Yamaha Raptor 350 Came To Compete In The Market In 2004. Their Sales Are Touching Heights, And The Main Reason Behind Their Success Is Their Reliability And Rough Terrain. Although It Was Not A Crowd Pillar, Its Owners Are So Satisfied With This Machine That They Say It’s Fantastic.
If you are looking for a sports ATV machine, you are in the right place. I am here to guide you about the Yamaha Raptor 350 and provide all the related information.
Yamaha Raptor 350
Yamaha Raptor 350 was a sports ATV by Yamaha from 2004 to 2013. It has SOHC 348 cc four-stroke engine. To prevent the engine from overheating, Yamaha has added an air-cooled cooling system. It has dual hydraulic brakes and 210 mm rear and 200 mm front suspension. You will get a smooth and calm ride experience on it. For decent height, it has 21*7-10 front and 20*10-9 rear tires.
It is not only good in speed, but its handling is satisfactory and safer on the track. While driving, I found this four-wheeler is fun and a good option for off-road trails. It has racy aesthetics and mid-range power. This four-wheeler is unmatched in design and drive.
Yamaha manufactured it for more than ten years, which was later discounted due to the Raptor 250’s popularity. Let’s discuss the different models and specs of this fantastic machine.
Different Models and their Years
Yamaha has introduced its different models in different years to facilitate its customers with the latest updates. Just like that Yamaha Raptor 350 has 15 different models and three different trims. Here are the names and years of all of its different models.
| Year | Model |
| 2004 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM350S |
| 2005 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM350R |
| 2005 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM350RSET (Special Edition) |
| 2006 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM350RV |
| 2006 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM350RSEV (Special Edition) |
| 2007 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RW |
| 2007 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RWGY |
| 2007 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RSEW (Special Edition) |
| 2007 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RSE2W (Special Edition II) |
| 2008 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RXL |
| 2009 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RYL |
| 2010 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RZW |
| 2011 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RAL |
| 2012 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RBW |
| 2013 Yamaha Raptor 350 | YFM35RDW |
Specification
Following are the Yamaha Raptor 350 specs
| Engine Type | SOHC four strokes, air-cooled |
| Displacement (cc) | 348cc |
| Bore x stroke (mm) | 3.27 × 2.54 inches |
| Compression ratio | 9.20:1 |
| Top Speed | 63 mph |
| Horsepower | 19.2 |
| Transmission | 6 – Gear |
| Final drive | Clutch System |
| Battery | 12V, 8.6 Ah, 190-CCA |
| Front Suspension | 200 mm (7.87 inches) |
| Rear Suspension | 210 mm (8.27 inches) |
| Braking | dual hydraulic disc brake |
| Front Tire | 21*7-10 |
| Rear Tire | 20*10-9 |
| Weight (lb.) | 375 pounds |
| Ground clearance (in.) | 4.53 in |
| Length (in.) | 69.7 in |
| Width (in.) | 43.1 in |
| Height (in.) | 32 in |
| Seat height (in.) | 4.5 in |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 47.6 in |
| Price | $5,000 to $5,700 |
Engine
Raptor 350 has a big 348 cc engine with four strokes. Usually, people prefer two-stroke engines as they are easy to maintain. But for a four-wheeler, as a user, I can say it’s the best combination. Yamaha Raptor 350 horsepower is 19.2.
The engine provides more power at low RPM, which is a quality advantage. It has two valves per cylinder and is air-cooled. Raptor 350 has a more reliable and stable engine; you can quickly fix anything yourself.
If you want to use your ATV for longer, changing the oil and engine tuning will only positively affect you if you try to use it at Low RPM. You can use it at High RPM, but only sometimes.
Yamaha Raptor 250 Seat
The seat height in the Raptor 350 is 32 inches, which is good, and the foot touching the ground will not happen in it as it is a four-wheeler. It has a length of 69.7 inches and a width of 43.1 inches.
If you are tall and have an issue while sitting, you can adjust the height according to your height. It will give you 4.5 inches of ground clearance at the maximum limit.
Exterior Design
Its outer side is made of plastic, but the inner frame is steel. Users can make it according to their suitable design. Its design looks quite attractive, which was one of the factors for its high number of sales.
Speed Transmission
The Yamaha Raptor 350 has a 6-speed transmission with a ratio of 2.685 and 0.946 for first and sixth gear, respectively. An interesting fact about RPM is that riders want to avoid raising the rpm for faster speed. You can get more power from any machine at a lower rpm.
You can choose between one to sixth gear and get your desired speed. This technique is also efficient in fuel efficiency; using this technique of high gear and letting your rpm low can save fuel and keep the engine healthy.
Tires & Brakes
Good tires are the key to a good grip on the roads. The front tire size is 21*7-10, and the rear tire size is 20*10-9. They are effective in griping and makes handling easy.
Coming on the breaks I experienced, it has excellent breaks that will not get you in trouble. Instead of one disc brake, it has two disc brakes on the front and rear wheels. Due to the double disc brakes, you will get a smooth breaking experience.
There is a loophole in the braking system: if you drive ATV for a long time, the discs can overheat, affecting the braking. For some reason, one disc gets inadequate due to overheating; the other helps you brake safely.
Gear Transmission
Raptor 350 comes with a six-gear transmission. Five are for the forward, and the last 6th is for the reverse. These gears allow you to control the power while climbing, off-roading, or accelerating. Excluding the reverse speed issue, other gears are good at work.
Suspension
This ATV has 200 mm / 7.87 inches front suspension and 210 mm / 8.27 inches rear suspension. These Suspensions are adequate for absorbing the bumps, and you will get a smooth ride in return.
Here are some interesting things you must know about Raptor 350
Yamaha Raptor 350 Top Speed
The top speed of the Yamaha Raptor 350 is 63 mph(101 kph). Yamaha Raptor 350 has an engine of 348cc with a weight of 375 pounds; weight is undoubtedly reducing the speed. Suppose you are a speed lover and want to increase your speed so you won’t have to do much. There are some little thing that makes your ATV like a rocket.
Here are a few things that will help you increase your ATV speed.
- A tight screw beside the thumb throttle acts as a speed limiter. You can remove it, and this will increase your ATVs speed.
- Use high-quality fluid and try to change engine oil sooner, as due to high rpm, engine oil losses its viscosity.
- Change the gear on time to avoid harmful effects on the engine.
Price
The price of this bike depends on the trim and model year. The base model’s price could be between $5,000 to $5,700. If you want to add a front grab bar, hour meter, complete racer pack, or GYTR aluminum engine, your Raptor 350 will increase to $700 more.
Taking Care of your ATV
ATVs are dying faster as compared with other machines. Do you know why? Because we only use ATVs with high RPM, which will affect the engine. The engine is efficient and fuel-efficient at low RPM. So try to use it on low RPM
Issues with the Yamaha Raptor 350
Raptor 350 is reliable, as many people have enjoyed its ride. But technology or machines always have some issues. So here are some of the common issues of Raptor 350.
Week frame as compared with other ATVs
As raptors have fragile frames at the front. If you are buying a used Raptor 350, make sure to eyeball the frame’s straightness and, by grabbing its bar stand the vehicle up. If the wheeler is wrecked hard, there is a must chance that the front frame breaks first. After that, examine the rear bar mount and verify whether it is bent or straight.
A Dirty Carburetor makes its Staring Difficult
One of the most common issues with this ATV is its engine starting issue. It can be due to valves or a dirty carburetor. Identifying and resolving the problem can look like a complicated issue, but it’s not. You can easily find and resolve this issue even by yourself.
Engine and Electronic Issues are Frustrating
This issue can be due to wear and tear and self-inflicted. It should not come as a surprise if you ride your ATV hard. Finding and solving the issue can be difficult as quad gives mixed signals about the cause of its dysfunction.
Reverse troubles
Yamaha has six gear transitions 5 for forward and 6th for reverse. But the reverse gear could be more efficient at work. If you find trouble while using reverse gear, you can turn it off, put it in forward gear, and then turn it on. This will resolve your issue.
Learn About Other ATVs:
Conclusion
If you are looking for a raptor 350 for yourself, let me tell you it does not have engine overheating issues like most Yamaha engines. It is a good choice with many options such as it has an engine speed of 63 mph, but you can increase its speed with simple tricks. The seat height of this ATV is 32 inches, which is perfect, but if you have any issues with the height, you can adjust it according to yourself. It has a six-gear transmission to control the engine power. You may face an issue with the reverse gear, but it can be solved by turning your raptor 350 off. There are more issues like engine starting issues, dirty carburetor, and weak frame that you must keep in mind before buying it.
Although it is a good machine that can be a good option for a fun ride if you are a speed lover, this bike is not for you. The company offers its users to make its design according to their choice, which is an excellent strategy to attract customers. Many people have the same issue that ATVs die fast. If you want to use it for a long time, try to use it at low rpm and change the engine oil sooner.
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.
