| One weekend at Gordons Well (Imperial Sand Dunes | | | | Here are some specs for the 2006 700cc Yamaha |
| Recreation Area), I had the opportunity to take a | | | | Raptor |
| ride on a 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700, and Oh My God! | | | | Engine Type: 686cc liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke |
| That quad is one of the best I've ever ridden. I | | | | single w/fan, 4-valve |
| typically drive a VW short travel sand rail with a | | | | Bore x Stroke: 102mm x 84mm |
| 2276cc motor, which has all the power I need to go | | | | Compression Ratio: 9.2:1 |
| just about anywhere in the dunes, but it doesn't | | | | Carburetion: Yamaha Fuel Injection (YFI), 44mm |
| have the suspension to go on hard pack or to jump. | | | | Ignition: Digital TCI w/16-Bit ECU |
| Lately I've been considering buying another dirt bike | | | | Starting System: Electric |
| so I would have more versatility than I do with the | | | | Transmission: 5-Speed manual clutch w/reverse |
| rail. I have a Suzuki DR350 Enduro but can't really ride | | | | Drive Train: 2WD; sealed o-ring chain, eccentric |
| that in the dunes. Last weekend I had what was | | | | adjustment |
| quite possibly the second best weekend at the | | | | Suspension/Front: Independent double wishbone, 9.1" |
| dunes in my entire life. | | | | travel w/piggy back with high/low speed |
| I got to follow behind Cardiac Dan, his 11 year old | | | | compression, rebound and threaded preload |
| daughter Cassy, and Big Mike, (my eldest son's | | | | adjustment |
| teacher's husband who's been riding all his life). Dan | | | | Suspension/Rear: Cast aluminum swingarm, 10.1" |
| rides the Raptor 700, and his daughter rides a Suzuki | | | | travel w/piggy back with high/low speed |
| 400. Mike brought a Banshee and a Warrior 350, I | | | | compression, rebound and threaded preload |
| rode the Warrior. | | | | adjustment |
| I was able to keep up on the Warrior for the most | | | | Brakes/Front: Dual ventilated hydraulic discs, twin |
| part, and it was a real pleasure to follow Cassy who | | | | pistons |
| had no problem keeping up with her dad. In fact she | | | | Brakes/Rear: Ventilated hydraulic disc, self adjusting |
| was able to go a couple places I couldn't on the | | | | park brake function |
| smaller, less powerful machine. | | | | Tires/Front: AT21x7-10 radial |
| Anyway, on the tail end of one of the "experienced | | | | Tires/Rear: AT20x10-9 radial |
| only" rides we did, Dan let me ride the Raptor for a | | | | L x W x H: 72.6" x 46.1" x 44.5" |
| while. It was like riding in an easy chair on a rail with a | | | | Seat Height: 32" |
| jet pack strapped to the back. I was literally yelling | | | | Wheelbase: 50.4" |
| and laughing under my helmet, at times throwing my | | | | Ground Clearance: 4.4" |
| arms up in the air and cheering at myself because of | | | | Fuel Capacity: 2.9 gal. |
| the rush I got from that quad. I decided (before I | | | | Dry Weight: 396 lb. |
| got off the Raptor) that another dirt bike was not in | | | | Lighting: Dual 30W Krypton multireflector headlights & |
| my immediate future. I'll be picking up a Raptor this | | | | 3.9/0. |
| coming summer. | | | | |