When it comes to Sport ATVs, the Yamaha Raptor 700 is king.
When Yamaha decided to go all in and manufacture the first Raptor (YFM600) way back in 2001, nobody expected that Yamaha will change the sport ATV market forever. The Raptor 600 was a huge success and we all loved it for its power, reliability, suspension, and brilliant engine.
Once competitors started catching up, Yamaha went even further and came up with the Raptor 700, which is still the king of the sport ATVs and is considered the last true sport ATV by many riders.
The new Raptor 700 featured lots of great new features – fuel injection, better handling, bigger bore, more torque – just to name a few.
But a lot of us are were not fully satisfied with the exhaust system that comes stock. Sure, it flows great and sounds mean, but people wanted more and better sound out of their Raptor 700 exhausts.
Luckily, aftermarket ATV exhaust manufacturers came up with brilliant designs that not only make the Raptor 700 sound incredible but also reduce and transfer weight for even better handling.
Here are the four best exhausts for Yamaha Raptor 700.
The 4 Best Exhausts for Yamaha Raptor 700
 | Best Overall 1. Big Gun Exo Series Dual |
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  | Runner Up 2. Big Gun EVO R Dual |
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 | Premium Pick 3. Yoshimura RS-2 |
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 | Best Value 4. Big Gun Evo Race Slip-On |
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1. Big Gun Exo Series Dual Exhaust
Let’s start with one of the most popular choices and our personal favorite – the Big Gun Exo Series.
Big Gun Exhausts was formed in 1997 by a former professional motocross racer – Mike Young Jr., who has won numerous AMA National Four-Stroke Championships and certainly knows what it takes to win races.
The Exo Series full exhaust system came with everything you need to install it, including springs, removable screen spark arrestor, and more. We were quite impressed at just how light the whole thing is – around 17 lbs.
The pipes are made from 304 stainless steel and the mufflers are from brushed aluminum to save weight. The whole thing is very nicely TIG welded by hand and it’s a joy to look at.
The whole system is larger than the stock pipes, especially the muffler. The muffler is pretty large, although it still looked good on our Raptor when installed. Furthermore, the larger muffler was very well insulated and decreased heat significantly.
Now, this is a full exhaust system and it does increase exhaust velocity quite noticeably, which means that you will need to tune your Raptor 700 appropriately, in order to let the engine richen the mixture and increase HP and torque. A Power Commander is a great choice for that.
With the Big Gun Exo Series exhaust system installed and the Raptor 700 tuned with the Power Commander, we felt a huge difference in the bottom and mid-range torque, which is not surprising considering the increase in exhaust velocity. The exhaust sounds much deeper than stock and it’s certainly louder, but not overly obnoxious.
With all of that said, we love the Big Gun Exo Series and it’s probably THE best exhaust for Yamaha Raptor 700. It’s not too expensive, it’s well made, and sounds great. Most importantly – it makes a huge difference in the bottom and mid-range.
The only downside is that the tolerances when installed are pretty tight, but with a bit of fine-tuning and fiddling around with the pipes, everything seems to fit just fine.
2. Big Gun EVO R Dual
If you own a 2005-2020 Yamaha Raptor 700, then the EVO R should definitely be on your radar. The EVO R is a full exhaust system that comes with two mufflers, two mid-pipes, a 2-into-1 collector, and everything else you need for installation.
It’s made from 304 stainless steel and also TIG welded by hand. The mufflers are anodized aluminum with pretty cool red end caps. Similar to the EXO above, the EVO R features removable screen-type spark arrestors, which is really nice.
The EVO R is noticeably less bulky when compared to the EXO above, and we really liked the sleek round design of the mufflers. That being said, getting the pipes to fit perfectly together and not rub on anything takes a bit of fiddling around, but it’s not that big of a deal.
One thing that we were concerned about is how close some of the wiring at the back of the engine is to the mid-pipes. It’s not something that Big Gun could get around with by bending their mid-pipes differently, as that would impact exhaust velocity too much. However, we didn’t notice any heat damage to the wire insulation while we were running the EVO R.
Now ass expected, the EVO R does increase exhaust velocity quite a bit and make the Raptor 700 noticeably louder. The bottom-end torque gain is also almost a night and day difference, but the top-end didn’t feel that much different to us from the stock exhaust.
Overall, we really liked the EVO R and it’s a great choice for the newer 15-20 Yamaha Raptor 700. It’s well made, it looks good, it’s not too loud, and makes a noticeable difference in performance.
3. Yoshimura Signature Series RS-2
It goes without saying, that the Yoshimura Signature Series RS-2 is one of the most popular and well-known exhausts for the 2015-2019 Yamaha Raptor 700. Yoshimura is a legendary brand in the motocross and ATV world, so it’s not surprising that their RS-2 is one of the best-selling exhausts for the Raptor 700.
The RS-2 is the most expensive exhaust system on this list, but the saying “you get what you pay for” certainly applies here. Yoshimura makes one of the best exhaust systems for ATVs, period. That includes sound, build quality, ease of installation, etc.
Unlike, the two exhausts above, the RS-2 is a single muffler exhaust system. It’s made from 304 stainless steel for the piping and polished aluminum for the muffler. All of the hardware that came with the RS-2 was very well made and the TIG welds are outstanding. The RS-2 features a removable screen-type spark arrestor, which is great for those of us who spend a lot of time riding on the streets.
Where the RS-2 really stands out is in terms of sound and performance. The muffler has a deep tone to it, and it’s definitely not overly loud, thanks to the increased packing. The exhaust system also significantly increases exhaust velocity, which gives the Raptor 700 a huge boost in performance throughout the bottom, middle, and even top-end.
The power gains are more noticeable on the bottom and mid-range, but the top-end is also improved, unlike with the Big Gun exhausts above. Obviously, to get the most out of the RS-2, or any other aftermarket exhaust system, you need to tune your ATV with a Power Commander or any other tuner. Otherwise, your ATV won’t fully utilize the increased exhaust velocity.
Overall, if you have the budget for it, then the Yoshimura Signature Series RS-2 is definitely the one to go for, as it’s one of the best exhausts for the Yamaha Raptor 700. It’s extremely well made, sounds great, and provides a big increase in performance.
4. Big Gun Evo Race Slip-On
If you’re on a budget and are mostly concerned about making your 2006-2019 Raptor 700 sound mean and turn heads with incredible exhaust sound, then the Evo Race slip-on is definitely the way to go.
Big Gun makes a few different variations of the Evo exhaust, but the Evo Race is their loudest and most aggressive sounding option.
The Big Gun Evo Race is a slip-on exhaust, so it’s very easy to install. It bolts right up to the stock header pipe and doesn’t require any welding or other modifications.
The Evo Race is made from T-304 stainless steel and features a brushed aluminum muffler canister with a removable spark arrestor.
One thing that really stood out to us with the Evo Race is just how loud it is. It makes a loud, deep, aggressive sound that will definitely turn heads when you ride by. It’s not for everyone, but if you like loud exhausts, then the Evo Race is a great choice.
Performance-wise, the fact that it’s a slip-on and not a full exhaust system means that you likely won’t feel a change in torque or horsepower. The thing is, the stock Yamaha muffler flows really well and isn’t restrictive, so there’s not a whole lot of room for improvement.
However, we did notice a small increase in throttle response and slightly quicker acceleration with the Evo Race installed. Overall, it’s not going to give you a huge performance boost, but it’s a nice bonus nonetheless.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to make your Raptor 700 loud and sound great, then the Big Gun Evo Race is definitely a good option. Just keep in mind that it’s loud, so you might not be able to ride on the street with it. But if loud exhausts are your thing, then this is a great choice.
Things to Look For When Buying the Best Exhaust for Yamaha Raptor 700
When shopping for an exhaust system for your Yamaha Raptor 700, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Loudness
Obviously, when we are shopping for an aftermarket exhaust for our ATV, the number one priority is to make the ATV sound incredible and turn heads. However, it’s important to be realistic about the loudness of your exhaust.
If you have a loud aftermarket system and then ride on the street, you’re going to get in trouble. Additionally, if you ride in an area where sound loudness is regulated, then your loud exhaust will also get you in trouble
When shopping for an aftermarket exhaust system, make sure that you’re realistic about the loudness level that you’re looking for. If you just want a deep, aggressive-sounding exhaust, then you don’t need to go for the loudest option.
Full System vs Slip-On
Another thing to consider when shopping for an exhaust system is whether you want a full system or a slip-on.
A full exhaust system will replace the stock header pipe and muffler with aftermarket ones. This gives you more potential for increased performance, as a well-designed full system will have better exhaust velocity and let your engine suck in more air, which obviously translates into more power.
However, a full exhaust system can often be time-consuming to install and is more expensive than a slip-on.
A slip-on exhaust system is basically just an aftermarket muffler that you can bolt right up to your stock header pipe. It’s a lot easier to install and is less expensive than a full system.
However, because it doesn’t replace the stock header pipe, you likely won’t see any real increase in performance with a slip-on.
It really comes down to personal preference and budget as to whether you want a full system or a slip-on.
Materials & Quality
When shopping for an exhaust system, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of construction.
For example, you should look for an exhaust system made from high-quality materials like stainless steel and aluminum, as these will last longer and not rust like cheaper materials.
Additionally, you should make sure that the welds are well-done and look clean and professional.
When it comes to exhaust systems, you definitely get what you pay for, so be sure to choose a high-quality system that will last for years to come.
Fitment
Finally, you should make sure that the exhaust system you choose fits your ATV perfectly. Different models of the Yamaha Raptor 700 will have different size exhaust pipes, so you need to make sure that the system you choose is compatible.
You should also make sure that the system will not interfere with any other parts of your ATV, such as the suspension or body panels.
If you’re unsure about fitment, then it’s always best to buy an exhaust system that’s made specifically for your make and model of ATV.
By considering these factors when shopping for an exhaust system, you can be sure to choose the best option for your Yamaha Raptor 700.
Tune is a Must After Installing The Exhaust System
While it may seem that replacing the exhaust on your Raptor 700 is as easy as removing the old piping and replacing it with aftermarket exhaust, the whole process is a bit more complex than that.
A well-engineered exhaust system increases exhaust flow and lets your engine evacuate exhaust gases much faster than with the original exhaust. This allows your Raptor 700 to suck in more air, and more air means we can inject more fuel into the combustion chamber for more power.
The problem is, that your fuel injection system has no idea that you’ve installed a better flowing aftermarket exhaust, therefore it can’t fully utilize its advantages and make more power.
Now, in order to get the most out of your new aftermarket exhaust, you have to tune your Raptor 700 with a Power Commander or something similar.
By using a tuner, you let your engine compensate for the increased airflow, by injecting more fuel and making more HP. Furthermore, you will prevent your engine from running lean, which can cause serious damage like burnt valves or a melted piston.
Final Thoughts
Replacing the stock exhaust on your Yamaha Raptor 700 with an aftermarket system is a great way to increase performance and loudness. However, in order to fully enjoy these benefits, it’s important to choose a high-quality system made from quality materials, and to tune your Raptor 700 after installation.
So, when shopping for an exhaust system for your Raptor 700, make sure to consider these factors in order to choose the best option for you.
Jake is the site’s primary contributor.
Motorcycles and automotive repair have been a big part of his family for generations, therefore it’s only natural that he decided to become a heavy-duty diesel tech.
Outside of work, you’ll find Jake restoring and riding rare street bikes and ATVs.