
We test out the premium versions of the Wolverine and YXZ1000R
Yamaha ATVs have been part of our off-road fabric since they first debuted in the United States with the 1980 Tri-Moto three-wheeler.
After evolving its three-wheel lineup for the next five years, Yamaha came to market with its first four-wheeled ATV in the 1985 model year – the Yamaha YFM200 Moto-4 – the first of all the Yamaha ATVs to come with a practical reverse gear.
With the release of the Yamaha Banshee in the 1987 model year, Yamaha offered the industry’s first high-performance, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 350cc, 2-stroke engine – the largest two-stroke engine ever in an ATV.
Other benchmarks of Yamaha ATVs include the 1987 Warrior (first electric start Sport ATV), 1987 TerraPro (first ATV with Power Take Off capabilities), 1989 Pro Hauler (first ATV with a cargo bed), 1998 Grizzly 600 (at the time the largest ever even in a Utilty ATV), 1999 Beartracker (first Yamaha ATV built in the U.S.), 1991 660R Raptor (at the time the largest engine ever in a Sport ATV), 2002 Grizzly 660 (first push button front differential lock feature), 2004 YFZ450 (best power-to-weight ratio of any ATV ever), and 2007 Grizzly 700 EPS (first ATV with electronic power steering).
Beyond Yamaha ATVs, the Yamaha brand expanded to include UTVs. The Yamaha Rhino helped usher the sport-recreation UTV segment and was a wild success for the brand for a decade and led the way for the Yamaha Viking, Yamaha Wolverine, and Yamaha YXZ1000R models.
YFZ50
For the youngest riders looking for the Sport ATV experience, the Yamaha YFZ50 is just the ticket. Intended for riders six years old and older, this ATV features a 49cc engine, throttle limiter (parental control), power cut-off tether switch, beefy steel frame, single I-arm front suspension, and rear swingarm rear suspension. Prices start at $2199.
Grizzly 90
Designed for young riders aged 10 and older, the Grizzly 90 makes an ideal introduction to the world of Yamaha ATVs. These Yamaha ATVs feature a 90cc engine, three sealed drum brakes, A-arm front suspension, and integrated steel cargo racks. Prices start at $3099.
Raptor 90
Sharing the same engine as the Grizzly 90, the Raptor 90 is also intended for riders 10 and older with a Sport ATV slant. It features a compact A-arm front suspension and swingarm rear suspension. Shocks all around are preload adjustable and suspension travel is 5.0 inches up front and 5.7 in the back. Prices start at $2999.
Grizzly
Yamaha’s premium ATV, the Grizzly is powered by a 686cc engine and features high-performance Ultramatic transmission, wide-arc A-arms, full body skid plates, power steering, and 11.3 inches of ground clearance. Three trim levels are available, starting with the base Grizzly EPS with retails for $9899. Upgrade to the Grizzly EPS SE to add a factory-installed Warn Pro Vantage 2500 winch and painted bodywork. The Grizzly EPS XT-R also comes with a winch and adds 27-inch Maxxis Zilla tires, and color-matched wheels.
Kodiak 450
The most affordable full-sized Yamaha ATVs are the Kodiak 450 models. Each is equipped with a 421cc single-cylinder engine and comes ready to work from the factory. Three trim levels are available for 2020. The base Kodiak 450 retails for $6499. Upgrade to the Kodiak 450 EPS for electronic power steering, while the Kodiak 450 EPS SE adds styling features, factory-installed Warn winch, alloy wheels, and Yamaha’s three-position On-Command 4WD system.
Kodiak 700
The Kodiak 700 offers the same powerful engine available in the Grizzly, but in a more affordable and compact package. Three trim levels are available, including the base Kodiak 700 that retails for $7199 – incredibly just $700 more than the Kodiak 450. Upgrade to the Kodiak 700 EPS for electronic power steering and three-position On-Command 4WD. The Kodiak 700 EPS SE further adds cast-aluminum wheels, 2500-pound winch, and painted plastics.
YFZ450R
Pure Sport ATV performance is largely a thing of the past in this industry, but Yamaha is keeping the dream alive with the YFZ450 family. Features include a 449cc fuel-injected engine, five-speed manual transmission, cast aluminum/steel chassis, assist-and-slipper clutch, wide footpegs, and high performance KYB shocks. Two trim levels are available, including the base YFZ450R. Upgrade to the YFZ450R SE and you get GYTR performance parts and an exclusive color and graphic scheme. Prices start at $9099.
Raptor 700
Of all Yamaha ATVs, you’d be hard pressed to find any more fun than the venerable Raptor 700 family. These machines offer impressive sport performance, to go along with on-trail comfort. Features include 686cc engine with five-speed manual transmission, and long-travel suspension. Three trim levels are available, starting with the base Raptor 700. Move up to the Raptor 700R for fully adjustable piggyback shocks (high- and low-speed compression, preload and rebound). Finally, the Raptor 700R SE adds GYTR performance parts and unique color and graphics. Prices start at $8099.
Viking
Yamaha’s most work-centric machine, the Viking is a true workhorse. It features Yamaha’s proven 686cc engine tuned for low-end grunt, Ultramatic transmission, three-seat cabin, 11.8 inches of ground clearance, 600 pounds of cargo bed capacity, and 1500 pounds of towing capacity. Four trim levels are available, starting with the base Viking at $11,999. The Viking EPS offers up electronic power steering, while Viking EPS SE includes painted bodywork, aluminum wheels, and overfenders. Finally, the Viking EPS Ranch Edition nets you orange painted bodywork with matching orange seats and a rearview mirror.
Viking VI
The Viking VI family is essentially a six-seat, two-row version of the Viking and shares the same powertrain. Only two trim levels are available for 2020 – the base Viking VI EPS with power steering and the Viking VI EPS Ranch Edition, with painted orange bodywork, matching orange seats, overfenders, rearview mirror, and front brush guard. Prices start at $14,299.
Wolverine X2
The Wolverine is Yamaha’s Sport-Utility family of UTVs – vehicles equally at home on the trail or putting in work. Wolverine X2 models have room for two and each features an 847cc parallel twin engine, Ultramatic transmission, electronic power steering, and On-Command 4WD. Four trim levels are available for 2020 with the base X2 carrying a retail price of $12,699. Upgrade to the X2 R-Spec for upgraded piggyback shocks that are fully adjustable, along with a roof and overfenders. The X2 R-Spec SE offers up painted exterior plastics, upgraded graphics, and color-matched interior. New for 2020 is the X2 R-Spec XT-R, which boasts a factory-installed Warn winch, special edition paint, color-matched wheels, and GBC Dirt Commander tires.
Wolverine X4
As you can probably gather by the name, the Wolverine X4 is largely the same vehicle as the, but with room for four people. It shares the same 847cc parallel twin engine, Ultramatic transmission, electronic power steering, and On-Command 4WD. Beyond the second row of seating, all X4 models also boast self-leveling shocks. Three trim levels are available, starting with the base X4 that retails for $16,099. The Wolverine X4 SE includes a roof, overfenders, and painted plastics. The flagship of the Wolverine family is the X4 XT-R, which comes with a factory-installed winch, special edition paint, color-matched wheels, and GBC Dirt Commander tires.
YXZ1000R
For the pure performance Sport UTV market, Yamaha offers up its YXZ1000R family. Each model is powered by a 998cc inline three-cylinder engine controlled by a five-speed sequential transmission. Two models are available with the manual transmission – the base YXZ1000R and the YXZ1000R SE, which features Advanced Fox Dual Spring suspension, beadlock wheels, painted bodywork, and contrast-stitched seats. Prices start at $18,999.
YXZ1000R SS
The key difference between the YXZ1000R and the YXZ1000R SS is Yamaha’s Sport Shift transmission. This allows you to change gears without having to worry about a clutch – just tap the paddle shifters up or down. These models share the same powertrain as the rest of the YXZ family. Three trim levels are available, including the base YXZ1000R SS that retails for $18,999. Upgrade to the YXZ1000R SS SE and get Advanced Fox Dual Spring suspension, beadlock wheels, painted bodywork, and contrast-stitched seats. Finally, the YXZ1000R SS XT-R includes a factory-installed Warn winch, special edition paint, color-matched wheels, and exclusive Maxxis Carnage tires.
We test out the premium versions of the Wolverine and YXZ1000R
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