1982 Yamaha YZ490

Here is a quick video of it running and driving.

[@gregtanner8501]

The YZ 490 was ridiculously powerful. The ride was awful but that thing was pure power.

[@adamo5795]

I think the ride was magic,. 😂

[@Davido50]

Yes they were. Try a new Yamie 450cc 4-stroke..they are beasts near 60hp stock.

[@billyzee261]

@@Davido50 I had the IT490 and it had more power than I could use hill climbing or out in the desert. I also had a YZ250 that did not come near the power of its big brother. The 490 really was like a liter bike for the dirt. This was during the last century of course, I've never had the pleasure of riding a 4 stroke dirt bike although I want one pretty bad. P.S. along with the extreme power and taller gearing of the 490, cold starting the bike always left a bad taste.

[@christopherhampson265]

He should be 6ft in the air before landing on the kickstart !!! The old girl has no compression hence not landing on his ass as soon as he gassed it !! Nice rims but needs new rings .......

[@nicholasmalan8410]

The guy starting it to riding it was awful. Made it look bad!

[@adamo5795]

We had a 1984 for 10 years when I was between 7 and 17. Damn they where hard to start. But it was worth it. Made any 250cc feel like a moped. 😂

[@Davido50]

Haha yea super powerful. You should try a newer 450cc 4stroke these days ..they are beasts ! Near 60hp some of em STOCK.

[@showmeyourwallet347]

@@Davido50 the 2 later year 2 strokes in the 2000's have more torque still than the modern 450s

[@initial3615]

@@Davido50 actually 500 2 strokes are still alot faster. rode my buddies kx500 they have alot more in them

[@billyzee261]

Adam, I was in my early 20s and had the '85 IT 490. I do believe that it was identical to the YZ except for a head and tail light and taller gearing. It really was like having a liter bike for the dirt, so much power! Climbing hills never left me wanting more horsepower because there was simply way more power than a 200 lb guy could possibly use. This was contrary to my YZ250 that would bog down during the same hill climb. I miss those days...so much fun!!!

[@rickwaldron4255]

Not realy at all when the yz is off shut yhe fuel off.right away when starting back up when cold full chocke once it starts wsite 20 seconds then shut off the chocke on any yz the chocke has to be.on first or it might not start won't

[@alkalk8938]

Pick up one of these about 20 years ago for about a 100 bucks, it had great compression but ran like it was choked. Found that the jet had unscrewed and fallen in the float bowl. Fixed that and holy chit did we have fun with the bike. Just lean forward and keep shifting.

[@Salomon0199]

Just lean forward and keep shifting 🤣

[@markopalikko6986]

I can smell the exhaust from here,I love it.

[@elitecystuning]

I can’t smell anything lol the xr628r always out front 😆🤘💪

[@keithsada1380]

About 12 years ago I flipped one of those and bruised my tailbone good and passed out a couple times. But until that I was having a blast. What a beast!

[@HighCountryRambler]

I had a 465 and a 490 for many years. These were great woods and dessert machines, if you can hang on to them...

[@Possumliving]

I used to have one of those. Pretty much had to put a new plug in it for every ride. It was worth it, though!

[@corymacdonald383]

I had a 81 yz250h and had to bring a few new plugs with me every ride. It would go through plugs like candy...

[@heathkill4821]

Run a hotter plug or learn to be a throttle jockey problem solved😎✊🏻

[@Davido50]

That's was just a jetting issue. Simple main jet change prob would've solved that! Or if premix wasn't exact or off it caused that.

[@Davido50]

@@heathkill4821 Yup easy jetting or premix issue! Yamie is top stuff!

[@heathkill4821]

@@Davido50 ya and most bikes right outta the box need a hotter plug anyways to run 32.1 they will file more often with a 8 or 9 so what ever is in the bike i just drop a number and go hotter and i can almost use the same plug for the entire top end life no problem at all but being a throttle jockey helps a lot too ring ping ping for life fuck ya😎✊🏻

[@workoutrescuewithblakehowe]

I love at 1:09 he’s on a yz490 and there’s a kid on the background ona trampoline….2 of the most dangerous things on the planet in 1 shot! I always wanted a yz490….had an 84 yz125…the 490 scared me!

[@alrightythen1466]

I knew a guy that had one he said it was fast as hell

[@JRally6]

You deserve a lot more likes for this one bro! Lmao! Spot on.

[@workoutrescuewithblakehowe]

@@JRally6 thanks Jason, glad someone got it!

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

You can smell the power! Those were tough bike's. ✌️

[@maxpower001]

A buddy of mine had one of these when we were kids.. i remember it was a monster

[@rbailey225]

Funny.....it's what I learned to ride on. My friend had three bikes and that was the one I usually wound up on. He had a YZ465, YZ490 and a 1983 CR480. The 480 was a man killer and the shock was crap on his 465. All kinds of nostalgia in that driveway. My brother had a 66 ford pickup in 1982.

[@toddlehman928]

I had an 83 YZ250 after growing up on four strokes. God damn bike about killed me LOL. I was getting older, 35, and I got rid of it cuz I got tired of limping into work. That thing was a madman

[@andymejia8572]

Definitely one of the cleanest 82 I seen beautiful

[@zdenekberan836]

Tak 90

[@mitchellmontesano8769]

They were excellent bikes. Nothing was better at powering through the desert. Super reliable

[@JessicasMotorWorld]

schönes Motorrad 🏍️

[@cadillachernandez2271]

The guys truck. Bike.(which is legit) outfit. Im convinced he's from the 1800's.

[@drgoodspd6382]

Buddy of mine had one of these. Fkr was beast. Insane power.

[@seanmullen2287]

I'm building an 83 490 now. Did the head mod. Ported it for even more top end, will probably get a DG top end pipe and silencer too. I have an 84 RM-250 built that way, and it is sick, can't wait to ride it!

[@Deetroiter]

Anyone who has rode one of these can tell you it’s an absolute savage. Complete caveman...unrefined, crude, crazy powerful, and beyond dangerous

[@dominicw8868]

My dad always brings up how he rode a yz490 as a kid, he was 12 and damn near died on that thing

[@Deetroiter]

@@dominicw8868 and I guarantee it wasn’t an exaggeration! The yz490 is wicked

[@bdubs7254]

I had an. 88.... I now have a knee replacement! Looking now to buy one for ol times sake!

[@Kickback-dm7zt]

@@dominicw8868 I call bullshit.. There is no way a 12 year old kid would be able to handle a 490 cc 2 Stroke motocross bike...

[@dominicw8868]

@@Kickback-dm7zt did I say he could handle it? I said he rode the thing and almost died on it. I honestly can’t remember if he bump started it or if he somehow kickstarted it, I’ll ask him when I get a chance.

[@ratslayer6064]

What a terrifying beautiful ride that was

[@franciscolopez3229]

That bike is a beast man. Awesome.

[@captainspalding69er]

I used to have a cr 500 in my 20's loved that bike.

[@rickwaldron4255]

These guy talk shit about there 4 stroke tanks when they drive a cr 500 then they shut up quick

[@richardfarabaugh7604]

That thing sounds like a beast.

[@carpenter1274]

Nothing beats the vintage yamaha.

[@ianmangham4570]

Awesome footage 😎👍🙋💪

[@c.a.l.e.b.p]

the little kid in the background flopping around on the trampoline

[@scottmcgregor2757]

Damen Bradshaw back in the day made the ol air cool girl sing against all those 500 liquids .

[@clarknawrocki9718]

I bet the neighbors love this guy

[@fidelcatsro6948]

they keep an ar15 just in case..

[@toyman81]

Those YZ490 Bikes were a Beast to Ride.

[@juanarana9726]

Que belleza!!! Hermosa maquina!!

[@tvdinner325]

I love the rubber boots/suspenders combo. I think everyone will be wearing them in the future.

[@jaycoppola4324]

I knew someone who had one...He sold it after it swatted him like a fly and broke his leg. Another friend of mine bought it...One day his nephew blasted by my house on it at about 60 mph...With the front wheel in the air! The bike was a mutant.

[@79pejeperro]

😂😂😂 Nice stories mate

[@jaycoppola4324]

@@79pejeperro The common thread there,is that YZ490s were no joke. One guy commented that that bike "Is very capable of killing you...",and it's true.

[@mferrarorace]

The good old days! I wish I could find one!

[@elitecystuning]

Lmao nice bike they were fun 🤘 but man you looked about as comfortable on that thing as an ice cube in the oven 😆😆😆😆 been a while I take it lol🤘

[@user-db5ss5rc3f]

I had an 85 model. I sure do miss it.

[@nomad90125]

That's a nice bike dude.

[@tka961]

Спокійної ночі!А печальці привіт.

[@juliovilela3856]

Buena maquina vivi los ańos 80 y pude ver estas matos inolvidables

[@M60gunner1971]

butt mite jibberish 😢

[@crankyoldguy2824]

Still got one, those bikes are legendary

[@munterboy9298]

My mate had one of these, it was crazy

[@sbcbaits994]

Before you start kicking, lean it all the way to the left and back up. Every one I’ve ever owned responded well to that lol. Maybe it’s like blowing in a Nintendo cartridge, but I swear it helps. 😂

[@tonymarshall9670]

Had an 83 rm 250 had to do that every time for a cold start. It was set up to run max fuel mix for power. What it's doing is letting some fuel out the bowl so you are starting it on the fumes, it avoids flooding. I'd give a couple kicks then turn fuel off lay it in the side to drain pick it up choke on start first kick turn fuel on choke off warm her up and away you go. If you didn't follow that procedure you'd kick it till ya leg fell off be very lucky to get it to fire. Only 250 I owned ever needed it. But all big bore two strokes this was the basic method to start them easily.

[@CANAM1027]

This video has vehicles from every era

[@johnpena9165]

If I'm not mistaken that's a 1983 YZ 490 the 1982 had a different rear shock setup and the rear wheel mount on the swing arm was different from the one in this video, otherwise that's a good looking Yamaha YZ 490 💪👍🔥 !

[@robplazzman6049]

The ‘82 was basically the old monoshock frame with a rising rate linkage. The old 465 swingarm is a straight fit and makes them eligible for the Twinshock class in the U.K.

[@williamtanguay2781]

Those Yamaha bikes kicked ass in the day!

[@ChiTownGuerrilla]

Aww didn't even get it on the pipe for us! Everyone oozes over the CR500; but the yz490 is a true classic.

[@bjr2379]

Hey its Meathead! Nice bike.

[@johnnycash578]

looks like a fun Neiborhood

[@Bgo909]

Back in th day bro.

[@wroberts1707]

Awesome, and in wellies too

[@deadcentre6926]

I had a 490 J. 4 gear race setup. Freaky beast when ya 16 and 50 kilos. 1 rear tire to a tank. It wasn't slow 🦘💨✌️

[@paulpaul5606]

I got a ride on The back of one. when I was about 10 years old. Scared the crap out of me

[@wayneshipman7406]

What a jewel

[@dormantmenace]

Those things ripped. Yz490 widowmaker

[@emilioalejandrohernandezne3943]

Maravillosa

[@billkramer1853]

I had a 91 it was a rocket but a pain in the ass to start and suspension was like being in a army tank

[@MattySlimz]

What was the last year for the 490? I know other countries probably still got them but Yamaha never went on to make an open class bike for the states like Honda and Kawi did. *on a side note, a lonng time ago when I was a wee lad, in conversation with the older folks it was mentioned that the YZ490 was killed in the states due to it just being so damn dangerous.. can’t find any factual information to back it up though.

[@billkramer1853]

@@MattySlimz 1991 was the last year. I loved it

[@outwestexplorer1966]

That bike looks exactly like the 78 yz 400 I used to have.

[@F3502000]

Beast!! 👍

[@bradhyde98]

Dude... Wear a helmet. You were obviously uncomfortable taking off with the clutch, put both feet down turning around and, you about wiped out from hitting that rear brake to hard. Plus, that's a fucking monster of a machine to tame. It is VERY capable of killing you and you wanna live a long life so you can ride alot of bikes.

[@dominicw8868]

You ain’t lying..

[@jingelsby]

Yeah he was def afraid of it.. the was quite the powerslide from hitting that rear brake for shore..i had the same bike when i was 19..i loved it

[@bradhyde98]

@@jingelsby I never had a 500cc 2 stroke but a friend of mine had a YZ490 he let me ride and... Never again. Lol I'll stick to a 125cc 2 stroke/250cc 4 stroke. That, with my ZX6R is PLENTY for me. I don't need that 490/500cc motor. Nowhere to open them up on trails here, and it's not street legal. Hence the ZX6R. Don't get me wrong. Very powerful bike, it's scary fast, will stand in every gear and my arms went numb from the vibration through the handlebars. Lmfao But, I don't wanna foul out plugs, ruin rings, etc from not being able to open it up, or ya know... DIE. 🤣 The YZ125 is plenty for me to ride fast, use momentum. The CRF is something I tend to trail ride and cruise on and the ZX6R for open roads and my speed thrills.

[@jingelsby]

@@bradhyde98 Thats cool man..125cc 2 strokes are a safe bet for those that dont want the front end tongo flyin in the air..lmao..im 47 now, have a Husky Te300i 2 Stroker and i ride fast at times, but never over my head..Best Dirt Bike I've ever owned..

[@potatojake197]

@@bradhyde98 Keep it in first and you'll only be going like 20

[@michaelparker2449]

The power wouldn't scare me, but the drum brakes would.

[@mpalaskokkalis1476]

Perfect

[@matthewchapman2494]

Love this.... but CR 500 Elsinore! Hard to beat! But thanks man!

[@ryancopper2562]

Whoo that was fun.

[@sBaby-yw3zy]

I had a 1985 tri z250 with a 1990 yz490 engine swap. It was a sick machine but to jet the carb was almost impossible. It was bad though.

[@hhstarwars]

Jeez are your arms still attached?😂 I’m about to throw a blaster engine in an old 200x frame wish I could find an old big bore!

[@maxpower001]

If i remember correctly my buddies was a 4spd 🤔 am i remembering that right? Damn that was so long ago... geewiz im gettin old 😔

[@yuyoyt5977]

Que hermosa moto

[@jasonduey5678]

Sounds and looks my old 81 yz465

[@novass7493]

When warm try wide open throttle my 82 would only start that way rode it for 9 years with a Bosch single Platinum plug from an 1982 supra

[@austinichini]

I was watching the kid on the trampoline more than anything 😂

[@catmanflorida2839]

damn, looks like your down here in Fl.

[@MGZig]

Awesome!

[@JackJack-ld5eo]

I can't remember which was the bigger rush, taking it out for a ride, or coming back in one piece........

[@krychuu230]

2t 😍😍

[@leestimson4676]

Ahhh l had one also back in the day. Almost broke my leg kicking it over. Mine sounded the same crazy powerful could climb a tree.

[@7j8x74]

That kid on the trampoline 🤣

[@jacstocker5100]

I had one, they do have brute power like a 2 stroke cr 500, I thought it rode pretty good??

[@mikestanly749]

Rear tire looks flat, Most people couldnt start one or the newer YZ465, red and white, it was brutal to start., good condition a lot of compression., All 2 strokes i would warm them up for several min, before riding them, no matter the temp out. 👍👍🍺🍺

[@johnpork10111]

Am I the only one that noticed the kid on the trampoline eat sh*t?! 😂

[@Motor-Mouth-313]

I like the 66 Ford pickup in the back...

[@Frank-ih9ew]

Open it up!!!!! WOT 😂 with a helmet of course…. I wanna hear that power band wind up

[@andrewshoemaker6754]

I think he burned half clutch up putting around

[@jestronixhanderson9898]

Was gunna say, just as easy to start back then :)

[@peterclaydon9782]

A real motorcycling talent...

[@1valg]

😂

[@Onlybhstrpes]

🤣

[@stevewoodward7850]

Doesn't look too confident riding that beast!

[@theoneandonly2421]

He is definitely a rookie, you can tell. But hey they are fun and dangerous at any riding level lol.

[@GatesRapes]

Confidence & YZ 490 ?? Respect the beast , confidence will get ya hurt 🤕

[@stevewoodward7850]

@@GatesRapes please dont get confidence mixed up with bravado. You need confidence in your riding ability to jump on any motorbike.......this guy didnt look too sure or too keen!

[@calliber1176]

Oh okay you want to ride the lightning ⚡️

[@martinsnook9779]

Eny one remember the Honda 500 red rocket, fast bike back in the day

[@stripervince1]

This was nothing. My buddy had a KX500. You don't even wanna know. It was that insane, you could loop it a 65 mph if you weren't careful. One ride on that monstrosity was all I ever took

[@bradyeasley3352]

my dad had a cr500. He said he never took it past 4th gear while doing a pull said it scared him too much haha. He also said he would always pull start it with a car cuz it was too hard to kick it.

[@frederickjeremy]

My 86 yz490 would either break the back tire loose or stand up running what seemed about 70 ish with my 340 pound ass as far over the handlebars as i could get. That is still after i put the biggest front sprocket, and the smallest rear i could find on it in an attempt to help keep the front end on the ground a little more. They are powerful. Not saying the kx or honda version isnt, but the yz 490 is for sure a wild ride.

[@andrewshoemaker6754]

Ya my buddy had 1 also....wtf, almost unridable on concrete...for m we, to heavy of bike for trail or racing, but was big guy, so 250 is more than enough for me

[@pirefarzane7954]

💯💜

[@fordfanatic3307]

Guy looks like Hans from the movie, The Burbs.

[@simonmears1726]

Ball teare big vibration crankshaft used to through bottom bearing brave hombre to ride it full snot

[@lowbudgetbuilder4905]

I thought that was OJ coming down the road for a sec

[@M60gunner1971]

was that Cornrad McDurbanstubbish from 1870?! 😮

[@robertkelly5338]

Danny, you wouldn't have happened to live in RI back when you were 11-13yrs old??

[@christopherking2128]

I tried riding one a few times . But I could never get it & myself over a log , at the same time .

[@canalcicerodonordeste]

👍😍

[@jayl0151]

HEAVY😎

[@smokepeddler]

I have an 86 yz 490. It wears me out. On my 3rd crank. It's a love hate relationship.

[@TasosOrfanos]

He's driving like a maniac...

[@davecalvo6418]

This dude is going to get hurt on that bike....lol

[@thomascrotty8331]

Let him be. Im that same kinda guy lol

[@michaelkinville177]

The dude works in the woods. He might get hurt logging first, but he's picking the life he wants

[@fidelcatsro6948]

its a 100mph potential little rascal right??

[@bazf5042]

U ride that bike like an absolute amature

[@angelgh9425]

the chain is very tight

[@Mr98bagger]

Apparently all the helmets were locked up again.