Yamaha

Sport, race and big-bore fun By the staff of Dirt Wheels This winter Yamaha finally announced its YFZ450 and Raptor 700 lineups. Both models return with new colorways in base and special-edition versions. Unfortunately, the 2021 YFZ450 cannot be sold in California. As for the Raptor base, 700R and 700R SE, there are California CARB-compliant models and 49 state models being produced. They are all built in Yamaha’s U.S. factory in Newnan, Georgia. 2021 YAMAHA YFZ450R According to Yamaha, the YFZ450R…

By the staff of Dirt Wheels CUTTING EDGE FABRICATION YAMAHA YXZ1000 Ralph Fickett and his son Shawn are long-time off-road diehards who have embraced the world of UTVs. Ralph has been involved with quads, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles; in fact, any toy with a gas engine, so he was open to the UTV world. Thus they came up with their  Cutting Edge Fabrication Yamaha YXZ1000. He jumped in when Can-Am came out with the first Maverick 1000. Before starting his own fab shop, Cutting Edge Fabrication, Ralph’s…

 Yamaha states, the Raptor 700’s power, combined with an advanced, lightweight hybrid steel and aluminum frame, controlled-fill aluminum subframe, and cast aluminum swingarm, results in a durable, rigid structure, offering a premier power-to-weight ratio while beating the competition as the lightest ATV in its class. Superior handling enhances the 2021 Yamaha Raptor 700 lineup’s incredible experience, smoothing out trail and braking bumps on account of the 9.1-inch front and 10.1-inch rear suspension travel.  …

2021 YAMAHA YFZ450R /YFZ450R SE The YFZ450R is the most technologically advanced sport ATV on the market today, with a quick-revving, 449cc fuel-injected engine and titanium five-valve cylinder head delivering abundant power throughout the mid- to top-end, after the YFZ’s signature massive torque-feeling right off idle. Built with pride at Yamaha’s U.S. factory in Newnan, Georgia and motocross-ready, the weldless professional-caliber frame is designed from lightweight aluminum with a tension-steel bottom frame…

By the staff of Dirt Wheels ENTER THE WOLVERINE RMAX Compared to the Wolverine X4,  our 2021 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX4 Limited Edition has got a radical upgrade in power and suspension, so we are far more than satisfied. The smooth and effective X4 847cc engine we liked so much has been punched out to 999cc. Yamaha wanted the most power in the Sport/Rec class. That means facing off with the Polaris General, Honda Pioneer 1000 and others. It easily delivers with sport 1000-horsepower numbers, but with drivability that…

*With our 2021 UTV Buyer's Guide, it looks to be an exciting new year with models from SSR, Tracker, and Yamaha hitting the dealer's showroom floors! SSR SRU170RS California-based SSR Motorsports offers one UTV in its 2021 lineup, the SRU170RS. Features of this side-by-side include front and (Rear) bumpers, bucket seats, mirrors, an improved mesh door and reinforcement bar over the hood. There’s also an LED light bar for added illumination. Engine type: OHV single, Displacement: 168cc, Suspension: (Front) Dual…

march 98 HIGH-PERFORMANCE TWO-STROKE For the past ten years, Yamaha’s High-Performance Two-Stroke, liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder, Ban­shee has stood atop the throne of ATVing. Since its introduction in ’87, it has been the ultimate roller-coaster ride among sport ATVs, and one of the best high-performance two-strokes ever made. Few, if any, of its chal­lengers have had the staying pow­er and all-out performance that has marked the Banshee’s reign as the king of speed. From the rat-a-tat-tat sound of the…

Plus, old favorites return By the staff of Dirt Wheels 2021 Yamaha Wolverine RMAX Yamaha is expanding its Wolverine lineup with a high-powered cross-over machine to take on the Honda Talon X, Polaris General, and Can-Am Maverick Sport. Basically, the Wolverine RMAX 1000 is a totally redesigned Wolverine 850; however, that model does remain in the lineup. The overall stance of the new machine is 64 inches, but there is some fender overhang, bringing the overall width of the car to 66.1 inches. ENGINE The RMAX…

**Editors Note- Test from our DEC 97 issue. Pair of Duncan Doughnuts. When it comes to reliable performance, Dun­can Racing is extremely confident of the products that it sells. So confident, in fact, that it offers a 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee with all of its performance products. If you are not happy with the performance, quality, or reliability of any Dun­­can Racing product, send it back and your money will be refunded. We wanted to put Loren Duncan, the owner of Duncan Racing, to the test, so we had…

This was the epic Sport Shootout between the Honda 400EX the Yamaha Raptor 660R and Bombardier's DS 650. Not since the halcyon days of the late eighties has there been as much excitement in the high-performance ATV ranks as there is right now. Honda got the ball rolling just a few years ago with the introduction of their excellent-handling and ex­tremely nimble FourTrax 400EX. The Honda set new standards with its sporty ride characteristics and impressive reliability record. Only Yamaha’s twin-cylinder…

Bryan Raffa’s Yamaha Tri-Z 911 Tribute This build is an awesome tribute to the fallen heroes of September 11 2001 including Raffa's cousin, Arlene T Babakits who worked on the 15th floor, her and other port authority workers  got trapped in the 10 floor stairwell when one of the twin towers came down. Bryan lives in upstate New York and says the best part of this Yamaha Tri-Z 911 Tribute  is a glow-in-the-dark coolant  bottle that he says, lights up, every night when he shuts the lights off in his shop.…

NEW TIRE: GBC DIRT COMMANDER 2.0 GBC Tires has always stood at the forefront of design and innovation since its well-received inception in 1995. Moving forward into 2020, the tradition continues with the release of its newest UTV tire, the Dirt Commander 2.0. GBC used the popular tread blocks from the original Dirt Commander and replaced the biased construction with a radial design. GBC also added strong square shoulder lugs to complement the new radial construction, helping the tire maintain grip and bite even during…