VOL. 55 ISSUE 19 MAY 15, 2018 P89
six-plate clutch hard. They also said they
didn't have to work the transmission much
and were able to use third and fourth gear
most of the time.
IMPRESSIVE CHASSIS
While the Townsend boys were
stoked on the engine performance
of the YZ65, they were just as complimen-
tary of the chassis. The steel cradle main-
frame and aluminum subframe are tuned for
optimal flex for the 65cc class, giving the
bike light and neutral handling. Up front,
36mm KYB coil-spring forks move through
8.5 inches of travel. The 175mm wide triple
clamps hold the Kashima-coated outer tubes
to offer a consistent and planted front-end
feel. A fairly lax 26.4-degree head angle
gives the YZ65 high-speed stability. At the
back a KYB piggyback shock is attached di-
rectly to the swingarm, providing 10.6 inches
of rear-wheel travel with the shock stroking
through 3.9 inches. This gives the rear a
progressive rate without using a progressive
spring. Damping is tuned to compliment
the progressive rate and is claimed to have
excellent bottoming resistance.
Both riders immediately commented on
the planted feel of the YZ65 when quizzed
We're liking the blue rims.
