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All-New 2008 Raptor
250 Sport ATV Performance in a Class by Itself
Raptor 250 |
There's an entire class of customer out there
looking for the perfect ATV. They want
something sporty, but don’t necessarily need a
full-race vehicle. It should be fun to
ride, but also be different from the
run-of-the-mill "play" machines out there.
Perhaps most importantly, it needs to mesh with
a younger, performance-oriented lifestyle.
Lucky for them – for all of us, really – the
all-new 2008 Yamaha Raptor 250 has arrived.
When the ever-popular Blaster was discontinued
in 2006, it left a sizeable hole in the Yamaha
Sport ATV line-up. What would the younger,
sport-minded customer ride? A re-hashed,
smaller-bore utility quad that Yamaha’s
competition tries to pawn off as a “sport” ATV?
Yamaha customers expect more. They want an
ATV that packs a punch – something developed
from the ground up as a true sport machine.
The all-new Raptor 250 is that and more.
Knowing that this customer is all about
performance, the Raptor 250 features a
five-speed manual transmission giving the rider
control over the power delivery from the single
cylinder 249cc air-cooled, four-stroke engine.
An on-board 29mm Mikuni carburetor offers
optimum low- to mid-range performance.
In keeping with the Raptor 250’s sport-focused
overall design, the all-new engine features an
all-aluminum and ceramic composite-plated
cylinder, which helps dissipate heat, reduce
weight and improves cylinder life while the wet
sump system with oil cooler offers increased
cooling ability.
The Raptor 250 also adopted a YFZ-style "no
tools" air filter, which makes for easy
maintenance and modification. But, that's
not the only popular YFZ450 feature you'll
find on the Raptor 250 -- the rider-approved
one-hand toggle link-type parking brake also
graces this all-new model.
The sporty engine is found wrapped in a compact,
nimble chassis featuring a high tensile steel
frame for improved rigidity, strength and light
weight. In fact, this is the lightest
Sport ATV ever -- a full 15 lbs. lighter than
the Blaster! Not only does the Raptor 250
perform well, it looks good, too.
Featuring the "evil eye" headlights found on the
YFZ450, and front and rear fenders like those on
the Raptor 700R, the Raptor 250 is as stylish as
it is fun.
How’s the ride? In a word, thrilling.
The double wishbone A-arm front suspension --
with five-way adjustable preload no less --
offers 7.5" of travel. Out back a
nitrogen-charged rear shock with 7.9" of travel
helps to take obstacles such as ruts and whoops
and turn them into the most fun-inducing terrain
you can find.
Raptor 250 SE |
The riding position on the Raptor 250 was
developed specifically with the sport ATV
customer in mind. The overall size and
lightweight makes it easy to flick around, while
the newly-designed seat gives rider of all
shapes and sizes plenty of room. And,
you'll have plenty of seat time with the 2.4
gallon gas tank, allowing you to ride for miles
without a pit stop.
Of course, none of this fun would be possible
without the all-new tires and aluminum wheels.
Low-profile Dunlop meats were designed
specifically for the Raptor 250 with improved
sport-riding comfort and sport handling in mind.
The light-weight design offers a perfect balance
of forward traction and great sliding
capability.
Should you need to bring the Raptor 250 to a
stop, it has you covered with front and rear
hydraulic disc brakes. Up front you'll
find a newly designed high-rigidity caliper and
the same rotor and master cylinder as found on
the Raptor 700 and YFZ450, offering excellent
braking performance.
Now a "must have" feature on Yamaha Sport ATVs,
the Raptor 250 features the Yamaha Cam Adjust
drive chain adjuster. The eccentric-type
design makes chain adjustments quick and easy –
a must for riders on the go.
Finally, to get both rider and Raptor 250 up and
running we've borrowed a favorite feature from
its namesake – push button electric starting –
which makes getting going quick and easy.
The all-new 2008 Raptor 250 will be available at
Yamaha dealerships nationwide starting July 2007
in Team Yamaha Blue and the all-new Gray/Red
color schemes. Two all-new Special Edition
Raptor 250 models will also be available at the
same time, including a Black/Orange color
combination that incorporates select Genuine
Yamaha Technology – Racing (GYTR) parts, and an
all-black model that comes with a
“do-it-yourself” sticker kit so the rider can
design their own graphics.
* ATVs with engines 90cc or greater are
recommended for use only by riders age 16 years
and older.
YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, U.S.A.
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