Press Release –
Pat Brown made his 2007 WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour debut race a fruitful one as he earned the top qualifying spot Saturday for Sunday’s SuperQuad Pro 450 final, part of the Southwestern National.
The race, Round 3 of the 2007 Tour, is being held at Cooperland Raceway.
Brown (No. 199 Golden West Cycles/Yamaha) beat out Dustin Wimmer (No. 191 MSR, Pro Taper, Yoshimura/Suzuki), and John Natalie, Jr. (No. 13 ELKA, Maxxis/Honda) for the top gate pick.
Exclusive Editorial By: AJ Lester
After taking a few laps to warm up and get the feel of the 450, all of the stuff we loved on paper came to life and allowed me to not only ride harder and faster but to do it with less fatigue.
The 450 mill not only uses big-time torque to pull hard in short approaches to big air jumps but also gallops hard on the long straights. Its EFI power delivery is crisp, smooth and urgent.
In-air service was exceptional and allowed me to manipulate the bike, mid-air, with almost no effort, showing that centralizing the mass and lowering unsprung weight really does make a big difference.
Think lightness: Where most other ATVs would make you pucker and prepare for a rough hit, even the shortest landings didn’t kick the back end harshly, making for a buttery smooth transition from air to ground.
Tracking, in the tilled-up heavy clay corners was exceptional and the DS obediently went where it was pointed every time. Braking with the all-new Wilwood reverse caliper braking system was beautiful and produced a predictable, no-brainer braking experience.
Ergonomics were perfect for my 6-foot plus frame. At the end of the day we were left wondering if there was anything negative to point out on this beautifully crafted machine. There wasn’t.
We recommend you beg, borrow or rent a ride on this new Can-am and judge for yourself. It might be hard to just get a look at one, let alone find an unsold unit to buy, once dealers can actually get their hands on them.
Exclusive Editorial By: AJ Lester
Can-am has been doing a great job of stringing you along, slowly letting out limited amounts of information on its new DS450.
Now that word is getting out and you can recite every piece of technology verbatim, you’re probably more interested in how that technology translates when riding it.
Everyone wants to know if this new racer is as good as the technology and hype has built it up to be. Let me say this after riding it: Yes, it is.
This 450 will reshape the Pure Sport racing marketplace and send everyone back to the drawing board. It single-handedly overthrows all other 450 racers.
Even if you took all the cool high tech pieces from its competitors and combined them into one ultimate racer, you’d still be at a disadvantage.
The time and money thrown at this project by Can-am shows just how determined BRP is to be the best . We respect that calling.
First time we sat on the DS450 we knew it was going to be fun on the track. Its low-slung chassis and technically advanced suspension design was looking like ice-cream on a hot day. Add in its incredibly low unsprung weight and we knew it was going to float like a butterfly and sting like a…. you get the idea.
With many California riders on site we expected the MX track we were riding on to be groomed buttery smooth and the slightest hint of no more than a golfers divot would bring on the water and dozers. However, on this day, it was not the case.
The clay-like base of the track we rode had been groomed, leaving a surface similar to a farmers tiller. Although this surface was unacceptable to some riders, we jumped at the thought of riding on a challenging track surface and were excited to see how the DS would take to more realistic terrain…
For more, tune in on Saturday, June 2, 2007.
Question:
I will buy a new atv for farm work. I want to know wich company makes diesel ATVs (not a mule or a 2-up) and if it is availble in canada.
Peter Ringuet
Response:
Peter:
Strange you should ask. Arctic Cat recently released a new TRV based diesel 4-wheeler.
The TRV offers multi-purpose versatility of single-rider and 2-up modes plus a full sized cargo box that’s excellent for farm work can be interchanged.
Click here for more information.
Good Luck!
Kent Lester
Press Release –
Due to rainy conditions in Oklahoma, this weekend’s WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour Southwestern National at Cooperland Raceway has been rescheduled as a single header. Contestant parking and registration has been moved back to Friday, June 1.
A make-up event for the second round of Pro racing originally slated for this weekend is scheduled to take place during the Blue Ridge Open Championship, June 16-17 at Daniel Boone MX in London, Ky.
“Rain has been falling steadily for the last week in the Stillwater area and we wanted to ensure the track was ready for the event,” said PowerSports ATV Tour Director Tes Sewell. “We want to give adequate time for the track and the pit area to dry sufficiently, and, unfortunately, this was the only option open to us.”
Friday afternoon practice is still tentatively scheduled. If Friday’s practice session is canceled, practice fees will be refunded.
Contestant parking is scheduled to start Friday at 9 a.m. Registration is also scheduled for Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Exclusive Report By: AJ Lester
Although you may deny the reality of offshore ATVs in the under 300cc category, the growing number of units available in North America significantly increases your likelihood of passing one on the trails.
Unison lays down a more than adequate 250cc class beginner ATV on the table and the Rage 250 brings factory options like nerf bars, a front bush bar; aluminum rims and some much-needed sizzle along with it.
If you know a thing or two about driveline components you may be surprised how Unison has mounted the 244cc 4-stroke mill. Although apprehensive about the almost one inch of motor play, when stabbing the throttle we’re convinced this is the way it was designed and our testing proved it is not an issue.
On the trail the Rage is snappy enough to keep you interested and the suspension -although a little stiff up front – does its job working through small to medium size moguls. Larger ruts and bumps will bottom out both ends of the suspension with a full size rider aboard.
Braking at speed is decent. Hydraulic disk brakes slow the 420 pound (dry weight) unit and the steel braded lines translate to smooth actuation of the brake levers.
The Rage does have a rather wide turning radius and the bars lock out much too early. Though not noticeable on most trails, in tight situations it could be an issue.
Unison’s Rage 250 is a respectable entry level ATV packed with features not typically found in this class and especially at this price. You can be on the dirt for about $2,990 USD which is about $400 less than a Kymco Mongoose or $4,499 MSRP Canadian, which is about $500 less than the 250cc Eton Vector.
To locate a dealer in your area contact:
USA – Unison Motors: (626) 387-5437
Canada – Crank Motorsports: (604) 552-5822
As previously reported on this website, Arctic Cat announced its Sales, Marketing and Administration offices will be leaving Thief River Falls, Minnesota and heading to Minneapolis.
The announcement makes it clear ATV and snowmobile manufacturing in TRF will stay put as will engineering.
The move will also trigger significant restructuring at Arctic Cat that will see three separate divisional managers named for ATVs, snowmobiles and parts, garments and accessories (PGA) instead of the current single tier management template.
A similar move was made by Polaris Industries more than a decade ago when its engineering and manufacturing remained in the tiny town of Roseau, Minnesota (just 60 miles up the highway from Thief River Falls) and management moved to the Twin cities area.
This is all expected to happen this fall 2007. We expect to hear more news from AC during the summer.
Just when we thought things were cooling down in the Sport Utility displacement wars, rumors have started to circulate about a new Sport Ute from one of the Big Seven builders with an even bigger mill.
How big? Early stories claimed one manufacturer (with snowmobile products) is ready to slide a 1000cc 2-stroke engine into a new 4-wheeler.
At All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine we do know something about snowmobiles. Our sister publication, SUPERTRAX International, is the world’s largest snowmobile magazine. Anyway, we think this rumor might be a touch optimistic.
There are two 1000cc 2-stroke snowmobile engines currently and they produce between 163hp and 175hp!
Even considering our own insane need for speed, we think that might be a little too much for a Sport Ute.
Question:
It seems like every big bore shoot out that I have seen doesn’t include the 750 Brute Force.
I saw one recently that put the 650 brute against the 700 grizzly, 700 king quad, 800 polaris and the outlander. I don’t find that to be a fair comparison.
Will you be doing any big bore comparisons that will include the 750 Brute, or does it just mop the floor with everything else?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Jeremy Onos
Response:
Jeremy:
It’s not that the 750 Brute Force mops the floor with everything else, although it is a very competitive power package – probably the third fastest Big Bore on the market behind the Can-Am 800 and 650.
One of the reasons you don’t see it in as many comparisons as the others is that Kawasaki’s corporate policies are tighter when it comes to delivering press units to the media.
Flat-out, it’s harder to get our hands on Kawasakis for testing. When we put together stories we need these wheelers for some time and need them ready.
We usually end up borrowing ATVs from generous dealers who then take the hit on owning a used unit.
We hope Kawasaki will step up soon with better delivery to the media. The free press sure wouldn’t hurt them because their stuff is very competitive in any class.
Kent Lester
Arctic Cat is making noises it has big news coming at its June dealer meeting.
Just about the time you read this we should be seeing what the Thief River snowmobile and ATV maker has up its sleeve.
If we had to guess, we’d wager more Prowler models. After all, demand from the first year of Prowler production has been crazy and when that happens it’s time to offer more choices.
Look for a fully accessorized Prowler and possibly another motor variation to compete more closely with the Polaris Ranger 500 and the Rhino 450.
DIRT TRAX is an international award winning offroad motorsports program with National broadcast coverage on Sportsman Channel in the United States and in Canada on City TV, Wild TV, REV TV and Sportsman Channel Canada.
For all media, sponsorship, and other queries, please visit our Contact Us page.
© TRAX MEDIA INC 2022
