Yamaha TRX850 Enthusiasts Forum

Hi, im going to view a standard trx this weekend, and am hoping for a little advice on any problem areas I need to check out.

Im aware of usual issues on any bike such as sticking calipers, noisy cam chains, clonking head bearings etc, but whats typical of trx gremlins, or something hidden away/unsdeen that I could overlook?

thanks, Lee

Get the bike up to temperature and listen to the tickover, it should be even with no `hiccups` or misses in beat, you can suspect carb issues / emulsion tubes and worn needles if it does it.

Look around the frame where the rear footpegs bolt up, severe corrosion can set in there.

Take out the oil tank filler cap and sniff the hot oil, it should smell of oil not of fuel / petrol, this is a good indicator of fuel tap issues.
They can leak through compromised diaphragms and fuel makes it`s way down the vaccum hoses into the inlets and seeps past the valves while the bike is standing.

Take the bike for a spin and while in a higher gear gun it hard, any clutch slipping issues will make themselves known.

The gearbox should change fairley sweetly and don`t be surprised from any whining in third, MOST TRX`s seem to do it.

Obviously check all cables for integrity, look for any fraying but also look to see if they`ve been lubricated too, a sign of an owner that does such things.

Apart from that speak to the seller and ask about how often he services it, or gets it done and WHAT gets done too.


Good luck.

Everyone seems to say the TRX is fairly bullet-proof. Your first impression should give you a good idea as to wether you need to start looking for problems. I would suggest as simple question ...
"I've heard that the TRX has a peculiar oil changing and checking procedure. What's special about it ?"
He should be able to describe the warm-up / stand up method and the two drain points.
The hard bit will be walking away from it if you have a niggling doubt ?