YZ65
With the all-new YZ65 Yamaha has entered
the mini racer category with an up-to-date, and
competitive machine. Until now there weren’t
many options in this category - most riders are
on orange bikes. Yamaha has gone in guns
blazing with the 65. The engine is a new design
and something of a beauty, sporting Yamaha’s
YPVS power-valve and reed-valve induction,
which smooths out the power and makes it
easy to ride, something both of our testers
mentioned as one of the bike’s strong points.
The chassis gets fully-adjustable KYB
suspension front and rear, which is great at
the 65cc point. Basically, with a great engine
and effective suspension, it’s got everything a
race bike should have... and it’s blue. Great to
see Yamaha with a competitive machine in this
Grom class at last.
Our testers had both been riding KTM 65s
46 KIWI RIDER
Yamaha has gone in
guns blazing with the
65. The engine is a new
design and something
of a beauty
of different vintages, but they both found the
YZ65 to be something of a weapon. Nathan
Refoy didn’t want to get off it, in fact he went
through two tanks of fuel in one ride, just
cutting lap after lap. When he finally had to
stop because we were losing the light, he was
almost in tears, pleading with his mum to get
him one... if she won Lotto. Apparently since
then he’s been leaving the family computer on
the YZ65 page on Yamaha’s website.
Anyway, the 65 displays all the great things
we have come to expect from Yamaha, such
as good ergos, massive footpegs to make it
easier for young riders to grip and stand on,
smooth shifting and lots of useable power...
and it comes in a deep blue which will stand
out in a race of mainly green, orange and white
bikes. The coming Mini Nationals may well see
another colour up there on the podium.