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New Yamaha's Side-By-Side Hits Off-Road Market

Dan Miller
By  Dan Miller , Progressive Farmer Senior Editor
Yamaha's newest side-by-side has improved visibility, an aggressive suspension system and retooled center of gravity for handling tough off-road conditions. (Photo by Yamaha)

The Wolverine R-Spec is a whole new animal, said Yamaha Motor Corp. U.S.A. when it introduced its newest two-passenger side-by-side in late January.

Designed for the off-road/trail and hunting markets -- about 34% of the U.S. side-by-side market, by Yamaha's reckoning -- the Wolverine boasts a compact and aggressive look with its front end swept low for improved trail visibility. R-Spec, in Yamaha-speak means the Wolverine R-Spec has higher specifications than a base model side-by-side.

Yamaha is especially eager to talk about the Wolverine's suspension system. Its four-wheel independent suspension features KYB ultra-long-stroke nitrogen gas charged piggyback shocks. The fully adjustable shocks are designed to improve driver confidence by smoothing out a rough trail ride. With their hefty down force, the shocks keep the 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires on the trail surface, improving both control and grip on the turns. The shocks have 9.7 inches of travel in the front and 10.6 inches of travel in the back.

With 11.4 inches of ground clearance, decent (but a bit light) 300-pound cargo capacity, a new, dual overhead cam 708 cc liquid-cooled engine and four wheel engine braking, the Wolverine ought not be ignored by farmers and ranchers with long overland trips or work at the end of rocky climbs. The Wolverine features a 9.7-gallon fuel tank and a standard, 2-inch receiver for towing up to 1,500 pounds. One of two winch options is the WARN's ProVantage 3500. It pulls up to 3,500 pounds with 50 feet of 3/16-inch synthetic rope. The other is the WARN Vantage 3000.

Yamaha expects to begin selling the Wolverine R-Spec in April. It is assembled, as are all its ATVs and side-by-sides, at its high-tech manufacturing plant in Newnan, Georgia.

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The Wolverine's design nudges the driver and passenger closer and pushes the engine six inches deeper into the center of the vehicle's frame than Yamaha's three-passenger Viking. The configuration creates a center of gravity that dampens passenger jostling over rough trails, Yamaha says. The vehicle's four tires extend 2 3/4 inches beyond the edges of the narrowed frame. Yamaha believes the Wolverine's wheelbase gives it steady, balanced performance on the trail, while the compact frame gives the driver improved confidence because he can see more of the trail around him.

Similar to the Viking, the edges of the Wolverine's undercarriage (protected by a full-length skid plate) are swept up 2 1/2 inches from the center of the frame. The front of the frame also angles up. The cargo bed is tapered inward at its back end. Rear wheel protectors are welded to the frame to protect the rear tires. These are all engineering features that improve the Wolverine's ability to avoid contact with, and move over, obstacles on tight trails.

Here are other features found on the Wolverine R-Spec:

-- The cab includes two high-back bucket seats and three-point seat belts. The passenger has access to an inboard, steel tube, padded handhold. The driver seat has three seating adjustment positions.

-- The Wolverine features On-Command, four-wheel drive. Drivers can choose between 2-wheel-drive, 4-wheel limited slip, or 4-wheel, full differential lock drive settings by turning a dash-mounted dial.

-- Electronic power steering is available as a $1,000 option.

-- Large diameter front and rear wheel disc brakes with twin pistons provide the Wolverine's stopping power.

-- A composite cargo bed features six steel tie-down hooks connected to the chassis.

-- In-cab features include two cup holders, two center console storage bins, a dash-mounted glove box, under-seat storage, 12-volt DC outlet and digital display panel with speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, hour meter, clock, fuel gauge, gear position indicator, and four-wheel drive setting. An over-sized foam air-filter is located under the center console. The filter is reusable and accessible without tools.

Standard models feature a hard sun top and come in Steel Blue and Hunter Green. The camo Wolverine R-Spec features Realtree Xtra Camo. The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSPR) for models without electric power steering starts at $12,199; with electric power steering the MSRP is $13,199. Models with the camo option and electric power steering begin at $13,799.

(CZ)

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