Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126792
The XT250 has grown into a 350 for '85. Gone is the front drum brake for a semi-enclosed 9.6-inch hydraulic disc. The TT600 received no engine changes this year, but the suspension has stiffer springs and heavier damping. It now has a front disc brake. The IT200 is the only enduro model offered·from Yamaha in '85. Composite instead of steel reed valves is the only change. Plastic remains blue. The XT600 is virtually unchanged. The only difference is new Michelin tires that have a different rubber compound and knobby pattems. Yamaha's '85 dual-purposeand enduro line-up The biggest change for 1985 in Yamaha's dualpurpose and enduro line-up is the DOHC, four-valve.XT250 becoming the 346cc XT350, with bore increased from 73mm to 86mm. The crank pin and rod big-end are larger, the flywheel is 10% heavier and the counter-balancer weighs more to deal with the and the single rear shock has five rebound damping adjustment positions. Both the XT350 and its larger brother XT600 have a plastic rain fender shrouding the front disc brake rotor. larger piston and increased power. . The 595cc, SOHC, four-valve The clutch has more plates and the XT600 remains virtually the same as clutch case is larger. Two plastic air last year: the only differences are new scoops mounted in front of the gas Michelin tires that have a different tank direct air over the cylinder head: rubber compound and knobby patTwo chain-driven camshafts open tern. the four valves via bucket-style tappets The SOHC, [our-valve TT600 and valve lash is adjusted by replac(strictly dirt) doesn't have any motor ing shims. changes from last year, but the chassis Instead of last-year's drum brake and suspension take on some major there's a semi-enclosed 9.6-inch hymodifications. A stiffer spring is now draulic disc brake on the front wheel. used for the single rear shock, and to The. frame has a sin~le front do:wntube •• • match. the stiffer. spring, ,damping On Yamaha's 1985 XT350 and 600, fake radiator scoops located undemeath the fuel tank help direct air over the motor for more efficient cooling. The new front disc brake on the XT350 and 600 replaces the double-leading shoe set-up. Covering the disc is a plastic guard that is designed to fend off water. has been increased. Up front, the spring and damping rates are both increased and a new hollow front axle now bolts into the threaded fork leg rather than a separate nut. A single disc brake with a shrouded rotor replaces last year's double-leading shoe front brake, and the brake master cylinder is redesigned to prevent air fro.m entering the fluid line when the bike is inverted. Both wheels are all new and feature Yamaha's Z-spoke design. The rear hub is the same as used on the YZ250. Rims have a hollow bead, area to reduce weight. Tires are new IRCs. To improve cooling, the CDI unit is moved from under the gas tank to the steering head, and the TI now has a stronger.headlight using a 12volt 55-watt halogen bulb. Unlike the YZs, XTs and TIs, the IT200 enduro is not white - it remains blue. The IT200 will be the only enduro bike offered from Yamaha this year, since the IT250 has been dropped from production. Besides the different graphics on the tank, the steel reed valves are swapped for composite reeds. • ,.