Once given the basic instructions on all of the controls for the unit, our rider fired up the 90 and was on his way. We laid out a small course that featured elevation changes, sharp turns on hard-packed surfaces and a small whooped-out path to put the suspension through its paces. Since this was his first time on the Raptor 90, he was taking things slow and easy out of the gate to get familiar with its performance and reactions. It was apparent he was adapting to the machine nicely as he began riding more aggressively with every lap down. It wasn't long before he was sliding the rear end into the turns, standing up and charging through the choppy course and even getting some air coming out of the creek bed. From our vantage point there were no indications that our tester was fighting its handling.
After several hours of test time and a serious beating on the course, I signaled him in to start picking his brain on the details he liked or disliked about the machine. It seemed the first major problem would be pulling off his helmet due to the huge grin on his face. On a scale from one to 10, he rated the overall performance at a nine. He stated that the power felt stronger on the R90 than on various other units he's ridden previously. The R90's steering and handling met and exceeded his expectations. On the downside, the harder he pushed, and we noticed this ourselves, the front end would dig out the face of small jumps, meaning it was a bit on the soft side. Tightening the preload helped and was certainly not a deal breaker.
From a parent's standpoint, we felt the R90 was not cramped and would offer plenty of room for growth before being traded in for a larger-sized machine down the road. The engine was not overly loud, and the power seemed more than adequate for the learning stages and while growing in ability. Although we would prefer to see hydraulic front disc brakes all the way around to make stopping easier for the little hands of those learning to ride, stopping was never an issue. We also think parents will appreciate the fact that its speed output can be limited with a simple plug-in to the CDI while they are learning to ride. The R90 appeared upon inspection to offer typical good Yamaha quality and seemed as if maintenance tasks would be simple and easy to perform for even the less experienced mechanics.
Overall, we feel confident in saying after our initial testing of the Raptor 90 that it's worthy of introducing those young and inexperienced riders to the off-road and is a product that parents can trust. As the youth rider's performance demands grow with experience, they will likely be limited by the abilities of the suspension. We certainly feel that after a few years of use before your child upgrades to a larger machine, the R90 will easily be one that can be kept in a parent's arsenal to later be handed down for younger siblings to learn on.
2010 Yamaha Raptor 90
Retail price: $2699
Engine
Type: 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve
Displacement: 88cc
Bore x stroke: 47.0x51.0mm
Cooling: Air-cooled
Fuel system: SVR22 carburetor
Starting: Electric, kickstart backup
Drivetrain
Drive system: Chain, 2x4
Transmission: Automatic CVT
Suspension (Type/Travel)
Front: Independent dual A-arms (5-way preload adj.)/4.4 in.
Rear: Swingarm (5-way preload adj.)/3.3 in.
Tires/Brakes
Front tires/wheels: Maxxis AT18x7-8/steel wheels
Rear tires/wheels: Maxxis AT18x9-8/steel wheels
Front brakes: Dual sealed drum
Rear brakes: Hydraulic disc
Dimensions
Wet weight: 264 lb
Ground clearance: 3.9 in.
Length/Width/Height: 58.7/34.8/35.8 in.
Seat height: 25.7 in.
Turning radius: 114.0 in.
Fuel capacity: 1.3 gal.
Lighting: None
Color: White with graphics kit
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Good amounts of power for kids of all sizes;
good handling and easy to adapt to |
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Suspension is soft for aggressive riders |
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A great quad that will suit the
needs of most entry-level riders. |