The Yamaha Rhino was an American off-road vehicle built from 2004 to 2012. As a two-seater side-by-side it was classed as a utility task vehicle, and it helped popularise the recreational side-by-side class.
Yamaha Rhino at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Class | Side-by-side UTV / ROV |
| Built | Newnan, Georgia, United States |
| Production | 2004–2012 |
| Seats | two |
| Drive | two- or four-wheel drive |
| 2009 repair | two-inch rear wheel spacers and removal of the rear anti-sway bar |
| Sales suspension | less than two months in 2009 |
| Main rivals | Polaris Ranger and RZR, Arctic Cat Prowler, Honda Pioneer |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha Rhino
The Rhino was produced by Yamaha from 2004 to 2012 at its factory in Newnan, Georgia. It was a two-seat side-by-side that could be ordered with two- or four-wheel drive, and it was classified as a utility task vehicle or recreational off-highway vehicle rather than an ATV.
On 31 March 2009 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a repair programme for the Rhino 660 and 450, which Yamaha extended to the Rhino 700. Two changes were required to reduce the chance of rollover and improve handling: a two-inch spacer on each rear wheel and the removal of the rear anti-sway bar. Yamaha suspended sales until affected machines could be repaired, and the CPSC advised owners not to use their vehicles until a dealer had made the modifications. All later Rhino 450, 660 and 700 models had the same changes, and the sales suspension lasted less than two months.
The Rhino competed with a growing field of side-by-sides, including the Polaris Ranger and RZR, Arctic Cat Prowler, Honda Pioneer, Kawasaki Teryx 750 4×4, Can-Am Commander and John Deere Gator. Its layout and styling influenced later recreational side-by-sides from Yamaha and its rivals.
Design and features
- Side-by-side layout: two seats, a cargo bed and a steering wheel rather than handlebars.
- Two- or four-wheel drive: chosen by the buyer at order time.
- Georgia production: built at Yamaha’s Newnan factory in the United States.
- 2009 modifications: rear wheel spacers and no rear anti-sway bar to improve stability.
Yamaha Rhino versions
- Rhino 450: smaller-engined version covered by the 2009 repair programme.
- Rhino 660: the main model of the range.
- Rhino 700: larger version, also included in the repair programme.
Other Yamaha off-road vehicles include the Grizzly and the Raptor 700R. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha Rhino, English Wikipedia: production, class, drive, 2009 repair programme, competitors
