Yamaha Rhino Overlook & Review

There are few UTVs out there that have been discontinued yet retained legendary status nearly as much as the Yamaha Rhino. It’s a rugged piece of equipment that has stood the test of time and people are still searching for second-hand models even today. Regardless of the year of production, this line of Yamaha UTVs is solid.

But before we get started, we’d like to mention the fact that if you’re looking for Yamaha accessories, we’ve got a wide selection of offerings right here on our website. You’ll find them all at decent prices so you won’t need to burn your wallet if you want to fine-tune your UTV or ATV. With that out of the way, let’s get started!

Yamaha Rhino General Facts

The popular line of UTVs ran from 2004 to 2012 and it was designed for one driver and one passenger with several two-wheel and four-wheel-drive models. Each one in the lineup was a rugged piece of equipment that delivered high torque, extreme power, and efficient driving on terrains of all types as long as you made sure to get the best tires. 

It was popular amongst many target audiences in the side-by-side and UTV enthusiast categories. Such target audiences would include farmers, off-road adventurers, racers, and even people who loved tuning their UTV to make it street-legal. You get the point, probably. It was a line of machines so versatile that they could easily fit just about anyone’s needs and wants.

Ever since the Yamaha Rhino lineup was discontinued, people have been feeling its absence. There are very few other UTVs out there that can handle the most difficult off-road situations possible and still be able to carry and tow as much weight as possible. Not only that but each specific model was known to last the user a long time without any significant repairs or an exaggerated maintenance process.

 

Notable Yamaha Rhino Models

Let’s go quickly through some of the most famous models of the Yamaha Rhino and see what they were about at a basic level. Luckily, you can still find most of them on the used market as of writing this article. 

2013 Yamaha Rhino 700 FI Auto 4×4

Sporting a comfortable interior, some futuristic controls (for that era’s time), a 686cc liquid and oil-cooled, four-stroke lightweight engine, with the dual-range transmission, and some other really nice additions, the Yamaha Rhino 700 model from 2013 is a fantastic choice even by today’s high standards. 

Some other notable features include:

• Industry-exclusive three-position On-Command® In/Out 4WD feature lets you switch between 2WD, limited-slip 4WD, and fully locked differential 4WD—all with the simple push of a button.
• Fully independent four-wheel suspension: double wishbones front and rear deliver 7.3 inches of wheel travel and 12.1 inches of ground clearance; five-way preload-adjustable shocks provide amazing comfort while navigating rough terrain.
• Thick bucket seats and a long-travel suspension system work together to provide the smoothest ride in the industry.

When all is said and done, the 2013 Yamaha Rhino 700 FI ranks among some of the best UTVs on the market even by today’s standards. Fortunately, seeing that this model is less than a decade old at the time of writing this article, there are high chances for you to find a model that is still in at least a relatively good condition.

2013 Yamaha Rhino 700 SE

You’ve probably guessed by seeing the name, but the Yamaha Rhino 700 SE is another rendition of the star-studded FI Auto 4x4. It’s powered by a 686cc engine that gives the kind of inexorable and high-traction torque that is necessary for pulling out of the slipperiest and toughest conditions. Basically, it’s much like the previous model on our list.

It also has an ​independent double-wishbone suspension, which, along with the On-Command drive system, will keep your riding experience safe. Furthermore, the ground clearance is pretty high, measuring 280 mm, and it has a large cargo capacity that’s able to handle up to 181 kg or 399 lbs.

• Some other notable features of this variant include things like:
• Effortless ultramatic transmission
• Oncommand® 2wd, 4wd & front-locked differential 4wd
• Dual hydraulic front/rear disc brakes
• A digital information panel
• Fuel capacity of 30 liters
• The oil capacity is 3 liters

2006 Yamaha Rhino 660

Just like the previous two models, this older 2006 gem comes with an independent four-wheel suspension. The double-wishbones front and rear deliver 7.3 inches of wheel travel and 12.1 inches of ground clearance. 

However, we need to warn you that the stock seatbelts weren’t all that great even for that time, and they won’t help you in case of a rollover. If you really want to drive this bad boy today, we’d like to suggest looking for some of the best UTV seat belts on our offering. Also, the stock belts can also be pretty annoying when they lock in place and won’t seem to unlock without releasing them.

Some of the more notable features that were cool at that time include:

• Electronic fuel injection ensures peak performance in nearly all conditions and elevations, along with instantaneous cold starts. 
• Tough, rotomolded doors keep mud, water, and dirt on the trail where they belong.
• Two cup holders were added for even greater creature comfort.
• Stainless steel exhaust with spherical joints.
• Tough, rotomolded doors keep mud, water, and dirt on the trail where they belong.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Yamaha still make the Rhino?

No, Yamaha no longer makes the Rhino. We have already mentioned this above, but we thought about making this a highlight for skim readers. The Rhino was produced from 2004 to 2012 with utmost success. Nobody knows exactly why it was discontinued.

 

What is the top speed of a Yamaha Rhino?

If you're talking about a factory-default Yamaha Rhino, then you're looking at a top speed of 42 miles per hour. However, you can always fine-tune the Rhino to become even faster with all sorts of aftermarket parts. 

 

What has replaced the Yamaha Rhino?

Back in 2014, Yamaha made the huge announcement that it will no longer produce the Rhino at all. Instead, the line of products got replaced by the Yamaha Viking, a side by side that's got a three-person front cabin and an extremely powerful four-wheel-drive engine.

 

Final Thoughts

The Yamaha Rhino lineup is fantastic even by today’s standards. However, if we were to give you a piece of sound advice, we’re more likely to recommend you buy a newer vehicle instead of an older one simply because of environmental standards and safety precautions.

Truth be told, older vehicles don’t compare to newer models that were fine-tuned to new heights and come with extensive safety measures, navigation options, and other technological advancements that propel newer vehicles further than what the previous two decades have ever had to offer. Regardless, the Yamaha Rhino still deserves praise for becoming the blueprint for future UTVs.