Press Release –

Axle is an Industry First; Lowest Unsprung Weight in Class

You’ve heard the four challenges from BRP’s President and CEO José Boisjoli. You’ve read about the advanced aluminum frame and chassis. You’ve seen the details on the front end. Now it is time to reveal the drive line and rear suspension of the Can Am™ DS 450™.

Featuring the lowest rear unsprung weight in the class and a fully adjustable rear shock, the DS 450 is ready to excel on the track and trail. Just like with the creation of the ultra-light frame, steel was the enemy.

Like others in the class, the DS 450 features a steel axle, but Can-Am engineers found a way to cut the weight of the axle without sacrificing durability.

The axle is made of Chromoly 4140 stock, however, it is hollow. That’s not all; the design team then took that sturdy axle and narrowed it up by adding industry exclusive aluminum extended-reach hubs.

Can-Am didn’t stop there, in addition to the swingarm and hubs, the sprocket, sprocket hub and brake disc hub are all made from lightweight aluminum.

For the tires, Can-Am worked closely with ITP® to develop its Holeshot® SR tire on the DS 450. The tires are an extension of the well known Holeshot brand and are mounted on aluminum wheels.

In the coming weeks more details about this groundbreaking machine will be revealed, keep checking and spread the word.

Visit can-amDS450.com to see full reveal details on the all-new DS 450.

For readers of All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine who live in the snow belt you may have seen Yamaha’s all-new Phazer snowmobile this winter. What does a snowmobile have to do with ATVing? Maybe nothing, maybe something big.

We all know the amazing reputation Yamaha’s Banshee gained over its almost 20 year span in the market. This incomparable twin cylinder two-stroke 350cc dune shredder is a literal legend in many parts of the market.

Here’s an interesting twist. With EPA standards effectively killing all remaining full-size 2 stroke ATV’s and Yamaha in need of updating the Banshee, the Phazer may hold a key to what could be the most radical 4 stroke replacement for the sport’s most radical 2 stroke duner.

The Phazer is powered by a twin cylinder 500cc 4 stroke which is based heavily on (are you sitting down?) a pair of YZ-F 250 top ends! Yep, that’s the Yamaha motocross mill time two! The Phazer 500 is EFI inducted and grafted onto a sweet crankcase, which uses a gear reduction drive to power a CVT.

The Phazer mill spins an amazing 11,800 RPM but reduces this number to 8000 RPM via a counter shaft primary drive. Yamaha claims the Phazer 500 produces 80 horsepower!

Would this mill work in a re-born Banshee? Uh, yeah, we think it would work real well.

Press Release –