Yamaha is to phase out its seldom-seen Viking and Wolverine RMax side-by-side vehicles in Europe by the end of next year.

The Japanese maker cites “shifting European regulatory landscapes, restricted user environments and rising homologation demands” as the reasons for their withdrawal.

Sales volume is also likely to be a factor, with the petrol-powered buggies having never sold in substantial numbers, at least in agriculture, against stiff competition from other Asian and North American brands.

Yamaha has reassured existing owners that it will maintain spare parts availability, servicing support, warranty backing and technical assistance across its national dealer network.

See also: On test: Kawasaki back with keenly priced Brute Force 450 ATV

Global engineering resources will instead be focused on the firm’s more successful ATV offering, led by the popular Kodiak 450 and Grizzly 700.

This, it says, will improve product availability through dealers, and plans are afoot to launch a new range of quad bikes and accessories for the European agricultural and estates sectors.