Yamaha’s 2009 Grizzly 550 FI 4×4 ATV

By Ray Larez
photos Frank Hoppen & Ray Larez

Yamaha is serious about having every corner of the ATV segment covered. Thanks in part to their first-in-class EFI (Electronic Power Steering), the Yamaha’s Grizzly 700 FI is now the best selling 4×4 ATV! And now Yamaha offers a new 550 FI 4×4 with all the same great features. Other than being 128cc shy in engine size, the 550 is pretty much the exact same ATV as the 2009 700. At a grand less in price this a great value in today’s competitive market. If the either the 700 or the 550 isn’t the right utility ATV for you Yamaha also has the following in their ATV arsenal; Grizzly 450 IRS, Grizzly 350 IRS, Grizzly 350, Grizzly 350 2WD, Grizzly 125, Big Bear 400 IRS and the Big Bear 250. For several years Yamaha has had quite a few different sized ATVs in their line up. Just when we thought that they had it pretty well covered they sent us an invitation to ride their all-new Grizzly 550 FI 4×4.

Let’s admit it, in this day and age with the cost of living going up as we speak, price is a big influence when it comes to larger purchases such as an ATV. It’s with this concern that Yamaha introduced their new Grizzly 550 FI – that and to fill the only void in their already impressive line-up. The new Grizzly has all the same impressive features of its big brother the Grizzly 700 FI, but with a a smaller price tag. It’s even available with the killer optional feature that its older brother has — electronic power steering, which will reflect the final cost of your ATV.

Yamaha invited us out to Lake Arrowhead, CA. to take on the trails and climb the mountainous terrain. So I packed my bags and headed to the scenic southern California mountain range. Once I arrived the Yamaha crew introduced us to all of the great features that the new Grizzly 550 FI has to offer. Of the list of impressive features I was most impressed with the opportunity for power steering, a revolutionary feature first introduced by Yamaha. I have to admit I was also pretty impressed with the cool digital dash display for fuel management and the ability to check my speed with just a glance.

Since it was pretty warm, even for the Southern California Mountains, the storage compartment on the right front fender was great for storing small bottles of water while out on the hot and dusty trails. Another feature worth mentioning is the bend in the lower A-arms. As most sport ATV riders know, Yamaha was the first to release an ATV with a bent lower A-arm (gull wing) on the YFZ450. Now with another industry first Yamaha introduces a lower A-arm with a totally different look for a totally different use. Now that the A-arm’s bend goes up they achieve more ground clearance over a wider area. With the Grizzly 550 utilizing the same chassis as the 700 makes this beast just as well behaved and just as durable.

If you thought utility ATVs are made for working on farms, you might want to swing a leg over the new Grizzly 550 or 700. Yamaha researchers report that the majority of Grizzly buyers are using their ATV for trail riding and exploring.

Base models are available for $7,799 MSRP in Steel Blue (pictured) as well as Black Metallic and Hunter Green. A Special Edition Grizzly (MSRP $8,399) is available in Red Midnight Armor and a Hunter Edition in Realtree™ AP HD® Camouflage (MSRP $8,199). Enough checking out the machine, it was time to ride. I geared up and we headed down the trail. Within a few minutes I realized this area offered a lot of terrain to test out Yamaha’s latest 4×4. This place had it all, from fire roads to small tight winding trails. We started off on some very easy terrain leaving the staging area. Nice for sitting down and enjoying the thicker seat they added to the Grizzly 550. Just as apparent was the IRS (Independent Rear Suspension). I was able to really appreciate how well the machine handled over these low-speed rocky trails. It felt like I was sitting on a couch at times. There where some small water crossings that the machine handled with no problem. We never really got them to stall out due to too much water, but nor did we really try. Regardless, Yamaha has that area covered with its new snorkel location for 2009. Both the Grizzly 700 and the 550 have improved air intake paths. So far no complaints, except for the horrible California dust, o well. You can’t have everything I guess. Since there had been little rain, there was plenty of red dust to deal with.

After cruising through the easy and intermediate trails, we headed to the Black Diamond Trials! This is where we could really see the machine shine and put the other features that the 4×4 machines are known for to good use. Before we even reached the hardcore trail many of the guys had switched their Grizzlies into 4-wheel drive.

Also gracing the Grizzly 550 FI is Yamaha’s industry-exclusive Ultramatic™ automatic transmission system. The transmission’s gearing makes full use of the powerband under a variety of riding situations, and the automatic centrifugal clutch maintains constant belt tension for reduced belt wear and industry-exclusive all-wheel downhill engine braking.

 

Two storage boxes are included. There’s one under the seat (4.8L) and another found in the right front fender (3.5L). They offer plenty of storage in a sealed, waterproof and water-resistant space.	The Grizzly’s fuel tank is placed under the seat for a lower center of gravity which allows better handling.	For those of you that need a real cushy seat, here you go. 6 inches of seat foam will make long rides seam short.

 As on the Grizzly 700 FI, the 550 features a forged piston for reduced weight and added durability, while an aluminum cylinder body with composite coating offers reduced weight, increased cooling ability and additional wear resistance. The roller rocker arms reduce friction in the valve train, which allows the engine to rev more freely leading to better overall performance and improved throttle response. The Grizzly 550 also receives an all-new cylinder head for improved throttle response and bottom end power. Lastly exhuast is handled by a rust resistant, rubber mounted full stainless steel unit. Well done Yamaha! All in all, this is a strong-running Grizzly to say the least. I decided I was going to take the trail like a real man and ride in 2-wheel drive for most of the trip. That all changed when I nearly launched the Grizzly of the side off a steep ledge while trying to get traction up the slippery slope. After looking down the 30 foot drop I quickly slipped it into sure-footed 4WD mode and grabbed the grips a little tighter. From then on I crawled up the gnarliest rocks with out slipping off the trail again. Once we arrived at the base of the Black Diamond Trail, we stopped to take a break, drink some water then it was right back at it. What a blast!

We continued up the rocky terrain and into a section that really allowed me to appreciate Yamaha’s electronic power steering. The word Wow came to mind. I always wondered what the real purpose of power steering on an ATV was. It was this section of the dusty rocky incline that I finally figured it out. I used to wonder what the big deal was. I know it was supposed to aid in rider fatigue. If you have ever drivin a truck and the power steering goes out you can truly feel the difference, but an ATV is a very small vehicle, so I didn’t think it could possible be that big of a deal. In fact I have to admit I kind of wanted to feel the front end myself and not have any computer aided devise between me and the trail, so I was actually going in with a negative mindset. Boy was I ever off. You really can’t even notice the power steering by just turning the machine left or right at speed, but slow down to struggle-speed while trying to maneuver through a bunch of rocks in 4WD – this is one instance when you too will understand why this is such a great invention. The first thing I noticed was that I never got the bars jerked out my hands after banging into a rock or rut. What a refreshing feeling. I’ve crashed from getting bars knocked out my hands, so not crashing helped change my mind quite a bit if you catch my drift. Yamaha’s power steering set up can actually tell how much pressure that you apply when you wrench the bars in a turn. So the more torque you apply to the bars the more the power steering responds. Pretty impressive, huh? In short it really makes the ride more controllable and a lot more fun. You don’t have to be the strongest and best rider in the world to pound your way through even the most technical terrain.

After we crested the top of some of the rockiest and steepest terrain I’ve ever attempted, with ease I might add, it was time to head back for lunch. Yamaha had a guest speaker from the forestry service there to explain some of the volunteer programs to help maintain and repair trails all over the country. They also explained how Yamaha has become very involved in the program. It is really great to see them come in at the corporate level and help keep our trails open.

Yamaha hit one out of the park when they introduced Power Steering on their Grizzly 700. In fact it helped make the Grizzly 700 FI the best selling big bore utility ATV on the market today! We’re happy to report that you’ll be able to have Yamaha’s ingenious EPS system on your new 550 as well. How’s it work? As the rider turns the handlebars and the torque- and speed-sensing EPS system senses the twisting force put on the handlebars and wheels, the electric motor kicks in and assists in the turn. The harder the rider turns, the more the EPS assists allowing the rider to tackle the toughest terrain with the least amount of effort. Does it really work, or is it a gimmick? No gimmicks here, we assure you – Yamaha’s EPS works incredible well. We have fallen in love with EPS, in our opinion it’s well worth the extra $700 to have this option on your new 550.

Not too many Utility ATVs look as sexy in stock form as this Metalic Black Grizzly 550 with black aluminum wheels wheels. Tires are Dunlop and feature a Yamaha-exclusive tread pattern for good traction without sacraficing rider comfort.

From water to rocks to mountainous trails, the Lake Arrowhead, California terrain offered plenty for our Grizzly 550 test unit. In the end it swallowed up just about everything this place dished out and didn’t miss a beat along the way. Shortly after lunch we prepared for another ride. This time we headed out for the tight and winding trails. There were so many twists, turns, ups and downs it felt like my own personal roller coaster. Just watch out for the low branches on nearby trees.The trails were awesome and the machines worked great without any issues. I guess if you want me to get real picky I think I would have liked a little more low-end grunt for lofting the front end over obstacles, but other than that I felt that there was plenty of power all around. I had the machine up to 50mph on some of the straighter trails and it felt very comfortable even at those high speeds.

Speaking of comfort, Yamaha increased the seat foam height for just a little more cushion for your bottom. Trust me, you will thank them for this after riding all day. The overall comfort of the machine was great as well, but I did have one issue with the foot pegs. Having more of a sport background and being used to the sharp and usually wider than normal peg design, I was a little disappointed with the Grizzly’s pegs. I would have liked a more aggressive peg to help keep my boots from slipping off under hard cornering.

Handling was great in the tight trails and the machine cornered exceptionally well. I had a lot of fun on some of the long fire roads where you could really open up the throttle. I was surprised at how well the 550 Grizzly could power slide through corners even at high speed. It was here I really appreciated its low center of gravity and stable design.

I have to admit. I didn’t think riding this machine would be all that fun. I guess it was my sport ATV background. In the end I was really glad I got to ride Yamaha’s mini Grizzly. I really enjoyed the ride especially when we tackled the real extreme stuff. In fact I’ll admit trail blazing on the 550 was just as much fun as sport riding or racing.

In an effort to reduce fatigue an all-new throttle lever shape is now used on the 2009 Grizzly 700 and 550.	The 2009 Grizzly gets an all-new open gate shifter. This is updated from the shifter found on the 2008 Grizzly 700. The new design allows the rider to easily see what gear he or she has selected; high, low, park, neutral or reverse.. It’s also 23mm longer for a 10% reduced shift effort. We like that’s it’s on the left and allows for an easy shift / throttle operation.	The three-way On-Command system, featuring push-button 2WD/4WD and 4WD with differential lock, compliments the Grizzly 550 FI powerhouse. Located on the right handlebar, the push-button is at the rider’s fingertips to command all four wheels as the terrain dictates, but you will need to take your thumb off the throttle to make the change

Water crossing like this one are no problem for the Grizzly. The air intake is located on top of the engine. This allows for easier access and service as well as helps to keep water and other debris from entering the air box. Also updated for 2009 is a new filter design, which features a water trap to increase water resistance.

Another popular feature found on both the 700 and now the 550 is the class leading four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Most full-featured models see three discs, two up front and one on the rear axle, which controls braking for both rear wheels. In the case of the Grizzly 550 FI, brake calipers are coupled to each wheel individually for unmatched braking feel and power. And, unlike many utility ATVs, Yamaha allows us to operate the front and rear brakes separatelyWe pulled into camp and I thought that was it for the day. I started taking my gear off when the Yamaha boys asked if we wanted to take a trail ride over to the other lake. It was an hour and a half ride so a few of the magazine guys at the intro were a little skeptical. Before I knew it everyone was suited up and on their way. I had already taken off my boots so I thought I would sit this one out. I’m thrilled that I changed my mind at the last second and quickly put my gear back on just in time to join the crew. I had so much fun riding earlier I just couldn’t let this long ride slip though my hands. We all headed out with our trusty Grizzly 550s which seemed just as eager to take on the trail as we were. Little did I know it but this would offer a true test of comfort and how well rounded this machine truly was. After riding all day I was pretty beat, but with all that in mind I was still very comfortable and was still enjoying the ride 110%. That’s a feeling that you don’t seem to get with a sport quad.

As we continued we came up on the rockiest trails of the day. “Bring it on”, I thought to myself as I hammered through the rough terrain. We arrived at the lake and quickly set out for more riding. No arguing here. The more you ride the Grizzly the more you don’t want to get off of it. As we continued we rolled up on the most treacherous trails of the day. It was here that only the bravest would dare to continue. One of Yamaha’s guys decided to challenge the 550 and took on an enormous hill. The hill was so steep they sectioned portions of it off with barriers to try to ward off riders from attempting it. It was basically a cliff. He didn’t seem to care much and went for it any way. He gunned the sure-footed Grizzly and made it all the way to the top. The rest of us didn’t like the fact that he nearly flipped while trying to get to the top so we decided to take the easy route by going around the hill and headed back for camp.

Does the 550 get up and go? Absolutely! Quick throttle response is aided by Yamaha’s Fuel Injection system. YFI offers perfectly dialed in performance at any elevation as the system is able to detect and compensate for changes in altitude. The more precise fuel delivery offered by the YFI makes consistent power, better throttle response and improved fuel economy under a multitude of riding situations. In addition, YFI means no choke and easier cold starting. The all-too-important low-to-mid-range power is improved but those who want a little more grunt might look for an aftermarket exhaust to better compliment the strong-running engine.

Fully independent wishbone front and independent rear suspension (IRS) ensures optimal traction and terrainability from the Grizzly 550. The adjustable suspension in both the front and rear offers the rider the versatility to set-up the ATV for all riding conditions. Featuring 7.1 inches of travel up front and a class-leading 9.5 inches in the rear, the Grizzly 550 FI is tackled even the toughest rocky terrain we could find. What’s more, 11.8 inches of ground clearance makes it an unrivaled trail performer. The Grizzly 550 FI also features the Yamaha-exclusive WideArc front suspension, which offers five inches of more useable ground clearance in front. The front and rear shocks are mounted lower on the A-arm compared to competitive models, which improves the low center of mass feeling.

New A-arm guards cover more surface area, which increases protection of vital components. While we’re talking about protecting vital components from rock damage, you’ll be glad to know that Yamaha has also improved their CV boot material. It’s now tear-proof and more resistant to the elements.

It’s 2009, your ATV should look the part right? Yamaha agrees and offers this modern-day LCD display. The new display offers a dual trip meter, speedometer and odometer in addition to gear selection, fuel level indicator, On-Command™ indicator, and EPS and fuel injection indicator lights. The EPS and fuel injection indicator lights let the rider know when the systems need to be serviced according to the self diagnostic system.At the end of the day I put 70 miles on my machine and had not one issue, not even a flat tire. Handling, suspension, power were all well done. Yamaha has a real winner in the Grizzly 550. The experience and the ride that the Grizzly offered has entirely changed my opinion of rec riding on a 4×4 ATV. On the contrary, I have to admit I’m more looking forward to an up coming Grizzly 550 long term ride test than I am with any of the sport quads in my future.

I have always been more concerned with racing, dune riding or sport riding and never even thought about swinging a leg over a big utility quad, but I’m here to tell you that this Yamaha Grizzly 550 has changed my mind as to the amount of fun that’s possible away from the sport class. This vehicle has opened my eyes to a whole new way of ATVing.

I found it especially appealing that I was able to push the Grizzly to its limits and ride it almost as hard as I would on any sport ATV. Before the Grizzly these big utilities were a bit too heavy and it took a lot of effort to muscle them around. But with technological improvements like their smooth electronic fuel injected power delivery and their outstandingly well-done electronic power steering Yamaha has certainly made 4×4 ATVing a ton of fun!

When the trail ride is over and it’s time to get some work done the Grizzly 550 impressively handles the job. The SecureMount rack system, which offers superior fit and finish with Genuine Yamaha Accessories, can handle 99 pounds of weight up front and a whopping 187 pounds of carrying capacity on the rear rack. Pulling power is quite good as well. You can tow 1,322 pounds.

2009 Grizzly 550 FI (EPS) Automatic 4X4 Specs:

Engine Type – 558cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, SOHC

Bore x Stroke – 92mm x 84mm

Compression Ratio – 9.3:1

Carburetion – Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) , 40mm

Ignition – 32 Bit ECU

Starting System – Electric

Transmission – Yamaha Ultramatic V-Belt / H,L,N,R,P

Engine Braking – All Wheel

Drive Train – Yamaha On-Command push button 3-way locking differential, 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; Shaft

Suspension/ Front – Independent Double Wishbone, 7.1” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment.
Suspension/ Rear – Independent Double Wishbone, 9.5” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment.

Brakes/ Front – Dual Hydraulic Disc,
Brake/ Rear – Dual Hydraulic Disc,

Tires/ Front – AT25x8-12 w/ Aluminum Wheels
Tires/ Rear – AT25x10-12 w/Aluminum Wheels

LxWxH – 81.3”x46.5”x48.8”

Seat Height – 35.6”

Wheel Base – 49.2”

Turning Radius – 126”

Ground Clearance – 11.8”

Fuel Capacity – 5.3 Gallons

Dry Weight – 600 Lbs

Rack Capacity – 99 Lbs.Fr. / 187 Lbs. Rr.

Towing Capacity – 1,322 Lbs.

Instrumentation – Digital LCD Multi-function display. Speedo, Odo, Dual Trip, Hour, Clock, Fuel, and Gear Position

Lighting – Dual 35W Halogen Multi-reflector Headlights & 21/5W Brake light

2009 Grizzly 550 FI (Non-EPS) Automatic 4X4 Specs

Engine Type – 558cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, SOHC

Bore x Stroke – 92mm x 84mm

Compression Ratio – 9.3:1

Carburetion – Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) , 40mm

Ignition – 32 Bit ECU

Starting System – Electric

Transmission – Yamaha Ultramatic V-Belt / H,L,N,R,P

Engine Braking – All Wheel

Drive Train – Yamaha On-Command push button 3-way locking differential, 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; Shaft

Suspension/ Front – Independent Double Wishbone, 7.1” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment.
Suspension/ Rear – Independent Double Wishbone, 9.5” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment.

Brakes/ Front – Dual Hydraulic Disc,
Brake/ Rear – Dual Hydraulic Disc,

Tires/ Front – AT25x8-12
Tires/ Rear – AT25x10-12

LxWxH – 81.3”x46.5”x48.8”

Seat Height – 35.6”

Wheel Base – 49.2”

Turning Radius – 126”

Ground Clearance – 11.8”

Fuel Capacity – 5.3 Gallons

Dry Weight – 600 Lbs

Rack Capacity – 99 Lbs.Fr. / 187 Lbs. Rr.

Towing Capacity – 1,322 Lbs.

Instrumentation – Digital LCD Multi-function display. Speedo, Odo, Dual Trip, Hour, Clock, Fuel, and Gear Position

Lighting – Dual 35W Halogen Multi-reflector Headlights & 21/5W Brake light

Below are just a few of the Genuine Yamaha Accessories available for the Grizzly: 

More at yamaha-motor.com

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