The 1985 Yamaha XZ 550 S is a sport touring middleweight that appeals to riders seeking a balanced blend of performance and practicality. Its liquid-cooled V-twin engine delivers smooth 64 horsepower through a shaft drive, while the compact 228 kg frame provides excellent maneuverability for both commuting and weekend excursions. Best known for reliability and user-friendly handling, it established Yamaha's reputation for accessible sport touring motorcycles.
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested
Off-road & trail30%
Cornering55%
City riding50%
Daily riding55%
Touring58%
Two-up55%
Track30%
Best for
Despite being badged as an enduro-style machine, the XZ 550 S is really a road-biased sport-tourer with off-road styling, best used for mixed street riding and light touring rather than genuine dirt work.
Built for
The liquid-cooled DOHC V2 gives it a distinctive torquey, characterful pull that feels more substantial and refined than typical parallel-twins of its generation.
Not ideal for
This is not the bike for riders seeking serious off-road capability or razor-sharp, lightweight agility on technical trails.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
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