WINNER: CAN-AM RENEGADE Xxc

This unique breed of Sport 4×4 gets better with the addition of dual mode power steering and tons of cross-country appeal.

Beadlock wheels from the factory are rare for even the pure sport market but come standard on the Xxc, keeping the extremely potent 800R’s rear meats from losing grip under throttle.

Top quality KYB gas shocks on all four corners and the addition of a front sway bar places this trail dominator out front in more ways than one.

It’s hard for many ATV enthusiasts to understand how vital features like all-wheel drive, low range and a locking differential can be necessary on a sport trail wheeler.

These features are transparent until you really need them – and when you need them, you really need them.

Can-Am’s relentless pursuit of class domination is materialized in the Renegade Xxc.

RUNNERS UP

Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS

The independently suspended Outlaw has proven that a Pure Sport can travel the path of 4WD ATVs by delivering exceptional ride, traction and ground clearance.

KTM power and badging has elevated the IRS in consumer’s minds and ultimately increased its awareness in the marketplace.

Great suspension calibration, improved exterior design and a truly fair price tag make the IRS an even easier choice for buyers.

Yamaha Raptor 700

The Raptor 700 bridges the gap between track and trail by supplying near-perfect power from its highly effective 4-valve EFI mill.

Available in base and SE trim, the Raptor is a great fit for serious trail riders and delivers on the off-road promise in every way.

With chassis and suspension design borrowed from the YF-Z 450, the Raptor is a serious piece of work and can run with some of the very fastest sport ATVs.

Winner: Yamaha Grizzly 550

Yamaha has been gaining ground in the critical areas of both ride and handling with the new Grizzly chassis. We saw it first in the 700 FI and now the 550 FI has done the same thing to our perception of Yamaha ATV’s ride and handling.

In our annual 550 Shootout the Grizz 550 took top honors for ride quality against formidable competition. Handling is still just a touch of sway control away from class leading, however, the inherent goodness of this package is hard to resist.

Power emanating from the grunt-laden 550 EFI mill is simply stunning. Picking your way over gnarly trails or opening it up on fire roads, this is a superb engine and tranny combo.

The availability of Electronic Power Steering on the 550 is a great idea and transforms the light and nimble Grizz into an easy-to-ply rough trail wonder for women and less experienced riders.

Yamaha is onto something here and the market knows it. Yamaha’s sales in this segment are strong and the Grizz 550 is the reason.

RUNNERS UP

Polaris Sportsman 550 XP

Yeah we know, the 550 XP won our 550 shootout earlier this year. So why isn’t it the top runner in the BIC awards? In a word, it’s the motor.

For sure we love the XP chassis and all its many features and innovations. To deny the XP is the most sophisticated platform in the ATV biz would be stupid.

However, two issues kept coming up on the 550 XP – idle and low RPM throbbing. Every other area of performance from the Sportsman 550 verifies it is in a league of its own.

Suzuki 500 KingQuad

Suzuki set us back on our heels this year with this potent ride. The amazing power output of this 500cc 4-valve EFI single left us reeling.

This is clearly an overachieving motor from a company famous for building exceptional off-road 4-stroke engines. The King Quad didn’t quite make BIC status for a couple of simple-to-fix issues.

First, the KQ’s rear suspension needs recalibration to allow for more bump absorption. Secondly, Suzuki needs to re-think its incredibly silly diff-lock RPM limiter.

Other than these issues, this is one strong contender in this segment and it gives away 50cc’s doing it!

Winner: Polaris Sportsman 850 XP

Polaris’s calling card in the ATV biz has always been innovation. The first with CVTs, the first to popularize IRS, the first with full floorboards, the first with true shiftable 4×4 – the list goes on.

Last year Polaris re-invented the Sportsman from tip-to-tail. The XP incorporates more newer, fresher thinking than anything else in the Sport-Ute segment in years.

Its longitudinally mounted motor and CVT narrows the rider’s perch while delivering a powerful and throaty 850cc wallop. True, shiftable 4×4 with Active Descent control is the standard by which others must be judged.

The all-new short/long arm double A-arm front end takes Polaris to a new level in ride and handling. Rolled IRS is so plush we had to rate it near flawless. Available brushless power steering takes steering control up a notch, too.

While the Big Bore segment is full of strong players, The Sportsman 850 XP clearly stands out.

RUNNERS UP

Can-Am Outlander 800

Can-Am has been at or near the top of this segment with its formidable 800cc V-twin powered Outlander the past three years. For 2010 BRP has made Dynamic Power Steering available on 800s with the XT package. This move shoots Can-Am ahead, in our critical eye, more than just a notch.

The only nagging issue we’ve had with the mighty 800 OL has been somewhat quirky steering feel and persistent handlebar whip. With DPS now available on 2010 Outlanders, we have virtually nothing, save the Outlander’s squawky front binders, to complain about.

Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI

Yamaha sells impressive numbers of the recently renovated Grizzly 700 for good reason. This is an outstanding ATV that handles and rides better than anything Yamaha has built to date.

We appreciate the gargantuan torque of the 700’s EFI single but, when it’s all said and done, we can see how the smoothness and stronger top end of a multi-cylinder mill is attracting more and more attention to the competition’s showrooms.

Well-thought-out ergonomics, predictable handling and common sense functionality of every system on the Grizz keeps it near the top of the Big Bore segment in 2010.