Just talked to my Yamaha dealer. He said the "Buzz" is the new IRS Super-Sport/utility they are to see at the dealer show in June. The tentative name is "Predator", (already being used to describe the Raptor in print ads). The 500+lb, 6-speed +reverse, 660cc, IRS 4x4 is aimed directly at the H.O. Sportsman and Scrambler, 650 Kaw, and anything Honda or Polaris can dream up. The Grizz, Banshee and Wolverine could get axed from the lineup as Yamaha continues to update.
Spy Photos and other shreads will continue to "leak" out, cover photos in mid summer, first Predators due by September. I'll take two.

 

I hope it's a beast, well I'm sure it will be. More power to them! I can see the 4x4 quads getting axed from the line-up to be upgraded but I don't think the Banshee will be. It's too unique of a quad to be put away. You know if it goes away, it's power-plant will never be used again in any new model, just like all of the other "yes-man" companies, nothin but sluggish 4-stroke machines.

Hopefully they keep their 2-strokes, and prevent "the man" from having another "Gorebasm".

**SCREW THE TREE HUGGERS**

Sorry, this is just a real touchy issue with me. Any mentioning of eliminating 2-stroke engines around me does it everytime.

 

Sounds good to me!! A hybrid type of machine would be cool. I would buy one hopefully it will be all shaft drive, the Scramblers only downfall.
Yamaha is an intersting company, which is a good thing.

 

oh boy ,oh boy,oh boy.....gotta get one...time to sell the wolverine...NOT!.....I'll give that one to my wife...whoo hoo...

 

I think that yamaha will also introduce a new grizzly because they need a big bore automatic atv to be competitive

 

The 350 Yamaha twin is one of the best motors ever made. The Banshee has survived because it has been the only high performance quad for a decade, and has that great motor. But its' days are numbered. The Enviro-***** will eventually get all two-strokes, even weed eaters. It will undoubtadly live on, like the 250R, whether Yamaha makes new ones or not.
The Grizz needs an update. Its' sales are weak, and the Predator is not meant to replace it, rather to fill a large notch no one has come even close to finding, much less filling.
I think the Grizz is one of the best true utility quads, meant for work, hunting etc. But it lacks watercooling for one, and needs a makeover.
But let us not cry over lost quads, let us rejoice over the new goods headed our way. And remember, what we say here is heard. What we want is what we'll get.

 

Sure. Guess this will be the talk for a few months just like in the HOnda forum with the 650EX that did not come out.

 

Hey that 650 EX will be out by fall too. Honda is way too competitive to let this big bore quad war go by without playing. Unless they surprise us, it will be pretty conventional, like a 400EX with maybe reverse, maybe a six-speed. Bigger, faster, like a 400EX with lots of mods. Sounds good eh? And they know it.

 

Whatever they call it, I think that woyuld be the perfect compliment ot the Banshee!

RoostKing...

 

Whatever they call it, I think that woyuld be the perfect compliment ot the Banshee!

RoostKing...