
Key Highlights
Yamaha Drive Fleet Golf Cart Review
Since 1887, Yamaha has been a name of innovation and integrity. They have been providing their customers products that spread a wide variety of industries from musical equipment to power sports equipment. They can be regarded as pioneers for the advancement of technology.
The first golf cart by Yamaha was introduced in the US market in 1978 well after the market had initially started. It was named the G1 and it worked via a 2-cycle gas engine. In 1979, Yamaha introduced their first electrical golf cart and from there the journey began.
The Yamaha Drive Fleet continues the long standing tradition for Yamaha. They have introduced electronic fuel injection into their gas models which has helped significantly reduce the noise created by their gas engine. Still not as quiet as electric, but definitely an improvement. Yamaha definitely leads the pack in the best performing gas golf cart by a decent margin with Club Car not terribly to far behind. A nice feature is their rain drain system that allows for water to filter through the struts versus streaming off the back off the roof onto your bags.
In terms of suspension, depending on your tires, the ride will vary. It is impossible to perfectly align the front end leaving a ride that can feel unresponsive at higher speeds. Going back to tires, the higher the profile on the tires, the better ride you will experience. With the Drive fleet unit, the standard tires are 8” and do not provide a whole lot of added comfort to the ride.
On the electric golf cart side, Yamaha does not have much to brag about since they are not experts in this field. They are experts in engine building and not electrical components. They have developed an AC Motor system that utilizes a 2.6 Kwh motor which is pretty standard compared to other similar models. They do not have an auto locking brake however with their AC motor. Since it is a small motor, the top speed is limited to 15 MPH, so do not expect to be zooming down the street at blazing speeds.
If living in a small gated community, the electric Yamaha Drive Fleet is a good fit and is limited on its overall range. If intended to be used in communities that offer great distances that can be travelled, then it may be wise to take a look at the gas version of the Yamaha and not worry about range.
The one downside of a Yamaha in comparison to an EZGO is there limitations on color offerings from the Manufacturer. Not to worry though as most dealers offer custom paint jobs if that is something you are looking for.
Pros
- Quiet Gas Engine
- Strong brand identity
- Consistently innovating
Cons
- Limited standard colors
- Limited experience with electric vehicles
- Limited Electric Motor Performance
Specifications
Gas EFI | AC | DC | |
---|---|---|---|
FRAME | HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat. | HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat. | HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat. |
BODY | Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane. | Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane. | Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane. |
Gas EFI | AC | DC | |
---|---|---|---|
POWER SOURCE | Yamaha-built, 357 cc, low-emission single cylinder 60° incline OHV | 48-volt AC Motor | 48-volt DC Motor |
FUEL SYSTEM | Electronic Fuel Injection | - | - |
HORESPOWER (KW) | 8.5/11.4 hp (KW/RPM) | 6.7 hp for 60 minutes | 3.5 hp (2.6 kW) for 30 minutes |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Starter/generator | 48-volt | 48-volt |
BATTERY (QTY/TYPE) | - | Standard: Six 8-volt Trojan T-875 Batteries with HydroLink Watering System | Standard: Six 8-volt Trojan T-875 Batteries with HydroLink Watering System |
SPEED CONTROLLER | - | NEOS 350 amp AC controller by Toyota Industries Corporation | Yamaha-built 270 amp DC controller |
Gas EFI | AC | DC | |
---|---|---|---|
SEATING CAPACITY | 2-Person | 2-Person | 2-Person |
SPEED | 15 MPH (24 km/h) | 15 MPH (24 km/h) | 15 MPH (24 km/h) |
STEERING | Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion. | Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion. | Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion. |
FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION | Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension | Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension | Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension |
REAR WHEEL SUSPENSION | QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC, Drive2 DC and Drive2 Carb: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers. | QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC, Drive2 DC and Drive2 Carb: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers. | QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC, Drive2 DC and Drive2 Carb: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers. |
BRAKES | Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes | Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes | Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes |
Specifications
FRAME
Gas EFI
HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat.
AC
HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat.
DC
HybriCore™ Chassis features a robotic welded automotive ladder-style steel frame protected with a multi-step full-immersion phosphate treatment, electro-deposition epoxy-based coating, and an electrostatic applied polyester/urethane powder topcoat.
BODY
Gas EFI
Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane.
AC
Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane.
DC
Mold-in Polypropylene color for White and Beige Color. Custom-formulated thermoplastic olefin painted with a two-part top coat of high-luster automotive-grade polyurethane.
POWER SOURCE
Gas EFI
Yamaha-built, 357 cc, low-emission single cylinder 60° incline OHV
AC
48-volt AC Motor
DC
48-volt DC Motor
FUEL SYSTEM
Gas EFI
Electronic Fuel Injection
AC
N/A
DC
N/A
HORSEPOWER (KW)
Gas EFI
8.5/11.4 hp (KW/RPM)
AC
6.7 hp for 60 minutes
DC
3.5 hp (2.6 kW) for 30 minutes
BATTERY (QTY/TYPE)
Gas EFI
N/A
AC
Standard: Six 8-volt Trojan T-875 Batteries with HydroLink Watering System
DC
Standard: Six 8-volt Trojan T-875 Batteries with HydroLink Watering System
FUEL CAPACITY
Gas EFI
22.0 liters (5.8 U.S. gal)
AC
N/A
DC
N/A
SPEED CONTROLLER
Gas EFI
N/A
AC
NEOS 350 amp AC controller by Toyota Industries Corporation
DC
Yamaha-built 270 amp DC controller
SEATING CAPACITY
Gas EFI
2-Person
AC
2-Person
DC
2-Person
SPEED
Gas EFI
15 MPH (24 km/h)
AC
15 MPH (24 km/h)
DC
15 MPH (24 km/h)
STEERING
Gas EFI
Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion.
AC
Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion.
DC
Self-compensating double reduction helical rack-and-pinion.
FRONT SUSPENSION
Gas EFI
Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension
AC
Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension
DC
Tru-Trak II™ fully independent automotive-style strut suspension
REAR SUSPENSION
Gas EFI
QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers.
AC
QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers.
DC
QuieTech EFI: Fully independent automotive-style strut suspension. PowerTech AC: Swing arm with coil springs over hydraulic shock absorbers.
BRAKES
Gas EFI
Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes
AC
Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes
DC
Self-adjusting mechanical, rear wheel drum brakes