Review of Yamaha Raptor 700R SE and YFZ450R SE ATVs

Yamaha recently hosted a media preview and test drive of its new ATVs in the Imperial Sand Dunes (or Glamis) desert in Southern California, where lucky riders got to ride the newest Special Edition Raptor 700R and 2015 YFZ450R for two days.

Since the days of the Banshee, Yamaha ATVs have roamed the dunes and deserts of the planet. Today's popular ATVs are the YFZ450R and Raptor 700. Of course, it would be cool to have both, but most of us are forced to face the question: “Which is better?” This is a very difficult question, the answer to which, of course, depends on your specific driving style and personal preferences.

SE Raptor 700R 2015

The Raptor has long been called the “King of the Dunes,” ever since the 660 model, whose low-end torque never ended, no matter how hard you twisted the throttle. Over the years, the ATV has been worked on tirelessly and the Raptor has evolved into a remarkable sports machine with incredible handling. With chassis design cues from its sister YFZ450R and new additions this year like slightly larger front tires and an improved shock configuration, the Raptor has been virtually perfected to make it the ultimate sand dune machine.

The Raptor 700R is the perfect desert ATV with its comfortable riding position and low-end power. The Raptor 700R is the perfect desert ATV with its comfortable riding position and low-end power.

The 2015 Special Edition Raptor 700R is easily distinguished from the regular model by its bright black, white and red color scheme. A bright red chassis with black wheels and a black GYTR front bumper complete the impressive appearance of this special edition model.

The fuel-injected, liquid-cooled 686cc engine provides plenty of power for any maneuver or stunt, yet the engine handles incredibly smoothly and precisely, making the Raptor one of the best (if not the best) sport ATVs out there.

Yamaha YFZ450R SE Sports ATV

Let's get back to the point. Today we are talking about the Yamaha YFZ450R. This model is a living legend, not only maintaining complete dominance in the industry for many years, but also introducing many new ideas about what a sports ATV is in general.

Yamaha YFZ450R SE Sports ATV

We were young and dreamed of powerful, agile and controllable ATVs. And Yamaha made our dreams come true. A guy from Kentucky named Bill Ballance then not only won several national championships on this model, but also helped Yamaha show the world how serious it was about creating a truly superior sport ATV. Looking at the 2021 model, we see the same approach: the Yamaha YFZ450R won numerous awards at the end of the 2021 season, and while the riders may have changed at times, the champion remains the same.

Engine model

The four-stroke 48-horsepower 686 cc engine is equipped with one cylinder of increased diameter with four valves, an injector, a liquid cooling system and electronic control of direct injection. The camshaft is located in the cylinder head. A distinctive feature of the motor is its impressive power with low weight. The unit works in tandem with a five-speed racing “mechanics” with reverse gear. For 100 km of travel, an ATV requires 7 liters of gasoline. Moreover, the installation is capable of accelerating this sports all-terrain vehicle to 120 km/h. Starting is done using a push-button electric starter.

Powerful, dynamic and economical!

As we know, people are not judged by their “cover”. But even here you can’t find fault with the new Yamaha: a powerful single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a volume of 420 liters, which, according to the developers, will consume significantly less than its predecessors; the most modern transmission and drive from Yamaha, independent front suspension with 160 mm travel and rear suspension with 180 mm travel. Needless to say, impressive! The creators did a lot of work on the stability and maneuverability of the ATV, and, I must say, they did a good job. But we’ll talk about what it’s like in motion a little later. It is also worth noting its reasonable dimensions and relatively low weight - 250 kg, given that it is more powerful and durable than other Yamaha “athletes”, a small increase in weight in comparison is justified. With such hardware, you don’t have to worry that the next obstacle will be insurmountable, and if you decide to ride a long distance, rest assured that the fuel supply will last for a long time!

Chassis

The front features disc brakes with aluminum pistons. At the rear, braking is provided by a 2-piston caliper. At the factory, the ATV is equipped with Maxxis tires, which are perfect for any type of surface (including off-road). Rotation from the engine is transmitted to the rear axle using a chain. The independent front suspension (with 231 mm of travel) and a cast aluminum swingarm (with 256 mm of travel) at the rear allow the all-terrain vehicle to smoothly overcome any unevenness. It should be noted. That this does not affect handling at all.

Features of the model Thanks to a large power reserve, a customizable suspension with a large reserve of vertical travel, a balanced gearbox, structural strength, a unique tread pattern and other outstanding qualities, the Raptor 700R is distinguished by equally confident behavior both on rough terrain (in the forest, on sand, in a swamp), and and on the race track. This is also facilitated by the impressive 111 mm ground clearance. Other design developments should be noted:

1. The wheels are turned inward, which helps reduce weight without losing strength;
2. The sporty ergonomic seat increases driver comfort; Powerful lighting technology ensures excellent visibility even in the dark;
3. An 11-liter gas tank combined with a YFI injection system allows you to increase the distance between refuelings;
4. Trigger throttle control reduces strain on your hands.
5. Advantages and disadvantages
6. The advantages of an ATV include:
7. Attractiveness of aggressive design;
8. Excellent ergonomics;
9. High power injection motor;
10. High-quality suspension;
11. An effective braking system that ensures safety in all conditions.
12. Among the disadvantages are:
13. No turn signals;
14. Uninformative dashboard;
15. The quiet sound of the exhaust does not allow you to fully experience the power of the engine;
16. Sometimes there are interruptions in the operation of the gearbox.

Review

The day before the test drive, it rained heavily, so the test track turned out to be a great place to test all the capabilities of the new Wolverine. Almost immediately I had to turn on the drive to all four wheels. At the entrance to the test site there was an almost vertical hillside that was already quite rugged, but the Yamaha Wolverine climbed to the top without any problems, and the driver did not even have to engage the differential lock.

Once again about technical parameters

The front suspension travel of the car is 246 millimeters, and the rear suspension travels 269 mm, which is very good. In addition, long and widely spaced suspension arms allow the wheels to sink deep into the ruts and maintain traction with the ground. The ground clearance is 289 millimeters, which helps the all-terrain vehicle easily overcome rutted sections of the road and is especially useful when driving along rocky trails with large obstacles.

Yamaha Wolverine, perhaps, is suitable not so much for high-speed races through the forests in a race with friends, but for exploring new routes and conquering those paths that you were previously afraid to enter. The manufacturer decided to install fully adjustable KYB shock absorbers on the Wolverine R-Spec, so that each driver can customize the car according to their skill level and personal preferences. The shock absorbers have spring preload adjustment, two-speed compression damping adjustment, and rebound damping adjustment.

Interior

The good thing about the all-terrain vehicle’s cabin is that when you get behind the wheel, you feel like you’re in the car, not on it. The high-back seats are very comfortable and optimally positioned for a larger driver/passenger. Of course, if you like to ride with a friend and explore the area, you need a place for your personal belongings.

If you need a little more space, there's also a glove box in the center of the dash. The gear selector is also commendable, allowing easy shifting even in difficult moments. Overall, sitting on the Wolverine seat with three-position seat belts feels very comfortable.

SE YFZ450R 2015

But many people's favorite is the YFZ450R, with its racing heritage and aggressive looks. This low car attracts the eye and beckons you to get behind the wheel even while standing still. But the YFZ450R's handling and performance are consistent with its chic and bold design, and the ATV handles exactly as you'd expect - like a race machine! However, with a little tweaking on the fully adjustable KYB shock absorbers, this sport quad can handle obstacles quite smoothly, making it a dual-purpose machine that will appeal to a wide variety of buyers. With 249mm of front suspension travel and 279mm of rear suspension travel, the YFZR not only handles small bumps on trails with confidence, but can also handle impressive jumps with ease.

The YFZ450R is more demanding of the rider, but it will quench the thirst for thrills of any extreme rider. The YFZ450R is more demanding of the rider, but it will quench the thirst for thrills of any extreme rider.

This year's Special Edition model features the same eye-catching black, white and red color scheme as the SE Raptor, including black decals and a red frame. The black GYTR front grab bar is dealer installed and the quick release plastic mounts are easy to remove so the rider can perform maintenance virtually anywhere, anytime.

All-black aluminum wheels complete the look, and custom-built Maxxis tires maintain traction even in the softest sand. In fact, the YFZR is the only ATV on which we have not replaced the original tires after purchase until they completely wore out, and have even used them for racing.

Suspension:

Video

The installed engine has one four-stroke cylinder and a liquid cooling system. The rated output power of this unit is 27.2 horsepower or 20.1 kilowatts. The standard equipment includes exclusively a carburetor fuel system; installation of an injection system is not provided even as an additional option.

Additionally, the ATV can be equipped with such elements as a winch, rear-view mirrors, a backrest for the passenger seat, as well as a towbar. All modifications do not have alloy wheels; in any configuration, only stamped steel ones are installed.