Last year, we fell in love with the Yamaha Rhino, the side-by-side UTV that has taken the world by storm. For 2007, Yamaha has introduced a new Grizzly 700 FI ATV that raises the bar for everyone. What's so special, you ask, about a 700cc ATV when others are offering 800cc quads? The new Grizzly 700 (really 686cc) has fuel injection. It's electronic fuel injection, although the name doesn't say EFI. The fuel injection does away with the choke and hard starting problems (even though carbureted Yamahas don't really have much of a problem with that). Hit the Grizzly's starter button and it starts. Every time. It also runs great at any altitude, so figuring out what jet to run is now history.
What REALLY sets this ATV apart is the Electronic Power Steering (EPS). If you've spent any time on a big utility quad, you'll know why this is big news. The power steering is electronic, not hydraulic, and is just about transparent when riding. It is a big help when in four-wheel drive with the front locker engaged. In the past, the big quads were pretty hard to steer in 4x4 and, with a locking differential, they were just plain tough to maneuver. The Grizzly with EPS is easy to ride whether it's in 2WD High, 2WD Low, 4WD High, or 4WD Low, with the front differential locked or not. The EPS also soaks up bumpsteer, so whacking big rocks no longer tears the bars out of your hands.
The Grizzly 700 FI is also improved and updated pretty much everywhere else. The independent suspension geometry has changed with wider front A-arms for more ground clearance and better stability; the coilovers feel like damping has been changed to provide better stability. There's not much roll with the new Grizzly 700. The seat is very comfortable with more padding, and it removes, allowing access to dry storage and allowing a view of the new gas tank that's been moved to the center of the quad, under the seat, for a lower center of gravity. The air cleaner is where the gas tank used to be and is improved. The gas filler is under a flap in front of the seat. Tires are said to be improved, but we'll be changing tires and wheels soon.
Note the round plastic cover...
Note the round plastic cover on the right front fender. It's also a waterproof storage compartment. The Grizzly's racks can handle plenty of weight and are large enough for big loads.
Cache Honda Yamaha in Hyde Park, Utah, prepped and delivered our Grizzly to us. It's a large dealer that's been in business for many years and knows what it takes to not only provide a pleasant sales experience, but to provide excellent service after the sale.
Our Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI is a superb new quad. The engine may not be the very largest available in utility quads, but it has plenty of horsepower and torque and its driveability with the new fuel injection is unparalleled. We plan on testing it for a year and will report on our long-term relationship, letting you know if we still like it at the end of the year as much as we like it now. We can say that if you're in the market for a big-bore 4WD quad, you owe it to yourself to give the Yamaha a look. There's a reason that the Grizzly is the top-selling utility quad.
 The front A-arms are wider...  The front A-arms are wider for better stability and more ground clearance. The round metal cover behind the top rear of the coilover covers a component of the new Electronic Power Steering. The front differential has an electric locker controlled from a handlebar switch. |  The rear is also independent,...  The rear is also independent, affording plenty of ground clearance. The rear differential is a spool, so it's always locked up. Yamaha offers a variety of skidplates that are beefier than the stock plastic ones. |  The 5.3-gallon fuel tank is...  The 5.3-gallon fuel tank is now under the seat for a lower center of gravity. Its filler is under a flap in front of the seat. The rectangular black cover is a sealed storage compartment. |