Yamaha 2009 SE Sport Quads

By Nic Granlund
Photos by Adam Campbell

For a few years now I’ve heard of all the fun that Yamaha dishes out at their annual Glamis outing, but this year I got to experience it first hand.

It worked out perfect for me. I was in route from my home in Las Vegas to Phoenix, AZ, and had a few extra days to kill. I can’t think of a better way to kill time than riding Yamaha’s new Special Edition Raptor 700R and YFZ450R sport quads. Needless to say I altered my course and aimed my motor home for Southern California.

When I pulled in at the Geco Road area the first thing I saw was the Yamaha semi truck and trailer along with a sea of shiny brand new Yamaha SE Raptors and YFZs, many of which included lots of GYTR goodies that glistened beautifully in the sun. It looked like a giant dealer show room in the middle of the sand dunes.

Since I would be hanging out with plenty of friends in the industry and a good bunch of guys from Yamaha I knew this would be two fun-filled memorable days.

As I walked past the line of quads we would soon be roosting sand with I noticed the 2009 Raptor 700R SE with its red frame, black plastic and red marble hood. It really stood out against the other Raptors. I quickly swung a leg over one. “Wow, this is going to be a blast! I can’t wait until we go on a big dune ride”, I said to myself as I moved around on it like a little kid.

Color isn’t all you get on the SE Raptor. Besides the color and graphics, this year’s Special Edition Raptor 700Rs also features a wave-style rear disc brake, a GYTR front grab bar and GYTR heel guards.

Since I arrived early, I felt honored to be one of very few to see and touch the bad-to-the-bone black YFZ450R Special Edition unit that Adam Campbell just got done shooting at his studio the day prior. I’m not typically a big fan of black, but this murdered-out all-black YFZ looked absolutely incredible. Even the amazing photos that Adam captured don’t do this baby justice.

While checking it out in detail I noticed that it had quick-release Zeus fasteners instead of bolts to hold the plastic to the frame. Now you can slip off the fenders and body work in seconds without using any tools. How cool is that! The SE model also features red shock springs and a GYTR black front grab bar.

Sand Roosting Time
After the Yamaha staff explaining the new SE models to all the media in attendance it was time to ride. Since I already have a good amount of time on the new YFZ450R, I was especially looking forward to shredding up some serious sand on the big Raptor 700R SE so that was the quad I grabbed for our first ride.

We headed out to legendary Oldsmobile Hill. On the way there I noticed the shocks worked absolutely perfect for me. I don’t think they were trying to especially fit the settings to my size and weight but I found the Raptor’s ride was dialed in really well. It felt super plush and extremely smooth. Meanwhile the engine on the Raptor makes amazing torque and effortless power. Combined with the superb suspension, the Raptor gives you a really confident feeling in the dunes. I think it’s the best dune quad you can buy right now.

A new feature for the 2009 Raptor 700R is its new digital dash-mounted speedometer. I don’t recommend looking at it for too long at high speeds as your time is much better spent scanning the terrain ahead of you than looking down. I say this with experience because I had a few close calls while trying to see how fast I could make the Raptor sing. I won’t be specific, but I did see a speed beginning with the number seven on the dash.

As you can see in the photos I also spent some time on a 2009 YFZ450R SE. I have to say it’s one of the best handling ATVs that I’ve ever ridden in the dunes, especially with all the GYTR products on it.

We rode all day and then when the sun began to go down, while the Yamaha staff prepared dinner for everyone, we went out and for a sunset photo shoot. As always, Adam nailed a bunch of killer photos. When the sun was completely gone we turned on the headlights and headed back to camp for dinner.

Camp-side Fun
After dinner Yamaha’s Van Holmes had a special competition for us. He had set up three horse shoe pits in the sand near the campfire. Needless to say a fierce competition between the Yamaha staff, the print rags and the Internet sites was underway. The tournament lasted for hours and was a complete blast. We played brackets and before I knew it everyone except myself and Roy Blodwoorth were eliminated. I gave him a good run in the finals, but ended up finishing runner-up. Yamaha had supplied some great prizes for the top players and we all had a fantastic time.

Summing it Up
Glamis is always a blast but when Yamaha puts a ride together it’s way more fun than usual. I spent the rest of the trip eating great food, shooting lots of photos and duning my butt off. We went on a memorable ride to China Wall, found some killer jumps and I got to go on a really fast dune ride with Yamaha factory racer and test rider Dustin Nelson. We really ripped up the dunes on a couple of GYTR prepped YFZ450Rs. What a complete blast!

Summing it up, I’m really impressed and thankful for the opportunity. It’s true what I’ve heard, Yamaha’s annual dune ride is about the most fun you can possibly have at Glamis. And in the midst of a fun-packed couple of days I learned that they really take pride in their ATV lineup. This really shows when you ride them long and hard like we did. From the smooth electric-like effortless power to the perfectly-tuned suspension and handling, Yamaha really has done their homework in their Raptor and YFZ sport quads.

2009 Yamaha Raptor 700R SE Key Features:

Raptor 700R Special Edition includes wave-style rear brake disc, dealer-installed GYTR® front grab bar and heel guards, plus special graphics and colors.

America’s best-selling sport ATV becomes the first with a digital meter. Riders have plenty of information available at a glance, including speedometer, dual trip meters, odometer, clock and engine warning indicators, plus neutral and reverse indicators.

New piggyback shocks have 5mm longer stroke for excellent sport-riding comfort, and are fully adjustable with convenient adjustment knobs to fine-tune the ride.

A 686cc Yamaha fuel-injected engine makes this the most powerful Yamaha sport ATV ever, with big torque right off idle, transitioning into a fat midrange and monstrous top end.

Hybrid steel and aluminum frame with a Controlled Fill aluminum subframe and cast swingarm pivot combine to produce a super-strong structure.

Aggressive styling reflects Raptor 700R’s intent, and YFZ-inspired handling means it walks the walk, too.

Long-travel suspension—9.1 inches front, 10.1 rear—a cush seat and excellent ergonomics make the Raptor 700R comfortable to ride hard all day long.

New for 2009: Raptor 700R is now the first sport ATV with a digital meter. Newly designed meter provides speedometer, dual trip meters, odometer, clock, warning indicators for coolant and low fuel, plus neutral and reverse indicators.

New SOQI piggyback shocks have 5mm longer stroke for excellent sport-riding comfort, with high- and low-speed compression adjustability, rebound and preload adjustability, and 9.1-inch travel.

Thumb throttle lever has a new, smooth shape for a feel riders will appreciate, with less fatigue at the end of the day.

Front-end styling has been updated, with a new look for the front cowl.

Special Edition gets a wave-type rear disc for great braking ability and race-ready looks, plus special front grab bar and footwells.

 

Engine:
Forged lightweight piston, connecting rod and crankshaft in the 686cc engine are light and strong, for a hard-hitting, quick-revving powerplant that revs all the way to 9000 rpm. Dual counterbalancers keep it smooth.

Yamaha fuel injection means consistently excellent engine performance in a wide range of conditions, elevations and temperatures.

Competition-spec dry-sump lubrication system boosts usable horsepower and keeps overall engine size more compact.

Digital TCI w/16-bit electronic control unit controls fuel injection and ignition systems for consistent performance and fantastic throttle response.

Reliable pushbutton electric start in any gear adds extra convenience.

Race-bred five-speed transmission with reverse, along with Raptor 700R’s monstrous powerband, means there’s a choice of gears in just about all situations.

YZ-spec ratchet shifter ensures smooth, resistance-free shifting under power. Heavy-duty clutch features extra-sturdy basket and plates designed to harness the Raptor 700R’s power.

Easy-to-reach oil filter and tool-free air filter.

 

Chassis/Suspension:
State-of-the-art chassis combines a steel front section with an aluminum rear section and detachable subframe to create a super-strong structure.

Compact, CAD-designed chassis creates the ideal wheelbase for light, quick, super-accurate steering.

YZ-style piggyback rear shock gives 10.1-inch wheel travel with high- and low-speed compression adjustability for maximum sport versatility, along with preload and rebound adjustment.

Front brake master cylinder features an adjustable lever for increased comfort and feel.

Drilled rear brake disc reduces unsprung weight for improved suspension action and excellent braking feel on the Raptor 700R SE.

Cast aluminum swingarm carries a eccentric quick-adjust drive chain mechanism that takes most of the work out of that task.

Handlebar-mounted flip-type parking brake lever and rear brake caliper adjust automatically.

High-performance 21×7-10 front and 20×10-9 rear Dunlop® radials with a specially designed tread pattern deliver superb, class-leading traction for razor-sharp handling in a variety of terrain and conditions.

Lightweight aluminum wheels help enhance suspension performance by reducing unsprung weight.

YFZ450 twin-aluminum-piston front disc brakes and rear disc deliver tremendous stopping power with less unsprung weight.

YFZ450 45mm serrated footpegs provide excellent boot traction.

Controlled-fill aluminum subframe is light and strong. So is the composite front grab bar.

 

Additional Features:
Long, YZ-style seat allows maximum rider comfort and movement with superb sport-riding ergonomics.

YFZ450 30-watt multi-reflector Krypton headlights set back in the front cowl add the perfect no-compromises sporting accent, and an LED taillight provides great visibility.

Large-capacity, 2.9-gallon fuel tank and Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI) mean more time on the trail between fill-ups.

 

2009 Yamaha YFZ450R SE Key Features:
All NEW FOR 2009
• The YFZ450R SE features striking black plastic with quick-release fasteners for no-tools installation
and removal of the front and rear fenders, special graphics, red shock springs and a dealer-installed
GYTR black front grab bar.
• In ATV motocross, great power output doesn’t mean much without superior handling. YFZ450R
delivers! Nearly three inches wider overall than the YFZ450, the stance of this new 450R is
motocross-ready. The frame is designed of lightweight aluminum, with a tension-steel bottom frame
that lets the engine sit lower for excellent mass centralization. Suspension components have more
travel carefully chosen for best performance, and the front shock bodies feature Kashima coating for
even smoother operation.
• Fatigue can sometimes be a racer’s worst competition. That’s why the YFZ450R’s designers made
this ATV so comfortable. It’s much roomier, with plenty of room to hang off in the corners, and the
seat is padded just right to be more comfortable regardless of riding position. Handlebars are 4-
position adjustable, too, so every rider can choose the best position, and the throttle has been
designed for all day comfort. What’s more, the engine balancer has been revised to even further
reduce vibration.
• This 449cc engine uses the cylinder head and cylinder from the championship-winning YZ450 for
awesome power output. That means titanium five-valve cylinder head technology, with a camshaft
designed just for this machine to deliver abundant low to midrange torque for performance where
you can really use it to take the lead – while still maintaining a super strong top end to let you pull
away from the pack.
• The YFZ450R adopts fuel injection for precise fuel delivery. With big 42mm Mikuni® throttle body
and 12-hole injector, this system provides exceptional atomization of the fuel for maximum power.
The system also includes ISC (Idle Speed Control) for easy, reliable start-up and warming.
• This ATV is designed to make race prep easy. Body panels come off easily for service; there’s no
need to remove the battery or other components to get the fenders off. The aluminum frame is
bolted together, rather than welded, for maximum durability. And the oil tank is integrated with the
crankcase so it’s easier to service the engine.

Engine:
• The fuel-injected 449cc engine uses the cylinder head and cylinder from the YZ450 for superb power
characteristics. Power delivery is smooth and strong off the line with lots of low and mid range where
you need it. As rpm climbs you’ll find the same top end punch that has made the YFZ450 such a
fierce competitor and class leader.
• The new crankcase holds the newly designed crankshaft that’s ready to handle the increased torque
output, as well as the counterbalancer that has an increased ratio for superior vibration control. The
crankcase also houses the oil tank, which helps to centralize mass for unmatched handling and
makes maintenance easier.
• Camshafts are all new for this model, and are designed to maximize the torque available in the low
and mid ranges.
• Fuel injection uses a 12-hole injector that provides exceptional atomization of the fuel for maximum
combustion efficiency and power delivery. The system also uses a big, 42mm Mikuni® throttle body
and includes ISC (Idle Speed Control) for easy, reliable start-up and warming.

Chassis/Suspension:
• The chassis is very spacious, allowing room for an aggressive racer to move around during the moto,
and the ATV’s body panels that the rider contacts during operation are of a special, softer plastic
material for greater comfort. And the seat is narrow in the front, yet wide and padded in the rear to
provide a more comfortable ride, even when hanging off on the side of the seat in a turn.
• Wheels are set motocross-spec wide, near the maximum allowable 50 inches, for great cornering
ability.
• The newly designed Dunlop® front tires have a superb combination of the right compound, tire
profile, tread pattern, and sidewall-to-tread-center-stiffness ratio to provide outstanding comfort,
bump absorption, and precise cornering performance. The rear Dunlop® tires also help the rider
achieve a high level of performance with superb feedback in turns and great grip on the turn exit. At
20 inches in the rear and 21 inches in the front, the tires also provide much better ground clearance
than the competition. That makes the YFZ450R fun to ride off-road, too.
• ProTaper® handlebars are mounted on 4-way clamps for exceptional adjustability. There are two
sets of holes in the handlebar crown, and eccentric clamps so the rider can choose the standard
setting, 10mm or 20mm forward, or 10mm back.
• Foot pegs are a huge 65mm wide, something riders will appreciate every time they want to get up on
the pegs, with good kick-up on the ends for solid footing.
• The all-new frame is aluminum for lightweight, except for the frame member under the engine. Here
tensioned steel is used for its combination of strength and thinness. This allowed the designers to sit
the engine lower overall for excellent mass centralization for unmatched handling.
• The front frame is noticeably narrow at the A-arm mounting points. This dramatically reduces
changes in camber as the long A-arms travel through their full range of motion. The front 44mm KYB
shocks have Kashima coating for smooth operation with superb bump absorption and excellent antibottoming
characteristics. The 9.8 inches of wheel travel means this racer is up to even the most
challenging tracks.
• The rear swingarm is crafted of strong, gravity-fed aluminum, and it’s matched to a fully adjustable
46mm KYB piggyback shock absorber for excellent handling. Rear wheel travel is 11 inches for
comfort even on tough terrain.
• For excellent stopping ability, YFZ450R features dual front hydraulic disc brakes and a trick looking,
lightweight wave-type rear rotor.

Additional Features:
• The new throttle lever requires less effort, and it’s very comfortable to use. That means less fatigue
during all-day riding.
• The instrumentation is all business. The discrete panel on the fender in front of the rider gives vital
indicators about low fuel, coolant temperature, check engine, and neutral gear via a straightforward
LED display.

 

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