Yamaha Raptor 700R - review of a sports all-terrain vehicle

Yamaha's Raptor 700R ATV truly resembles the predator it was named after.

This sports all-terrain vehicle combines aggression and beauty, dynamics and stability. The model replaced the popular modification “Raptor 660R”.

To make the car more productive, the Raptor 700R is equipped with a lightweight steel-aluminum alloy frame, as well as aluminum subframes and a swing-arm rear suspension.

Thanks to this, the structure has not only increased strength, but also low weight. In addition, this has a positive effect on dynamics and safety.

This model rightfully occupies the flagship position in the line of sports ATVs under the Yamaha brand.

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.

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Yamaha Raptor 700 2013 ATV Review

For the 2013 model year, the Raptor 700 will be available in three variants

Over the past few years, the ATV market has experienced unprecedented growth while the sport ATV segment has struggled, making it difficult for manufacturers to continue making similar models, let alone improve them. Manufacturers abandoned models and even entire lines of sport ATVs and/or moved into the all-terrain vehicle segment.

While all other companies are experiencing similar difficulties, Yamaha is the only manufacturer fighting this trend and desperately trying to maintain its undisputed leadership in the sport ATV segment. Yamaha already boasts the widest range of such machines, but the manufacturer is not going to stop there.

2009 was a year of significant changes with the release of the YFZ450R: a new frame, fuel injection system and a host of other upgrades. But in 2012, Yamaha carried out another modernization, preparing three versions of the model.

For 2013, Yamaha has prepared a whole series of Raptor 700 with prices that will please everyone.

Like the YFZ, the Yamaha Raptor received a major redesign for 2006 that silenced the critics and left us with the innovative, industry-leading ATV we have today. But Yamaha don’t like to take first place and rest on their laurels, so the manufacturer decided to make the car even better.

Before changing a model, Yamaha carefully and thoroughly studies the market to understand what exactly customers want.

Give them what they want

Based on Yamaha's research, the average Raptor 700 owner is older than a YFZ450R owner and has different desires.

Undoubtedly, Yamaha has the widest selection of sport ATVs, so there is something for everyone. But the next problem arises - to select what you need. Yamaha already produces a powerful, race-ready sports ATV - the YFZ450R. But judging by the research, the target audience and desires of this audience for the Raptor are somewhat different than for the YFZ.

First, the typical YZR owner is younger and wants a more powerful machine. Racing technology and fuel injection trump price and other disadvantages, as these drivers will likely modify the car to better suit their driving style and needs. They are even willing to sacrifice a little comfort for the sake of increasing power and performance.

Raptor fans tend to be older (35-40 years old) and have a lot more driving experience. They are primarily interested in the machine’s reliability, reputation and price, rather than high performance. This in no way means that Raptor owners don't like fast ride and handling, it's just that they look for other features first when considering buying an ATV.

Yamaha takes all this and a ton of other information into account when deciding whether to improve a model. The result is a strong and successful intention to satisfy all the needs of customers.

What's new?

Since most potential Raptor buyers are primarily concerned with price and reputation, Yamaha's goal is to maintain the level of quality and performance that has made the Raptor a top-selling sport ATV while lowering the price.

The base model 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 comes in two colors. It also doesn't have the dual shock absorbers found on other Raptor 700 models.

As a result, we have three different models: 700, 700R and 700R SE. Each has its own unique set of components, and the price is lower than last year.

The first thing that catches your eye is the new aggressive design of the 2013 Raptor. The designers changed not only the appearance of the plastic at the front, but also the location of the front fenders, moving them 50 millimeters forward for driver convenience. All three models now also come standard with the same 2-piston rear brake caliper found on the YFZ450.

Another great upgrade on all three models is the Maxxis tires. The new tires were created specifically for Yamaha. The road grip has become better, but at the same time you can easily skid and skid through corners.

Since the Raptor is already the best-selling and most innovative sport ATV on the market, Yamaha decided to keep its unique frame design with a steel front end, cast aluminum rear end and subframe. This combination provides the perfect combination of stiffness and flex so the rider doesn't feel like they're riding a board. The 686 cc engine has also not undergone any changes, since it has already established itself as a reliable and worthy engine in the class of powerful sports ATVs.

As for the price reduction, this is where discrepancies in the production and equipment of individual models begin. For example, Yamaha abandoned the digital instrument panel on all Raptor 700 ATVs. This is certainly a good thing, but it belongs more to the luxury category of cars, and it does not belong on this model. This allowed Yamaha to reduce production costs for all three models.

All 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 models receive a new aggressive design.

In the case of the base model, Yamaha decided not to use a combined front shock absorber, but a regular one, again for the sake of economy. These shock absorbers cannot be adjusted for compression or rebound, but they do have the ability to adjust preload, and the shock absorbers themselves work well in a variety of conditions. The 700 also features a solid front brake lever, as opposed to last year's adjustable brake lever. Thanks to these small changes, Yamaha were able to reduce the price by almost $700. The Raptor 700 is available in two color options: one that resembles a skull, and the other, red, blue and white, highlighting the fact that these cars are now assembled in the USA. The Raptor is now Yamaha's first sport ATV made entirely in the USA.

The 700R and 700SE models are very, very similar, the SE has only slightly richer equipment. Both models feature fully adjustable front shock absorbers and an adjustable front brake lever.

Driving impressions

The 2013 Raptor 700 was tested in the central Oregon desert, with more than 300 miles of sandy and rocky roads and an incredible variety of conditions, from desert to rugged mountain trails.

The Raptor 700R is a powerful and comfortable machine that is at home on sandy roads and dunes.

One of the test riders had already ridden in these places and was not sure that such a powerful ATV was worth testing on narrow, winding roads. However, all doubts were dispelled as soon as we hit the road. As it turns out, the Raptor 700 feels right at home on these trails, and the high power is controllable and doesn't get in the way of being nimble. It feels like you're driving a slightly heavier 450. Thanks to the increased power of the motor, its heavy weight is practically not felt.

The Raptor 700R's powerful yet tractable engine operates smoothly in any gear.

The beauty of the Raptor is that you can simply select one gear and go. Power delivery is incredibly smooth and consistent. Once we even started moving in third gear, and the ATV quickly picked up the desired speed.

If you don't like to release the throttle and slow down, you won't have any problems shifting gears. The transmission is smooth and the clutch engages instantly.

On such a route it was very convenient to test the brakes, since any straight section of the road ended with a sharp and sharp turn. 2-piston calipers front and rear provided light and effective braking. Even when we managed to reach fifth gear several times, we were able to slow the car down at the right moment without losing control or breaking the brakes.

Maxxis tires significantly improve the Raptor's handling.

The Maxxis tires are also impressive. This is not what you expect from standard tires, but they did their job brilliantly, providing excellent grip even in such difficult road conditions. Oh, and by the way, it started snowing shortly after we arrived at the test site. It became more uncomfortable to drive, but we tested the tires on all possible road surfaces.

The riding position is very comfortable, and even tall riders will be comfortable on the Raptor 700. Riders just under six feet tall often feel uncomfortable on the 450, but that's not the case on the Raptor, thanks in large part to the new fender layout.

We tested the 700R version with combined adjustable front shock absorbers. The suspension handled rocks and bumps well, dampening impacts from small bumps.

We think Yamaha has accomplished something that few others can: making an already great ATV even better while making it more affordable in such an uncertain economic climate. Raptor remains the main and best representative of the sport ATV class.

No matter which Raptor 700 model you choose, it's going to be a ton of fun to hit the gas and go off-road.

The price aspect needs to be discussed separately, since Yamaha spent an incredible amount of effort to reduce the cost of the machine for the buyer, while maintaining performance. Thanks to a number of small but extremely important changes, the manufacturer has created a powerful sports ATV that many will be able to afford.

If you are deeply convinced that productivity will never

you can’t sacrifice for the sake of price, Yamaha has more than a hundred GYTR (Genuine Yamaha Racing Technology) accessories for you, with which you can increase the power of the machine or simply make it more beautiful.

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 excellent for any type of surface (including off-road).

Rotation from the engine is transmitted to the rear axle using a chain.

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.

Wheels and Tires:

Model features

Thanks to a large reserve of power, 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 on race track.

This is also facilitated by the impressive 111 mm ground clearance.

Other design developments should be noted:

• The wheels are turned inward, which helps reduce weight without losing strength;
• The sporty ergonomic seat increases driver comfort;
• Powerful lighting technology ensures excellent visibility even in the dark;
• An 11-liter gas tank combined with a YFI injection system allows you to increase the distance between refuelings;
• Trigger throttle control reduces strain on your hands.

Controllability

We can talk about the handling of this motorcycle for a long time, but in order to experience all its superiority, you need to ride a raptor yourself. The first thing I want to talk about is road grip. Of course, it all depends on the suspension. The Raptor 700R is equipped with fairly good tires from the Taiwanese brand Maxxis. The tires perform perfectly not only on the ground, but also on sand dunes, crushed stone and other difficult surfaces.

The standard suspension from the Yamaha Raptor behaves very effectively on any part of the road, carefully absorbing all the bumps. Despite the fact that the base of the ATV is not as large as we would like, the suspension travel is quite enough to ride over rocks and move over small logs. As for steering, turning the steering wheel does not require too much effort, as on some heavy “utilities”. In general, everything related to the suspension and control of the ATV is at a high level. But even more pleasing is the fact that the Japanese company continues to update the model, and with each new version changes for the better are noticeable.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of an ATV include:

• Attractiveness of aggressive design;
• Excellent ergonomics;
• High power injection motor;
• High-quality suspension;
• An effective braking system that ensures safety in all conditions.

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The unique design of this sports motorcycle makes it possible to easily negotiate turns at high speed.

Among the disadvantages are:

• No turn signals;
• Uninformative dashboard;
• The quiet sound of the exhaust does not allow you to fully experience the power of the engine;
• Sometimes there are interruptions in the operation of the gearbox.

Flaws

Despite the large number of advantages of the Yamaha Raptor, the ATV also has disadvantages. Of course they are insignificant, but their presence is still a little confusing. Among them I would like to mention the dashboard. It seemed to us that it could be more informative, but this is a matter of taste. The quiet exhaust is also disconcerting. You get the feeling that you are not riding a powerful Yamaha, but some kind of Chinese moped. And last but not least, there is no protection on the chain. Of course, there is protection, but only from below, and for greater reliability I would like to at least slightly cover the top of the mechanism.

Specifications

Exterior:

Estimated cost

The price of the new Raptor 700R starts at approximately 575,000 rubles.
The Special Edition modification will cost about 100,000 rubles more.

On the secondary market, an ATV in acceptable condition can be purchased for 400,000 rubles.

Thanks to its unique characteristics, the Raptor 700R has gained high popularity among outdoor enthusiasts .

An ATV allows you to ride along the highway or travel off-road with equal comfort.

The high cost is compensated by amazing power, excellent driving performance, excellent handling and other numerous advantages of the car.

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Summary

The Yamaha Raptor is one of the ATVs that makes heads turn. One cannot help but rejoice in the fact that the Japanese company, regularly updating its model line, maintains the advantages of the car - handling, appearance, torque, reverse gear and many others.

The manufacturer, moreover, offers a wide range of spare parts and accessories that can not only improve the cross-country ability of the ATV, but also dramatically change its appearance. For example, many owners install a programmable GYTR Power Commander module and other intake system parts on the injection system, which allows the Raptor 700 to reach its full potential.

Photo gallery

We present to your attention a photo selection of the Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV, which has a unique design. You can use it for walks in the steppe, or take it with you hunting or racing in the desert.