YAMAHA TRX850 (1996 - 2000) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
| Power: | 79 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (419 lbs / 190 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesA Ducati with Japanese reliability? That was the plan. The Yamaha TRX850 was a match for Ducati’s 900SS of its day but never sold well – the last few machines were ushered out of showrooms for under £4K. Shame. the Yamaha TRX850 is a sporty motorcycle but road biased with tons of character. Can be a bargain on the used market as they last well.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineSlightly bouncy when new – most Yamaha TRX850s would benefit from new fork oil and springs as a minimum now. But the Yamaha TRX850 is still neutral and nimble and has the feel of a proper sports bike without being intimidating. Brakes were, again, fine in their day but Yamaha calipers are famous for seizing so a strip and grease may be needed.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityYamaha TRX850uses parallel twin also used in Yamaha’s TDM850. It produces less power than sports 600s of the same era but it’s much gruntier and more satisfying to use thanks to that twin cylinder character. 270 degree crank (one piston is a quarter of a cycle behind the other) makes Yamaha TRX850 feel like a V-twin.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueYamaha had a bad patch in the 1990s for quick-corroding bikes. The Yamaha TRX850 is, unfortunately, one of these machines. Fasteners and brackets will almost certainly be rusting already. If it’s spread no further that’s ok but if it’s well set in anywhere, be careful. Yamaha TRX850 reliability problems are rare but big wheelies can starve the engine of oil – listen for nasty noises.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentA few years ago the Yamaha TRX850 was one of the biggest bargains on the market. Unfortunately prices have reached that level where they don’t drop any further and Suzuki’s SV650 offers a similar experience for a reasonable price too. Clean, bargain Yamaha TRX850s are still out there if you hunt – and they have much more presence than the effete SV. Find a Yamaha TRX850 for sale
Equipment
Very few frills on the Yamaha TRX850. There’s some luggage space under the pillion seat but that’s about it. Headlights and mirrors are on the poor side. Comfort’s not brilliant for the pillion but it’s ok for the rider. Yamaha TRX850's wind protection is reasonable but there’s quite a bit of weight on the wrists – better at speed than round town.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 849cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 10v parallel twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Steel trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 190kg |
| Front suspension | Preload, rebound |
| Rear suspension | Preload, rebound, compression |
| Front brake | Twin 320mm discs |
| Rear brake | 248mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 160/60 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 43 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £96 |
| Annual service cost | £100 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £4,000 |
| Insurance group |
13 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 79 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 63 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 135 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 11.8 secs |
| Tank range | 165 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1996: Original Yamaha TRX850 launched.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA TRX850 (1996 - 2000)
9 owners have reviewed their YAMAHA TRX850 (1996 - 2000) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your YAMAHA TRX850 (1996 - 2000)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £100
My favourite of all my bikes; I've had 3 of them! I'm 6'3" and weigh 93kg, and the TRX suits my 69-year-old frame and my abilities. I only ride solo, so the poor pillion seat doesn't matter. Brand new, TRXs need some changes: I've added lightweight silencer cans, a rack, blue spot callipers, braided lines, an extended front mudguard, decent tyres, a hugger, a "PD-Oiler" chain oiler (better than Scottoiler) & Oxford heated grips. The forks have been upgraded with cartridge emulators and stronger springs. I may upgrade the rear shock with a Nitron, but I can't say I'm dissatisfied with the stock item. It handles nicely. Just a shame they don't make it anymore. The new Yamaha 3-cylinder motor would make a great TRX for the 2020s! I did venture away from TRXs, having a Ducati ST4, a BMW R1100S and an Aprilia Falco, but none of them suited me like my beloved Yamaha.!
Forks and front brake callipers need upgrading.
Lovely engine, the first ever 270° parallel twin. It feels like a V-twin without a V-twin's weight and complication. No wonder some many other bikes (eg Honda's Africa Twin) have adopted this format. The engine is dry-sump, with the oil tank integral atop the engine. The 5-valve heads have proved reliable. Of course, being a carburreter design, there's no fuel injection, so scope for tuning is limited. With after-market cans, it produces about 80bhp, which is fine although another 10bhp would be welcome; in reality, 80bhp is fine and I rarely get overtaken by other bikes, even though they have a lot more power.
I bought my TRXs as used bikes on eBay, so they didn't cost much, though their cost ( and value) is rising as they are a favourite among owners.
Little in the way of extra equipment, though the half-fairing is very effective, and the under-seat space is reasonable. I've added a gel seat to keep comfy on long rides.
Buying experience: I paid £2,300 from an eBay seller for a very clean bike with 20K miles. Earlier TRXs I have bought were significantly cheaper (both £1,450)
Year: 1998
Annual servicing cost: £100
My favourite of all my bikes; I've had 3 of them! I'm 6'3" and weigh 93kg, and the TRX suits my 69-year-old frame and my abilities. I only ride solo, so the poor pillion seat doesn't matter. Brand new, TRXs need some changes: I've added lightweight silencer cans, a rack, blue spot callipers, braided lines, an extended front mudguard, decent tyres, a hugger, a "PD-Oiler" chain oiler (better than Scottoiler) & Oxford heated grips. The forks have been upgraded with cartridge emulators and stronger springs. I may upgrade the rear shock with a Nitron, but I can't say I'm dissatisfied with the stock item. It handles nicely. Just a shame they don't make it anymore. The new Yamaha 3-cylinder motor would make a great TRX for the 2020s! I did venture away from TRXs, having a Ducati ST4, a BMW R1100S and an Aprilia Falco, but none of them suited me like my beloved Yamaha.!
Forks and front brake callipers need upgrading.
Lovely engine, the first ever 270° parallel twin. It feels like a V-twin without a V-twin's weight and complication. No wonder some many other bikes (eg Honda's Africa Twin) have adopted this format. The engine is dry-sump, with the oil tank integral atop the engine. The 5-valve heads have proved reliable. Of course, being a carburreter design, there's no fuel injection, so scope for tuning is limited. With after-market cans, it produces about 80bhp, which is fine although another 10bhp would be welcome; in reality, 80bhp is fine and I rarely get overtaken by other bikes, even though they have a lot more power.
I bought my TRXs as used bikes on eBay, so they didn't cost much, though their cost ( and value) is rising as they are a favourite among owners.
Little in the way of extra equipment, though the half-fairing is very effective, and the under-seat space is reasonable. I've added a gel seat to keep comfy on long rides.
Buying experience: I paid £2,300 from an eBay seller for a very clean bike with 20K miles. Earlier TRXs I have bought were significantly cheaper (both £1,450)
I bought a TRX 850 for £2000 with 18K miles in September 2011 after being off a bike for 4 years. The bike came as standard with the exception of braided hoses'. What a great value fun bike to ride, especially on twisty B roads. There is plenty of grunt in second and third gear giving it a respectable midrange and unlike my last GSXR600 i don't have to rev the hell out of it. I have put wrap on the down pipes and upgraded the cans to a pair of blue flames which made an improvement on delivery and now it sounds more like a twin should. As for comfort, i am5'10 and the only snag i have had on a 250 mile ride was a tingle in my hands from vibration, everything else fine. I think it is fair to say that the suspension will need an over hall by 20k but i have tightened it all up and that will do for now, but then my local roads are bumpy. Overall, a cracking bike, some can be found with all modifications already done for less than 2k on e-bay.
my bike is far from std ,it has a R1 front end fcr 41mm flatslide carbs and a 878cc big bore kit , go to http://trx850.motomaniac.net/forum/ and have a look , its the best road bike ive owned
I have now covered 20,000+ miles on mine in 4 years. Basic maintainence, no problems. Still returns 50MPG. I love the way it accelerates out of the 30MPH limits and leaves all the 600's floundering dropping 2 gears trying to keep up. Will be keeping mine.
Now this bike has been the best bike I've ever owned, it handled like a dream it was like s*** off a shovel, and mine sounded awesome!!!I loved it! Cracking bike!
track days, commuting , 45 mpg ,£150 insurance ,crap pillion seat so i cant take my whinging MRS. all for£1700 for a mint s.reg with 4000 miles on the clock its a bit of a no brainer really...awesome FUN...
i have owned about forty bikes from a RS250 APRILIA to a PAN EUROPEAN
I've had many different bikes in the past, yzf's, blades, even a brief spell on WR426 as my road bike, but none have been the complete all rounder that the TRX has been. I'm no Fogarty on the road, and never will be, but the TRX has to offer brilliant allrounder capabilities, whether just out for a Sunday ride with the guys, or going to Spain for a few weeks fully loaded. I've never had to do any major work in 14K miles, just regular servicing, fluids and filters. Cheap insurance, and quite unique for a jap bike, you don't see that many about, unlike some of my previous bikes. I would highly recomend a TRX to anyone who wants a bike for all seasons, and all purposes, and i'm told that Jamie Whitham uses one as a track tool!?! Strengths: A genuine all rounder, as quick as any road rider should be going, and capable in any scenario, carries a full compliment of soft luggage with consumate ease.. Weaknesses: Front brakes do require serious upgrading, and the riding and pillion seats offer little comfort over long distances.
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Side view
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Brakes
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Side view
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Side view
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Exhaust
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Brakes
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Rear view
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Riding
Yamaha TRX850 motorcycle review - Riding
