Yamaha Unveils 2017 Lineup
For 2017 Yamaha has two new machines for their already exciting lineup! The most exciting one to note is the new YXZ1000R SS which is new for 2017. The SS model or Sport Shift is an industry first 5 speed with reverse, paddle shift design. Also new for Yamaha ATV is the YFZ50. With styling the same as it’s big brother, the YFZ450R, it becomes very appealing. The engine is a CVT 49cc 4 stroke engine and it has an adjustable rpm limiter. Yamaha hasn’t had a 50cc ATV since the Raptor 50 and it’s good to see resurgence from them for that market. New color options for their Wolverine UTV, Viking UTV, Grizzly 700, Kodiak 700, Raptor 700, Raptor 90, and YFZ450R sport quad are also available for 2017.
YXZ1000R SS
Yamaha conceived what they call the first pure sport UTV ever made, the YXZ1000R. New for 2017, is the YXZ1000R SS (Sport Shift) model. It is the first UTV to offer a 5 speed paddle shift design with reverse. Shifting comes from a column mounted up-shift and down-shift paddle design. Having the paddles on the column will help with finding the correct gear selector no matter what. There is also a gear selector that reads D-N-R to put it in the correct position. It is an electronic switch which makes it a cable-less design so you won’t have to worry about busting a cable. The launch control is also a great feature. By applying the brake, pulling each paddle towards you, getting the rpm’s up to at least 5,000, it engages the launch system. Once you’re ready, you let go of the throttle and shift all the way to top gear. The electronic shifting system will also downshift to first gear automatically when you come to a stop; it has to be close to idle for it to start down shifting. That helps the driver be in the correct gear and helps with clutch wear. You can also shift this thing at full throttle without letting off of the gas! The electronic shifting system won’t allow you to drop down a gear if you’re at a certain rpm in a taller gear. This will protect the critical engine parts from being damaged if you accidentally down shift. On the SS special edition model, it comes with the industry exclusive Fox Podium X2 shocks. They’re an internal bypass shock that includes high speed/low speed compression, high speed/low speed rebound, and cross over adjustments. Yamaha working together with Fox produced these great shocks for any type of driver. Other cool options include a 15% heat reduction in the cab, adjustable shift light, improved cv boot clamps that offer more clamping pressure, plastic cv boot protectors front and rear, half clutch indicator light, and a water temp gage. All of the models come with new sport roofs; the blue-white model has a matching blue roof that looks trick. We’ll have a full test in the coming months so stay tuned.
Blaze Orange retails for $20,599. Available August
Blue-white model retails for $20,799. Available August
Special Edition matte black-red model retails for $22,399. Available August
YXZ1000R
If the SS is not your thing and you want to keep a clutch pedal in your UTV, Yamaha has kept the manual YXZ1000R on the lineup. With its 5 speed manual transmission with reverse, it’s a very capable trail or race machine. It’s a blast to drive as you shift through the gears and you’ll also have great starts with the clutch pedal. This unit will be more difficult to drive if you’re not that familiar with using a clutch but more experienced drivers shouldn’t have a problem. New for 2017 is the special edition model that also includes the Fox Podium X2 shocks for an unmatched ride. For 2017 the blue-white model has more white incorporated in its design with the blue sport roof. The matte black-red model looks great and has the new Fox X2 shocks that make your ride even better. Pricing for both models will be announced this fall.
VIKING
Yamaha’s utility UTV, the Viking, is available in 3 seat and 6 seat versions for every type of riding you prefer to do. Whether it’s around the ranch or out on the trail, this machine will get the job done. With a capable 686cc fuel injected engine, it produces good low end acceleration and it pulls great through the rpm range. With its Ultramatic transmission, you can rely on great engine braking when going downhill. New for 2017, Yamaha added different color options. The new special edition 3 seat and 6 seat model is offered in midnight blue with cast aluminum wheels, it also has electronic power steering. The luxury of the 6 seat EPS Ranch edition also returns with new looks and badging. The 3 seat and 6 seat EPS version get new colors including Realtree Xtra, steel blue, hunter green, and red. The standard Viking 3 seat and 6 seat version is the most affordable, with no electronic power steering. The colors on the standard version are Realtree Xtra, hunter green, and red. The 6 seat standard is only offered in hunter green. The 2017 models will be available from June to August.
Viking EPS SE (3 seat) retails at $14,099
Viking EPS SE (6 seat) retails at $14,999
Viking Ranch edition (6 seat) retails at $15,599
Viking EPS (3 seat) starting at $12,999 to $13,599
Viking EPS (6 seat) starting at $13,999 to $14,599
Viking standard (3 seat) starting at $11,999 to $12,599
Viking standard (6 seat) retails at $12,999
WOLVERINE
Yamaha’s recreation UTV and their most affordable UTV, the Wolverine, have new options for 2017. The Wolverine R-Spec EPS special edition has fully adjustable suspension, has great power with its dual overcame 708cc engine, real bead-lock wheels, additional chassis and a-arm skid-plates, extended over-fenders, soft grip steering wheel, under-seat storage and a sleek flat silver painted bodywork with color matched seats. Wolverine also comes in a standard R-Spec EPS model, an EPS model with non-adjustable shocks, and for a tight budget, they have the standard Wolverine with non-adjustable shocks and no EPS.
R-Spec EPS special edition retails for $14,799
R-Spec EPS starts at $13,199 to $13,799
EPS model starts at $11,999 to $12,599
Standard model starts at $10,999 to $11,599
RAPTOR 700
The big daddy of Yamaha’s sport quad lineup, the beloved Raptor 700, has some new color options. The new special edition Raptor 700 comes in a sleek grey metallic-electric blue color scheme that makes it look like it came from the movie Tron. It has a GYTR grab bar and bumper to match its unique graphics. Team Yamaha blue-white version gets a white rear fender as well in the front that looks really sleek. The base model gets a new blaze orange color scheme with black graphics. The 2017 Raptor 700 lineup will be available from June to August of this year.
Raptor 700 special edition retails for $9,099
Raptor 700 Team Yamaha blue-white retails for $8,399
Raptor 700 blaze orange retails for $7,899
YFZ450R
Yamaha’s YFZ450R sport quad has been winning a lot of championships the last few years in motocross and woods racing. With that winning pedigree, not much changed in 2017 except for new colors. The 2017 YFZ450R special edition comes in a black metallic-lime green color scheme. The plastics have a metallic look to them while in a certain light that looks great. The Team Yamaha blue-white version, like the Raptor 700, has a white rear fender and white front fenders. Each of the new YFZ450R models will be available August of this year.
YFZ450R Special edition retails at $9,299
YFZ450R Team Yamaha blue-white retails at $8,999
RAPTOR 90
Yamaha’s Raptor 90 is back with some new colors for 2017. Your kids can now match their parents Raptor 700 with the Team Yamaha blue-white color scheme. They have also added an awesome white-yellow version for 2017. The Raptor 90 makes it easy for riders 10 years of age and up to learn how to ride easily with a CVT transmission. It has a easy to use gear selector with F-N-R, electric start with a backup kick starter, 90cc air cooled 4 stroke engine, and a o ring chain. Both models are available now.
Both Raptor 90 options retail for $2,899
YFZ50
Years ago, Yamaha decided to get rid of their Raptor 50. This left a gap for riders starting at the age of 6. For 2017, Yamaha has a new contender for the youth segment, the YFZ50. With plastics that mimic the YFZ450R, this is a cool looking little machine. It has a 49cc air cooled 4 stroke engine with a CVT transmission, electric start with a backup kick start, single a-arm front suspension, and a rear single shock design which the little guy or girl in your life will love. For the safety side of things, the parents can rest easy with a rear mounted tether cut off switch if your kid suddenly turns into a stunt double. It also has a convenient two-stage rpm limiter as well as a throttle limiter to restrict the engine’s performance and adapt to the riders advancing skill levels. This kid-friendly machine will be available this September.
YFZ50 Team Yamaha blue-white retails at $2,099
Kodiak 700
For 2017, the Kodiak 700 virtually remains the same for 2017 besides some new color options. It uses a 708cc engine with their Ultramatic v-belt design that offers great engine braking. The EPS special edition model comes with the midnight blue metallic with aluminum wheels. The EPS model comes in Realtree Xtra, steel blue, hunter green, and red. The standard Kodiak comes in Realtree Xtra, hunter green, and red. This is Yamaha’s utility ATV workhorse model; it’s great around the farm and has the capability to handle any trail. The special edition is available in July and the other models are available in August.
Kodiak 700 EPS special edition retails for $8,999
Kodiak 700 EPS starts at $8,299 to $8,749
Standard model starts at $6,999 to $7,449
Grizzly 700
The alpha bear in Yamaha’s lineup is the time tested Grizzly 700. It shares the same power plant as the Kodiak 700 but its tuned more for the trail. For 2017 the grizzly gets some updated color choices. If you’re looking for high end, the EPS limited edition is back in crimson metallic and it offers a windshield/hand shield that sits on the handlebar, aluminum wheels, seat warmer, and a thumb warmer for the cold rides. The EPS special edition comes in matte silver with aluminum wheels an. The EPS model comes in Realtree Xtra, steel blue, hunter green, and alpine white. The standard Grizzly comes in Realtree Xtra, hunter green, and red. All models are available from June to September of this year.
Grizzly 700 EPS limited edition retails at $10,899
Grizzly 700 EPS special edition retails at $10,299
Grizzly 700 EPS starts at $9,699 to $10,149
Grizzly 700 EPS starts at $8,899 to $9,349