WHAT IS IT?
2006 YAMAHA YZ500
WHO?
Richard Swindel-Hurst
WHERE DID YOU BUY IT?
The donor Yamaha YZ250 was purchased from a mate as a toolbox. The BRC Racing YZM500 conversion components were sourced directly from BRC Racing in Canada.
HOW MUCH?
The RRP on a build like this, including the donor bike, would be around $30,000 in parts.
WHY DID YOU BUY IT?
I have always loved big-bore two-strokes. They are simple, aggressive, raw and unlike almost anything else you can ride. Modern bikes are incredibly capable, but a 500 has a different personality: huge torque, instant response and a feeling that you are riding something properly special. I wanted to build the bike I wished Yamaha still made — a current YZ chassis with a properly developed 500cc two-stroke engine. The BRC kit gave me the chance to create that without compromising the handling, suspension and reliability of a modern Yamaha platform.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT?
The bike started as a modern Yamaha YZ250 donor and has been converted using BRC Racing’s YZM500 package. The conversion takes the standard YZ250-based platform and turns it into a 500cc two-stroke while retaining the sharp, familiar Yamaha chassis package. The build was put together as a dream modern big-bore two-stroke rather than a restoration or replica. The bike was a complete wreck when I bought it. Everything has been completely stripped and coated, with a lot of brand-new components. Everything steel was black zinc-coated, everything aluminium was Cerakoted, and the forks were sent to Japan for a Kashima coating. There is not much left of the original bike!
HOW DOES IT GO?
It is honestly amazing. It has so much torque and power, but the modern YZ chassis makes it feel far more controllable than people expect. It pulls extremely hard from low rpm, which means you can ride it a little lazier than the 250. In sand it is ridiculous — you can carry gears, ride the torque and cover ground very quickly. It demands respect, especially when the terrain gets rough or tight, but that is exactly what makes it special.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND BUYING ONE?
Yes, but only to someone who understands what they are getting into. It is not the easiest or cheapest way to own a dirt bike, and a 500cc two-stroke is not the best choice for a beginner or someone who only wants a relaxed trail bike. You need to be prepared to set it up properly, keep an eye on cooling and jetting, and respect the power. But for someone who loves two-strokes, wants something genuinely different and enjoys building rather than simply buying, I would absolutely recommend it. But be prepared for a massive project!
5 UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT YOU OR THE BIKE
- Modern Yamaha handling paired with a hand-built 500cc two-stroke engine.
- Built to recreate the 500cc two-stroke Yamaha never produced.
- Factory-looking KYB suspension built by On Point.
- Factory look with black-frame graphics. Unless you know what you’re looking at, it’s hard to tell what the bike is.
- Built, ridden and properly tested instead of becoming a garage ornament.
