Bear is not a friend to Wolverine: test run on Yamaha ATVs

Japanese ATVsYamaha ATVs

The Wolverine 450 ATV is a unique development of Japanese engineers and designers of the Yamaha concern.

Possessing the appearance and character of a sports vehicle, this “stallion” perfectly copes with long expeditions and extreme tasks in completely off-road conditions.

By the way, the model is ideally suited to the name, which translates as “Wolverine” - a small but powerful bear with the agility of a marten.

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The clients - Honda TRX 680 Rincon - have serious equipment, so the route must be appropriate, and the guides need to ride something similar. Having contacted the editors of Moto magazine and the YAMAHA MOTOR CIS representative, we managed to agree on testing two Grizzlys on a trip - 700 LE and 550. But life made its own adjustments...

I come to receive the promised quads in order to send the equipment to Barnaul (the flywheel is running, the schedule cannot be broken!), and then it turns out that the journalists have managed to ruin the “550” - replacing the bent front suspension arm requires time that simply does not exist! There are no other utility vehicles, but there is a Yamaha Wolverine 450 - at least with all-wheel drive. Well, “Wolverine”, climb into the back, you will have to live with the “bear” side by side for more than one day!

Approximate price

In Russia, the Japanese masterpiece Wolverine 450 has not gained much popularity, but the “four-wheeler” has a huge army of fans around the world.
Perhaps, once you ride this horse, you will join the fans of the model, because this powerful ATV will conquer the world once and for all .

At official dealers of the Yamaha brand in the Russian Federation, the Wolverine 450 model is sold at a price of about 400,000 rubles.

However, ATV owners claim that a reliable, high-quality and versatile “Japanese” is worth every penny spent.

The Kawasaki Brute Force 750 model is large in size and is a utilitarian ATV.

Review of a top-end ATV, the design of which implements the most advanced technologies of the manufacturer.

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Yamaha Wolverine 450: sports ATV, 2010, 421 cm³, 26 hp, 234 kg, RUB 380,600.
Yamaha Wolverine 450: sports ATV, 2010, 421 cm³, 26 hp, 234 kg, RUB 380,600.

“Wolverine” went to Viktor Pantykin, our Altai guide. Changing quads, as previously planned, will now not work. It’s a shame to shake expensive photographic equipment on a sports car, and my position in the rearguard did not allow me to go on a Wolverine. There was no confidence that the “Wolverine” would match the “Grizzly” in cross-country ability, and I didn’t want to slow everyone down with unexpected “ambushes.” So we went: in front was Pantykin on Wolverine, then two Rincons, and I brought up the rear on Grizzly. The Grizzly remained the main object of testing, and the Wolverine, performing outside the competition, received a special opinion from its driver, Master of Sports in Motortouring Viktor Pantykin.

Photo gallery

With the appearance of a sports ATV, the Wolverine 450 model is perfect for traveling and will not be embarrassed by the need to overcome off-road conditions. Our small photo selection will allow you to take a closer look at the external details of the ATV from all sides.

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Victor Volynsky, master of sports in motorcycle tourism, champion of Russia, holder of a Guinness Book of Records certificate (travel around the Aral Sea).
Victor Volynsky, master of sports in motorcycle tourism, champion of Russia, holder of a Guinness Book of Records certificate (travel around the Aral Sea).

“I love ATVs, at first sight you could say I fell in love - back in the early 90s, when the editors of the magazine that you are now holding in your hands received the first Hondas and Polarises imported to Russia for testing. At that time I worked as a photojournalist, but at the same time, as an experienced motorcycle tourist, I ran the “Open World” column. And he immediately appreciated the potential of quads for difficult hikes, so whenever possible he improved his driving skills in the hope of someday organizing a full-fledged trip through the mountains or through the desert. But all editorial runs involving ATVs were carried out in winter (summer for two wheels), and the topic faded over time. Years passed, I changed my profession as a photographer to office management, but the spirit of wandering still brought me back to my favorite pastime - traveling.”

The fact that any utility vehicle is suitable for travel is visible to the naked eye. The front and rear cargo platforms simply allow you to hang a bunch of all sorts of necessary and unnecessary junk on them on the road. Even with an escort truck, we carried with us everything that came to hand. The most understandable cargo was the supply of gasoline in two 15-liter cans, and the contents of the rear trunk, which was stuffed to the brim, were even embarrassing to list. Of course, I did not reach the maximum permissible loads (45 kg in the front and 85 in the rear) - the “Grizzly” in addition to the driver was carrying at most 60 kilograms. I did not notice a significant difference in the handling of the loaded and “empty” quadric. But do not overload one side - in the mountains this is fraught with trouble.

Let me note that in the mountains tourist routes are extremely rarely laid “in azimuth.” This can only be done in steppes and deserts, and even then, most often, someone has already found a short road between two points before you, you just need to “read” the tracks correctly. When we ran out of traces, we had to move completely off-road to find them. Here “Grizzly” was at ease. I tried all the transmission modes and was convinced that the need to engage the 4x4 mode with low gear and differential locks occurs extremely rarely. Although it is better to overdo it than not to finish it. When you realize that you have turned on too “easy” mode, you are already either stuck across a deep rut, or, without haste, you are plunging into liquid mud, and every second spent pressing buttons only adds adrenaline: the moment of inertia has already been lost, and it’s time to start moving in such a situation it is much more difficult than passing an obstacle on the move. Having stepped on the rake a couple of times, I began to add one more step to the selected transmission mode - just to be absolutely sure. There were a couple of difficult sections when, on an ascent, even minimal pressure on the gas trigger led to the front wheels coming off, and on the descent, a slight touch of the brake levers led to the rear wheels. In these cases, “lowering” coupled with blocking is a mandatory remedy. And deep fords, when Archimedes’ law turns the quadric into a wheeled “Titanic” - already hit, but not yet sunk. You feel that the current is beginning to carry you away - you accelerate, and all the wheels that have come off the bottom are rowing the water, helping the others push the Grizzly towards the shore.

According to the plan, the driving portion of the travel day should end two hours before sunset. But this doesn't always happen. The search for the road forced us to evaluate the lighting devices of the quads. On the road, the standard light sources for the Grizzly, let’s say, are enough. On a country road, you want to illuminate the “neighbor” closer, so there is room for tuning.

The Grizzly has a feature - electric power steering. It seems to me that when nothing intelligible can be said about the operation of the system, this is the highest assessment. The steering wheel is neither “empty” nor tight, the effort on it is exactly what you would expect. Although there is a “help sound” - a slight whistle when in all-wheel drive you have to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock.

A very important parameter when traveling is fuel consumption. It is impossible to give exact figures; consumption varies noticeably depending on the type of road and the selected transmission mode. In our case, a 20-liter tank was enough for an average of 180–200 km. If the road is flat and downhill, then you can drive 300, but in some swamp you can burn everything in 100.

Finally, about reliability. The build quality does not cause any complaints: nothing came loose, nothing creaked. Already in stock the quadric is well prepared. In fords - no problems with the variator, air intake, or electrics. Although one day, after a particularly in-depth study of the bottom of the Mazhoy River, the sound signal went off. But then it dried out and started working as if nothing had happened. Having gotten used to the reliability of the device, you can stop looking under the “belly”, and there, by the way, are the boots of the CV joints, which need to be inspected every day. Once you choose the wrong trajectory over large stones, you can pay not only with a torn boot or a wrinkled wheel, but also with a punctured tire sidewall, or even a bent suspension arm.

RESULT. The Yamaha Grizzly 700 LE is a very driver-friendly vehicle.
Successful ergonomics combined with excellent suspension create a feeling of comfort: it doesn’t knock you under the butt, all the necessary muscles are relaxed. Having traveled 370 kilometers in one day, half of which were on country roads of various types, I noted that apart from general fatigue, there were no specific pain points. And the muscles of the thumb of the right hand should be intensively trained by all snowmobilers and ATV riders. It does not wander on asphalt or graders, does not roll excessively in turns, and brakes excellently. It confidently maintains a cruising speed of 80–85 km/h (according to the speedometer), but it can be higher. And one more valuable quality: he himself is not dirty and does not make the driver so, even when shaking himself off after a swim.

The lineup

The line of ATVs offered by Honda is divided into three types depending on their purpose:

1. The first group includes models for beginners that allow leisurely walks in nature, for example, the TRX 90 X.
2. SUVs of the second group are used for competitions, for example, the Honda sports ATV TRX 680 FA.
3. The third type of ATV is intended for those who have mastered driving skills and want to enjoy the drive.

Let's take a closer look at the features of the most popular models:

ATV "Honda TRX 680 FA". It embodies the innovative solutions of Honda engineers. It has a power unit with a capacity of 675 cm3, independent wheel suspension, fuel injection, torque converter automatic transmission, disc brakes and many other options that allow it to lead among SUVs of this class;

• TRX 500 FA6. The Honda TRX 500 sports ATV with a 500 cc engine is capable of conquering any off-road terrain. The ATV can be used to tow a trailer weighing 600 kg. The model has an attractive design, is equipped with a full-size metal front bumper and can be equipped with a winch;
• TRX 420 FA6. Fans of all-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles with an automatic transmission, power steering and independent suspension tested the Honda TRX 420 ATV with a 420 cc engine in various conditions. The injection engine of this model is connected by direct drive to the front and rear axles;
• TRX 420 FA1. A distinctive feature of this modification is a reinforced duplex-type frame with increased rigidity. The SUV has excellent cross-country ability thanks to its ground clearance of 18 cm. The ATV is equipped with a reinforced automatic clutch;

• TRX 90 X. This is the smallest all-terrain vehicle of all models produced by Honda. The reliable 86cc four-stroke engine allows novice riders to quickly master the basics of riding. The engine is carburetor-powered, providing reduced gasoline consumption;
• TRX 700 XX. The Honda TRX 700 XX ATV is a sports all-terrain vehicle. The Honda 700 ATV is equipped with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a cubic capacity of 686 cm3. The engine is liquid cooled and equipped with an electronic injection system. The ATV has a 5-speed gearbox. The SUV weighs 282 kg;
• TRX 300 XX. Despite the small cubic capacity of the power plant, equal to 300 cm3, the ATV is quite powerful. It has high cross-country ability thanks to independent suspension, increased slopes and a powerful tread designed for off-road use;
• TRX 450 XX. The Honda TRX 450 ATV has high driving characteristics. Thanks to the increased traction force and decent load capacity, the model can be used to deliver various cargoes, as well as successfully conquer difficult off-road areas;

• Honda TRX 300. The Honda 300 TRX 2006 ATV has an original body design, excellent dynamics, low fuel consumption and an affordable price. The single-cylinder engine installed on the Honda TRX 300 ATV works confidently in various modes and develops decent power;
• TRX 450 R. It’s not for nothing that this sports ATV is called the “king” of racing and off-road. For a 450 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine developing 42 hp. sec., it’s not difficult to quickly accelerate a 168-kilogram SUV with dimensions of 1,841x1,177x1,098 m;
• TRX 400 Foreman. The Honda TRX 400 ATV made its debut in 2005 and has not lost its relevance today. The Honda Foreman 400 ATV is quite economical. Reviews confirm that a 400cc carburetor-powered engine consumes no more than 10 liters per hundred. The fuel capacity of 14 liters provides a decent power reserve;

• TRX 250. The Honda 250 ATV is designed both for walking and for cross-country and speed competitions. This SUV has won races more than once. After all, to accelerate a Honda ATV, 250cc is quite enough;
• TRX 350. The Honda 350 ATV is equipped with a manual transmission and a 330 cc engine. Despite its modest cubic capacity and manual transmission, the model with independent front suspension is not inferior in power and is popular among all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts.

The model range allows you to choose the ATV you like and evaluate the advantages of both a small and powerful SUV.

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Victor Pantykin, master of sports in motorcycle tourism, three-time champion of the USSR, honored traveler of Russia.
Victor Pantykin, master of sports in motorcycle tourism, three-time champion of the USSR, honored traveler of Russia.

“Wolverine” coped with the task, but long-range combat is not her path. Its entire sports pedigree comes out with a stiff suspension, not adding much comfort even with the spring pre-compression adjustments fully relaxed. The low ground clearance forces you to carefully choose your trajectory off-road, and especially over rocks. Compared to the Grizzly, the likelihood of damaging something between the wheels or hanging on its “belly” in a swamp increases many times over. The Wolverine 450 has become a touchstone for us: whether it sits or not. I sat down more than once, but much less than it seemed at first (mainly due to the technique of passing difficult sections - I tried to ride it like a motorcycle). And how it is carried away by mountain rivers! Really scary...

On the microscopic rear platform we placed the chainsaw in the case, and this is where the cargo capabilities of the quad ended. Adding all-wheel drive to the sports vehicle undoubtedly expanded its capabilities, but not enough to recommend it for really difficult hikes. The quadric is reliable, with a moderate appetite - one-day trips are like sunflower seeds for him, but nothing more. And another fly in the ointment, or rather a lump of dirt: “Wolverine” is born already sexually mature, therefore, shaking himself off, he joyfully marks everything within a radius of five meters, including the driver.”

Which ATV is better

It is difficult to clearly name the best model. Vehicles perform different tasks. Both show excellent capabilities in solving them. Kodiak 450 is a vehicle characterized by good handling and maneuverability. It is ideal for both outdoor activities and heavy-duty work, such as towing heavy objects. The all-terrain vehicle performs well off-road and can be used for training.

Its predecessor is more suitable for drivers with more experience. It can be used for sports competitions, recreational riding, and transportation of small-sized cargo. It is reliable, durable, powerful. “Bear” is often used in agricultural activities.

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Far from civilization, it is better to refuel with proven fuel.
Far from civilization, it is better to refuel with proven fuel.

Technical characteristics of Yamaha Grizzly 700 LE/Yamaha Wolverine 450 (manufacturer data)

Equipment for testing is provided.

Bear is not a friend to Wolverine: test run on Yamaha ATVs

Brief history of the model

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FR (USA), 5TJ1, 5TJ2, 5TJ4.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FS (USA), 5TJ5, 5TJ6, 5TJ7.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FT (USA), 5TJ8, 5TJ9, 5TJA.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FV (USA), 5TJB, 5TJC, 5TJD.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FW (USA), 5TJE, 5TJF, 5TJG.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe, North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FX (USA), 5TJK, 5TJL, 5TJM.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (all markets).
Factory designation
: WR450FY (USA), 5TJP, 5TJR, 5TJS.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe).
Factory designation
: 5TJU, 5TJV.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FA (USA), 1HB2, 1HB3.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FB (USA), 1DX1, 1DX4.

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe, North America, Japan).
Factory designation
: WR450FD (USA), 1DX5, 1DX6, 1DX9.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe, North America, Japan).
Factory designation
: WR450FE (USA), 1DXA, 1DXD.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FF (USA), 1DXF, 1DXJ.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FG (USA), 2GC1, 2GC2, 2GC3.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FH (USA), 2GC6, 2GC7, 2GC8.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FJ (USA), 2GCA, 2GCB, 2GCC.

Model

: Yamaha WR450F (Europe. North America).
Factory designation
: WR450FK (USA).

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.

Competitors Yamaha Grizzly 450 4x4

Yamaha equipment is very popular, but this does not save it from competition. The main opponent of the utilitarian Grizzly 450 model was the ATV:

Also, many buyers prefer domestic equipment developed by Stel or Russian Mechanics. Most often, riders choose the PM 500-2 model, which has high power and excellent equipment.

The Stealth ATV 500K will also be a good alternative to the Grizzly. The model has everything you need for work and rest: a powerful engine (33 hp), automatic clutch, CDI ignition, etc.

Brief characteristics and review of the Yamaha Wolverine 450 ATV

Yamaha has been a leader in the production of maneuverable ATVs for half a century. Yamaha all-terrain vehicles are leaders among other ATVs, because the company’s employees are constantly improving the designed models. The company's engineers make sure that the design and construction of ATVs correspond to the leadership positions that the company has taken in the world.

Like the Honda company, Yamaha began with the production of tricycles, but later retrained to produce ATVs, which were increasingly gaining popularity.

Specifications

The Yamaha Wolverine 450 ATV is a shining example of Yamaha quality. It combines agility and drive.

The design of this ATV cannot be undermined, but this is a Yamaha - there is nothing surprising here. The designers did a great job. The ATV combines the features of youth and maturity, thanks to its massiveness, masculinity, power, the all-terrain vehicle has the features of a utilitarian.

You are greeted by your clothes, but seen off by your mind. The “clothing” of the Yamaha Wolverine 450 is at the level. The developers and designers of the ATV put a lot of effort into it - the machine is stable and maneuverable. The all-terrain vehicle has a four-stroke single-cylinder engine with a capacity of 420 liters; according to engineers, its fuel requirement is much less than that of its predecessors.

Despite its power and endurance, the Yamaha Wolverine 450 ATV has reasonable dimensions and a relatively low weight of 250 kg. When you ride this ATV, you don't have to worry that you won't be able to overcome obstacles, or on long trips that you'll suddenly run out of fuel.

Main differences

The Yamaha Wolverine 450 ATV is distinguished from other sports ATVs by its convenience and stability, which greatly affects the quality of movement. The power and reliability of the all-terrain vehicle allows it to climb into difficult places. If you make a jump from a springboard, there is nothing to worry about here either - the ATV will land smoothly on the ground, and the loss of stability is minimal

Please note again, the power allows you to climb quite steep mountains

The Wolverine 450 ATV is one of the most striking models of sports ATVs that Yamaha specializes in. Comfort and power are two distinctive features of this ATV, and the design of the all-terrain vehicle also distinguishes it from other machines. Once you've ridden the Wolverine 450 once, you won't want to change it for another.

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Advantages and disadvantages of the model

The owners noted a number of advantages of the Grizzly 450 4×4:

• Improved design. Unlike its predecessor, the modification uses a solid frame, which increases the reliability of the device and reduces its weight.
• High quality brakes. Installing a sealing mechanism increased the efficiency of the system by 20%.
• Convenient change of drive modes. With On-Command, the rider can quickly change drive depending on the trail.
• High speed. The car easily accelerates to 80 km/h. The cruising speed of the vehicle on difficult off-road conditions is 50-55 km/h.
• Versatility. A powerful engine and sophisticated design allows the equipment to be used for tourism, walking, transporting or towing cargo, etc.

However, it was not without its drawbacks. The main disadvantage is the configuration. The delivery set includes only a bump stop, a seat without a backrest, wheels and two luggage racks. The driver will have to purchase everything else himself.