Originally announced January 20, 2015: The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec marked Yamaha’s entry into the recreational trail side-by-side category. Its compact two-seat chassis, 708cc single-cylinder engine, adjustable KYB suspension and driver-controlled four-wheel-drive system were designed for tight, technical terrain.
The original Wolverine established the foundation for a family that would eventually grow to include the Wolverine X2, Wolverine X4 and more powerful Wolverine RMAX models. This page preserves the specifications, features, photography and launch pricing of Yamaha’s first Wolverine R-Spec.
2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec Overview
The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec combined a compact chassis and two-seat cab with Yamaha’s established Ultramatic continuously variable transmission and On-Command four-wheel-drive system. Yamaha positioned it between utility-focused machines such as the Viking and more aggressive sport side-by-sides.
Its dimensions, protective underbody and carefully controlled power delivery were aimed at riders exploring rocky, wooded and mountainous terrain rather than open-desert competition. The Wolverine was also assembled in the United States for worldwide distribution.
At its introduction, Mike Martinez, then vice president of Yamaha’s Recreational Vehicle group, said the Wolverine extended Yamaha’s side-by-side lineup into the recreation segment. Yamaha identified off-road enthusiasts, hunters and explorers navigating tight trails as its intended customers.
Adjustable KYB Suspension
A major feature of the Wolverine R-Spec was its adjustable KYB piggyback suspension. The front suspension provided 9.7 inches of wheel travel, while the rear delivered 10.6 inches.
The shocks offered high- and low-speed compression adjustment, rebound adjustment and threaded spring-preload adjustment. That level of tuning allowed owners to tailor the ride for passenger weight, cargo and different trail conditions.
Compact Chassis and Underbody Protection
The Wolverine used an 81.3-inch wheelbase and provided 11.4 inches of ground clearance. Its compact proportions and outward visibility were intended to help drivers place the vehicle accurately on narrow or technical trails.
Yamaha raised the outer portions of the chassis more than two inches above its center section to help the vehicle clear obstacles. Rear-wheel protectors reduced the chance of rocks or other obstacles contacting the rear tires.
Full-length and full-width skid plates protected the underside while creating smoother surfaces that could slide across rocks and trail obstacles. Yamaha also fitted front CV-boot guards and integrated protection beneath the rear A-arms.
The original model rode on 12-inch steel wheels with 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires. The front wheels measured 12 x 6 inches, while the rear wheels measured 12 x 8 inches.
Two-Seat Wolverine Cab
The two-seat cab featured supportive high-back bucket seats, shoulder bolsters and three-point seat belts. The driver’s seat offered three-position adjustment, while the passenger received an adjustable dash-mounted handhold.
Dedicated floorboard areas provided legroom and bracing surfaces for both occupants. Yamaha positioned the engine and designed the center console to help give the cab a compact but secure feeling in rough terrain.
Interior storage included two center-console bins, two cup holders, a dashboard glove box and storage beneath the seats. The digital instrument display included a speedometer, odometer, dual trip meters, hour meter, clock, fuel gauge, transmission position and four-wheel-drive indicator.
A 12-volt outlet powered trail accessories and personal electronics. Yamaha placed the transmission selector and parking-brake lever in the center console. A dealer-installed hard sun top was also included as standard equipment.
On-Command Four-Wheel Drive and Ultramatic CVT
Yamaha’s On-Command four-wheel-drive system allowed the driver to select 2WD, 4WD or 4WD with differential lock using a dashboard-mounted control. Unlike automatically engaging systems, On-Command gave the driver direct control over when the front differential and differential lock were engaged.
The Ultramatic automatic transmission incorporated a centrifugal clutch that maintained belt tension at idle and during initial engagement. This design reduced belt slippage and heat while delivering smooth low-speed control.
The transmission included high, low, neutral and reverse ranges. Its one-way sprag clutch also provided consistent engine braking when descending steep terrain.
Steering and Brakes
Electric Power Steering was available on EPS versions of the Wolverine R-Spec. Yamaha tuned the rack-and-pinion steering system to provide assistance at low speeds while retaining useful trail feedback.
Hydraulic disc brakes were fitted at all four wheels. A separate enclosed wet parking brake helped protect the parking-brake mechanism from mud, water and trail debris.
708cc Single-Cylinder Engine
The original Wolverine R-Spec used a liquid-cooled, double-overhead-cam 708cc single-cylinder engine. The fuel-injected four-valve engine had a 103mm bore, an 85mm stroke and a 10.1:1 compression ratio.
Yamaha tuned the engine for controllable torque delivery in technical terrain. Its high-mounted air intake helped keep the induction system away from trail debris and water, while an oversized reusable dual-foam air filter was accessible beneath the removable center console without tools.
Service openings incorporated into the skid plates provided access to engine-oil, gear-oil and coolant drains. The battery and marine-grade electrical components were positioned beneath the removable hood.
Cargo, Fuel and Towing Capacity
The Wolverine carried 9.7 gallons of fuel and used a fixed-position injection-molded composite cargo bed. The bed included six steel tie-down points attached to the chassis, a removable tailgate and a built-in one-inch divider slot.
Cargo capacity was rated at 300 pounds. A standard two-inch receiver hitch provided a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds.
2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec Specifications
- Engine: 708cc liquid-cooled DOHC single-cylinder
- Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
- Compression ratio: 10.1:1
- Bore and stroke: 103mm x 85mm
- Transmission: Yamaha Ultramatic CVT with high, low, neutral and reverse
- Four-wheel drive: On-Command 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock
- Front suspension travel: 9.7 inches
- Rear suspension travel: 10.6 inches
- Shocks: KYB piggyback shocks with high- and low-speed compression, rebound and spring-preload adjustment
- Wheelbase: 81.3 inches
- Ground clearance: 11.4 inches
- Tires: 26-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0
- Fuel capacity: 9.7 gallons
- Cargo capacity: 300 pounds
- Towing capacity: 1,500 pounds
- Seating: Two occupants
Original Models, Colors and Pricing
The 2016 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec was scheduled to reach U.S. dealerships beginning in April 2015. Standard models were offered in Steel Blue and Hunter Green, while a camouflage version featured Realtree Xtra Camo.
Original manufacturer’s suggested retail pricing started at $12,199 for the non-EPS Wolverine R-Spec and $13,199 for the EPS model. These figures are preserved as historical launch prices and do not represent current used-vehicle values.
2017 Yamaha Wolverine R-Spec SE
The Wolverine lineup continued for 2017 with the R-Spec SE. UTV Guide drove the updated model during a Yamaha event at Gunsite Academy, providing another opportunity to evaluate the compact platform on rocky and technical Arizona terrain.
How the Original Wolverine Fits Into Yamaha History
The 708cc Wolverine was an important transition point in Yamaha’s side-by-side development. It carried forward durable drivetrain concepts associated with the Yamaha Rhino while introducing a more recreation-focused chassis, more suspension travel and a dedicated two-seat cockpit.
Yamaha later expanded the nameplate with the Wolverine X2 and X4 before introducing the substantially more powerful RMAX generation. Those newer machines changed the performance level of the family, but the original R-Spec established the Wolverine formula: predictable power, technical-trail capability, occupant comfort and Yamaha’s Ultramatic drivetrain.
Explore more Yamaha UTV models, reviews and history, or read our original Yamaha Wolverine review for driving impressions from the first-generation machine.
