine that can win races in the right hands.