2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project: Final Testing and Set Up

Rick Sosebee
by Rick Sosebee
We take the completed project out for a spin

As a way to thank our loyal readers, ATV.com is building up and giving away a 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700. We’ve teamed up with Yamaha and some of the biggest names in the industry for this project and one of our lucky readers will take home the finished product.

When we set out to give one lucky reader a 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700, we didn’t realize just how lucky the winner would really be. Not only are we giving away a great ride, but the winner will also be treated to some really trick GYTR components, as well as great OMF Performance wheels, Maxxis Tires, and Pro Taper bars and grips. To top it all off, we are also including a complete set of Fly Racing Kinetic Inversion riding gear!

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Front Left

Our Yamaha Raptor 700 project ATV is ready to ship out to the lucky winner. If you haven’t signed up for your chance to take this beauty home, now is the time!

With all the part installations complete, we figured it was time to give this beast a test to make sure everything is in good working order. Of course, after looking at it in the garage for weeks, we were admittedly itching to take out for a spin. We’re only human, after all.

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Wheelie

We enlisted the help of ATV racer Richie Brown for final testing before we ship the Raptor 700 out to the contest winner.

Taking the time to make sure every part of the 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 is in perfect position and that each part we installed is working properly is our last detail before we choose the lucky winner. We headed up to the mountains of North Georgia to meet up with a great friend who will be riding the Raptor for our photos and testing. Richie Brown is a veteran cross country ATV racer and was the first rider to solo the Baja 1000 on an ATV. Brown makes his living working for the forestry department in Georgia. Racing takes up most of free time and a recent engagement to his girlfriend Jessica will soon grab any remaining. Fortunately, he found the time to help us out.

Firing up the Yamaha Raptor we headed out into the hills near Brown’s home to find tight trails, jumps and sweet high-speed corners to give the Raptor a gentle break in. The Pro Taper SE bars needed to be adjusted back just a little from the original install position. Loosening up the four 12mm nuts and bringing the bars back just a click made for great control for our test rider. With every bolt secured the ride time had begun.

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Action Front

It didn’t take long before Brown was sliding our Raptor 700 project ATV around corners.

As we set up our camera gear and lights, Brown made a few passes through the woods to get the engine warm and also to get more comfortable with the machine. Before long, Brown had the Raptor blazing through a really slick corner. The Maxxis Razr Xc tires were biting away at the surface of the ground and throwing the Raptor 700 forward down the trail. Other than just looking good, the Raptor had an awesome deep tone coming from the GYTR/FMF slip-on exhaust. This sound emits power and dominance from the four-stroke, single-cylinder engine. For those who ride in areas with tight sound restrictions, we will include the stock exhaust.

Moving into the woods the trees had become a lot tighter than we anticipated and the use of our trick GYTR Nerf Bars was necessary a couple of times. But not to worry, nothing was damaged…not even our rider! The netting in the nerfs kept the sticks and trail debris at bay while keeping our rider’s feet from getting under the machine. In our opinion, GYTR Nerf Bars are a must have for any Yamaha sport quad. For riders who likes to ride with their feet just a little farther back on the pegs, like Brown, there are the GYTR Heel Guards to keep your feet out of the tire as well. This was a great combination for sure.

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Jump

With gobs of power at his disposal, Brown had no trouble sending the Raptor skyward.

Although we knew some rocks and roots would make contact with our GYTR Glide Plate, it was rare as the front of this machine is very light when on the throttle. Getting the Raptor 700’s front wheels up is just a matter of blipping the throttle and sometimes our test rider didn’t even know the front wheels were off the ground as the thunderous torque of the 700 engine lofted the front end. The raw power of the Raptor was probably the most notable part of our testing, as we kept hearing from Brown how the Raptor was easy to lug around in higher gears due to the engine’s reserve of torque.

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Jump

Beyond its impressive performance, we think the completed Yamaha Raptor 700 project looks fantastic.

If looking good is a statement, then the 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 dressed in the GYTR/One Industries graphics and OMF super tough reinforced polished aluminum rims made one long speech on test day. We’re sure the wheels will handle just about anything that can be dished out by the rider who will end up with the machine and the graphics give a classy look that will not soon be forgotten. Every part combined together made this a build we will not soon forget.

2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project Left Rear

Admit it…imagining yourself tearing around on this beautiful ATV right now. With a little luck, you could be!

Giving a virtually brand new ATV away is something that can be difficult to do – especially when you really like the machine. But like all things in life it is truly better to give than receive, as I know this Yamaha Raptor is going to make one lucky rider very happy.

* MSRP not provided. Price indicated is lowest on-line price we could find.

Related Reading


Win ATV.com’s 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project


2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project: GYTR Power and Protection


2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Project: Control and Traction


2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 Review – Video

Rick Sosebee
Rick Sosebee

Whether he is in Mexico covering the Baja 1000, building ATVs for local racers, or out enjoying the trails, Rick’s passion shows in his stories. Learning to wrench his own machines from his grandfather, Rick also has an undying appreciation for the mechanics of off-road vehicles. Do not let the dirt and mud fool you, though, as Rick also has a deep love for street cars.

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