1985 Yamaha reviews

I've recently discovered some background info on the 85/86 Maxim 700. This came from reliable dealership staff, but if someone told me it was bull I'd be okay with that too! Anyway... Apparently for the 1985 model year the U.S. imposed an embargo on foreign made (maybe Japanese only) motorcycles imported into the U.S. to boost the ailing American Harley Davidson Motorcycle company. This embargo charged heavy tariffs on all imported bikes above 700 cc's. Yamaha, in an effort to keep sales up and avoid excess taxation, downsized the XJ750 and came up with the XJ700N. It had many of the same features of it's slightly larger cousin but did not exceed the 700 cc limit. In late 1986, U.S. Courts rules the embargo illegal and cancelled it. This is why the Maxim 700 was only available in 85 and 86. Owners of Maxim 700's now sort of own a piece of U.S. Legal history, and a "limited edition" (so to speak) bike. Show less

I REALLY LOVED MY XJ700, HAVING BOUGHT IT USED AND RIDING OVER 20,000 MILES IN THE PAST FIVE OR SO YEARS. THE BRIGHT RED METALLIC PAINT GOT LOTS OF LOOKS FROM BOTH THE SIDEWALK CROWD AND OTHER RIDERS ALIKE. A GREAT ALL AROUND RIDE, I WAS SAD TO SELL IT THIS PAST FALL. IF YAMAHA (OR ANY OF THE OTHER BIG 4 MAKERS) MADE A SIMILIAR CRUISER WITH COMPARABLE FEATURES, I WOULD GO OUT AND BUY IT RIGHT AWAY. THE XJ700 HAD DUAL FRONT ROTOR STOPPING POWER, LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY WITH GOOD BALANCE, RESPONSIVE HANDLING, A MAINTENENCE FREE DRIVE SHAFT, PLENTY OF TORQUE FROM THE INLINE 4 CLY ENGINE, AND GREAT GET-UP AND GO POWER! THIS BIKE WOULD START EVERY DAY WITHOUT COAXING, EVEN IN THE COLDEST WEATHER. IT HAD A COMFORTABLE STRAIGHT UP RIDING POSITION WITH A VERY COMFORTABLE STOCK SEAT (AND A PLEASANT PASSENGER PILLION AS WELL). REGRETFULLY WAS FORCED TO SAY GOODBY TO MY OLD FRIEND WHEN I BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER (EXPENSIVE LOOKING) PROBLEMS WITH MISSED SHIFTS (1ST TO 2ND) AND JUMPING OUT OF GEAR. I FINALLY FOUND A DECENT REPLACEMENT IN A USED TRIUMPH THUNDERBIRD TRIPLE; BUT THATS ANOTHER REVIEW. RIDE FREE - RIDE SAFE Show less

This is my first bike at 41 and I love it. I got it so I can practice for and then get a new one, but after riding it I dont want another bike. I love it! Its beautiful, powerful and nimble. What more can you ask for.....? Show less

I have owned my rz for 15 years now. I will never sell it. Every time i ride it i cant resist riding on one tire. Nothing can beat the lightweight and quick power of this little rocket. Great brakes and lean angles are tough to beat. Show less

I was a two-stroke guy from way back. I had Kawasaki 250(Samurai) and 350(Avenger) 2-stroke twins back in the late sixties and started racing on an RD400 in 79. I also owned a couple of RD350LC's but the RZ350 was the ultimate pocket-rocket. At the track, in '83 when they first appeared, I could run down and pass almost anything and had many podium finishes in Formula 1 to prove it. Even in '85 when the RZ500 4 cylinder came out, I could still hang in there on my 350. Ridden normally a friend of mine did over 50,000 km without any engine work but had to redo everything from the crank up when he did rebuild it. A reliable but not very durable extreme fun little bike. Manny Show less

I bought this bike from a guy at work, although this would not of been a bike I would have bought new, the price was right. The only thing negative is the paint and seat (bad tears in seat; scratch in gas tank). Motor and tranny are good with @ 17000 miles on the bike it is just getting broke in! Freeway rides are good, with enough power to feel confident. Roll on speed is right on and back road travel is breezy. A new mustang saddle and a paint job, and this puppy is stylin. I particularly like the chrome fenders now all but obsolete on today's bikes, except the retro models. All said and done, great bike. Show less

The little RZ is the most amazing bike I have ever owned. A 350 that can leave 750s in the dust, racebike handling and stopping, and comfortable ergos for a six footer. I have ridden this bike all day (1000 Kms-600 miles), taken large passengers for a 160 KPH spin, wheelied through intersections, stoppies you name it. I have installed Spec II chambers, boyesen reeds and larger jets and a smaller front sprocket(16 tooth). To get to the power you need to keep it spinning between 6 and 9,000 RPM. I have seen 210 KPH on the speedo (about 128 MPH). The 16 tooth sprocket is probably the cheapest and most effective mod. Even though it drops the gear ratio, it actually increases top speed, as the bike is way over-geared stock. The downside is you gotta love two strokes. Big bike performance means big block (as in 454) gas mileage, and keep a close watch on that oil tank, a new crank will probably cost what you paid for the bike. Show less

This was my first streetbike back in 1985. I ended up putting 45,000 trouble-free miles on it before selling. Wish I had held on to it. It was an odd combination of powerful engine in a custom chassis. The motor as smooth as silk but hit its powerband above about 6-7000 rpms and took off!! Handled pretty good too. A great all around bike that you could tour on (with a small windshield), cruise town on, and even haul ass on backroads when necessary. Many bikes have far surpassed it today, but for 1985 it was pretty hot!! Show less

This is one of Yamaha's "hybrid" street rockets. Yamaha started out with a lightweight tubular steel street frame and stuck a 350cc Banshee two-stroke motor inside of it. This combination makes for a VERY light bike with tons of two-stroke power...make sure you hold on tight! Remember, the GP bikes that the factory races use the same set-up to win big dollar Grand Prix sponsor money. The after-market has tons of go-fast parts available to make these little rockets scream even more than they do from the factory. The handling on the RZ is incredible in itself. Throw one into a high-speed sweeper and stick your knee to the tarmac, and you can exit the turn even faster than you entered it. The only downside to the RZ is finding one in good condition without paying an arm and a leg. Show less

It really handles well and is highly reliable. I ride with a number of big Harleys and keep right up with them. My only complaint is no place for saddle bags given upswept exhaust and placement of rear turn signal lamps. Show less