Yamaha introduces the Raptor

For 2001, Yamaha offers hot new off-road bikes, a dual-purpose dream and a screaming new all-terrain machine that sets a higher standard for sports ATVs.

Let’s take a look.

660R Raptor

Say hello to the most wicked sport ATV on earth: the all-new 660R Raptor. That’s right ... take a good, long look.

Note the aggressively swooping bodywork, serpent-like front end, monster motor and burly aluminum swingarm. Never seen anything quite this nasty before, have you? Well, neither has the competition, which is why they’ll never know what hit ‘em as this voracious carnivore - the sport ATV industry’s new standard-setter for the 21st century - eats them for breakfast.

Everything about the Raptor says its a predator without equal, from its hard-hitting, stratospherically-revving, 660cc, liquid-cooled, 5-valve engine - the most technologically advanced powerplant in ATV-ing - to its YZ-spec, 5-speed manual transmission, state-of-the-art chassis and race-honed suspension.

And everything about this seriously quick, incredibly agile machine says its appetite’s as insatiable as its performance is unparalleled. The all-new 660R Raptor. Breakfast is served.

YZ250F

From the leaders in 4-stroke off-road technology, comes the all-new YZ250F. This extreme performance 4-stroke motocross bike, weighs less than some 250cc 2-stroke machines. It has a liquid-cooled dual overhead cam engine with Yamaha’s exclusive 5-valve head design. Each of the engines’ five valves is made of lightweight titanium for quick engine response and dramatic acceleration. The engine is capable of revving to 13,500 rpm.

The chassis is all YZ. It has an aluminum subframe and fully adjustable suspension. The YZ250F has the same fully floating front disc brake that is found on the YZ426F.

Once again, Yamaha’s innovation and leadership in off-road technology shine with this proud addition to the YZ family.

WR426F

The WR is a horsepower factory.

"It hits hard and pulls strongly everywhere in the powerband." Dirt Rider magazine said this about last year’s WR, so wait until they get a taste of the all-new WR426F. That’s right, Yamaha has taken that awesome YZ426F mill with all-new titanium valves, fine-tuned it for enduro duty, and beefed up the clutch to YZ426F-spec to harness all that new muscle.

They have also added an all-new front brake system and shaved weight to further enhance the most awesome enduro package-3.2 gallon fuel tank, resettable tripmeter, off-road-legal lighting-on the market.

The WR426F. Serious off-roaders only need apply.

WR250F

Think of the WR250F as everything its YZ250F cousin is, only wrapped in an enduro-friendly package that’s sure to wreak serious havoc in the off-road ranks.

Why? For starters, take that same titanium-valved, liquid-cooled 250cc powerplant, mated to a specially designed, wide-ratio 5-speed transmission. Slip it into a YZ-spec chassis anchored by race-bred KYB suspension, add enduro-legal lighting, a larger fuel tank, resettable tripmeter and 18-inch rear wheel, and, well, get ready to build that trophy case. Quickly. J