Yamaha made its big return to the SxS market with the Viking two years ago. Now it is diversifying its product offerings with the Yamaha Wolverine. The 2-seat Wolverine is more meant for rough country exploring, trail riding and hunting according to Yamaha.
The Wolverine gets great ground clearance due to its high clearance A-arms. It also gets good approach angles due to its body which swipes up.
One of the major draws to the Wolverine will be the suspension system. The Wolverine has a KYB suspension system that was made specifically for it. It has long-travel and is fully adjustable. This provides more shock and suspension than competitors in the segment (like the Kawasaki Teryx and Can-Am Commander for example). This suspension will provide compression, rebound and pre-load dampening.
The Wolverine is made more maneuverable by wheels that stick out from the side of the vehicle quite a bit. The steep front nose will give riders a clear view of the ground in front of them.
As far as the engine goes. The Wolverine runs on a 4-stroke 708cc engine that is fuel injected. That is quite similar to the Viking's except it has dual cams instead of the Viking's single.
Let's compare the specs of the Wolverine and Viking now.
Wolverine
Price: $13,199
Engine: 708cc, 4 cycle Single, Liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore x Stroke: 103 mm x 85 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.1:1
Transmission: Yamaha Ultramatic V-Belt
Drive Train: Ultramatic CVT, Shaft, On Command 2WD, 4WD with Diff-Lock
Suspension: Rear - Independent Double Wishbone with Anti-Sway Bar, 10.6” of wheel travel, Front - Independent Double Wishbone, 9.7” of wheel travel
Brakes: Front - Dual Hydraulic Disk, Rear - Dual Hydraulic Disk / Multi-Disk Wet Parking Brake
L x W x H: 116.9” x 60.6” x 74.2”
Wheelbase: 81.3”
Turning Radius: 181.1”
Ground Clearance: 11.4”
Fuel Capacity: 9.70 Gal
Wet Weight: 1311 lb
Bed Capacity: 300 Lb
Towing Capacity: 1500 lb
Viking
Price: $12,799
Engine: 86cc liquid-cooled w/fan, 4-stroke; SOHC, 4 valves
Bore x Stroke: 102.0 x 84.0mm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Transmission: Yamaha Ultramatic V-belt with all-wheel engine braking; L, H, N, R
Drive Train: Yamaha On-Command; 3-way locking differential; 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; shaft drive
Suspension: Front - Independent Double wishbone; 8.1-in travel, Rear - Independent double wishbone; 8.1-in travel
Brakes: Front - Dual hydraulic disc, Rear - Dual hydraulic disc
L x W x H: 122.0 x 61.8 x 74.1 in
Wheelbase: 84.1 in
Turning Radius: 177.56 in
Ground Clearance: 11.8 in
Fuel Capacity: 9.7 gal
Wet Weight: 1355 lb
Bed Capacity: 600 lb
Towing Capacity: 1500 lb
