2025 Yamaha YZ65 Review

The YZ65 has been built to the same high standards as Yamaha’s range of adult race bikes. Its potent 65cc liquid-cooled 6-speed engine features Yamaha’s race developed YPVS for race-winning power – and the light semi-double cradle steel frame with aluminium subframe provides stable handling and high agility.

Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications

2025 Yamaha YZ65: MOTOCROSS DREAMS START HERE.

Introducing the new 2025 Yamaha YZ65…

Designed for every mini-moto racer with dreams of winning. The Yamaha YZ65 is the perfect first step into the victory zone that offers youth riders with the same top-notch performance and reliability of bigger YZ models.

Welcome to the victorYZone! Motocross Dreams Start Here.

Yamaha won its rst World MX Championship before today’s aspiring young motocross riders were born – and alwaysbelieved in building strong and durable dirt bikes for everyone, from kids through to seasoned pros. With the YZ65 you get winning performance together with proven Yamaha durability: Welcome to the victorYZone!

Featuring a race-bred speci cation that’s inspired by the agship YZ450F, the YZ65 youth motocross bike is the perfect start for every rider who is serious about racing.

With a smooth running 2-stroke engine, slick-shifting 6- speed gearbox and a compact, easy handling ergonomic chassis with powerful wave-type disc brakes, this high-tech youth race bike is the ideal introduction to the world of motocross.

Adjustable front suspension makes it easy to set the bike up to suit every rider, and its dynamic YZ-family styling and Icon Blue bodywork and blue rims shows that this little bike has the winning DNA that comes with every Yamaha.

The YZ65 is the bike that has the speed, handling and durability you need to succeed in one of the world’s toughest sports. It’s a serious youth motocross race bike and is designed for every young racer with a real desire to win.

The YZ65 has been built to the same high standards as Yamaha’s range of adult race bikes. Its potent 65cc liquid-cooled 6-speed engine features Yamaha’s race developed YPVS for race-winning power – and the light semi-double cradle steel frame with aluminium subframe provides stable handling and high agility.

Adjustable 36mm upside down front forks and link-less Monocross rear suspension give stable handling over rough terrain, and the adjustable handlebar position enables the YZ65 to grow with you. Equipped with wave discs for powerful braking, a long padded seat and high-grip footrests for comfy riding, as well as dynamic YZ-family graphics and Icon Blue bodywork, the YZ65 is ready to take you to the VictorYZone!

2025 Yamaha YZ65 Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

• Powerful-feeling 65 cc liquid cooled, single-cylinder 2-stroke engine with Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS)
• Crankcase reed valve
• 6-speed transmission with optimized gear ratios
• Semi-double-cradle steel frame, aluminum subframe
• 36 mm inverted fork with 12 levels of compression and 10 levels of rebound damping for solid front-end feedback
• Monocross rear suspension with 10 levels of adjustment for both rebound and compression damping

Smooth and easy to use power

The punchy 65cc liquid cooled engine is one of the most advanced in its class and features a race-developed crankcase reed valve induction system for instant throttle response. A key feature is the race developed YPVS (Yamaha Power Valve System) that gives smooth torque and power characteristics, making the YZ65 an ideal bike for young racers.

Light and stable handling

The YZ65 is equipped with a semi-double cradle steel frame that features an aluminium subframe, giving light and stable handling and easy agility. To soak up the harshest bumps this class-leading motocross bike comes with 36mm KYB upside down front forks, an aluminium swing arm and link-less Monocross rear suspension. These main components combine to provide outstanding chassis stability and consistent lap times.

Effortless 6-speed transmission

The 6-speed transmission features carefully chosen gear ratios that have been specially developed to enable the rider to achieve lower lap times by fully utilizing the performance of the 65cc engine. Yamaha engineers have also designed the clutch plates and springs to give a light and easy clutch lever character.

Confident cornering

The 36mm KYB upside down front forks underline the fact that the YZ65 shares the same pure racing DNA that goes into our other YZ models. With their excellent rigidity, they give a planted front-end feel for confident cornering – and their long-travel tubes are built to soak up the bumpiest surfaces.

Smooth and stable riding

YZ65 riders can be confident that along with the front forks, the Monocross rear suspension is also designed to deliver a smooth and stable ride, and not to bottom out even on the harshest circuits. The lightweight aluminium swingarm enhances the suspension’s character and gives extra comfort and features a link-less design that reduces routine maintenance requirements.

Adjust your YZ65 as you grow

Young riders grow quickly – and therefore the YZ65 has been equipped with an aluminium crown featuring four different handlebar positions – giving a total of 27mm forward/backward options to suit your size and riding style. Like our bigger YZ models, tapered handlebars come as standard, and give an ideal balance of shock-absorbing flex and immense strength.

2025 Yamaha YZ65 Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

TOP FEATURES

Potent 65cc Motocrosser

Built to win “just like its bigger YZ siblings” the compact YZ65 is ready to tackle the track right out of the gate featuring Yamaha’s world-renowned off-road performance, quality and durability.

YPVS™ Powerplant

The 65cc two-stroke engine features the legendary Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS™), a mechanical power valve system that delivers a broad spread of power and torque across the entire rpm range.

Adjustable Chassis

With a strong steel frame and adjustable front and rear suspension, the YZ65 offers riders the traction, confidence and tunability of full-size motocross machines in a compact package.

ENGINE

Potent Two-Stroke Engine

The 65cc two-stroke powerplant features the same advanced technologies found in Yamaha’s race-winning YZ125 and YZ250 motocrossers.

Race-Developed Intake

With a carefully tuned Hitachi Astemo® Keihin PWK28 carburetor to meter fuel flow, the proven reed-valve induction improves acceleration and throttle response across the entire powerband.

Yamaha Power Valve System

Patented YPVS™ combines crisp bottom-end torque with potent mid-range and free-revving top-end, making the most of the compact engine and lightweight chassis.

Close-Ratio Transmission

Six-speed, close-ratio transmission optimizes gear ratios for maximum performance, giving riders the right gear for every race condition.

Digital Ignition

Digital CDI system delivers precise spark and monitors engine speed to ensure optimal timing for excellent response.

Efficient Cooling System

Compact radiator delivers maximum cooling efficiency even in the toughest racing conditions.

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION

Compact Steel Frame

The YZ65 offers light, neutral handling built on a strong steel cradle frame. Designed around the rigidity balance required for the 65cc class, this frame delivers excellent bump absorption in the roughest track sections, jump landings and whoop sections.

Lightweight Subframe

Removable aluminum rear subframe is constructed of square-section tubing for reduced weight and convenient maintenance, just like the full-size motocross bikes.

Adjustable Suspension Systems

Up front, a 36mm KYB® coil spring fork offers excellent compliance with settings based on Yamaha’s extensive testing experience. Out back, a linkless shock design is light and compact and works through a swingarm with YZ125-style chain adjusters. Both front and rear suspension systems are tunable for both rebound and compression damping.

Dual Wave-Type Rotors

Wave-style brake rotors are lighter than conventional rotors and have that full size YZ family style.

Maxxis® Tires

Maxxis® Maxxcross SI tires offer good grip across a variety of track conditions, utilizing 60/100-14 front and 80/100-12 rear tire sizes.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Adjustable Ergonomics

With a four-position adjustable aluminum handlebar clamp, adjustable clutch and front brake levers, grippy foot pegs, and long seat design to help riders move across the bike, the YZ65 is highly tunable to fit riders of various sizes.

Aggressive YZ Family Styling

The YZ65 may be the smallest member of the family, but it packs in the same aggressive styling as the larger YZ and YZ-F siblings. Even down to the slick blue Excel® wheels.

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) shown. Does not include tax, title, prep or destination charges. Actual prices set by dealer.
**Fuel Economy is estimated.
***Wet weight includes the vehicle with all standard equipment and all fluids, including oil, coolant (as applicable) and a full tank of fuel. It does not include the weight of options or accessories. Wet weight is useful in making real-world comparisons with other models.

2025 Yamaha YZ65 – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $4,499 USD
Canada MSRP Price: $5,499 CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer for Pricing in GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

ENGINE

CHASSIS

DIMENSIONS

OTHER

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) shown. Does not include tax, title, prep or destination charges. Actual prices set by dealer.
**Fuel Economy is estimated.
***Wet weight includes the vehicle with all standard equipment and all fluids, including oil, coolant (as applicable) and a full tank of fuel. It does not include the weight of options or accessories. Wet weight is useful in making real-world comparisons with other models.

2025 Yamaha YZ65 – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

ENGINE 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, crankcase-reed-valve single
DISPLACEMENT 65 cc
BORE AND STROKE 43.5 x 43.6 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 8.1-9.6:1
FUEL DELIVERY Keihin PWK28
IGNITION / STARTING CDI / Kick
TRANSMISSION Constant mesh, 6-speed
FINAL DRIVE Chain

SUSPENSION (FRONT) Fully adjustable 36 mm inverted fork / 215 mm (8.5″) wheel travel
SUSPENSION (REAR) Fully adjustable Monocross / 270 mm (10.6″) wheel travel
BRAKES (FRONT) 198 mm wave disc / twin-piston caliper
BRAKES (REAR) 190 mm wave disc / single-piston caliper
TIRES (FRONT) 60/100-14
TIRES (REAR) 80/100-12

LENGTH 1,615 mm (63.6″)
WIDTH 760 mm (29.9″)
HEIGHT 1,000 mm (39.4″)
WHEELBASE 1,140 mm (44.9″)
GROUND CLEARANCE 265 mm (10.4″)
SEAT HEIGHT 755 mm (29.7″)
FUEL CAPACITY 3.5 litres (0.8 imp. gal.)
WET WEIGHT 61 kg (134.5lb)
COLOUR(S) Yamaha Racing Blue

2025 Yamaha YZ65 – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details

Engine
Engine type Liquid-cooled;Single cylinder;Reed valve with YPVS;2-
stroke
Displacement 65cc
Bore x stroke 43.5 × 43.6 mm
Compression ratio 8,1-9,6 : 1
Lubrication system Premix
Clutch type Wet;Multiple Disc
Ignition system CDI
Starter system Kick
Transmission system Constant Mesh;6-speed
Final transmission Chain
Fuel system Keihin PWK28/1
Chassis
Frame Semi double cradle
Front suspension system Telescopic fork
Front travel 215 mm
Rear suspension system Swingarm
Rear travel 270 mm
Front brake Hydraulic single disc, Ø198 mm
Rear brake Hydraulic single disc, Ø190 mm
Front tyre 60/100-14 30M Tube type
Rear tyre 80/100-12 41M Tube type
Caster angle 26° 25
Trail 64 mm
Dimensions
Overall length 1615 mm
Overall width 760 mm
Overall height 1.000 mm
Seat height 755 mm
Wheel base 1140 mm
Minimum ground clearance 265 mm
Wet weight (including full oil and fuel tank) 61 kg
Fuel tank capacity 3.5 L
Oil tank capacity 0.5 L

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).