The Bottom Line
The all new 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125 has changed the game. It fills a void between the 90cc Youth ATV and the 250cc and bigger Sport ATV. Yamaha says it's entry level.
Sure. Call it that.
Take a look at the image gallery for the 2011 Raptor 125 ATV.
Pros
- Good Power to Weight Ratio
- Fully Adjustable Sport ATV Suspension
- 5-Speed Manual Transmission
- Electric Start
- Designed for Bigger Youths Aged 16 and Older
Cons
- Brake lever not adjustable
- Gets a bit crowded for tall riders
Description
- Strong 124cc four-stroke engine
- 5 Speed Manual Transmission with Clutch
- Fully Adjustable Sport Suspension, 7.5" Front Travel 7.9" Rear Travel
- Single-Axis Counter-Balance to Reduce Vibration at Bars, Pegs and Seat
- Low 28" Seat Height Provides Lower Center of Gravity for Better Control and Stability
- Accessories Designed Using Solid CAD Models Supplied by Yamaha Engineering to Ensure Factory-Like Fit and Function
Guide Review - 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125 ATV First Ride
We rode the brand new, first in its class 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125cc ATV in Ventura. It's billed as an "entry level" quad for kids 16 and older to move up from the 90cc Raptors they learned on.
As we all know, putting many 15 year old kids on a 90cc quad isn't a good idea because it's unsafe for them to operate a quad that small. But they're not always ready to move to a Raptor 250 either, so the Raptor 125 fills the gap nicely.
The 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125 is more than just an entry level quad though. It's a full-featured sport ATV with adjustable suspension just like that on the Raptor 250. It's the first of its kind from a major manufacturer as a "step up" quad, but let me tell you, adults can have a blast on it too. And we did.
When you first hop on the Raptor 125 it feels like you're on a 250. If you're tall you may not like being cramped up at the knees so much. If you don't hang off the side while you're turning it may get interesting, but overall the rigid high tensile steel frame made it light and strong and easy to handle and very enjoyable.
The Raptor 125 has lots of power and a 5 speed manual transmission with a real clutch, so even if you're an experienced adult you'll be able to really move on this without worrying about breaking it.
The Raptor 125 is light weight and easy to slide. With over 7 inches of travel you can eat up bumps and move through sweepers and hair-pins no matter how edgy the track conditions are. Braking is superb with 3 hydraulic disk brakes, 2 in front and one in the rear. I didn't realize until I got home that the Raptor 125 has the same rotor and master cylinder as my Raptor 700 R.
If you ride a lot you'll appreciate the eccentric-type Yamaha Cam Adjust drive chain adjuster and tool-free air filter access.
Here's the specs for this cool little quad:- Type 124cc air-cooled 4-stroke: SOHC; single
- Bore x Stroke 54.0 x 54.0mm
- Compression Ratio 10.0:1
- Fuel Delivery Mikuni® 29mm BSR
- Ignition DC-CDI
- Starting System Electric
- Transmission 5-speed; wet multiplate clutch
- Drive Train 2WD; sealed O-ring chain, eccentric adjustment
- Suspension / Front Independent double wishbone; 5-way preload-adjustable shocks, 7.5-in travel
- Suspension / Rear Swingarm: 7.9-in travel
- Brakes / Front Dual hydraulic disc
- Brakes / Rear Hydraulic disc
- Tires / Front Maxxis® AT19 x 6-10
- Tires / Rear Maxxis® AT18 x 9-8
- L x W x H 63.4 x 40.0 x 39.8 in
- Seat Height 28.1 in
- Wheelbase 43.7 in
- Ground Clearance 3.3 in
- Fuel Capacity 2.4 gal
- Wet Weight 299 lb
- Lighting Single 35/36.5W headlight & 21W/5W brakelight
- Warranty 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty)
- $3,399 (Team Yamaha Blue/White) Available from July 2010
- $3,399 (White w/Graphics Kit) Available from July 2010
