Better by design: A Yamaha TRX850 built by an architect
Back in the 90s, the Japanese manufacturers went through a phase of building Italian-style sportbikes. Honda had the SuperHawk, and Suzuki the TL1000S?both 90° V-twins. Yamaha, however, took the 10-valve DOHC parallel twin used in its sport tourers and came up with the TRX850.
The critical reception was mixed, to say the least, but these days the TRX850 is appreciated a little more. It?s a good value secondhand buy, and with upgrades to the suspension and brakes, it?s a torquey and fun machine for the open road.
Australian Josh Bell is a fan. He?s a 30-year-old architect living in Sydney, and when he?s not designing buildings, he likes to build bikes.
It doesn?t sound like the most relaxing endeavor, though: ?This TRX represents a couple of years of blood (mostly), sweat and tears?and experiments with fabrication techniques for the bodywork,? Josh tells us. ?This bike was built on a limited budget, and I completed almost all of the work myself.?
We reckon he?s done an amazing job. The TRX850 doesn?t look too bad in factory condition, but this custom with an endurance racing vibe has gone up to a whole new level.
The donor was a well looked after 1996 Yamaha TRX850, so the engine likely had most of its original 79 hp still available. Josh has boosted that fine mill by installing an Arrow 2-into-1 exhaust system, plus a carbon fiber end can?ceramic coated black for a low-key vibe.
The carbs are the stock Mikuni BDST38s, the same as used on some contemporary Ducat...
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Backcountry Discovery Routes | Ep. 70 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast
27-04-2024 08:34 - (
motorcycle )