2016 Yamaha Raptor 90 Preview

After dropping the Raptor 90 and Raptor 125 after the 2013 model year, Yamaha has been absent from the Youth ATV class. Yamaha returns to the Youth class for 2016 with an all new Raptor 90.

The new Yamaha Raptor 90 has a Y-10 designation, meaning it is intended for riders 10 years old and older.

At the heart of the updated Raptor is an air-cooled 89.9cc engine, which is a slight increase in displacement from the 88cc engine on prior year models.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade on the Raptor 90 is the addition of reverse. Young riders (and some old ones) occasionally get into places they can’t get out of. Reverse will help in that situation and others.

Styling is a bit different, with styling cues taken from the Raptor 700R – particularly noticeable in the front end.

While the 2013 Raptor 90 had dual seal drum brakes up front and a hydraulic disc in the rear, the 2016 model has drum brakes front and rear.

Read our review of the 2011 Yamaha Raptor 125

Connecting the Raptor 90 to the ground are Duro tires (18×7-8 up front, 18×9-8 in the rear). These are the same sizes as found on the old Raptor, but Yamaha switched from Maxxis to Duro.

Duro tires are found at all four corners.

Suspension travel has increased considerably on the 2016 Raptor 90 to 5.0 inches up front and 5.8 inches in the rear, compared to 4.4 inches front and 3.3 inches rear on the old model.

The footprint of the new Raptor 90 is also significantly larger with measurements of 58.5 inches long, 40.2 inches wide and 37.6 inches tall, along with a 29.5-inch seat height. That’s more than five inches wider than the preceding Raptor 90 with a 3.8-inch taller seat height. As well, the wet weight increased from 264 pounds to 279 pounds.

Other features of the 2016 Yamaha Raptor 90 include electric start with back-up kick start, easy access air filter, full floorboards, and a plush seat. Fuel capacity is 1.7 gal., up from 1.3 gal. in 2013.

Full-size floorboards are designed with to keep young riders safe.

As for pricing, the 2016 Raptor 90 will retail for $2,799, compared to $2,699 for the 2013 model.