If you find yourself in need of a magic carpet to hit the sand and just cannot decide which ATV to choose, go for the Yamaha Raptor 700SE.
It may not be everyone’s first choice and there will be critics who choose other rides, but for this writer the bone stock 2013 Yamaha Raptor 700SE did the trick.
Having never ridden in the big sand of Glamis I knew it could be a challenge without the right quad and it was not until we arrived at our camp along Gecko Rd that I knew I might be ready for this adventure.
Each year Yamaha strives to bring new and exciting news to our industry and this year the machine I choose to ride in the sand of the Imperial Sand Dunes was the Yamaha Raptor 700SE.
This select number of ATVs had been prepared for us and these would be the first of many to come that are now completely assembled in the USA.
The 686cc four-stroke engine plays really nice in the sand. Being a big guy at over six feet tall I felt as if the Raptor fit my body and played to my posture well.
I rocketed this machine over many dunes staying in and around third gear almost all day. The powerful low-end torque was undeniable.
The new twin piston rear caliper really makes it stop well and with the extra legroom, lower tank and fenders out front the Yamaha Raptor made my first ride in the dunes a great experience.
