ADB Reader Ewan Engelmann shows us what he's done and what he thinks of his tidy 2021 Yamaha YZ85 Large Wheel.
WHAT IS IT? 2021 YAMAHA YZ85 LARGE WHEEL
WHO? Ewan Engelmann
WHERE DID YOU BUY IT? We bought it off Facebook Marketplace in Albury.
HOW MUCH? $5500
WHY DID YOU BUY THE 2021 YAMAHA YZ85 LARGE WHEEL?
My Dad had a 1984 YZ80 when he was younger and he loved it. He thought it would be a good bike for me to transition to as I had outgrown my KTM 65 SX. The bike looked in pretty good condition and the previous owner was using it to ride in motocross. It was a good looking bike that came with lots of parts, some plastics, and big and small wheels. Mum and Dad bought it for me for Christmas and Dad cleaned it up like new for me.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IT?
It was in pretty good condition when Mum and Dad bought it, but Dad put a lot of work into it to personalise it to me. It has a new SKDA sticker kit, Boysen ignition and clutch covers, Pro Circuit works pipe and muffler, Renthal handlebars, and is running Dunlop tyres. The front forks have been cerakoted and suspension has been gone through with Shock Treatment. Dr Ross MX has done some porting work to the engine.
When we picked the bike up, the Pro Circuit expansion chamber was a little rusty and rough so Dad polished the rust out and re-blued the welds. Dad also repainted the frame. I added pink grips, some Acerbis hand guards and some blue anodised valve caps which have been transitioned from all of my bikes right from my first Pee Wee 50 when I was 6.
HOW DOES IT GO?
It goes good. I like that it goes fast and I can go at higher speeds. It won’t be long before I can overtake Dad on his YZ250. I like that it’s a Yamaha as they are fast and reliable.
I like to try new things on the bike like going over logs, dirt jumps and forklift tyre jumps. But my most favourite thing is to go fast, I have got the hang of the clutch and gears which makes it easier to get up to the high speeds.
WOULD YOU RECOMMEND BUYING ONE?
Yes, definitely. It’s a great stepping stone bike from the small wheel. You can’t go past a Yamaha for its reliability or parts availability, they look cool and they go fast. Yamaha is the way to go.
5 UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT EWAN AND HIS BIKE
1) My blue heeler can’t catch me anymore on the YZ85, he used to chase me through the paddock
2) I learnt that leaving the choke on fouls the plug
3) I load my own bike on the trailer after a weekend of riding
4) I love riding at Muskerry Moto Park and look forward to riding at Castlemaine this year
5) Dad is teaching me how to maintain my bike with washing it and changing the oil filter