50th Anniversary Yamaha Dealer Show – Las Vegas, NV

[Admin]

Las Vegas, NV – Yamaha went all out this year for its 50th Anniversary, and ATVriders.com was there to see it all first hand with a complete report from the show coming very soon.

For now, here are some of the photos from the show, and I will start with a photo of the totally redesigned Raptor 700 sporting some GYTR accessories

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Close up view of the Raptor 700 GYTR Front Bumper and A-arm Guards

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GYTR Exhaust System

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Eccentric carrier and slick taillight that is integrated into the rear fender

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Closeup view of the Tail Light

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Cutaway view of the totally new Raptor engine

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The Hybrid Raptor Frame with Steel front and Aluminum rear

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Yamaha not only totally redesigned the Raptor 700, but they also made over 80 changes to the already popular YFZ450 with the help of it Factory Riders (Kory Ellis, Bill Ballance, and Keith Little)

All three Factory Riders made the trip out to Las Vegas with Bill Ballance rushing home from the Mountaineer to catch a plane out to Vegas on Sunday after earning his 2nd win in a row, and Keith Little was in the same situation traveling from Arkansaw after taking 2nd in the Extreme Dirt Track Nationals.

Kory Ellis fortunately was off this weekend, so he was available early to greet with the press and show off his 2005 YFZ450 Race Machine

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Yamaha showed off all of there YFZ450 changes by displaying the 2005 and 2006 replacement parts side by side for everyone to clearly see how different the new 2006 YFZ450 will be over the 2005.

This photo isn't the best example, but there are more to come that show some big changes.

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YFZ450 Tail Light

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YFZ450 Eccentric Carrier and Dual Piston Rear Caliper

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2006 will be the last year of production for the Banshee and Blaster, and by popular demand Yamaha released the Limited Edition models in Black with blue/purple flames.

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2006 Raptor 350

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2006 Wolverine 450 4x4, which shares a similar look to the Raptor

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That is it for now, but check back this evening for even more photos and details from the Yamaha Show:D

[JLanphear]

I really like those tailights!

[jcv400ex]

Harlen,

Is the Wolverine that ugly in person, or is it a "see it before judging it" type of thing.

[Dave400ex]

I must say the swingarm/chain adjustment change is the one I like the most for the 450. Not only will it be easier, but it makes the rear end look 100 times better being all clean, not having all the chain adjustment crap back there....

[LeGaCyGiAnT124]

I like:eek2:

[JLanphear]

Originally posted by jcv400ex
Harlen,

Is the Wolverine that ugly in person, or is it a "see it before judging it" type of thing.

Not that I have a clue what I'm talking about or anything, but I'd bet it's slightly better in person because it will be easier to see how it is proportioned. In pictures it looks like it could be a Raptor 80.

[Hondadudeehhhh]

yamaha is really stepping it up and making quads look cleaner. i cant wait to see the suzuki line up!

[watts16]

Originally posted by Hondadudeehhhh
yamaha is really stepping it up and making quads look cleaner. i cant wait to see the suzuki line up!

i cant wait to see suzuki 450

[crday98]

it looks like yamaha is stopping at nothing to attempt to lead the atv industry. i am a diehard honda guy but began to question myself about which 450 i was going to buy since their release and after hearing the news, it looks like i am going to shoot for the yammi. the chain adjustment set up on any yamaha was always one of my biggest complaints. i feel they should have caught on to the eccentric carrier back in the 90's but at least now they finally did.:D i feel somewhat short-changed with the 450R. i feel honda dropped the ball. take nothing away from it , it is an outstanding atv but i feel there are certain things that could have been better.:ermm:

[Dale512]

Admin, did they do anything with the rear brake reservoir on the YFZ? Such as move it. How about the new Raptor, did you see anything you didnt like on it, like mechanically? I already put a deposit down on the first 700 my dealer gets, that will hold it for me, once I see it I'll make up my mind whether I want it or not.

They ruined that wolverine! All the other quads look great though. Is efi hard to work on?

[JLanphear]

Originally posted by kickerkfx444
They ruined that wolverine! All the other quads look great though. Is efi hard to work on?

i dunno...the styling was pretty dated anyway.....i think this one will look better in person. I think it looks dumb in the pictures, but i'm giving them the benefit of the doubt...hahaha. I'm not saying I'm a yamaha lover, but there styling is normally fairly decent.

[Blysster]

Originally posted by JLanphear
I really like those tailights!

I agree.. they do look alright.

Maybe I'm just used to seeing their headlights behind me :blah:

[Plante400]

is it ok that is pisses me of they coppied hondas swingarm/carrier setup hahha

[SRH]

Originally posted by Plante400
is it ok that is pisses me of they coppied hondas swingarm/carrier setup hahha

its a good idea thats why honda put the patent on it...really put the other manufactuers at a disadvantage

[Fred55]

Originally posted by Plante400
is it ok that is pisses me of they coppied hondas swingarm/carrier setup hahha

lol i find it funny that you are pissed off about something like that? is it because the yfz is now even better?

[QuadJunkies]

I think the Raptor looks VERY trick!!! I cant wait to see one in action!! :blah: :macho

[Jersey450R]

Originally posted by SRH
its a good idea thats why honda put the patent on it...really put the other manufactuers at a disadvantage
Honda's patent ran out this year on the ecentric carrier design. It lasts only 7 years.

[MotoX3]

honda had many things patented that ran out in the past few years/this year.....like that carrier design/chain adjuster....the CR style brake routing on bikes....everyone can use it now

[Jeffksf]

Applause for the dual piston rear caliper. I've always wondered why a dirtbike that only has to stop one wheel gets a better brake then a quad that has to stop 2 wheels and tires w/ an axle:rolleyes: It seemed like such an easy fix since all they had to do was order more dirt bike rear calipers and design a new bracket.

Applause to Yamaha

[Harvey]

Raptor lookin good!

[FasstMidnightZ]

Originally posted by JLanphear
I really like those tailights! Me Too ! :cool:

[bad01300ex]

is that a stock swinger on ellis's quad?? i thought the stock ones (from 04 05) were crappy, and people cracked em all the time? i cant wait to get my hand on an 06 take off!

[SRH]

Originally posted by bad01300ex
is that a stock swinger on ellis's quad?? i thought the stock ones (from 04 05) were crappy, and people cracked em all the time? i cant wait to get my hand on an 06 take off!

they were, ellis runs a non gusseted frame and stock swingarm, replaces them every few races id bet

[Pman485]

Are the tail lights LRD's? that would be sweet. Man That banshee is making me drool! I want one!

[Fred55]

yes the taillights are LEDs :p