I was at my local Yamaha dealer today picking up some parts (they always give me a better deal than the mail-order places) and I got talking with the sales manager, April, and I found out some exciting news! I am not supposed to tell this to anyone, but, who cares, so they can sue me. There will be a new quad in the Yamaha showrooms by mid-July! It will be an early '04 model. The engine is based on the electric start 2003 WR450 dirtbike engine. It will be tweeked just a bit to increase the power and make the powerband work better in a quad.

The chassis will be shorter in height than the Raptor because the engine is not as tall. The wheelbase will be about 1" longer. Width will still be narrower than MX specs, at about 48 inches. Claimed weight is under 380 pounds.

April is a hardcore quad racing chick. April told me I would be a fool not to put a deposit on the 1st one they get in. I could be the 1st person in the state of MI with one of these. That would be sweet. I think it is what all the racers have been waiting for. April said that they are keeping things so secretive because Yamaha wants to be the 1st in the new era of race quads. They don't want the other companies (Honda) to know what they are up against until it is too late for them to react. I would love to buy this new quad from April first. Maybe she would throw in some "freebies". Yum!

RR1

 

I grow tired of these lame attempts at "April Fools Jokes"

But at least it's cleverly written. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Power up for a quad? That was your first mistake!!
Nice try though
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

That is really what April (sales manager) told me. If you check the latest issue of DW, on page 12 they have Turbo33's blingitty bling quad and on page 16 they have a little info on the Yamaha 450. Just remember, Yamaha and Honda - "If you build it they will come". Props for anyone that remembers what movie that quote came from.

RR1

 

Field of Dreams.... and I'll believe the 450 when I see it

 

I believe it. Mickey D, from FST, said something about it on the forums last week. Some people speculated he was talking about a hopped up Warrior that one of his races would be ridding. He said to look int he new Dirt Doo for it. So where I come from 2+2=4.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Not to mention that was the May issue of Dirt Doo I think.

I will not be first in line for one, hell I won't even be last in line. I learned my lesson buy early Yamaha stuff. You know they say the best lesson is a bought lesson, well I have paid enough for three or four people to learn.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

We dont want the freakin WR engine. WE WANT THE YZ 450 F engine.

I could see this not being an April fools joke, because he did mention the WR engine, but he could just be saying that to throw people off.. Who knows.

Could I get the number to that dealership?

RoostKing...

 

Ummmm guys this is an April Fools joke, its quite obvious.

April is a hardcore quad racing chick. April told me I would be a fool not to put a deposit on the 1st one they get in.

If this line doesn't slap you across the face with the obvious I don't know what would.

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Sounds like you were at Steven's Honda on Airport Road. I believe April was a salesperson when I got my rancher, and when I was looking at a Raptor/400ex/z400/shee. Is this correct? If not what dealership is it. I dont plan to rat you out, just want to check it out for myself. I live in Sanford/Coleman area, graduated from Midland High.

Burninator, If april is who I think she is, than she is a very knowledgeable woman. I dont think she or any other woman in this Forum would appreciate you dismissing her comments based on the fact that she is a woman. Women are very smart, many smarter than us guys, so we shouldnt get cocky.

 

MadDog,
I dont think he was dissing her. Hes trying to point out the possibel April Foold joke.. When you read the line, it does look fairly obvious. Im not sure now!

RoostKIng...