Suzuki Dr350

A weekend at Gordons well (Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area), I had the opportunity to take a ride on a 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700, and Oh My God! This quad is one of the best I've ever ridden. I typically drive a VW short sand rail travel with a 2276cc engine, which has all the power I have to go across the dunes, but he did not stay to go on hard snow or jump.

Lately I've been considering buying another dirt bike so I would have more versatility than I do with the rail. I have a Suzuki DR350 Enduro, but can not really ride in the dunes. Last weekend, I had what was probably the second best weekend in the dunes of my life.

I had to follow her heart Dan, her 11 year old daughter Cassy, and Big Mike, (Professor, my husband's eldest son who has been driving all his life). Dan rides the Raptor 700, and 400 walks daughter Suzuki. Mike has made a Banshee and a warrior 350, I rode the Warrior.

I could follow on the Warrior for the most part, and it was a real pleasure to follow Cassy had no problem keeping up with his father. In fact, it could go some places that I could not smaller, less powerful machine.

Anyway, on the tail of one of the "known" we have rides, Dan Let Me Ride the Raptor for some time. It was like riding in a chair on a rail with a jet pack attached to the rear. I was literally yelling and laughing in my helmet, both throwing my arms in the air and cheering myself because of the rush I got a quad. I decided (before I'm off the Raptor), another dirt bike was not in my immediate future. I picked up a Raptor this summer.

Some features of the 700cc Yamaha Raptor 2006

Engine Type: 686 cm liquid-cooled, SOHC 4-stroke w / fan, 4 valves
Bore x stroke: 102mm x 84mm
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Carburetion: Yamaha Injection (YFI), 44mm
Ignition: Digital TCI w/16-Bit ECU
Starting system: Electric
Transmission: 5-speed manual clutch / reverse
Drivetrain: 2WD; adjustment sealed chain o-ring, eccentric
Suspension w / Front: Independent double wishbone, 9.1 Voyage "/ piggy back with high / low speed compression, expansion and threaded preload adjustment
Suspension w / Rear: Cast aluminum swingarm, 10.1 Journey "/ piggy back with high / low speed compression, expansion and threaded preload adjustment
Brakes / Front: Dual ventilated hydraulic discs, twin pistons
Brakes / rear: ventilated disc hydraulic self adjusting function of parking brake
Front tires: AT21x7-10 radial
Rear tires: AT20x10-9 radial
H x W x L: 72.6 "x 46.1" x 44.5 "
Seat height: 32 "
Wheelbase: 50.4 "
Ground clearance: 4.4 "
Fuel tank capacity: 2.9 gal.
Dry Weight: 396 pounds
Lighting: Dual 30W Krypton multireflector headlights and brake light 3.9/0.5W