The 2014 Yamaha Viking Tactical Black Special Edition combined matte-black bodywork, aluminum wheels and several practical accessories with Yamaha’s three-passenger utility UTV platform. Yamaha unveiled the limited-edition Viking at the 2014 SHOT Show in Las Vegas before releasing it that spring with an MSRP of $13,749.
What Made the Tactical Black Viking Different?
The Tactical Black model was a specially equipped version of the Viking EPS 4×4 rather than a mechanically different machine. Its most visible feature was the flat-black painted bodywork, which was paired with exclusive black cast-aluminum wheels.
Yamaha also equipped the Special Edition with several accessories that normally would have been added separately:
- Molded sun top
- Overfenders
- Mud flaps
- Under-seat storage box
- Cargo-bed rail accessory mounts
- Black cast-aluminum wheels
The package gave the utility-focused Viking a more aggressive appearance while adding useful protection, storage and cargo-management equipment.
2014 Yamaha Viking Tactical Black Specifications
| Engine | 686cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Yamaha Ultramatic CVT with High, Low, Neutral and Reverse |
| Drive system | On-Command 2WD, 4WD and locked 4WD |
| Steering | Electric Power Steering |
| Seating | Three occupants |
| Ground clearance | 11.8 inches |
| Cargo-bed capacity | 600 pounds |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 pounds |
| Fuel capacity | 9.7 gallons |
| Original MSRP | $13,749 |
Three-Passenger Viking Cab
The Viking had been introduced several months earlier as the wider, more utility-oriented successor to the two-seat Yamaha Rhino. Its defining feature was a three-person cab with individual seating positions rather than a conventional flat bench.
Yamaha offset the center seat approximately five degrees toward the rear to improve shoulder room. All three positions received padded headrests and three-point seat belts, while the passenger area included dedicated footwells and an adjustable handhold.
For a deeper look at the platform, dimensions and original trim levels, see our complete 2014 Yamaha Viking specs and features guide.
686cc Engine and Ultramatic Transmission
Power came from Yamaha’s 686cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection. The engine was tuned for predictable low-speed power while hauling, towing and navigating technical terrain.
Yamaha paired the engine with its Ultramatic continuously variable transmission. An automatic centrifugal clutch maintained belt tension during operation, while the transmission provided all-wheel engine braking for additional control on descents.
The driver-controlled On-Command system offered three settings:
- Two-wheel drive
- Four-wheel drive
- Four-wheel drive with the front differential locked
Electric Power Steering was standard on the Tactical Black Special Edition.
Utility and Off-Road Capability
The Viking’s steel cargo bed could carry up to 600 pounds and used an assist mechanism to make dumping a load easier. A standard two-inch receiver hitch provided a rated towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.
Its four-wheel independent suspension used gas-charged shocks and was designed to remain composed with one, two or three occupants and with an empty or loaded cargo bed. Approximately 11.8 inches of ground clearance and a full-length skid plate helped protect the underside on trails and worksites.
Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 radial tires were mounted on the Tactical Black model’s cast-aluminum wheels. Four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes and a separate mechanical parking brake completed the chassis package.
A Distinctive Early Yamaha Viking
The Tactical Black Special Edition arrived during the Viking’s first model year and demonstrated how Yamaha could move the platform beyond a basic farm or work vehicle. Its accessory package added useful equipment, while the blacked-out finish distinguished it from the standard red, green and camouflage models.
The original 2014 Viking established a utility platform that remained an important part of the Yamaha side-by-side lineup for more than a decade.
