Our long-term loan Yamaha Rhino is proving to be more fun than even we thought it would be. Exploring is easy, fast, and we can fit where our larger 4x4s can't. The Rhino isn't as fast as its competitors are, but its low-speed performance is superior. Crawling in Low range with the front differential locked (the rear is a spool) allows the Rhino to go just about anywhere it fits.
Yamaha offers a number of accessories for the Rhino that we wanted to make our Rhino even better for backcountry exploring. A winch is a must, and the Yamaha/Warn 2500 ATV winch installs easily and even gave us a front receiver as part of the mount, too. A storage box and bag lets us carry equipment relatively dust-free. While the Rhino Sport came with alloy wheels and quality Maxxis tires, we just had to install a set of Interco Swamp Lite ATV tires mounted on a set of their Condor alloy wheels. We've used the Swamp Lites before and can report they work extremely well, not only in sand, mud, rocks, and snow, but on hardpack too. The red Rhino Sport UTV comes with fender flares to cover larger tires, but the silver model doesn't. We installed a set of Yamaha fender flares to keep the mud off of us. It surprised us how often we glanced into the nonexistent rearview mirror when driving the Rhino, so we ordered one from Black Rhino Performance and can now see what's behind us.
We installed a pair of 26x9.00-12 Interco Swamp Lite tires up front and two 26x10.00-12s in the rear. The tires are 1-inch larger than stock diameter to give us better ground clearance. These are strong, six-ply bias tires. By the time you read this, radial Swamp Lites will also be available. We like the bias tires for their strength and the fact they don't have that radial "bounce" when aired down. Interco Condor alloy wheels are light, strong, and look great.
The Rhino's now set up the way we want it. We'll take you along on some exploring trips in upcoming installments.
The Yamaha/Warn 2500 winch...
The Yamaha/Warn 2500 winch installed easily and is a must-have when 'wheeling the Rhino solo. The winch mount also gives us a nifty 2-inch receiver (under the hook in this photo), which makes jockeying trailers very easy.
The Yamaha Crossover Storage...
The Yamaha Crossover Storage Box provides 26.79 gallons of lockable storage. Gas struts hold the lid open and there's a mounting point for a Yamaha LED dome light.
The flares from Yamaha Accessories...
The flares from Yamaha Accessories fit perfectly and give us much better coverage when running larger tires.
The Rhino Cargo Utility Bag...
The Rhino Cargo Utility Bag installs easily by clipping into the front of the bed rail. Two strong magnets also hold it in place. It provides plenty of dust-free storage for recovery equipment, tools, clothes, or...
Yamaha's LED dome light mounts...
Yamaha's LED dome light mounts to the roof or in the Crossover Storage Box. It has an innovative mount that allows easy removal of the light when we need a bright flashlight elsewhere.
It's amazing how often we...
It's amazing how often we want a rearview mirror, even in the dirt. Black Rhino Performance's mirror has clean aluminum mounts and a convex mirror that let's you see everything behind you.