Raptor. The name alone conjures up visions of stealth, speed, and an all-out, high-performance predator. This raptor, however, is not a creature of prehistory or a bird of prey, it's a mechanical predator screaming though the woods, down the trails, over desert terrain, and blowing right over the competition. Since the release of the ATVs, Yamaha has taken the rudimentary all-terrain vehicle mechanics and turned it into state-of-the-art technological science.
The '02 Raptor 660R means nothing but business when primed and fired. Yamaha Motor Corporation has answered the call of the wild and given its customers what they have been asking for: the largest cc displacement of any sport ATV available. The 660cc liquid-cooled engine scorches the earth when it actually hits the ground. This vehicle is not only built for speed but for precise handling as well. The Raptor incorporates numerous features not previously engineered into any all-terrain vehicle. A prime example of this is a Reverse gear; no more struggling with the vehicle when trying to negotiate a tight dead-end turn-around or a large obstacle.
Yamaha's patented 660cc five-valve, four-stroke SOHC engine definitely kicks with horsepower, all the way to its amazing 9,000-rpm redline. This high-tech engine is fed by dual 33mm BSR Mikuni CV carbs. Starting this predatory creature is made easy with a push-button electric start - no more kickstarting till your leg falls off. Before the power actually hits the rubber and the energy is transferred to the ground, it's channeled through its YZ motocross-spec five-speed manual transmission with a YZ-spec, ratchet-type shifter. The tranny sports a close-ratio First, Second, Third, and Reverse gears for quick and esponsive shifting.
The suspension is nothing short of amazing. The front double-wishbone suspension is five-way preload adjustable, featuring 9.1 inches of travel. The rear swing arm suspension includes threaded preload adjustment plus compression and rebound damping with 8.7 inches of travel. With the triple disc brake system, a light touch on the brake allows the vehicle to either slow its inertia before negotiating any technical terrain; using both brakes will bring this small beast to a dead stop. Two 160mm disc brakes are used in the front and a single 220mm disc brake in the rear. This light (398 pounds, dry weight) vehicle has a full array of tough and durable aluminum components that not only enhance its visual composition, but also add to its strength and durability because of its unique design.