Yamaha’s smallest quad is the YFM80W. Styled along the lines of its bad boy big brother, Yamaha’s 660 Raptor, the smaller 79cc machine cuts a menacing pose.

Like Honda, Yamaha have chosen the four-stroke route for their junior quad. A 79cc single does the work and is fed from a generous 6.8-litre fuel tank. Electronic ignition reduces maintenance intervals and the clean burning four-stroke engine should provide many years of hassle free service.

Starting is done with a push of the magic electric start button and can be fired up in any gear. Boding for a long service life is the shaft-drive system, a rare, and welcome feature on a junior quad.

Like the competition the Yamaha also scores an adjustable throttle limiter. While the Suzuki and Kawasaki score automatic gearing, the Yamaha, like the Honda, has a clutchless manual box. However the Yamaha gets by with three gears, as compared to the Honda’s four ratios.

Drum brakes front and rear bring the 110kg machine to a steady halt. Suspending the machine 100mm from the deck is a twin-shock, non-independent front suspension system and monoshock rear.

Yamaha can offer flexible finance deals on any of their range, including the $4,549 YFM80W. Warranty coverage is 12 months.

Yamaha are currently running a promotion whereby purchasing a YFM80 will score you a pair of limited edition Yamaha Factory Racing jackets.  This offer expires on December 31 and is available from participating dealers while stocks last.

YFM80W specs
Displacement 79cc
Bore x stroke 47 x 45.6mm
Comp ratio 9.6:1
Lubrication Wet sump
Carburation VM16SH
Ignition CDI
Starting system Electric
Fuel tank capacity 6.8L
Transmission 3 speed semi-auto
Final transmission Shaft drive
Overall length 1537mm
Overall width 841mm
Overall height 940mm
Seat height 669mm
Wheelbase 1030mm
Ground clearance 100mm
Dry weight 110kg
Suspension (f) Leading arm/60mm
Suspension (r) Swingarm/58mm
Brakes (f) Dual sealed mech drum
Brakes (r) Sealed mech drum
Tyres (f) AT18 x 7-7
Tyres (r) AT18 x 8-7
Colour Blue
RRP: $4549

Pictured here is the YFM80W