Yamaha Blaster – Complete Review and Specs

The Yamaha Blaster was a breakthrough for off-road riding, but sadly, it was discontinued in 2006. Fortunately, though, it was such a massive success, and you can find lots of resellers online. Yamaha Blaster parts are also still being sold, too. If you’re considering getting one of these, then here’s what you need to know.

The Yamaha Blaster was one of the best ATVs ever made because of its two-stroke engine that made it both nimble and lightweight. It was also budget-friendly, and its parts were easy to replace and modify because its specs remained the same, whether it was a 1994 or a 2004 Blaster.

Not sure whether to get a Yamaha Blaster? Here’s a simple guide to familiarize you with all the specs and features of this vehicle. After this review, you might just change your mind about them!

About the Yamaha Blaster

Yamaha Blasters were 200cc sports quads first created back in 1988. Everyone loved them because they were great for both beginners and veterans. Experienced riders had fun modifying them, while novice riders enjoyed their speed.

They’re great for dunes and a variety of terrains, and also very lightweight. Yamaha Blasters don’t have back support, so you should be careful with steep terrain.

Why Did They Stop Making Yamaha Blasters?

With continuous improvements, the Yamaha Blaster lasted about 13 years in the market before it was discontinued in 2006. You must be wondering why they stopped making Yamaha Blasters if they were so popular. Unfortunately, the United States’ stricter emission requirements forced them to halt manufacturing and replace it with the Yamaha Raptor.

Fortunately, these have been so widely produced that there are tons of second-hand ones in the market that are still in excellent condition.

Yamaha Blaster Specs

• Engine – Its engine is an air-cooled, two-stroke with a 195cc. For the transmission, Blasters have a six-speed manual. One downside that this vehicle has is that it can’t reverse, but honestly, it’s not too much of an issue.
• Suspension – Blasters also use a simple carburetor with a fuel capacity of 2.7 gallons. Aside from that, it has an independent double wishbone suspension with a 7.1-inch wheel suspension in the front. Meanwhile, the rear has a swing of 7.1 inches.
• Dimensions – As for its dimensions, all the Yamaha Blasters are roughly the same size. The overall length of it is 68.3 inches, and the width is 40.7 inches. The height of it from the ground is approximately 40.9 inches, which is also how high the seat is. Its wheelbase is 43.3 inches. Ground clearance for the Blasters is 4.7 inches.
• Tires – The tires are 21×7-10 at the front and 21×10-8 at the back. The total weight of an entire Yamaha Blaster would be around 324 lbs., which is perfect for loading on the back of your truck.
• Ignition – Yamaha Blasters also come with a key switch ignition. This keeps your ride in place and secure, so you don’t have to worry about someone else accidentally starting it or stealing it.

Improvements Post-2003

One thing that riders have a problem with when it comes to the older Yamaha Blaster models is the breaks. Older ones have a drum brake, which is still good but could be better.

After 2003 though, they incorporated hydraulic blasters for the newer models. It’s a significant improvement from the mechanical ones before because it responds faster and is overall more efficient. You will find dual hydraulic breaks both at the front and back of the Blasters.

Another key difference is the headlights, where it was moved from the handlebars to the new nose section.

How Much is a Yamaha Blaster Worth?

The price for it is still relatively low, but it varies depending on the year and condition. You will likely find mid condition Blasters to be no more than $2000 all in all. Some go as high as $3000, but usually, you won’t need to spend that much on an excellent quality Blaster.

If you get a lower-priced Blaster, the chances are that you may need to replace certain parts, such as the Yamaha Blaster carburetor, as they have already been worn out. Being able to replace its parts easily and rebuild it is one of its main advantages though. This helps it stay in top shape and extends in shelf life.

Yamaha Blaster Top Speed

For a simple ATV, Yamaha Blasters can go pretty fast. At top speed, it can reach about 55 mph. With a little fixing up and maintenance, you can get it to 30 to 40 hp. Modifying enough can help you bump up its horsepower to 45 hp. It could rival a Yamaha Raptor if you put in the work.

Blasters are fun to ride and have enough power to get you through almost any trail. If you’re just starting or want to introduce ATV riding to a friend, a Yamaha Blaster is perfect for the job.

One of the Blaster’s best qualities is that you can easily replace parts, and make it good as new. Parts for it are accessible and, with many high-quality products that can be found anywhere. Because of this, Blasters can become very durable rides that can last you a lifetime.

Yamaha Blaster vs Banshee

Another popular vehicle made by the same company is Yamaha Banshee. The two have similar features, such as being two-stroke, carburetors, and hydraulic discs. Both of them were also discontinued due to strict regulations, and many riders often compare the two.

The Yamaha Banshee is better suited for experts because they pack more power. They have more speed, too. However, Blasters are better suited for recreational purposes, and a ton of riders can attest that it’s an excellent ride for someone looking for an all-around vehicle.

Comparing Models

Although Yamaha Blasters have a newmodel for everywhere, they can be generalized into two groups. All the ones before from after the 2000s can be grouped, and the older ones would be the same.

Notable Features

• Two-Stroke Engine – These engines have a lot of potential because they pack a lot of power for a smaller size. It has around 30 percent more power than a four-stroke, with the only downside being lubrication.
• Independent Double Wishbone – For more seasoned riders, a short wheelbase might make it feel rougher, but more beginner and intermediate riders found no problems with it. You can still use it to get some air, and there’s the option of upgrading your components for more suspension. An ELKA Suspension (view on Amazon) is an excellent choice because it can fit all of the Blaster years and comes with aluminum shock parts.
• Stock Plastic – The frame itself is made of plastic, which is one of the things that helps it stay light. It’s a simple feature, but this makes it great for just customizing the exterior. You can repaint it or add decal stickers like this 3M Sticker Motorcross Graphic (view on Amazon), giving it a unique look.

About Yamaha

Yamaha is a manufacturer in Japan that creates a variety of motorcycles, boats, and other motorized products. They are known for their top-tier engineering while still being comfortable to ride. Their products are known to be long-lasting and reliable. Two decades later, many riders still consider their Yamaha Blaster as one of the best ATVs and continue to resell and buy it.

Conclusion – Yamaha Blaster Specs and Review

Yamaha Blasters are 200 cc two-stroke ATVs that were initially made as an entry-level ride. Thanks to the Yamaha team, these Blasters became one of the top-selling ATVs of its time. Yamaha Blasters continue to be at the top of the list for many riders. It is easy to use, and while there are more powerful and faster machines made by Yamaha, Blasters are still really fun to ride around any sort of terrain.

If you want something that gets you the best bang for your buck, Yamaha Blasters are the way to go.