http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sp...elhome/571/0/home.aspx

It was a given that they had to come up with something, since they lost the Blaster and were left with nothing in the intermediate class.

313 pounds!

 

Yet another raptor. I was pleased to see that they kept the manual clutch on it though instead of going to the autoclutch like on the Z250/250EX (though the EX has that "sport clutch" thing doesn't it? What I don't get is why they stuck with a two-valve head? It's really just a lower CC and lower powered Raptor/Warrior 350. What is really surprising though is that they converted to a thumper AND dropped 7lbs in the deal. The old Blaster was 320lbs if I recall correctly. Pretty soon I guess Yamaha will start renaming their sleds to Raptors and Grizzlys?? Great improvement on the look though.

 

I've always liked the Blaster. Looks like they are carrying on the tradition, but in 4-stroke. They should have kept that name!

 

yeah it had to happen. a few variations too. thought they would call it a yfz variant (even though it lacks the power) instead of a raptor... the original blaster weighed 320, when they revised it a few yrs ago it went up to 324...now its 313. its lost ground clearance too but no sport bike really has any!

im suprised they didnt put EFI on the YFZ... the price went up $100... i guess yamaha and honda are holding out until 09. all the other 450s have efi. on their site it says that the yfz got better but i didnt notice spec changes. it also says it is the "The lightest, most powerful ATV ever"... yeah ok. did they check the history books and look up the quandzilla's output or the most of the rotax powered quads? all put out more than a stock yfz unless they forgot update the spec page....the marketing dept needs to look around and revise this statement. I love the yfz and its very impressive, but it is not the 'most powerful atv EVER'!

the raptor 700 (besides going up $200) says "most powerful Yamaha sport ATV ever" both it and the YFZ cant be EVER! both are impressive but neither is "ever."

 

Hey RR .. yeah the could have kept the "Blaster" name or even added to it "Blaster FS" which would have been much preferable to most I'm sure. Lots felt the same when the put new plastics on the Warrior and called it a Raptor. I know you have no love lost for the Warrior, but there was no need to rename it and put simple cosmetics and a few minor tweaks.

 

Having great entry level machines is extremely important. This is where most folks start out...on a borrowed quad. It is important that they have a quality riding experience the first time out......

 

How do you think the new Raptor 250 will compare against the old Blaster? My thinking is that it will not measure up in power, but being lighter and hopefully more ergonomic / balanced will make up for that in handling.

 

that thing is going to smoke all of the 250's now..anyone else notice it comes with 19 inch tires? its going to be quick for a 250 i think. NLWarrior, im also glad they stuck with the auto clutch...without it a quad is just a utility without racks.

 

I for one am pretty pumped up about Yamaha's new 250, but I really want to see if the forthcoming 250R from Suzuki is going to be all its rumored to be.

I don't think the Raptor 250 is going to hurt 250ex or Z250 sales that much because there are signifigant differences (i.e. no reverse, chain drive, manual clutch, etc) but what may hurt the Honda is the fact that there is a $200 price increase for the 2008 model for no apparent reason. That means the 08 250EX is $200 more than the suzuki Z250 which has better suspension and slightly more power, and it's $200 more than the Yamaha which is more of a pure sport quad, is lighter, better suspension, AND more power.

I think Honda goofed by trying to nickel people out of 2 more bills this year while offering no improvements over the 07's ....

 

The Suzuki 250R will be interesting. Ever since the 250 dirt bikes came out, I have been wondering why we had not seen these engines in ultralight medium frame quads. Advanced kids and smaller adults (most of the ladies out there!) who are looking for a high performance machine, have been getting stuck on something that is to big for them. There is a gap between the beginner's quads and the full size full power machines, and this machine should fill it nicely!

Everybody said the 250 would be to expensive for a "kids" quad, but there are a hundred kids in my neighborhood ripping around on $7,000 dirt bikes. If folks can afford expensive dirt bikes, they can afford expensive quads. They aren't going to have any trouble getting this thing to sell.....