Yamaha Raptor 250 was introduced in 2008, and after its five-year production run, the company decided to stop its production. It is the lightest ATV ever produced, which is why it has nimble handling. In short, it is a peerless ATV in its class, performing better than its competitors and larger displacement quads.
If you want to know more about the Yamaha Raptor 250 top speed, specification, review, and price, then read the full article.
What is Yamaha Raptor 250?

Yamaha Raptor 250 has SOHC 249 cc engine with an air cooling system and Mikuni Carburetor. It has 5-speed constant mesh manual transmission with a sealed O-ring. Moreover, you will get a DC-CDI ignition and an electric start option.
It also has independent double-wishbone front suspension with 7.5 inches of wheel travel and swing arm preload rear shock with 7.9 inches of travel. Lastly, you will also get Dunlop’s KT201 AT20 × 7 – 10 front tires with dual hydraulic disc brakes and Dunlop’s KT205A AT19 × 10 – 9 rear tires with a single hydraulic disc brake.
Top Speed of Yamaha Raptor 250
Yamaha Raptor 250 top speed is 45 – 50 mph, which is adequate for a quad in the 250 cc category. With its top speed, you will get maximum power of 20 hp / 14.9 kW with good torque. In comparison to its larger siblings Yamaha Raptor 700, the Raptor 250 has impressive acceleration and reaches its top speed in 7 or 8 seconds.
How to Increase the Top Speed
If you are not satisfied with the Yamaha Raptor 250 top speed, you can modify it to improve its performance and speed. Some of its modifications to increase speed include
- Replacing the stock tires with bigger tires
- Re-jetting the carburetor
- Upgrading the intake and exhaust systems.
Specs
Here are the specifications of this lightest ATV given below.
Engine | SOHC 249 cc 4 Stroke, single cylinder |
Engine Cooling | Air-Cooled |
Fuel Delivery | Mikuni Carburetor |
Transmission Type | Manual, Constant Mesh 5-Speed |
Drive System | Chain Drive, Sealed O-Ring, 2WD |
start system | DC-CDI ignition and an electric |
Bore x Stroke | 74.0 x 58.0 mm (2.9 x 2.3 inches) |
Compression Ratio | 9.5:1 |
Front suspension | Independent double wishbone with 7.5 inches travel |
Rear Suspension | Swing Arm preload with 7.9 inches travel |
Front Tires | KT201 AT20 × 7 – 10 (Dunlop) |
Rear Tires | KT205A AT19 × 10 – 9 (Dunlop) |
Front Brake | Dual Hydraulic disc |
Rear brake | Hydraulic disc |
Dimensions | 64 x 42.1 x 40.9 inches (1,625 x 1,070 x 1,040 mm – L x W x H) |
ground clearance | 3.9 inches |
wheelbase | 43.7 inches |
weight | 142 Kg / 313 lbs |
seat height | 28.7 inches / 730 mm |
Fuel Capacity | 2.4 US Gallons |
Battery | 12V, 6 Ah, 130-CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) YTZ7S |
Price | $1,736- $5,717 |
Engine & Drivetrain
Yamaha Raptor 250 has SOHC 250 cc four-stroke engine with a single cylinder. It also has an air cooling system that keeps the engine temperature low. It also has a 74.0 x 58.0 mm (2.9 x 2.3 inches) bore and stroke ratio and a 9.5:1 compression ratio.
Furthermore, you will get a Mikuni carburetor for fuel delivery and DC-CDI ignition that will spark the engine to start its operation. Coming on the transmission side, you will get a Constant Mesh 5-Speed manual transmission with the pairing of a Sealed O-Ring. Lastly, for the rider’s assistance, it has an electric start option so anyone can quickly start it and enjoy its ride.
Suspension
Suspensions offer the rider a smooth and calm ride by absorbing all the bumps and jolts. Notably, for a good ATV and comfortable ride quality suspensions are a must. That is why it has independent double-wishbone front suspension with 7.5 inches of wheel travel and swing arm preload rear shock with 7.9 inches of travel.
Additionally, you can adequately enjoy its ride if your weight is 100 to 160 lb. Furthermore, it also lets you jump moderately without feeling hesitant about bouncing back.
Brakes & Tires
The purpose of a brake is to stop a moving object by providing resistance on the wheel. To provide stopping power to the Raptor 250, it has dual hydraulic disc brake for the front side and a single hydraulic disc for the rear side. You can efficiently operate the front brake by pulling the lever on the right side of the handlebar and the rear brake by pressing the lever with your right foot.
Coming on the tires, it has front tires of KT201 AT20 × 7 – 10 and rear tires of KT205A AT19 × 10 – 9. Both the front and rear wheels have Dunlop tires, so that you can expect quality grip and performance from them. Furthermore, the recommended tire pressure for both sides is 4.0 psi / 27.5 kPa (0.275 kg/cm²).
What’s the Price of Yamaha Raptor 250?
Starting in 2008 and ending in 2013, Yamaha has manufactured Raptor 250 for only five years, so it is not available in brand-new condition. However, you can easily buy a used one for yourself in the price range of $1,736- $5,717. As it is only available in used condition, so its price mainly depends on condition and functionality.
Additionally, one more perk is it’s lightweight, making it easy to transport by loading it into your truck. Hence, considering this quad to fill your weekends with colors is a good decision.
Conclusion
Yamaha Raptor is the most lightweight quad ever produced, and with this weight, it offers nimble handling with adequate bump-absorbing suspensions. Nothing less when talking about safety, it has hydraulic brakes on both of the excellent quality Dunlop wheels.
Although it is not available in brand new condition, you can effortlessly buy it in used condition. It is not very expensive and does not require any special care or maintenance. So you can consider this quad and enjoy its ride.
FAQ
Below are the frequently asked questions and their answers.
What age group is Yamaha Raptor 250 for?
According to the information on the internet, it is best for those with age ten or above and 100 – 160 lb weight.
What’s better, Raptor 250 or Blaster 200?
Yamaha Raptor 250 has a 249 cc engine, and Yamaha Blaster 200 has a 195 cc engine. Both of them have almost the same top speed. Blaster 200’s production ended in 2006, and Raptor 250’s was in production till 2013, so it is a high chance that Raptor is available in good condition and has easy availability of parts. Therefore, Raptor 250 is a winner.
Does a Raptor 250 have a clutch?
Yes, Raptor 250 has a manual clutch that you can efficiently operate by pulling the lever on the left side of the handlebar.
How many gears does a Raptor 250 have?
Yamaha Raptor 250 has a Constant Mesh 5 gears transmission.
Does a 2008 Yamaha Raptor 250 have a reverse?
No, Yamaha Raptor 250 does not have a reverse option.

Rand Frankey is OffRoadsCare freelance Content Editor. He loves offroad Travelling and bikes, jeeps, and dirk bikes. He will explain all his experience with dirt bikes and offroad vehicles which helps you to make a decision like which vehicle is right for you.