Yamaha

-- Great updates for an older quad -- Yamaha first introduced its Warrior 350 back in 1987. The production run lasted for 20 years, so there has been many sold in that time. The four-stroke engine was virtually bullet-proof and has proven to  offer Warrior owners with a long, trouble-free life. Therefore, there are plenty of these machines still out on the trails today. However, as with any older quad, they could use some refreshing to get back to the same shape of their younger days. Or, it doesn't hurt if they get the…

-- Not all 3-wheelers were Hondas -- Adam Cook is a Dirt Wheels reader in Ohio. He has owned many quads and a few dirt bikes over the years, but one of his favorite machines in this 1985 Yamaha Tri-Z 250. There's just something about riding a 250cc two-stroke that feels good, no matter how many wheels it has. The engines are simple and easy to work on, and that sudden blast of power is just plain addictive. You quickly learn how to work the shift lever to always keep the revs in the fat part of the power band. This…

-- HERE ARE THE COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM -- Yamaha's biggest and baddest sport quad still looks good for 2019. The only question is, which color would you choose? Drop us an Email and let us know at [email protected] FOR MORE INFO ON THE YAMAHA RAPTOR 700, CHECK OUT THESE ARTICLES: https://dirtwheelsmag.com/yamaha-announces-2019-atv-lineup/ https://dirtwheelsmag.com/2006-raptor-700r-still-looks-brand-new/ https://dirtwheelsmag.com/history-of-the-raptor-660700-a-sport-quad-still-alive/…

-- Arriving at Yamaha dealers now -- PRESS RELEASE: Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, announces pricing and retail availability of the new 2019 YXZ1000R and YXZ1000R Sport Shift (SS) pure sport Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles. The new 2019 models introduced in June are now coming off the Yamaha assembly line in Newnan, Georgia, and shipping to dealers nationwide. Updated for 2019 to deliver the ultimate high-performance off-road adventure on a wide variety of terrain – from open deserts and dunes, to muddy trails and rough, rocky…

To Get More Hot Off The Press Action, Subscribe to Dirt Wheels HERE! -- Here's the story and the top speed numbers the Dirt Wheels crew got with Yamaha's 2-stroke twin. The test took place back in 1994, but this "Blast From The Past" is still relevant today. Keep reading... .

-- Here's a good letter from a Dirt Wheels reader -- Hello Dirt Wheels, My name is Tony Cooper and I wanted to share some before and after pics of my 2003 Yamaha Banshee build.  This is my second submission to Dirt Wheels with my first being a 2011 KFX 450 that made it into your great magazine last year. I bought the Banshee as a project in early 2017.  It was a complete and somewhat running ATV, but it wasn't until I started the tear down that I realized just how much of a project quad I had bought.  The only real…

-- 20 years worth of readers' rides -- When it comes to quad riders, which group is the most passionate, enthusiastic and hard core of all? Well, we'd have to say the owners of two-stroke quads. Honda TRX250R riders are certainly fanatics and the same can be said for Suzuki Quadzilla owners as well. However, those two machines were only in production for around four years. On the other hand, you could buy new Yamaha Banshees from 1987 to 2006 here in the USA, and beyond that in Canada and other countries. Based on 20 years…

-- New 2-seater gets the 850 twin engine too -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Yamaha called a while back with news of a secret introduction of a radically new product. Everything was high security and cloak and dagger. There was no desire on our part to pry the secret from them via waterboarding and truth serum. We immediately said, “Oh, an intro for the two-seat version of the Yamaha Wolverine X4 platform.” Give us a little credit. How long were Wolverine two-seater fans going to put up with a 700cc single when the…

-- Grizzlies, Raptors, Wolverines, YXZs, Kodiaks & more! --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels Yamaha’s potent YXZ1000R and YXZ1000R SS have proven themselves in racing, and they are embraced by drivers who like to run hard and fast. Trail drivers have been less enthusiastic, but that could change in 2019. Both machines are essentially new. In terms of performance, the engine is the same, but internally, it has new connecting rods. Adding a turbo or supercharger to the Yamaha has required new, stronger connecting rods.…

-- YFZ450 is our pick for the hottest sport quad in 2019 -- When we compared all of the 2019 450s the Yamaha took the number one spot. Okay, we're joking around, because Yamaha is the only brand that is smart enough to continue making a machine for the most exciting class of quads ever. However, the 2019 YFZ450R could still be the winner even if Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Can-Am and Polaris/KTM offered their previous 450s today. Although Yamaha has no competition at the moment in the 450 sport class, they still make sure…

-- 4x4 ATV comparison -- Not everyone wants to spend 10 grand or more for a big 4x4 quad. For the more economy minded they automatically look at the lower-priced 500 - 550 4x4 quads in a manufacturer's line up. But then Yamaha said, "Hey, it costs us just about the same to make a 550 engine as a 700 engine, so why not just offer a basic 700 with no bells and whistles for the price of a 550." And so, the Kodiak 700 was born. It sells for $6,999. The guys at Textron and Arctic Cat saw the logic in that approach, so…

-- Hi-performance reed valve system from Mototassinari -- Here's the hottest new thing for your Yamaha Banshee or Blaster. The all-new VForce4 is built upon the solid foundation that has made the VForce3 such a success for the last 10 years. While the VForce3 has been continually refined over the years, this is a complete redesign of the entire system. All the components that go into making a VForce reed valve system have been significantly changed since the VForce3. The unique design of the VForce reed valve system…