2010 Raptor 700R SE

Yamaha Raptor 700R SE took place at the Imperial Sand Dunes of Glamis, California. After three days of riding the sandy expanse it got us thinking that Yamaha has a knack for developing iconic powersports machinery. Look at the list for proof: FZR100, V MAX, R1, Banshee and of particular interest to this review, the dune-consuming Raptor Special Edition.

The Raptor is billed by YAMAHA as the top-selling Sport ATV in the history of mankind, and it should come as no surprise since this big-bore 4-stroke seems to have been around since the Mesozoic Era. And like the reptile whose namesake it bears, it features a scary combination of agility and outright power wrapped in a unique and menacing-looking package. Packs of these bikes can be seen lurking on every dune from Glamis to Sand Hollow, often times nesting under the covered awnings of weekend warrior trailers while their owners revel in the never-ending fun riding at the dunes.

We know these atvs rock but every once in a while everything seems to fall into place and after a couple days of rain, the sand was moist, traction was at a premium and Raptor 700R SE was looking resplendent in its Special Edition white, red and black livery. But there’s more to the machine than just good looks, so let’s peel back the shiny exterior and see at what makes this bike such a hot commodity.

The power supply of the Raptor is a liquid-cooled 686cc SOHC, fuel-injected 4-stroke. Even in stock trim this ATV has great low to mid-range power capable of climbing any hill whether in the dirt or on the sand. It definitely goes good and never let me down despite being completely stock. You can tell the Yamaha is choked down too – it builds power in a linear manner, not really explosive but it breaks the tires loose with ease, so sliding is a cinch and its got the low end to haul even the heaviest loads up the big hills.

Over the years the outright hype heaped upon the Raptor has focused on its massive power but we implore you not to get the wrong idea, it’s not a trophy truck. It is an ATV with loads of potential. In stock trim the oval-shaped muffler and shiny exhaust look trick but it restricts the power output as part of the EPA-compliant nature of any off-road vehicle sold these days. Yet it still is impressive. Toss on an aftermarket pipe and header and this bike will really come alive. The uncorked version is the Raptor everyone raves about and it’s only a few hundred bucks and a trip to the GYTR catalog away from showing its true colors.