WINNER: Suzuki Quadracer R450

Impressive horsepower, top-drawer com-ponents and incredible handling don’t always translate into a BIC Award.

This time, though, the 2008 Quadracer gets the BIC and the praise it deserves, not just from us but from all across the North American racing scene.

The dedication of Suzuki’s 450 engineering team is evidenced in the impressive advancements made to the new Quadracer, not the least of which is an improved and potent 450cc EFI mill.

Sweeping power modifications bring the 450 to race spec at an industry leading, ultra-low price.

Add to this an overhauled chassis and suspension package allowing riders to easily and precisely tune the QuadRacer to winning race conditions.

To win in a brutally competitive class you need cutting-edge equipment. To rise to sales success in an economy under pressure you need to be a bargain. The Quadracer R450 is both.

RUNNERS-UP: KTM 450SX, Can-Am DS 450

KTM: Adding to its already impressive XC model line, KTM is now fully tuned for closed track racing with the SX.

The Gucci-ness of the 450SX is leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. It sports incredible suspension packages, big horsepower, an aftermarket caliber exhaust package and more tricked out aluminum bling than most pro level riders can afford.

This incredibly impressive ride is held back only by its fierce price tag.

CAN-AM: Entering a market this competitive can be difficult. Refusing not to compromise is even harder.

The DS is fighting a tough battle in a market flooded with high tech, impressive rides. Still, Can-Am refuses to give in and continues to refine the DS 450 and increase its awareness through factory-backed racing.

Offered in multiple packages for either XC or MX chores, the DS is hands-down the best handling and most responsive 450 in the industry.

Its superior frame technology and its inherent unsprung weight give DS riders a distinct advantage.

WINNER: Yamaha Grizzly 550FI

Okay, you’re wondering how the Grizzly 550 wins the BIC but not the shoot-out in this issue? The answer is: proven performance!

BIC Awards are bragging rights for the OEMs. More importantly, they’re strong indicators of our endorsement for purchase to our readers.

The Yamaha Grizzly 550 is a stellar ATV offering great handling and ride in combo with a stout, torquey and efficient EFI 550 single.

Availability of power steering and some of the nicest looking LE version plastic ever adorning a Yamaha make this ATV impossible to ignore. The weight factor is another thing we simply can’t ignore.

Despite its extensive feature list, the Grizzly still tips the scales on the razor’s edge of 600 lbs. Amazing! Here’s the kicker – we’ve been running a 550 since early this year and we simply cannot hurt it.

Drop dead reliability, value rich quality, exceptional performance. Isn’t that what you want?

RUNNERS-UP: Polaris Sportsman 550XP, Suzuki KingQuad 450

SPORTSMAN: There’s too much that’s new, fresh and pacesetting here to overlook.

From its high mounted radiator to its waterproof rear storage compartment to its motorcycle-like ultra narrow seat to its 14-inch wheels, it doesn’t matter where you look on the XP, there’s new ideas and innovation.

If another ATV possessed half the new technology the XP carries, we’d call it revolutionary. As it is, the 550 bristles with new tech. Prepare for copies to emerge.

KINGQUAD: Last year the 450 KQ took the BIC award. In only one year this class has seen tons of new engineering and features.

The KQ 450 still shines in our books. Using a full-on KingQuad 750 chassis, the smaller version produces exceptional power from its EFI 4-valve mill.

Nice features abound including a multi-plate rear disc brake and shiftable/lockable 4WD. Suzuki did the right thing when it used its 750 platform for this 450. Just ask Yamaha.

WINNER: Polaris Sportsman XP 850

Yep, that’s three in a row for Polaris and we’re prepared to back up our choice for the third year running.

The new XP is neither a warmed-over Sportsman nor is it an update to an older model; this is a completely new ATV from the wheels up. After extensive riding we’ve concluded the XP platform is the new standard in the Sport-Ute segment.

Its innovations and design are flat-out too significant to ignore. A longitudinally mounted, all-new engine and a cross-mounted CVT provide a stance that’s as narrow as a dirt bike.

Its “long-arm” A-arm suspension takes handling up a full notch from the already stellar handing model it replaces.

This new 850’s power simply cannot be ignored; a claimed 70hp is the new standard for Big Bore Class power.

Despite the fact we’ve long felt the former Sportsman had the best ride in the biz, the XP ups the ante with better balance in the corners and less squat under acceleration.

The XP 850 moves the bar skyward – maybe even higher.

RUNNERS-UP: Can-Am Outlander 800R, Yamaha Grizzly 700FI

OUTLANDER: Before we met the new Polaris XP, we were feeling nothing but love for the Outlander 800R.

Its freshened Rotax V-twin is a welcome and significant upgrade producing incredibly smooth and easy-to-modulate power and its Visco-Lok 4-wheel drive system still redlines the appeal-ometer.

There’s no need for apologies from the Can-Am Camp. The Outlander 800R is a superbly executed, capable and powerful Big Bore ride no one shopping this segment can ignore.

GRIZZLY: There’s so much good in this Yamaha we felt really bad about giving it runner-up status again this year.

The improvements Yamaha has made in handling, ride and performance make the Grizzly 700 an absolute must-ride for any Big Bore shopper.

A torque laden 700 single that’ll make most 800’s sit up and pay attention combines with indigenous Yama-quality that simply cannot be undervalued.