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Memorable Motorcycle: Yamaha SRX Photo Gallery

The Yamaha SRX generates an ardent passion amongst its fans. Listen to a group of SRX owners and you could be forgiven for thinking that every third bike sold in the 1980s was an SRX.

This month our vintage motorcycle correspondent takes a closer look at the Yamaha SRX – calling it the best British bike the Japanese have ever made. Check out the full story in Frank's latest Memorable Motorcycle: Yamaha SRX.

Yamaha decided to go for the twin-shocks in the rear as opposed to their trademarked monoshock.

The frame too is every bit a classic. Equipped with modern tires, the handling is excellent with all the neutral predictability and stability of my Seeley Suzuki race bike. Put one of the “Continental Circus” stars of the ‘60s on the SRX and it would have won GPs.

The riding experience is as good as the bike’s looks. There is something utterly addictive about the thump of the huge, 96mm, high-compression piston banging away in the heart of the metal horse.

1985 Yamaha SRX guage cluster.

The SRX is also a thoroughly practical motorcycle. The four-valve head is equipped with twin carburetors and this gives an effortless, fuss free performance on the road.

The six-speed gearbox is sweet, the clutch light and the motor bursts into life with one half-hearted prod of the kick-start. The only thing it doesn’t do like a British classic, is leak oil.

The SR had middle-aged styling, didn’t go, didn’t stop and had soggy handling which reduced it to the role of a Sunday afternoon potterer - or worse still, “sensible motorcycling.” The SRX was intended to be a completely different beast.

The front forks and brakes were lifted straight from the YPVS 2-strokes and the electrics were common to many of Yamaha’s bikes at the time.

If you like big Singles, there is no question that the SRX is stunningly beautiful: not simply attractive but a pure work of art.

Memorable Motorcycle: Yamaha SRX