Yamaha Rhino

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Please improve this article if you can. (October 2007)

A Rhino at the 2006 SEMA Show

The Yamaha Rhino is a small off-road vehicle made by the Yamaha Motor Company. The 2-person four-wheel drive vehicles are in unique class called Side by Side which is in between the size of ATVs and Jeeps. The Rhino is gaining popularity in racing with customizations similar to the full-size vehicles. Polaris and Arctic Cat have made vehicles in the same class.

1 Vehicle
2 Safety
3 Classification
4 Competitors
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Vehicle

The basic premise involves the chassis, engine, transmission, suspension and basic characteristics of a large utility 4x4 ATV, but with two side by side bucket seats with seat belts and a rollcage. The controls are similar to those of a golf cart, with pedals and a steering wheel rather than the handlebars of a conventional ATV. Rhinos are particularly useful at reaching remote areas for search and rescue type operations. Carry 2 or more people & their gear into places other vehicles simply can't reach due to its narrow by ORV standards 54" width. A micro-Jeep some call it. Capable of safely conquering extreme trail maneuvers with an experienced operator the Rhino, which is operated similar to a car is also popular with some disabled people as a means to get places a wheelchair can't.

Almost all of the Rhino's mechanical components are shared with the Yamaha Grizzly 660 ATV . It's powered by the same liquid-cooled 686cc SOHC 5-valve 4-stroke Single, driving through a V-belt automatic transmission. The front and rear suspensions are the same as the Grizzly's as are the front disc brakes and driveshaft-mounted single rear disc. Even the tires and pushbutton 2wd/4wd/4wd differential lock are the same for both machines. Rhino ground clearance is 12.1 in., 0.3 in. more than that of the Grizzly.^[1]

[edit] Safety

There is some question about the stability of the vehicle. Some say the wheels are too close and it is too high off the ground making it "tippy" or prone to tip over causing serious injury and death. Others drive it every way possible without any tips at all. Yamaha did offer free doors and an extra passenger hand hold in late summer 2007. This was done because people driving aggresively were causing the vehicle to tip over. Some news reports state that most serious injuries were from the rider's failure to wear a helmet or seatbelt, both of which are highly advised at all times.

[edit] Classification

The Rhino is larger than a standard ATV so some states standards may not allow classification as an ATV. For example, because of weight (more than 800lbs) and width (over 50"), Oregon would classify it as a Class II OHV, same as a Jeep. Helmets are actually not required with this Class of vehicle. However, with roll bars and two heads in close proximity, Yamaha does recommend both driver and passenger wear one.^[2]

[edit] Competitors

Other main competitors of the Rhino include the Polaris Ranger, Polaris Ranger RZR 800, Arctic Cat Prowler, and the new Kawasaki Teryx 750 4x4. The Ranger is a mostly utility based sxs (side by side), while the Polaris Ranger RZR is more of a sports vehicle. The RZR is faster, has more horse power, and has a lower center of gravity.