Yamaha’s 2009 ATV Line Up

Yamaha recently invited us out to the Balboa Bay Club in luxurious Newport Beach, California to check out their 2009 line up.

A fuel-injected aluminum-framed YFZ450 was not mentioned but rumors are floating around that Yamaha’s 450 race quad will indeed receive major upgrades for 2009. Since the YFZ was never mentioned at this intro, we’re expecting that Yamaha will unveil their 2009 YFZ details to us within in the next few months. As soon as we get the word, we’ll let you know what to expect on the 2009 YFZ450.

As for official 2009 line up news from Yamaha, here’s the low down…

Sport:
Two new machines were announced, a Raptor 90 and a Grizzly 550 4×4, which will be available as early as August. The Raptor 700R, which is the best selling sport ATV in the industry, receives a few impressive improvements including new front shocks, a new thumb throttle, a new digital dash mounted meter, a wave style rear brake disc, grab bar, heel guards, and revised styling and graphics.

The Wolverine 450 4×4, Wolverine 350 2WD, and Raptor 350 will return unchanged for 2009.

The 2009 Raptor gets a revised front cowl, updated styling and a new digital meter that includes a Speedometer, Dual Trip Meters, an Odometer, a Clock, Warning Indicators and Full Diagnostic Capabilities

New 2009 Raptor 90
Yamaha made junior’s ride look just like dad’s, as the new Raptor 90 looks like a scaled down Raptor 700R. Yamaha’s latest mini uses an 88cc air-cooled engine that features a fully automatic CVT transmission. Parents can adjust the CDI rev limiter from 4,800 RPM to the 8,000 RPM unrestricted mode.

Integrated full floorboards (with Raptor 80 foot pegs) and low profile Maxxis tires are used. In the rear a 5-way pre-load adjustable shock is used. Also found out back is 3.3” of suspension travel and a hydraulic rear disc. Up front double A-arms are used with 5-way pre-load adjustable shocks. There’s 4.4” of front suspension travel. A molded front grab bar is used just like dad’s Raptor 700R. Dual sealed front drum brakes make up the front braking department.

At the time no price was available, but Yamaha did say the cost will be significantly lower than the competition’s. It will be available in typical Yamaha blue and white as well as black and white with dual graphic kits.

Double A-Arms are used up front with a Raptor 80 Leading Arm. There’s 4.4” of Front Suspension Travel (the Raptor 80 has 2.3”). 5-Way Pre-load Adjustable Shocks are used all around. Check out the sharp mini Raptor 700R molded front grab bar. In the rear,

Junior gets his own key along with safe integrated full floorboards. The Raptor 90 also comes with low profile Maxxis tires.

The Raptor 90 will be available Yamaha blue and black and white with Yamaha’s dual graphics kit.

2009 Raptor 90 Specs
Engine Type –	88cc, 4-Stroke Single, Air Cooled, SOHC
Bore x Stroke –	47mm x 51mm
Compression Ratio –	10.2:1
Carburetion –	SVR 22mm
Ignition –	CDI
Starting System –	Electric
Transmission –	V-belt Automatic
Drive Train –	2WD; Chain
Suspension/ Front–	Ind Dbl Wishbone, 4.4” w/ 5-way Preload Adj
Suspension/ Rear –	Swing Arm, 3.3” w/ 5-way Preload Adj.
Brakes/ Front –	Dual Sealed Drum
Brake/ Rear –	Hydraulic Disc
Tires/ Front –	AT18x7-8
Tires/ Rear –	AT18x9-8
LxWxH –	58.7”x 34.8”x 35.8”
Seat Height –	25.7”
Wheel Base –	39.8”
Ground Clearance –	3.9”
Fuel Capacity –	1.3 Gallons
Dry Weight –	254 Lbs
Lighting –	None

 Utility and SxS:
The award-winning Grizzly 700, the world’s first ATV featuring power steering, is pretty much the same quad as last year’s with the exception of an improved thumb throttle and a revised ceramic coated cylinder. The compact sized Grizzly 450 gets new 700 inspired front end styling, new sealed brakes, a 2” receiver hitch, a new sealed inner fender storage compartment and a thicker and more comfortable seat.

Yamaha is very much responsible for the exploding Side X Side market, actually they invented it with their 2004 Rhino 660. As for 2009 improvements the new Rhinos are about the same as last year’s models except the 2009 gets a Grizzly 700 engine upgrade which features Yamaha’s new four valve ceramic composite cylinder. An all new air filter location is also used on all of the 2009 Rhino UTVs. Yamaha opted to use the space under the hood for its choice intake spot. The new location should reduce intake noise. It also offers tool-free service. Bed rails are also found on the 2009 units.

We’re told the Rhino will be available in some new SE colors for ’09 including Brushed Silver, Black Metallic and Red Mid-Night Armor. Blue and red carbon fiber “Water-Dipped Body Kits” will also be available in 2009. Speaking of colors and styles, a limited (as in only 200) custom paint body kits will be available from Yamaha which include; “Real Fire”, “Blue Flame” and “Silver/Red Torn”.

New for 2009 Rhino models is this new air intake location found in the front of the machine under the hood. The new location is said to make less intake noise and servicing the air filter should be easier.
New 2009 Grizzly 550 FI 4×4
The 550 Grizzly comes with Yamaha’s first in class power steering. If you haven’t rode a quad with power steering you need to try one for yourself. The ride is amazing. Check out our Gizzly 700 ride review for all the details of this incredible ATV breakthrough. In short you’ll notice much lighter steering effort under all conditions, inclduing Diff. Lock.In 2007 Yamaha offered two Big Bear and six Grizzly utility models. Seeing the only missing spot in their wide utility line up Yamaha engineers went to work to make a 500 class 4×4 model available for 2009.

Yamaha’s mission was to equip their new 500 class ute with as much attention to detail as their mighty award-winning 700. With that said, the 550 gets the following; power steering, a 558cc fuel injected engine based on the 700 FI’s engine, a stainless steel exhaust system, Yamaha’s Ultramatic Transmission, an industry exclusive 4-wheel hydraulic disc braking system with a handlebar mounted rear master cylinder and separate front and rear controls, On-Command push button 4WD, an improved thumb throttle shape, an optimized crank balance, a direct drive shaft, under seat fuel tank, front and rear 5-way pre-load adjustable suspension, a dash mounted digital meter, a high mounted air intake and exhaust duct, a water trap equipped airbox, a left hand side gate-style shifter, under the seat and fender mounted sealed storage, new A-arm guards, and a 6ix inch thick plush seat. As you can see, they mean business with their new 550. We’re looking forward to a full ride review on this impressive new 4×4.

Here’s more on the new 2009 Yamaha Grizzly 550 FI 4×4…

Yamaha’s new 558cc engine is based on the Grizzly 700 FI. It’s smaller thanks to a reduced 92mm bore, but features a Ceramic Composite Plated Cylinder and Roller Rocker Arms to reduce friction. The valve pitch, seen here, matches the valve and combustion chamber size to 558cc which Yamaha says will improved throttle response and bottom end power. We can’t wait to try this baby out. Stay tuned for a detailed ride review in a few months.

Check out the industry exclusive 4-wheel braking system that Yamaha is using on the new 550. It features a handlebar mounted rear master cylinder and separate front and rear controls that operate front and rear hydraulic brakes. We’re appreciative that Yamaha allows us to operate the front and rear brakes seperately, unlike some models in production.

Yamaha is expecting you to tackle serious mud and water with their new 550. That’s why they offer this new air filter layout, which is mounted as high as possible on the machine. Check out the water trap incorporated in the airbox unit.

Yamaha tells us there is six inches of foam in the 550’s seat. That should offer a comfortable ride to say the least. Also seen here is the left side shifter. Gears for the 550 offer new ratios for easier engagement and operation. The left hand operation

A 4.8L sealed storge container is found under the seat, while a 3.5L sealed container is located within the front fender. On the dash is a Speedometer, Odometer, Dual Trips, Clock, Hour Meter, 4-Wheel Drive Indicator, Transmission Position, Fuel Gauge and

Yamaha’s new imroved thumb throttle shape is said to improved feel and offer the rider less fatigue in his thumb. Shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive is easy enough with this 2wd/4wd/Diff Lock push button, but we would rather have this on the left side of the bars.

As you can see above, Yamaha is pretty serious about entering the new 500cc utility class…

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