2015 Yamaha Raptor 700R First Test Review

We joined Yamaha at the Winchester Bay Sand Dunes, in Oregon, to test the improved power, comfort and handling of their top selling Sport ATV. The 2015 Yamaha Raptor 700R ($8199) features increased horsepower, plusher suspension settings and an all-new Maxxis front tire.

For years, the Raptor 700R has been powered by Yamaha’s potent and reliable, 686cc liquid cooled, fuel-injected powerplant. For 2015, the compression was increased from 9.2:1 to 10.0:1, the cylinder head and piston were redesigned and the valve timing and fuel injection mapping have been modified. This translates to the best version of this motor we've tested. This SOHC engine produces a strong, wheelie producing, low-range that transitions into a smooth, easy to ride, mid-range and leaves you with a lasting smile as you tap into fifth gear. Third gear was our favorite. We lugged around comfortably as we explored the beautiful Oregon dunes. It allowed the right amount of power to race trails with our friends and pop wheelies on a whim.

Yamaha’s Fuel Injection is spot on in a variety of conditions, elevations and temperatures. Its electric start gets you going in any gear, and the reverse feature is a blessing in deep sand and tight trails. The thumb throttle is smooth and the throttle response is quick and snappy. The Raptor 700R also features a handlebar-mounted flip-type parking brake lever.

The big power of the 2015 Yamaha Raptor 700R is matched with a lightweight hybrid steel aluminum frame, Controlled-Fill aluminum sub-frame and cast aluminum swingarm. It rides on a double A-arm front suspension, which uses YZ-style piggyback shocks with high and low-speed compression, rebound and threaded preload adjustments and offers 9.1-inches of wheel travel. The cast aluminum swingarm is matched with a similar piggyback shock and offers 10.1-inches of wheel travel. Yamaha tweaked the shock settings and increased the front tire size front 21 to 21-inches for 205, which made for a more comfortable ride and significantly reduced bottoming. The larger front tire and softer shock settings helped smooth out the whoop sections, and the suspension did a great job of soaking up hard landings.

Yamaha’s largest Sport ATV weighs in 17 pounds more than the Yamaha YFZ450R, but it feels lighter, it’s easier to ride and is much more comfortable on the trails. The Raptor’s precise handling and smooth, easy-to-ride, powerband allowed us to feel right at home on the tight and windy Oregon dunes. Stay tuned to ATVRider.com, and follow our Facebook posts, as we put our 2015 Yamaha Raptor 700R through its paces in the California desert.