just looked at the atv mag site and raptor is to come in a 400-500cc range pure sport quad great suspenion and dual pipes.. here here http://www.atv-mag.com/

Atv Mag

 

not dual pipes, dual head pipes.

 

from what I've heard ,
1. it's not a Raptor. It'll have it's own name
2. It'll use the engine from the WR450
3. It should be availible sometime in June

 

Interesting stuff. It just keeps getting better and beter for sport riders - well not for Honda sport riders but for everybody else. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Unless it has a different head than the WR it won't have dual head pipes

 

it would be nice if some of these parts would convieniently fit on a ummmmm warrior. maybe shocks and oh... the engine *S*

I would be willing to try the shocks on my warrior if someone wishes dump theirs for some aftermarkets...

I just hope they get the airbox design right this time!

 

can't wait for june[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Hopefully Dirtwheels will have some details on this new quad in next months issue. They seem to break the news first about new Yamaha ATV's. DW had pics of the Raptor, Grizzly and the Kodiak several months before Yamaha announced the new models. Yamaha will most likely uses the WR/YZF 450 top end (same motor, different cams) and the electric start and tranny from the WR. The dual header idea doesn't relate to any of Yamaha's current motors?!
Chassis-wise I have no idea what Yamaha could be up to, probably won't be aluminum but something alittle better than their motor dropped in a copy 400EX frame. Hopefully they take a look at the Predator and see that cheap shocks, tires and brake lines won't cut it anymore. So how many of you 2001 Raptor owners were wanting the bike I just described when the Raptor was released? I was really hoping for a YZ426 motored quad instead of a 660. Maybe I'll finally get my wish.

 

it bothers me a lot that the 450 has 4 gears.

 

I doubt that Yamaha would make it a four speed. There has been a lot of critizism about the YZ450's tranny. Most articles I have read about it say it's otherwise a perfect bike but the tranny makes it an MX track only kind of bike, it's not an MX bike that can be used in the woods like the CRF450. If Yamaha uses a 4 speed I don't count on buying one. Why not bring back the 6 speed trannys? Look at the old 250R, the motor only put out between 28-34 HP but was capable of running 70 MPH! I've clocked my Raptor a about 68 MPH and I know that motor puts out a little more HP than my old R. Forget reverse and bring back the 6 speeds, if you can't pick up you 370LB (estimated what the new Yamaha will weigh) then you have no business riding it!