Looking at lessons learned ('01 Raptor comes to mind), I really doubt that Yamaha would stick with the WR, let alone YZ, bottom end for an ATV engine. Higher loads and different gearing requirements will produce a different tranny for sure, and most likely a different bottom end. I am betting a 5-speed with reverse, looking at Yamaha's current trend and the industry standard (believe it or not, it is now for most new machines).

I think that 370lbs sounds about right, but I'm guessing that it will be a Raptor bottom end with a different cylinder and head (Raptor Junior), and using the same 400-class chassis. Seems the easiest route to me. I would be surprised if Yamaha went to the high expensive of developing a totally different chassis layout when they have one such as the Raptor's. The 660R chassis has lots of potential, it just has crappy front shocks and a high-CG from that big engine. I wonder if they'll keep the same plastic? Perhaps like the family look of the YZs... JMHO.

 

I think they should forget about the 400 model and beef up the suspension for the 660's

Then the Raptor would be untouchable stock against stock

 

Do you guys think that this new bike will be the replacement for the banshee when its days are finished due to emission laws, or will it replace the warrior or both???

 

Interesting concept. It has the potential to do either or both, but I dont think that it will. At least not right off the bat. Yamaha will stick with the banshee for as long as they can. The blaster, warrior, and shee are all cash cows because the tooling was paid for a long time ago. The warrior may be quicker to go than the shee, but there is room for both. Look at Honda, they have a 250, a 300, and a 400. why cant yamaha have a 200(blaster), 350 (warrior), 450(?), and 660(rappy)?

 

It wouldn't surprise me if they eventually replace the Blaster with a TT-250R powered entry level machine.

 

I don't think the WR top end would even come close to fitting th e Raptor bottom end. Next time your in a Yamaha dealership look at the physical size of the Raptor motor compared to the WR/YZ. The Raptor motor is twice as big and probably weighs close to the same (60 LBS WR/YZ to 100 LBS Raptor approx.) When I said they will use the WR motor , I mean that they will use the top end and the crank, the cases, tranny, clutch and add the counter balancer like most production quads (Raptor, 400EX and Z400). The real advantage is the big HP making top end and the overall light weight.

 

lol, i was watchin "on any sunday" and the dude said that one of there old husqvarna's had 8 gears. i about crapped on myself. they said it went about 110, and i was in awe. i guess they just dont make bikes like they used to...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]