TRX850, give me your unfounded opinions!

[xwhatsit]

CB250RS, GB500, SRV250, XT400...

And now for something completely different.

My old man lives in Brisbane (along with half of New Zealand), and he pootles aboot on a lardy-arsed Yamaha V-Star 1100, which was an interesting experience to have a go riding.

When I go and visit him, to get around, I borrowed one of his friend's 250s, a Suzuki V-twin Intruder. He wants to get something more permanent, though -- so I can keep up a bit better, for one thing.

A Ducati thou was on the cards -- very cheap, as it was in a million bits, but that deal fell through. Now he's spied a TRX850.

I'm not at all familiar with such a thing. I've had the opportunity twice now to punt a GSXR600 around the block, which was comfortable, if slightly bland. How would you describe this? It's a parallel twin -- should I expect British twin thumping power delivery, or GSX-style whiny-ness?

What sort of roads does this bike suit?

Mechanical resilience, common problems? Potential for home servicing, or is it nasty complicated send-it-to-the-shop?

Your responses and opinions awaited.

[R6_kid]

from what i know the TRX has pretty decent brakes and around 60-70hp, its not a 'fast' bike by any means but it should be enjoyabe for you. What did you find bland about a GSXR600? Did you take it over 8k rpm at all?

[yod]

TRX is a pretty damn quick bike

around 85 hp, defintely a big thumper, torquey as anything, sound GREAT!
quite light and skinny (about 175kg i think?), easy to chuck around and damn good in the twisties for a bike thats almost a thou

never underestimate the power and performance of a TRX, fun bike and will knock 200 on the head with a fair bit to spare, roger_doger has one (he's selling it actually) and mate, if I could keep up with him I'd be a happy man:laugh:

edit: R6 kid is right too, they do have pretty impressive brakes

[98tls]

The TRX was voted two wheels bike of the year in 97.Sweet bike,not over endowed with omphh but like most sports bikes it all comes down to whos riding it.A real nice looker and a sweet handling bike to boot.From speaking to a few guys over the years i gather that there pretty bullitproof as well.

[James Deuce]

I used to have one. Tell him to buy it. I'd still have it if I hadn't killed it.

The front end needs decent springs and Gold Valve emulators. The stock setup is woefully under sprung.

The brakes are superb. Old school Brembo Goldlines that will have the stock forks on the bump stops in an instant. Very frustrating when dicing with stinkwheel 250cc GP replicas on the Rimutakas. Get new springs and Gold Valve emulators, or bolt a YZF750 front end on.

The engine has a 270 degree firing order and is typically Ducatiesque in it's power delivery. It is impossible to ride under 3500rpm it is that lumpy. However above that it is smooth and very willing, often finding the rev limiter without ever feeling stressed.

The rear shock is a Yamaha made Ohlins copy and is very good indeed. I've been known to ride around the outside of R1s on the right sort of road, though the 180km.hr speed limiter can make things interesting.

The only way to see 85HP from a TRX is to weld another bike with a 20HP engine to it. Claimed peak is 74bhp. rear wheel HP is typically 65-68HP. The engine is a parallel twin with a dry sump (you have to check the oil level when the engine is warm), 5 valve per cylinder head and a terminal piston speed that is very close to the limits of what 90s metallurgy can cope with. Valve clearance checks are 24,000kms apart and it is vital that they are done and done correctly.

Keep the suspension linkages clean and lubed. Lube the swing arm pivot/bushes every 10000km.

A TRX is all day comfy to ride, the underseat storage will cope with wet weather gear and enough odds and sods to make a tank bag redundant, and take heed, a TRX should never be seen (heard) in public with the stock pipes, unless the end caps have been taken off and the last baffle has been sawn off at the weld. The neutered chuffing that Yamaha endowed the TRX with as stock is an affront to all standards of good taste.

If he buys it I have an electronic copy of the workshop manual. Much better bike than its spec would have you believe and a lot more versatile/characterful than a modern 600cc supersports. It's a real shame that Yamaha keep updating the TDM (engine for the TRX came from the original TDM850 which was a 180 degree firing order, later changed to 270 degrees just like the TRX) and dropped the TRX. The TRX is probably the perfect Japanese sportsbike for NZ roads. It just doesn't have 100 billion HP so Kiwis won't buy it. It was more popular in Australia which I believe speaks volumes about our respective societies.

[xwhatsit]

Thanks guys, much appreciated. Will forward this to Dad.

@R6_kid, I meant handling wise it seemed a little dull (the engine was laugh-in-helmet material). Probably very fast around corners, but felt kind of lifeless to me. Perhaps that's just modern sportsbikes?

Sounds very suitable, from what you guys are saying. 70-odd horses is about right, certainly no more is necessary. Light, chuckable and torquey is all my cup of tea -- pity it's to be used on Queensland roads, you have to look long and hard to find a decent run of twisties. I'm sure Dad will still find a use for it -- he's an old sportsbiker, nearly bought a Triumph Sprint when he got back into biking but somehow ended up with the V-Star cruiser. Had an R6 as a loaner while his bike was getting fixed, he wouldn't stop talking about it for days :)

It is very Ducati-esque, dad mentioned something about it sounding Italian (so clearly the chuffing has been fixed), and that exposed ladder frame...

Sounds good. Just hope this particular instance of the class checks out OK.

[Dooly]

I've ridden one quite a bit.
Loved it.
As someone said, very Ducati-ish.
Did about 220 tapped.
Nimble, and fun.

[NZsarge]

CB250RS, GB500, SRV250, XT400...

And now for something completely different.

My old man lives in Brisbane (along with half of New Zealand), and he pootles aboot on a lardy-arsed Yamaha V-Star 1100, which was an interesting experience to have a go riding.

When I go and visit him, to get around, I borrowed one of his friend's 250s, a Suzuki V-twin Intruder. He wants to get something more permanent, though -- so I can keep up a bit better, for one thing.

A Ducati thou was on the cards -- very cheap, as it was in a million bits, but that deal fell through. Now he's spied a TRX850.

I'm not at all familiar with such a thing. I've had the opportunity twice now to punt a GSXR600 around the block, which was comfortable, if slightly bland. How would you describe this? It's a parallel twin -- should I expect British twin thumping power delivery, or GSX-style whiny-ness?

What sort of roads does this bike suit?

Mechanical resilience, common problems? Potential for home servicing, or is it nasty complicated send-it-to-the-shop?

Your responses and opinions awaited.
I wonder.... my bro just traded his TRiXie a couple of weeks ago on an Aprilia Tuono. His one was an absolute minta, he loved it and had no issues with that he told me of anyway. He recently resprayed the wheels and put a belly pan on it and it look really sharp. If you want I can foward you some pics of it to see if it's the same bike.

[yod]

FYI: I've also heard the pillion position aint too great

[NZsarge]

TRX is a pretty damn quick bike

around 85 hp, defintely a big thumper, torquey as anything, sound GREAT!
quite light and skinny (about 175kg i think?), easy to chuck around and damn good in the twisties for a bike thats almost a thou

never underestimate the power and performance of a TRX, fun bike and will knock 200 on the head with a fair bit to spare, roger_doger has one (he's selling it actually) and mate, if I could keep up with him I'd be a happy man:laugh:

edit: R6 kid is right too, they do have pretty impressive brakes

You should have swapped him your VFR for his TRiXie:2thumbsup

[xwhatsit]

I wonder.... my bro just traded his TRiXie a couple of weeks ago on an Aprilia Tuono. His one was an absolute minta, he loved it and had no issues with that he told me of anyway. He recently resprayed the wheels and put a belly pan on it and it look really sharp. If you want I can foward you some pics of it to see if it's the same bike.

Really! He said it was a 1998. Would be funny if it was :yes: This is in Brisbane?

Pillion seating isn't too much of a factor with a large cruiser parked next to it.

Dad says he's been talking to some other guy who owns one; mentioned the same slightly limp front end. He said that an R1 front end is a solution too, although he just fitted heavier springs, as the R1 front end was heavier apparently.

[James Deuce]

R1 front end isn't a straight bolt in like the YZF750 one. Mucho expensive and frame recertification probably required.

[xwhatsit]

Ah ok. Heavier springs ought to do it, and it's not like you're always diving through hilly twisties like the back part of the Coro loop; more sweepers over there anyway.

Prices over there seem quite high, $4500-$5500. Here they go for under $NZ4000, at least from a brief perusal of listings.

[James Deuce]

The Aussie vehicle market is more regulated than ours.

[NZsarge]

Really! He said it was a 1998. Would be funny if it was :yes: This is in Brisbane?

Pillion seating isn't too much of a factor with a large cruiser parked next to it.

Dad says he's been talking to some other guy who owns one; mentioned the same slightly limp front end. He said that an R1 front end is a solution too, although he just fitted heavier springs, as the R1 front end was heavier apparently.

Yeah my bro is in Brisy, not sure what year it is but.

[SVboy]

I test rode a nice honest one here in ChCh. It did handle well, but I felt the power delivery was a bit flat. I gather there can be carburation issues, especially in wind? Buckets of character...

[James Deuce]

Only carb issues revolve around Throttle Position Sensors and cable slack. You have to adjust ALL the slack out of the throttle cable or you get a a very on/off throttle from fully shut to just open.

[xwhatsit]

Only carb issues revolve around Throttle Position Sensors and cable slack. You have to adjust ALL the slack out of the throttle cable or you get a a very on/off throttle from fully shut to just open.



Ah, I've got this problem on the old CB right now. Makes winding the throttle on at the apex a delicate matter. Worth a shot :)

@SVBoy, what do you mean by `flat'? One thing I found about the GSXR600, was that the engine seemed more exciting because it would suddenly come `on cam' as the revs got up, and shoot off like a rocket. Lots of fun, but not really my style -- and in a long run of twisties that would be a pain the arse. I love the flat torque curve of a thumper or appropriately designed twin.

Or is that not what you meant?

[SVboy]

I had an SV1000s and power/torque was instantainious-it was, in my limited experience, a fast bike. I expected a similar experience from the TRX, but would describe the power delivery as more 'friendly'-and definitely a lot slower than the SV.Exiting a corner-the bike was slower to put power to the ground,and acceleration was adequate, but not stunning. I have a GSXR 600 also,so I know what you are describing. Dont forget, my experience was based on only one longish test ride-Jim2 sounds like the man in regards to the trx. I did seriously like the bike I rode and did consider it-but I felt the vendor wanted too much. It is back on Trademe-not that that helps your Dad in Aussie!

[NZsarge]

Only carb issues revolve around Throttle Position Sensors and cable slack. You have to adjust ALL the slack out of the throttle cable or you get a a very on/off throttle from fully shut to just open.

The only problem brother experienced was as he told me: emulsion tubes in the carbs making it run rich and smoke (fuel) and ofcourse, pig the gas! Replaced said parts and all was hunky dory.

[jimbo]

[QUOTE=Jim2;1243664]I used to have one. Tell him to buy it. I'd still have it



Hi Jim2.Interesting to read you comments.My partner is about to buy a TRX and i wonder if it would be possible to have,scrounge purchase,whatever ,a copy of the manuual you have,Cheers:niceone: Jimbo

[James Deuce]

PM me your email address jimbo.

[Fryin Finn]

I Had my TRX for 8 years and 56,000km. Didn't adjust my valves in that time Put cycleworks pipes on and had dynotuned at Wellington Motorcycles said it áhem' made 105hp (cough cough) which I don't believe but it went alright and I got 60mpg on trips. Contrary to Jim's bike mine would run from 2500rpm in the lower gears and 3000rpm in top and had a nice cammy feel at 4500 and up. The forks were well ordinary but the shock did it's job real well.
I too would still have it if I hadn't killed it - the fairing is a bit brittle in a bin.
I had trouble in the wind with the carbs but felt it may have been wind pressure sucking the carb slides down. As ever I rode around the problem and never bothered getting it fixed.
It was a better handling bike than the TLS and VTR but lacked their power.
The pillion seat is for strapping things to not much fun for passengers. The ride position was pretty good though - once did a 750km trip from Whakatane to home via Gisborne.

[HungusMaximist]

Jim I can't PM you for some reasons for the manual.

As I am looking in getting a 1995 TRX an apparently it's the italian model/version ?

[Pussy]

The Aussie vehicle market is more regulated than ours.


The Aussie spec (NZ new) TRX850s aren't limited to 180km/h. There are quite a few NZ new Trixies about the place, as far as I know they were all black framed. I've ridden a couple of them, and they seemed to carburate quite nicely. I agree with you on the forks, and the fix for them. I enjoyed the time I had on the TRX

[xwhatsit]

AFAIK the Aussie ones are limited to 195kph or something odd. At least that's what a few of the guys who Dad was talking to told him.

[Pussy]

AFAIK the Aussie ones are limited to 195kph or something odd. At least that's what a few of the guys who Dad was talking to told him.
They will be grey import Jap spec ones

[jimbo]

As far as I know the imports are usually white frame and brembo front calipers

[James Deuce]

The Aussie spec (NZ new) TRX850s aren't limited to 180km/h. There are quite a few NZ new Trixies about the place, as far as I know they were all black framed. I've ridden a couple of them, and they seemed to carburate quite nicely. I agree with you on the forks, and the fix for them. I enjoyed the time I had on the TRX

I was talking about the price.

[slowpoke]

You did ask for "unfounded opinions", right?

I dunno anything about 'em except they are intriguing.

By "intriguing" I mean they make you want to take a look when you hear it, they make you want to have a second look when you see it, they make you want to ride one just to see if it is as much fun as it sounds/looks.

Poor man's Ducati it may be but it's a lot cheaper and probably a lot more practical with out having quite the outright performance.

[James Deuce]

Poor man's Ducati it may be but it's a lot cheaper and probably a lot more practical with out having quite the outright performance.

More ground clearance than a Monster, and more oomph than a Ducati 900SS - which Ducati were you thinking of comparing it with?

[Coyote]

Can the speed restrictions be removed?

Based on looks, sound and being a parallel twin (less to go wrong than 4 cylinders you'd hope) I've been pretty keen on one. Yet to test ride one though. I heard they didn't have much more power than my 400 though and I'm already a bit tired of that

[James Deuce]

Can the speed restrictions be removed?

Based on looks, sound and being a parallel twin (less to go wrong than 4 cylinders you'd hope) I've been pretty keen on one. Yet to test ride one though. I heard they didn't have much more power than my 400 though and I'm already a bit tired of that

Yes, but it involves cutting a wire to the CDI that forever removes the side stand cutout switch from operation. For the amount of time spent over 180km/hr on the road versus the nasty shock on the next left hander I personally don't think it's worth it.

[rn-85]

IIf he buys it I have an electronic copy of the workshop manual. .

hey james could you please email or make a copy of that workshop maual for me? it'll come in handy for work on the brother inlaws trx850.

[avgas]

TRX850 is a fantastic bike, i was going to buy one before buying the fazer, and if they were the same price, same year etc at the time i was buying the fz i would have bought the TRX.
A well setup TRX has enough ponies to kick anything in the right set of twisties. The only v-twin i would ever own......because it doesnt feel as retarded as a a vtwin

[yod]

TRX850 is a fantastic bike, i was going to buy one before buying the fazer, and if they were the same price, same year etc at the time i was buying the fz i would have bought the TRX.
A well setup TRX has enough ponies to kick anything in the right set of twisties. The only v-twin i would ever own......because it doesnt feel as retarded as a a vtwin

perhaps thats because it's not a v-twin, its parallel


but you're right about the twisties, they're quite light and nimble but are very torquey

[R6_kid]

perhaps thats because it's not a v-twin, its parallel


but you're right about the twisties, they're quite light and nimble but are very torquey

And probably the only ducati sounding non-ducati.

[yod]

And probably the only ducati sounding non-ducati.

definitely (now wait for some duc purist to come and tell us off)

roger-doger had one with duc pipes on it....a real head turner....sounded fookin magnifico!

[rn-85]

ok jim my email is jnr454@hotmail.com. sorry i cant pm you, i need more posts cause im a newb. cheers for that

[xwhatsit]

Well I'm in Australia now riding the TRX dad eventually purchased. Only done a few hundred kms so far, but I like it. Very user-friendly, not at all a worry (in terms of horsepower) compared to riding a 250RS. Suprisingly similar power-delivery (but with less legs, and scaled up 400% or so lol) compared to the CB250RS.

Handling is heavy, of course, but if you keep it on the power it'll stay locked in and scribe perfect arcs. Not sure what to make of the stock suspension yet -- smooth as anything, until it hits a decent sized lump and then just gives up and kills your arse. Bars are much too high, make it quite uncomfortable for where your feet are. All could be fixed. Fairing/screen need to go in the bin.

The one thing that is giving me the most trouble is the snatchy throttle that people have mentioned. Either off (massive engine braking) or accelerating -- no sort of neutral inbetween. Even going down the motorway is a hassle. Adjusting for it, but will fiddle with cable slack (seemingly all slack adjusted out -- what was that you mentioned about the TPI, Jimmy2?) and carb sync later perhaps. Chain is tensioned nicely.

All in all, having an absolute laugh on it. Sounds mean through the straight pipes.

[xwhatsit]

Righty-ho, follow up about the snatchy throttle. Checked the cables again, looked at the service manual w.r.t. TPI and it seemed all good. In the end, checked the chain again and it seems that dad had tensioned it a little tight, so that with the steep angle on the swingarm and my weight added it got too tight. Backed it off to about 30mm and 90% of the snatchiness has gone away. The rest I'll put down to light throttle springs and me being hamfisted.

600kms yesterday, sore arse, sore arms from the too-high bars and fairing, but other than that had a ball. It's quite chuckable in the low-speed twisties, so long as you're not shy about being firm with the counter-steering. Nevertheless, going through Mt Mee (yes, that is a real place-name), I was wishing I was on the 250RS -- would've been full throttle, crouched down, working the gearbox, scraping pegs -- on the TRX, I spent the whole time in 2nd nana-ing the throttle :laugh:

[James Deuce]

Get rid of all the cable slack on the throttle cables.

They are sensitive to having everything adjusted just right.

You'll be bouncing off the rev limiter in top before you know it.