While similar to Yamaha’s DT125, the company’s DT175 was 50 better (in my best Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap voice). No, an easy way to tell them apart is that the DT175 was Chappy Red and the 125 was Sapphire Blue. This 1981 Yamaha DT175 can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Kiel, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $3,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for another great tip!
Yamaha’s DT series was a family of 32 (!) on/off bikes made for the trail and gettin’ to the trail. When you get into the 175 range, you can reasonably expect to drive a decent distance on back roads to get to the trails. Because it always comes up, this isn’t a touring bike or a road-only motorcycle meant to jump on the freeway and drive from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon at 75 mph. They’re meant to be good enough both on the street and on the trail.
This example looks like they just took it out of the crate. I don’t see a single flaw, nick, scratch, ding, or anything else wrong with this bike. It has 3,071 miles, so it’s been used a decent amount, but the owner sure took great care of it. The seller says it’s his father-in-law’s motorcycle, but he just isn’t using it enough. It could use tires, but I’m guessing it’s because of age rather than miles.
Yamaha made this monoshock version of the DT175 between 1978 and 1982, but its roots go back to the mid-1970s or earlier. This 1981 example really looks like a gem of a dual-sport motorcycle. Sadly, I believe the 1981 version was the last one available in the U.S. market due to it being a two-stroke, but I could be mistaken. Maybe one of you has owned a later version here?
Speaking of sweet two-stroke smoke, this engine is Yamaha’s 171-cc two-stroke single with just over 16 horsepower and is backed by a six-speed manual. I love the flat black engine; that’s a unique look. The seller says there is a clean title, and this one runs great. Have any of you owned a Yamaha 175?
Make sure the electrical system is in good working order. Bought a 1980 in great shape that ran when parked. Needed typical clean carb/tank of old gas etc. Problem then was no spark. Ran out of patience and sold it to friend. He then found out that it needed some ignition parts,,,,, No longer available. Enjoy it while it runs but, research parts availability too. He got it running by buying a parts bike a few years later. Fun when they run usually easy to fix 2 stroke.
Real sweet bikes. Easy to kick start, pretty liteweight and 6 speeds 👍
Well, it can’t be all sunshine und smiles, I had a friend who was killed on a bike just like this. It was the only time that ever happened, 99% of my riding was incident free and a horrific scene I’ve played out over and over in my mind time and time again, and now, one more time. It’s up to you to believe in the macabre, but so many things happened that day, that should have signaled impending doom. The guy wasn’t the best friend, kind of a doofus actually, but didn’t deserve to die because of it. I don’t mean to derail the authors great posts, but if you are going to ride a motorcycle, you can’t forget the risks. Briefly, we were trail riding in an unfamiliar area, came to a giant hill. he didn’t want to go down, but I said, oh, come on, just take it real slow, I’ll go 1st. When I got to the bottom, there was a cable stretched across the trail, my front tire bumped it, and brought the cable up to my handlebars. I turned around to warn him, and he was coming down, out of control, hit the cable, classic clothesline, and broke his neck. All of a sudden, the sun went away, and a cloud bank rolled in, it was creepy as heck. To add drama, he was supposed to get married that day, but postponed the wedding for a week because the marriage license didn’t take.
Now, off to bed I go,,,,,
Geez Howard that’s terrible.
Riding is dangerous, no doubt. I dropped my Klx at 55mph 15 years ago. Hit fracking hydraulic fluid dumped on a state road. Slid 120 ft.
Couple on Harleys and a emt stopped to check, shaken up but just a brush burn. Jacket, gloves, boots and shin guards saved me.
Hour later a rider hit it and broke his neck. Found out when I called the spill in later, still feel guilty for not making sure someone was notified sooner
Even coolant these days w all the additives is as slick as ice on asphalt Old greybeard.
” I had a friend who was killed on a bike just like this. It was the only time that ever happened ” guessing so as he died…..must we be this way Howard ?
Sorry that happened to your friend Howard. And im sorry for you as well, obviously a life changing day.
Your post is a reminder of the requirement to be alert on a motorcycle 💯 of the time.
Thanks, not sure what stillrunners is saying, I was in control of the machine, he wasn’t and had dire consequences. Wasn’t any different in the semi, I’d pass crashes I knew there was a fatality, if I let that bother me, I wouldn’t have made a dime. He was an inexperienced motorcycle rider, cheated on his gf, had a criminal record, so was justice served? Like my 1st boss said after my one and only truck crash, “you are now an experienced driver, because now you know what can happen”, and he was right. I had tens of thousands of safe miles on a motorcycle after that because I never forgot that scene.
Jolly crew here.
No doubt…excuse me while I go jump out of the window on the 27th story now.
My first bike was a near 1981 year Yamaha MX100 that I bought almost new. The original owner never rode it. It was a tank and always started first or second kick. I rode it everywhere and even submerged and hydrolocked the piston. Flushed it out and it ran fine again. Completely indestructible! First taste of Japan kaizen quality !
Yes, had a 73 and now have a 78 IT175.
My son gave me a 1978 DT 175. Great bike. We ride in the woods only but have to hit the open road for a few miles to get there. I’m 90 so it’s plenty of bike. 50 years ago I had a Yamaha DT 250 that I had geared down for more power as I was always riding double with my ex. Great memories. .
I had a DT-1.
This was the last year before VINs went to their current format. A bit of a hassle at the BMV and with insurance.
I have this same bike and also the 1979 DT 125, both in red. Always a hit at car shows and Chrome and Caffeine events!
It’s got a six speed gear box (the others didn’t) as the write up says…..really fun bike
70 CT-1. Orange w/ black pinstripe.
They don’t get any nicer than this!