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Raptor 250
GYTR Air Filter has a billet aluminum
adapter plate, so the filter is clamped
to the intake unlike the stock filter
with just a foam lip seal with a single
wing nut attachment
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Upgrading the factory air filter is something
that most ATV owners do and while I was ordering
the GYTR products, I went ahead and ordered their
billet adapter and filter that strengthens the
air filter mount and increases airflow to the
engine. Installing the billet adapter was not
hard, but it will take some time to get everything
apart and reinstalled. The added airflow of the
GYTR intake systems would help as the GYTR performance
head pipe and silencer were also installed.
One issue we have with almost every model of
ATV and our rider is that his lack of height
causes him to be unable to lift the rear of
the quad out of a mud hole. PRM was called and
one of their new grab bars for the Raptor was
ordered. The PRM unit follows the stock sub
frame angle but then levels off, allowing our
rider to be able to lift the machine where the
stock grab bar continues to follow the chassis
and is to high for it to be of any use for us.
This is also where we ran into our first fitment
issue as the grab bar contacts the end cap.
This will be addressed and material will be
removed from the grab bar to allow the proper
clearance.
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PRM Products rear grab bar provides a
low grab point for lifting the rear end,
but there wasn't any clearance with the
GYTR exhaust, which is a common issue
when mix matching aftermarket components
because they don't always work smoothing
together with out some modifications |
The
Raptor 250 front brake calipers are a
single piston, but we discovered that
its big brother, YFZ450, dual piston brake
calipers can be easily installed with
the YFZ450 mounting brackets, and with
these paired with Streamline Brake Lines,
the Raptor 250 can now stop on a dime |
The first step into the unknown on this build
was the front brakes. Stock, the Raptor 250
comes equipped with single piston calipers and
we feel that stopping power is equally important
as the increased power and speed. The addition
of YFZ450 dual piston calipers were added for
braking that will stop on a dime and hand you
back change! The swap was a direct bolt on;
all that was required was YFZ450 calipers and
mounting brackets. The remainder of the front
spindle assembly and rotor were retained from
the Raptor. The rear caliper is the exact same
unit that is found on the YFZ 450, and it provided
plenty of stopping power.
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Yamaha Raptor
250 front end with Lonestar +3"
A-Arms paired with Elka Shocks for added
stability and adjustability
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Turning our attention to what we had found while
racing the machine: Lonestar Racing was called
for a set of their new +3 +1 Long Travel control
arms. These arms boast castor and camber adjustability
and are constructed of chromoly. Installation
was straight forward, although I would prefer
a slip style upper ball joint mount for easier
camber adjustments. The arms came complete with
everything needed to install them including directions
and a lifetime warranty, something we may just
need racing the GNCC series. The extra width will
help stabilize the Raptor at high speeds and allow
for better cornering. With a 4-1 rim, we will
be at 45 inches wide. Elka suspension has backed
almost every build we have ever done, and while
we do not get the shocks for free, we do get the
best customer service and support from them whether
it be a call from our shop or trackside at a race.
Their Long Travel shocks for the LSR arms are
a piece of work, offering us high and low speed
adjustability, which should help us dial in the
new set up. Being that many of us will, for the
first time, be taking the Raptor to the Nationals,
more adjustment is a huge benefit as we learn
what works best.
