On page 10 of the January issue of Dirtwheels, the article says "While we are on the subject of high performance quads, we've heard that Yamaha is on the fast track to produce a new high-performance quad, possibly using the engine design similar to the yz 426 dirt bike- a DOHC, liquid cooled, high-output four-stroke."
This my Yamaha commrads would be a good thing. For those of you who don't follow the dirt bike scene, the yamahammer 426 motor pumps out much more power them the c-dale and the suzuki dr 400. And according to dirtbike magazine the yamaha still has a leg up on the honda 450 stock for stock. My friends, it is good to be blue.

 

I just read that also. The only catch I see though is they said similar in design to the YZ426? I wonder if this could mean a 426 detuned some or a completely different engine thats similar to the 426. What ever it is it should be great. I just wish they would put a 426 engine like the National guys use in a good handling chassis. How much hp does a stock YZ 426 put out? Could this be a closed corse race quad to compete with the Cannondale MOTO 440?

 

lol, yamaha will release a 426 quad just like honda released the crf450 quad.

 

The only difference between honda and yamaha is yamaha isn't happy sitting on their assets like honda. Plus this same magazine had the raptor nailed befor it was even released.I do know that the yamaha puts out a few more ponies thaen the c-dale.

 

I know I'm not the only one wondering why they didn't just put that motor in the Raptor to begin with. I would be happy to see a new quad with that motor, but I would also be kinda pissed since I just bought a Raptor less than a year ago and it doesn't have the power I would expect a detuned ATV version of the 426 to have.

 

i hope it comes out. if it did it would be awesome...yamaha knows that that new suzuki and the cannondales are really close competition to the raptor so they need to release somethin to blow em all away...this might be the start of the second golden age of quads where the companies actually put some effort into making somethin competitive. i'd like to see a yz250 powered quad too but it won't happen..yz426 does sound very possible tho.

 

There is one other thing I find interesting, in the Dec. issue of ATV SPORT on page 81. The artical is about Opimum power technology's GP control system on all the new C-Dales. They said that they were also developing complete fuel-injection systems for Yamahas YZ426 motocross engine. Hmm...could it be a new... I hope so,not that I would change my ride though. It would just be good for the sport, the racers, and race fans. I agree with you musthaveblue about Honda but, I also bet that they are not going to take this lightly. If this is going to happen they would be the only company out there without a new sport/hi-performance ATV. Does anyone know how much hp the YZ426 puts out? I've read it a few times before but I can't remember.

 

Yamaha YZ426F
46.5 hp
88mph Top Speed
September 2000 Issue
Dirt Bike Magazine

Honda XR650R
49.6 hp
99mph Top Speed
September 2000 Issue
Dirt Bike Magazine

I don't want an arguement over these numbers like I received on the Suzuki forum a few weeks ago. They are not my numbers and everyone should know that the reason every dealer keeps this particular issue lieing around is because they were run on the SAME dyno and were speed tested in the same area with NO manufacturers and special interests present for the tests. Sometimes the magazines actually do an "un-biased" story and this is the most memorable

KNOWSALOT

 

those 450 numbers seem high. I have seen the new 450 and although I am impressed, I still think the 426 would give it a real good run for the money. As far as yamaha putting it in a quad....... Funnier things have happened.

 

chas thats the 650's number not the 450's numbers dude, later.