1982 Yamaha IT465J

The Yamaha IT range was introduced in 1976 as a series of purpose-built enduro motorcycles developed from Yamaha’s YZ motocross models. The range expanded throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with models covering several engine capacities.

The Yamaha IT465 was introduced for 1981 as the successor to the IT425 and became the largest model in Yamaha’s competition-focused IT enduro range. It continued the development of Yamaha’s big-bore two-stroke enduro machines, which had begun with the IT400 in the late 1970s.

The IT465 remained in production for only two model years. For 1983, it was replaced by the larger-capacity IT490K, followed by the final IT490L in 1984. This made the IT465J the last version of the 465cc model and an important link between Yamaha’s earlier IT400 and IT425 machines and the later IT490.

Today, the IT465J represents the final development of Yamaha’s 465cc IT platform and forms part of the company’s well-known line of large-capacity, air-cooled two-stroke enduro motorcycles.