In 2012 we noticed quite a few four seater side-x-sides hitting the dealer floors and with more likely on the way in 2013 the war of the battle-wagon is officially on.

With a longer frame and an extra row of seats to bring family and friends along for the ride, these models are becoming very popular. The kind of handling improvement that comes along with the extra length is attractive as well.

John Deere has had a multi passenger UTV for a while but in the spotlight this year the most radical of the offerings in our industry had to be the Polaris RZR4 XP900. This brutally powerful multi passenger machine made you feel like you could give every member of the family a ride of their life!

It wasn’t long until other manufacturers announced their high-horsepower sporty four-seaters like Can-Am’s multi seat Maverick due out in the early months of 2013. Arctic Cat also announced an extra row of seats in a stretched out iteration of the Wildcat.

Kawasaki unleashed what has been to most well received pure family adventure machine in the Teryx4 made for the more relaxed touring adventurers on your list.
It’s a great handler and ready to rip when you press the pedal.

The SXS industry is red hot right now and getting a great package for the entire family can be found virtually anywhere!

So the big question is, would you buy a four seater?

Dirt Trax got its official first ride aboard the all-new Arctic Cat Wildcat 4 this week and without question it lived up to the reputation achieved by the gen-one, 2-seater Wildcat introduced last season.

At first glance the WC4 looks simply like a stretched out Wildcat boasting the same mill and styling. That first impression might lead you to think there’s really nothing new to expect, but there’s so much more to this side-x-side than simply an extra row of seats.

The engineers at Arctic Cat have partnered with TEAM Industries to produce snappier, more responsive clutches for the Wildcat 4 that delivers stronger throttle response at all RPM ranges. The TEAM Industries clutch delivers better upshift and backshift over the clutch used on the previous Wildcat. Let off the gas as you enter a deeply rutted trail for just a second then stab the throttle again and there’s zero lag as the clutch backsifts and its power mashes you into your backrest.

Cat has added uber beefy Fox Float shox to the WC4 at all four corners to really soak up the bumps. Enter the moguls with confidence knowing your spine isn’t going to take a beating as the long travel suspension soaks up every hit.

Our riders were really impressed by how smooth the ride was in the WC4. At the initial launch of the Wildcat in November 2011 we thought for certain there was nothing that could beat what we experienced, however the combination of the 29-inch longer wheelbase with the Fox Float and 5-link suspension bridges every bump and carries the Wildcat 4 through the most rutted out sections with almost zero negative feedback inside the cockpit. We’d almost be tempted to sip a hot latte while in the passenger seat just to prove this point.

Worthy of mention is the Wildcat 4’s variable assist electronic power steering, which is available on all Wildcat models. The engineers at Cat have spent many sleepless nights dialing this system in so it responds to driver input and doesn’t feel too loose or erratic while driving like some other power steering units we’ve tested. This EPS may very well be the best system available on any side-x-side we’ve ever ridden. Our pilots could confidently maneuver the steering with one hand while meandering through long stretches of rock-strewn trail with no noticeable feedback up through the steering wheel.

The rear seats are the same as those found up front. They’re comfortable and supportive and sit up slightly higher so rear passengers are able to see up over the seat in front of them to see what’s coming up ahead and not just what’s passing by. There’s also a passenger grab bar, tube steel frame doors like the ones up front and Arctic Cat claims 10% more leg room than competitive 4-seater models. Don’t forget the cup holders and a 12-volt accessory to plug in a GPS, phone or even your iPad.

We were wowed after our first ride aboard the Wildcat 14 months ago and Arctic Cat has officially knocked our socks clean off with the WC4. Stay tuned for more about this SXS in an upcoming issue of Dirt Trax Magazine and on the next season of Dirt Trax Televsion!

Who would have thought that the technology in air suspensions would be so prevalent yet not widely used in the ATV market?

Sure, most of the sport riders have used the FOX air shocks, but I wonder why more utility quads don’t come with the ability to adjust the suspension via air.

There are many companies making air shocks but it seems that the UTV market is getting all of the attention, or at least for the past few years.

Can-Am has introduced a few new Sport Utility ATVs like the Max Limited that features FOX’s Air Control Suspension and unless I have missed something only Can-Am offers the ability to adjust the shock load features onboard without having to back up to the local gas station air compressor.

The onboard air compressor gives up six preset elevations for the shocks and the Mud monster Can-Am Outlander XMR also brings the height and overall ground clearance into play as it raises the front and rear simultaneously.

I am not really sure I would buy air shocks for my quad, but if they were available in a kit with an onboard compressor I might be persuaded.

Being able to adjust the weight capacity on the front or rear of my machine in an instant might be a nice feature and especially if I used my ATV for farm or general work purposes.

Just imagine how much more versatile your ATV would become when you have full control to adjust your ride quality without even getting up.

I have learned something vital in order to keep moving forward and that’s to stay focused and never give up.

Being in the offroad powersports industry has allowed me to do many different things and one being just learning the many different places of which I could see my self working.

However, when you say negative things about your life, chances are you’ll stay in that mindset and position until you decide to change that. Now, I say YOU because it’s only YOU who can get motivated enough to make a change.

Do you have skills in the technical or mechanical field of motorsports? Do you work on your own ATV or SXS successfully and pride yourself in making each job a learning experience as well as final, meaning its done right the first time. Are you currently seeking a job because maybe yours is not getting you to the position you want to be in life?

I’ve read a lot of press lately about how motorcycle and ATV technicians are in high demand and with a good skill set you have a chance to do something you love.

Here’s a list of a few things that might help you become a successful candidate that shops are looking to hire:

1. Look professional and act professional
2. Be focused
3. Be self-motivated
4. Be on time
4. Be responsive to the needs of the employer
5. Cares about customers and their offroad vehicles
6. Be a team player
7. Be mechanically proficient

If you want to become a part of the industry that you love just set a goal and start moving towards it. Nothing is impossible unless you refuse to try.