I stand by my thoughts...that not making an auto at least an option is a huge mistake. Making it a manual clutch even more so. And no low range? After my experience with the Pioneer....not a chance in hell!

They will rip. A very hard core group will buy them...but RZR will still dominate sales. Do like the belts-in-tree scene in the video...very funny!

Strangely enough, Yamaha may have given Honda a golden opportunity here. We know the world has been waiting for a "Japanese RZR", but Yamaha and Kawasaki seem to be missing the target (Suzuki isn't even shooting). Honda is rumored to be working on a sport SxS as well...and it will probably use the in-line twin the new Pioneer 1000 uses. Honda says this was purposely designed for the SxS, but seems to share some features with the African Twin ( 112 HP ). So it could make considerably more than the 77-ish the Pioneer will make...
The trump card will be the DCT, allowing manual OR automatic mode...

I don't expect Honda to do anything as radical as the new Yamaha, but it could be close enough that its wider appeal will really let it make an impact.

 

Take a look at the deep dive videos Yamaha has put up. The manual shift is not exactly what one would expect especially if you are thinking of automotive manual transmissions. The more I see, the more I like.

https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/sp...0r/videos/1115

Additionally, already a turbo kit that will be available to ship 09/30 YXZ 155HP TurboCharger Kit Complete

 

The Recluse clutch is a nice option but I don't see how that helps much. Its not like a quad that already has a foot shifter. I guess you still have to use the manual shifter to change gears. I suppose not having to use your left foot for the clutch helps a bit. Overall, the machine looks very impressive. It should be right at or near the performance level of the turbo Rzr and Maverick. I say a dual-clutch auto like the Pioneer 1000 with paddle shifters for those who want to select their own gears would have been the best way to go. For the majority that don't want to shift, it seems Yamaha has completely ignored them. I guess they think the underpowered Wolverine R-Spec is ok for those who want a cvt auto. Perhaps they will up the hp in it with a powerful v-twin for those who want an auto. Then they would have 2 choices in high-performance. An auto Wolverine v-twin or this manual side by side that is completely unique. Then everyone will be happy.

 

The dct is nice, but this leaves the manual clutch intact for use as the driver sees fit. Either way you are physically changing gears. With the Rekluse you never need touch the left pedal, then again you now get the option of slipping the clutch. 155hp on 5 psi of boost, with potential to go way bigger. I am willing to bet 1st is more than low enough for just about any technical situation. The Pioneer 700 is hamstrung by having only 3 gears and a low power to weight ratio. The 500 could use about 10 more hp and a better suspension. This Yamaha has none of those short comings.

I just hope they introduce a scaled down version for us east coasters next year.

 

I've been saying Yamaha needs a 50" side by side of some kind for a while now. I think with all the lawsuits for the idiot Rhino owners who tried to drive theirs like a rally car and flipped it and got hurt, Yamaha doesn't want the liability of building a 50" side by side that can do the same. That 708cc engine would feel a lot peppier in a 1000 lb 50" machine than it does in the Wolverine R Spec that weighs a lot more than that.

 

I didn't realize it doesn't have low range. That limits the versatility a bit but it is cool at how specific this car is for high performance bump running. I didn't know that a rekulse clutch was an option. That makes a huge difference as you won't have the stalling issue with one. It basically makes the rig like a semi-auto clutch foot shift quad but you'd still get the benefits of a manual clutch. That's really cool!

If I lived in the desert I'd buy one of these because it would be more dependable and more fun to drive than a CVT rig. But for my area, a Wolverine makes a lot more sense.

It is a game changer! No one else has produced a truly sporty sxs until now. This thing is at a different level of performance, right up there with sport quads, MX bikes and high performance street bikes. Nice job Yamaha!

 

Without a 50" version I don't see it selling that well up here in New England where a lot of the trail systems have limited width access.

 

Yes, not aimed at us. Of course I do still see the big ones around my area. Just did a poker run a few weeks ago. Someone had a lifted rzr, one of the wide ones. Not sure of the model, but I really wanted to ride behind him to watch that thing negotiate the woods.

 

+1

Also been waiting for Suzuki to put the excellent King Quad engine into a SxS.

 

When the RZR first came out and I started seeing them out on the trails in NH and ME I finally got a chance to ride behind one on a technical rocky trail with basketball + sized rocks. Thing did just as well as the quads and even started leaving most behind. Not my cup of tea though. Still, if I ever get a chance to rip around in one someday I'll take a ride. I just prefer sitting on the quad and being out in the air rather than sitting in a SXS with a roof.