First Look: 2006 Yamaha Sport ATVs

Perhaps it was the 226% increase in sport ATV sales over the last six years that lit the fire under Yamaha. Big blue gave both of its sport quads some serious attention for 2006 and has some exciting new changes. We recently got our first peek of the re-vamped YFZ450 and the all-new Raptor 700R (yes, that's right, 700--not 660)!

2006 YFZ450

The racing-focused 450 received a host of changes mostly aimed at more power and better delivery--the short version of the YFZ's changes is the YZ/WR motorcycle top end was bolted on for healthier low-to-mid power.

Yamaha gave some attention to rider comfort with more seat foam--on the sides as well as the top--and a rethought handlebar and mount setup. The overall bar height is up 5mm via a 20mm taller mount and a 15mm flatter bar bend. The refinements also focused on stopping-power with a two-piston rear brake and relocated higher capacity reservoir.

2006 Raptor 700R

However, the big news was the all-new Raptor. The sharp-eyed might have noticed the 700R already. There is practically nothing in common with last year's 660R beyond the Raptor name and the Yamaha blue color.

On the Raptor the major focus was comfort and improved handling leaving Yamaha engineers to basically create a whole new model. Engine displacement grew to 686cc, yet the head is 21% lighter than the 660's via a simplified 4-valved SOHC system. The vibrations are smoothed out thanks to a twin counterbalancer setup. The new Raptor features the Yamaha Fuel Injection system with a 16-bit ECU that handles the jetting chores from 600 feet below to 15,000 feet above sea level.

Yamaha didn't stop there; engineers also overhauled the chassis and body styling. The hybrid frame is part steel and part aluminum, enabling engineers to redistribute the weight bias to five pounds more up front and 17 less in the rear. The new hybrid frame lengthen the wheelbase 1.5 inches and add 2.5 inch to the wheelbase-width.

The 700R shares A-Arms with the YFZ450 and nearly identical steering geometry. New Dunlop tires round out the list of changes to the Raptor's handling improvements. Even with the displacement increase, the 700R is two pounds lighter than the 660R at a slim, 396 pounds.

Look for more details on the new Yamaha Sport ATVs coming in the September issue of ATV Rider magazine!