This Yamaha TRX 850 has 850cc Parallel Twin engine, which dare I say an attempt to capture sales from the Ducati V Twin market as it makes a similar deep rumble sound and has the similar trellis frame looks. The beauty of this machine is that it cost much less to buy, run, insure, maintain and overall good reliability, no electrical gremlins to be concerned with when you are hundreds of miles from home.

It might not have the outright horsepower of in-line 4 engines but because torque is achieved at lower RPM, no need to rev it too much, thus it is a very enjoyable and fun bike to ride. Because it is no longer being made (1995-1999), it has a strong cult following.

The Germans are smart as BMW took the opportunity to further develop the Parallel Twin engine by introducing the F800 but with some extra 10 horsepower and a better suspension, which the TRX lacked. The F800 are selling very well with its fresh modern look and priced very well too. It is attracting new younger riders to the BMW club which was previously both cost prohibitive and with their unusual boxy look for the younger riders.

Now, why can’t Yamaha re-incarnate the TRX with a bigger and better engine like Triumph have successfully done by reintroducing their previous classic bikes like Bonneville, Trophy, Trident, Tiger and TT with a modern engine.