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YZ 65 reviews
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If you are trying to go to Loretta's the Austrian one is probably better, for the other 98% of us seems like the YZ is a solid damn option.
Upsides to the Yamaha are better fork and they have big brakes. Downside is it weighs more with the spring fork and big brakes.
Don’t think you can go wrong with either. We have 150hrs on the husky and aside from a few top ends and having to keep bleeding rear brake we haven’t had any problems. In the series we race there’s a mix of Austrian and yamahas up front.
The suspension on the YZ is hands down better than the WP suspension on the Austrian 65's. I am personally not a huge fan of the air fork on the 65's feel like the spring fork is better for the kids.
Overall you can't go wrong with the YZ65.
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No, definitely not making a run for LL's....we are offroad folks around here, but my son isn't even close to that level of speed even if we wanted to try for LL's...
It sounds like the YZ will be a great bike for him.
What's folks take on the YZ 85's?
One of the nice things about the Austrian bike is the easy drop-in 105 kit. Yamaha does not offer one but I think Athena does. Not sure how good it is.
My son has 120hrs on his yz65 and 4 top end changes. Bike rips tire last top end I did at 33hrs. I could’ve put it right back in. I run his fuel at about 38-40:1. 32:1 is just way too rich. Again zero issues. It’s been bulletproof
Perfect timing. I’m in the process of looking around for a 65 for my oldest now and was wondering how the yz65 stacked up.
I would go with a YZ65. It’s funny to read moto dads speaking of power on the bikes when the kid’s often use 60-70% of the power that the bike is capable of delivering.
How many kid’s out there ride their 65 faster than this and they weigh a 3rd of what Carson does:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-A7xWpvpGm/?igsh=b3E3eTZpMzUyc2lq
When it comes down to a kid’s bike the most important thing is the quality of the bike and there is Yamaha way better than the austrian 3 different colors brand.
It all comes down to the rider but it’s always a good feeling to have that you got the kid the most reliable bike out there.
I’m probably the opposite of the moto dad, I didn’t even want my kids to ride but “monkey see monkey do”. Reliability is number one for me the kids or the wife need to be able to start it and have it run hassle free. I actually like the fact it’s a hair off the Austrians power wise I’ve been worried it might be too much.
The engine is based on the yz85 so it has a strong bottom end, real brakes instead of that MTB crap that ktm put on their small bikes and it sounds really meaty in the powerband.
You sound like a good parent.
Did you do connecting rods or just pistons before 120 hours?
YZ65s are great bikes. Just little things to complain about: For some reason front wheel bearings go out often, even the semi sealed all balls and pivot works bearings. It’s annoying that you can’t check the oil level via a dipstick or check bolt. Change clutches regularly, if you go too long and it starts slipping, the engine builds up a lot of heat and the cylinder head o-rings fail. I broke several power valves. When they break, one lobe will break off and scratch the piston, or if your lucky, get blown out the exhaust. Then you will see steam coming out the vent hose because exhaust gas pressurizes the power valve area. I started replacing them when I did top ends which costs a little over $100 for that piece. The YZ65 is a little bit heavier than the Ktm/gg/hsq and not quite as fast, but has a little more bottom end and suits beginners well. They have a lot of hop up potential too.
I’m about to list a couple lighter rate shock springs for the sub 70 pound kids. Text me if interested at 218-791-5498.
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