Finally bought an ATV this spring. Not anything too exciting, but a good starter bike.
It’s a 1988 Yamaha Warrior (YFM350). Not sure yet if it’s a long term machine or not. I like the Warrior for a variety of reasons and it seems to be a good trail bike, but there were some design changes between 88 and 89. I’m thinking about selling it and getting a newer one. If anyone out there has links or information on what changed with the 89 models and why, or what parts swap between Blasters, Banshees and Warriors, let me know – it will make my decision easier.
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24 Comments to 
Warriors are the best bikes on the planet. I had a 1988 warrior. Never had a problem with it. Super reliable.
Idk there ok they are fast but i had a lot of problems with mine tehe differtnce from 88 to 89 is the shocks they made the 88 shocks smaller and the frames have differnt bolt holes so barely anythinng lines up
I put a set of Banshee shocks on mine this summer. Made a HUGE difference.
i have a 1988 warrior i love it i never have to work on it. i have ran in all of this past summer and the worst of the winter months. the only thing that went wrong with it is i had changed the throttle cable,
Wish I could say the same. I’ve put many hours in my Warrior. Watch for more posts with details…
i have a warrior it is sick as hell it is a beast on wheels that will go thru anything
I HAVE A 2004 YAMAHA WARRIOR IVE PUT MONEY AND MANY HOURS OF MY TIME BUT IT IT WAS WORTH CAUSE NOW I FLY RIGHT PAST THEM BANSHEES
ya my 88 350 warrior is sick but i had to take the carbs off a 96 warrior and new pipes but now i walks by a 400ex
i have a 88 yamah warrior i bought it for $500 and i can beat on it and ride it home with no problem
warriors are one of the best 4 wheelers i have had a warrior is wat you need but if you are selling a warrior get a 2000 or a 99 they are faster and handle better on trails and blow past the others
i had a 1998 yamaha warrior i tried to put a 99 banshee bumper on it but it was bigger than my 98 warrior. i sold my 98 warrior and im looking towards buying a 88 just the fact that the 88 is n perfect condition. how ever i like the newer warriors plastic style betr.
Hey hows it going i just got a 97 350 warrior for my girl friend of corse she wont ride the thing but i was wondering will any year front & back banshee shock fit on the 97 warrior b/c that thing handles like shit im 200 pounds & when i jump on that warrior it feels like the shock are bottoming out on me
As far as I know any year Banshee shocks will work. I think Raptor shocks will work as well – at least the rear one should. For more info on replacting th shocks, you can read this article.
http://blog.alltheinfo.org/warrior-upgrades-handlebars-and-banshee-shocks/423/
The Banshee shocks made a HUGE difference. My warrior now handles almost as good as my friend’s 07 Wolverine.
I have a 2002 350 all blue warrior (mint shape) and I have had it for like 3 weeks and I love it for now, I was thinking about getting a pipe for it. How much faster will it go with like a fmf or something like that I can get it going 110km/
Daniel – A new pipe is one of the easiest and cheapest mods you can make to a quad to get more power out of it. ‘Faster’ is a relative term, and if you are looking for top speed there are several other factors that contribute. My Warrior will only go about 45mph, but this is more a factor of gearing than it is power. It’s geared for the trail and the sand, sacrificing some top end. Watch my other blog, http://www.bobsbadbinder.com for more information, this is a common question and one I may address there soon.
I have a 1998 Blue and grey warrior 350 with a full yoshimura exhaust system, 15t sprocket high conpression piston, barnett clutch, k&n kit and titanium valves. My bike hauls!!! i have had the bike since i was 8yrs old(stock) and i am current 16. Over time we modded it as my skill lever grew. Ive had multiple bikes but theis is by far the best, ive beatten raptor 660′s and banshees and even a yfz450. (not fuckin wit a raptor 700 though i rode ! and it is too damn fast!!!!!!!)
Nice! What do you have in it for a cam?
FOR SELL 98 warrior great shape 1800
plz call or email 3457682
i got an 88 yamaha warrior 350 for 50 bucks doesn’t run and is missing a bunch of stuff, i have put weeks of work into it and all i need now is a cdi and tie rod to ride, it has no plastics and could use new rear brake pads. The front shocks are kinda stiff but the back shock is really bouncy. i hope she runs…
I am sure your 88 is gone but I figured I would let you know all about this machine.My dad bought me the 1988 warrior brand new, cost us $3200.00 ,this motor came from a very reputive yamaha motorcycle. they are extremely reliable, the issue with the 1987 and 1988 warrior was the rear swingarm,the bolts would constanly fall out .and the other thing I remember was how hard that bastard was to pull start if you forgot about the decompressor.This is why in 1989, yamaha changed the rear swingarm and did away with the recoil.I do remember the rubber intake manifold cracked on 2 different occasions,yamaha said it was just do to constant vibration and or cold temps.I ran my warrior from day 1 as a kid and never let up so I was around for the a-arm joints going all of it, would love to have that old girl back.it is no powerhouse ,but when u r 12 and you get a brand new one! lmao nobody is as fast. great machine!
Actually, I still have the Warrior. I don’t ride enough to justify a new machine, and of course, with the economy I haven’t had many new toys lately. It’s a good bike overall, and with the suspension mods, much more rideable. It’s a bit underpowered, and I would like to do some engine work, but otherwise, it isn’t bad.
I just picked up a 98 Yamaha Timberwolf. While it’s 12 years old, it still runs great and the body is in near perfect shape. I’m sure your Warrior is a great machine so I don’t know if I’d be in a rush to get rid of it. I think Yamaha builds a pretty good ATV, so even if there were some design changes, I’m sure it’s not anything major.
I love my yamaha worrier it is a 2000 and i ride the shit out of that thing and it still runnes great