Despite the lower prices, Yamaha was able to
upgrade several items on both models including
new Maxxis AT20 x 10-9 Tires, twin piston brakes,
and new front fender styling. We liked the new
look of he Raptor 700 front fender styling.
It looked a little more aggressive and not so
bulky. They also made the gas tank shrouds even
with the frame, which made the 2013 Raptor 700
look trimmer. While riding, It felt like you
had more room to shift your weight side to side
with the new styling.
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| The
2013 Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV features new
Maxxis AT20 x 10-9 tires that work well
in all terrain & allows you to kick
the back end sideways when needed |
“For 2013 the front styling is all new.
We moved the front fenders forward 50mm to increase
the clearance between the front fenders and
the rider legs. We also added all-new Maxxis
tires, which is the first thing most riders
will notice right away. It provides lighter
more precise steering and increased traction
both front and rear. “ Said Pat Biolsi
– Yamaha Testing Department.
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Yamaha
upgraded the Raptor's rear brakes for
2013 to twin piston brakes
|
Yamaha also added twin piston rear brakes to the
2013 Raptor 700 & Raptor 700R Sport ATV. While
out on the trail we slammed on the brakes several
times to avoid trees and the brakes worked flawlessly
every time.
There are three versions 2013 Raptor 700 and
Raptor 700R models to choose from which include
the Dual Graphics Raptor 700, Blue / White Raptor
700R, and the Raptor 700R Special Edition model.
The Dual Graphics Raptor 700 come with two graphic
kits to choose from – a skull themed graphics
kit or an “Assembled in the U.S.A”
graphics kit.
For the Raptor 700, Yamaha chose to go with
a sharp looking blue and white theme with white
plastic rear fenders and blue plastic front
fenders. And of course, there is the 2013 Raptor
700R Special Edition that comes with a tribal
skull graphics kit with black and maroon plastic.
The Special Edition Raptor 700R also comes
with GYTR heel guards, front and rear grab bar.
We also happy to say, all three models are all
cheaper in price than the 2012 models.
Yamaha not only introduced new styling, tires,
brakes, and lower prices to the Raptor 700 and
Raptor 700R Sport ATVs but they also announced
that they would be moving the assembly to their
new state-of-the-art facility in Newnan, Georgia.
Although this was not a big surprise since they
announced in 2010 that they would start moving
the production of all the Yamaha ATV and Side-by-side
models to the United States, it was one that
we are glad to see.
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We
recently had a chance to check out Yamaha's
new start-of-the-art facility in Newman,
Georgia were the Yamaha Grizzly Utility
ATVs are being built. The Raptor 700 will
also be assembled in the USA at the Yamaha
Factory in Newman, GA |
The Yamaha Raptor 700 ATV is the first sport
ATV to be transferred from over sea facilities.
Last year Yamaha announced that the first utility
ATVs that would be assembled in the United States
would be the Grizzly 700 and Grizzly 550 4x4.
We got a chance to tour the new Yamaha Factory
in Newman, Georgia and we were very impressed
with their facility.
Even though the weather didn’t play in
our favor, we had a blast speeding down the
tightly wooded trails at the East Fort Rock
OHV Trail System in Bend, Oregon on the new
“Assembled in the USA” 2013 Raptor
700 and Raptor 700R sport ATVs. We liked the
new styling and even more the new lower pricing
which was the topping on the cake being assembled
in the USA!
