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…

 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.  …

By the staff of Dirt Wheels YAMALUBE YAMACLEAN PRO-WASH SPRAY. Many UTV and ATV enthusiasts are as proud of their machines’ appearance as any vehicle owner. The difference is, we ride in the dirt, which means our machines need washing more often, and cleaning them is more challenging. Yamalube’s Yamaclean Pro-Wash spray is designed to clean well with less effort than common detergent, so we were eager to see how it performs.  SAFE FOR ALL SURFACES A strong cleaner is no help if it destroys what you use it on,…

SNO-TRAX CONVERSION *Here is a story from our 1998 files about a company that made conversion kits for snow use. These  SNO-TRAX CONVERSION kits were the bomb. For several years now, the staff of Dirt Wheels has traveled to the snow-cov­ered peaks of Southern Cal­ifornia to try out the latest Sno-Traxx units from Snow Conversion Inc. (SCI) out of Bakersfield, CA. In years past, we tested a variety of four-wheelers outfitted with these unique kits, which turn a quad into a snow machine for the winter, and then can…

**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…

SPORT 4x4's In this look back at a classic Dirt Wheels Magazine shootout, we check out a crop of SPORT 4x4's. Television’s Tim Allen would fit right in aboard one of the current crop of Sport 4x4's. You can almost hear his 'Home Improvement' character give one of his hearty "Ho-ho-ho’s" in approval of the current reign of large-displacement ATVs in the Monster truck class of four-wheel drives. Bigger is always better, right? Well, the tool twisters here at Dirt Wheels wanted to know if Tim Allen, and…

For the past three years, Southern California racer, Doug Eichner, has trav­eled the AMA Grand National cir­cuits. He has enjoyed the "thrill of victory" with the Duncan Racing team. To do this, Doug was competing in the Open Pro/Am class, aboard a ’96 Banshee. For this article, we will call his quads the HOT-ROD BANSHEE'S. For the past three years, Eichner has flown home from the Loretta Lynn’s Na­tional Finals with the season cham­pionship trophy. Despite as­saults on his championship title ev­ery year, from riders…

250cc Sport ATV Comparison: Honda TRX250X vs. Kayo Jackal 200 vs. Can-Am DS250 By the staff of Dirt Wheels 250cc SPORT ATV COMPARISON There was a time when 250cc sport quads were considered big and powerful. Basically, the lead dogs in the industry. That was many years ago now, though. Currently, 250cc-class sport quads are considered mild and civilized. In reality, the performance is every bit as good as any ATV before the advent of 250cc two-strokes or 450cc performance four-strokes. They are fun on…

High Tech 4-Stroke Racers Four-stroke sport ATVs—like Honda’s popular 300EX, Yamaha’s War­ri­or, and Kawasaki’s Mojave—have not changed much in the last ten years. The ’87 Warrior and Mojave are virtually identical to the ’98 models, except for cosmetic and color chang­es, and although Honda engineers beefed up and stroked the en­gine in today’s 300EX, the chassis has re­mained unchanged since its premiere in the ’87 250X. For a decade, sport-minded four-stroke ATVers have been forced to re­ly on good old American…

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…

The 2021 Yamaha Grizzly is the ultimate sport recreational ATV for excitement on every ride, delivering the ideal balance of big-bore power and performance. Its potent and proven 700-class engine, ultra-reliable Ultramatic transmission, durable On-Command system, best-in-class EPS, and capable suspension all combine for a smooth and powerful ride. For the most adventurous explorers, the Grizzly is also prewired for the Yamaha Adventure Pro. Further highlighting the Grizzly’s looks and performance, a new SE model is…