Post-Sale Update: After just 1 bid, this Yamaha IT465 sold on eBay for $1,500.
The Yamaha IT465 was a bike that raised the bar in a time when the bar was constantly being raised. Full of cutting edge tech for the time, such as the rear monoshock, the IT465 is revered by many as the best of the IT (International Trial) bikes that Yamaha ever made. Though Yamaha would eventually made a 490 cc version of this bike, many felt that the bigger bore required to make more power wasn’t worth the trade-off of a slightly sluggish start off the line. Even today, the 465 feels snappy off the line and makes plenty of off-idle torque.
Model years of the IT series within Yamaha were distinguished by suffix letters. In 1982, Yamaha released the “J” bikes, so this is also known as an IT465J. There are only subtle differences from the previous year’s “H” models, though at the time this was the biggest displacement off-roader that Yamaha made. These bikes were on the heavy side, so the rear shock is rather stiff. Large jumps result in hard landings – just make sure you keep the nitrogen filled up! This was one of the last versions of a legendary 2 stroke bike. It’s a silly amount of fun, and it’s easy to get the front wheel up in 4th gear, even if you’re not expecting to. If you’re looking for a classic Enduro, it’s hard to go wrong with the Yamaha IT465.
This specific Yamaha IT465 seems to be in good shape, though not cosmetically perfect. Still, for a 31 year-old bike, it looks great, and it’d be hard to find one for sale in similar shape.
Find this Yamaha IT465 for sale here on eBay with a starting bid of $1,500 in Glendale, California.