YAMAHA TRX850 (1996 - 2000) Review

Version: Dark metallic Teal Green / silver frame

Year: 1997

This is my second TRX 850. Some DH T boned my first one. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this real world sleeper. I do get sick of the Ducati wannabe comparisons. This bike has a pedigree that surpasses the 900ss Ducati. An engine developed to win Dakar in the XTZ 750 then shoehorned into a trellis sports frame to mitigate weight. Yamaha then approached Alan Cathcart who embraced the tractabilty of the Yamaha underdog and proceeded to kick some prestigious arses in the Battle of the Twins series.

Buying experience: Paid 6K back in 2007 after my original TRX 850 (67,000 K’s) was totalled by some dickhead doing a Uey on a 3 lane carriageway in front of me! She came with a tank cover and bag and Magnum carbon pipes with only 11k on the clock.

Version: 4NX

Year: 1996

Annual servicing cost: £50

Best thing is it puts a smile on your face.Worst thing is you hear the same three statements time and time again.

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.!

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.!

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.