When I was 10, I rode my dad's SL-350 from our home on the coast all the way to Wickiup Lake in the high desert-about a four-hour ride. Actually, the bike was in the back of my dad's truck and I sat on the seat, hands on the grips, dreaming about a cool bike instead of my toilet-seat Honda 50, which was unceremoniously leaned against the pickup-bed wall next to me-not even tied in like my dad's new machine.
I've spent my whole life riding dirt machines on logging roads and hauling them to the dunes in pickup trucks, and they've improved a lot over the years. Some of us even look back nostalgically on the two-stroke era.
These days, there are a lot of choices for having fun in the dirt, and they all look good. Here's a quick roundup of some of the cool bed toys just waiting to turn a low-key weekend into an adrenaline-drenched adventure.
Sport ATVs
Can-AmThe Can-Am DS 450 X ($8399), a special edition of the DS 450, comes with black paint, graphics, and seat cover. It's equipped with the 449cc, single-cylinder, DOHC four-valve EFI engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It also has a front Kayaba HPG piggyback shock with high- and low-speed compression adjustments, black rims with reinforcement rings, aluminum front bumper, Nerf bars, chassis and swingarm aluminum skidplate, quick-adjust clutch, and cable thumb screw. Can-Am; 877/469-7433.
www.can-am.brp.com
| honda Sportrax Trx700xx side View
HondaThe Honda Sportrax TRX700XX ($7899) has an all-new 686cc SOHC liquid-cooled fuel-injected four-valve single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It has a double-wishbone independent rear suspension, and adjustable preload on both the piggyback rear shocks and dual-spring front shocks, providing 10.5 inches of travel in the front and 9.3 in the rear. Its 11-inch aluminum rear wheels with removable mud scrapers help with power delivery, suspension action, and improved durability. Honda; 866/784-1870.
www.honda.com
| kawasaki Kfx450 front View
KawasakiThe Kawasaki KFX450's ($7399) 449cc liquid-cooled DOHC four-valve, four-stroke single is based on the World Championship-winning KX450F engine. Its 32-bit digital fuel-injection system measures a variety of parameters to deliver the ideal amount of fuel to optimize power delivery, a lighter throttle return spring, and reliable starting. The five-speed manual transmission features a reverse lock. The aluminum rear swingarm is dampened by motocross style shocks with high- and low-speed compression adjustability and rebound damping. Kawasaki; 800/661-7433.
www.kawasaki.com
| polaris Straight Axle 450 Mxr front View
PolarisThe straight-axle 450 MXR ($7199) sports a four-stroke KTM Racing 448cc engine. The five-speed transmission with reverse has a hydraulic-actuated, self-adjusting clutch and manual shifting. The front dual A-arm/rear monoshock swingarm suspension uses Fox Podium X shocks, providing 10 inches of front travel and 11 in the rear. Dual-piston front brakes quickly bring the MXR to a stop. Maxxis tires and aluminum wheels put the power to the ground. Polaris; 800/765-2747.
www.polarisindustries.com
YamahaThe Yamaha Raptor 250 ($3999) is the lightest sport ATV ever, giving it nimble handling and a good power-to-weight ratio. A 249cc air-cooled SOHC four-stroke single is paired with a five-speed gearbox with manual clutch. The light, strong, short-wheelbase chassis is equipped with independent double-wishbone front suspension with five-way preload-adjustable shocks, for 7.5 inches of wheel travel. The preload-adjustable swingarm rear suspension provides 7.9 inches of travel, due in part to the chain drive. New-design bodywork comes off without the need to disassemble electrical parts, airbox, or wiring harness, for easy maintenance. Yamaha; 800/962-7926.
www.yamaha-motor.com
| suzuki Quadracer R450 front View
SuzukiSuzuki's QuadRacer R450 ($7399) features new ECU programming and updated cam profiles for increased engine output, especially low- to midrange power. R450's race proven four-stroke, fuel-injected DOHC four-valve single features the Suzuki Advanced Sump System allowing for lower center of gravity and a shorter engine design. High-tensile steel frame provides rigidity and durability and maintains a low center of gravity. It has a wide independent double-wishbone front suspension with fully adjustable Kayaba piggyback reservoir shocks combined with Kayaba rear shocks with adjustable compression, rebound, and preload. Suzuki; 800/828-7433.
www.suzukicycles.com
Strong Utes
Artic CatThe Thundercat 1000 H2 EFI ($10,499) by Arctic Cat features a brand-new SOHC liquid-cooled, 950cc H2 four-stroke V-twin built for torque. Sport quad acceleration, pushbutton 2WD/4WD, and lever-activated locking differential make this a go-anywhere-fast machine. A 52-inch wheelbase, 12 inches of ground clearance, 10 inches of suspension travel, and 25-inch Maxxis tires contribute to all-terrain stability and capability. Front rack can hold 100 pounds in front and the rear can tote 200. Arctic Cat; 218/681-9851.
www.arcticcat.com
| kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4 front View
KawasakiKawasaki's Brute Force 750 4x4 ($7799) adds more muscle to the previous 650 offering with a 749cc V-twin, four valve, four-stroke coupled to a CVT. At a trail-ready 650 pounds, the 750 has enough power to put daylight under the front tires from a dead stop. A sealed rear brake is out of the elements and a variable-limited-slip front diff is standard. IRS provides 10.6 inches of ground clearance and 6.7 inches of travel. Kawasaki; 800/661-7433.
www.kawasaki.com
KymcoKymco's MXU 500 ($6499) is now available in True Timber Concealed Green Camo. The shift-on-demand four-wheel-drive MXU 500 features a four-stroke, double overhead cam, 499cc engine with shaft drive and KYMCO's dual-range CVT transmission. Digital instrumentation, disc brakes, front and rear cargo racks, and a half-ton towing capacity are all standard. Kymco; 864/327-4744.
www.kymco.com
PolarisThe Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI Touring ($9299) has plenty of power to climb hills. It now has active descent control that works with engine braking for downhill control. Designed specifically for two-up riding, the Touring has a longer wheelbase, shock angles, well-placed handholds, foot rests, and drink holders. On-demand all-wheel drive and 25-inch tires combine for all-terrain performance. Polaris; 800/765-2747.
www.polarisindustries.com
| suzuki Kingquad 750 Axi front View
SuzukiThe KingQuad 750 AXi's ($7599) 695cc, DOHC, single-cylinder is mated to a QuadMatic CVT-type automatic transmission. The handlebar-mounted pushbutton controls allow the rider to easily select the right setting for any traction condition: 2WD, 4WD, and diff-lock 4WD. Independent front double A-arms and rear I-beam suspension feature preload adjustment. High-output magneto generator system and large 18-amp maintenance-free battery provide extra power for cold-weather starts and additional electrical accessories. It has easy-to-read LCD instrument panels and a polyethylene skidplate for underside protection with minimal resistance over rocks and rough terrain. Suzuki; 800/828-7433.
www.suzukicycles.com
Motorcycles
| honda Crf450r front View
HondaThe Honda CRF450R ($7199) offers the Honda Progressive Steering Damper, a new application of steering damper technology designed specifically to augment more aggressive steering characteristics. Quicker turning, higher cornering speeds, and an unprecedented planted feeling in corners are some of the perks. The CRF450R sports new, lighter CDI with three gear specific ignition maps for optimum traction and overdelivery. New engine mods include a tapered exhaust head pipe for better low- and midrange power. Works-type brake rotors reduce unsprung weight, while revised fork settings yield a more sophisticated action and revised settings in the rear shock complement changes to the fork. Honda; 866/784-1870.
www.honda.com
| kawasaki Kx250 side View
KawasakiThe Kawasaki KX250 ($6099) features a 249cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve, DOHC four-stroke that delivers a wide powerband. The polished intake ports improve intake flow to the ultralight thin-stem titanium valves, while the mixture is ignited via a K-TRIC digital ignition system to maximize top-end and over-rev. The bike's frame is constructed of an all-aluminum perimeter with composite structure utilizing forged, extruded, and cast components. Showa twin-chamber fork keeps oil and air in separate chambers for stable damping performance reliability. The rear suspension uses revised Showa shocks, which raise ride height for quicker turns and improved bottoming resistance. Kawasaki; 800/661-7433.
www.kawasaki.com
| yamaha Yz450f front View
YamahaThe Yamaha YZ450F's ($7099) five-titanium-valved 449cc DOHC liquid-cooled four-stroke sports new engine refinements. Revised intake ports and intake and exhaust cams, titanium exhaust header, and the first punch-cone muffler on a production bike are a few of the changes. Minor modifications to the aluminum frame and suspension improve handling and feel. The bike has ProTaper aluminum handlebar, titanium shock spring, gripper seat, and wheel rims. Yamaha; 800/962-7926.
www.yamaha-motor.com
| suzuki Dr650se front View
SuzukiThe Suzuki DR650SE's ($5099) 644cc, four-stroke, single cylinder, SOHC, four-valve engine, tuned for low- and midrange torque, is mounted to a wide-ratio five-speed transmission. The digitally controlled DC-CDI ignition system, used for accurate ignition timing and more consistent spark, works with a 40mm Mikuni Slingshot carburetor. The lightweight, compact frame features adjustable seat positioning. The front fork uses a combination of conventional and inverted designs and the bike has a preload-adjustable rear link-type suspension. Suzuki; 800/828-7433.
www.suzukicycles.com
Side-by-Sides
| arctic Cat Prowler Xtx 700 H1 Efi front View
Artic CatThe Arctic Cat Prowler XTX 700 H1 EFI ($10,999) side-by-side has a new engine, and improves on the smaller 650 version with electronic fuel injection, noise reduction, tilt steering wheel, lower seat, and "static sag" for cornering stability. Arctic Cat designed this model for quick acceleration, cornering and agility, and rough-trail handling. A rearview mirror, large dump bed (tilt box), 12.5 inches of ground clearance, auto CVT with engine braking, and pushbutton 4WD with locking diff add to the Prowler's appeal. Arctic Cat; 218/681-9851.
www.arcticcat.com
| kawasaki Teryx front View
KawasakiKawasaki's Teryx ($9799) side-by-side is fast and agile, yet can carry 500 pounds of gear and tow up to 1300 pounds. Powered by a modified version of the Brute Force 750 V-twin, the Teryx 4x4 employs a dual-range CVT. It also comes with an ROPS-certified rollcage, 26-inch Maxxis tires, eight-gallon fuel tank, and cargo net. The base model is available in Hardwoods HD camo, and a special NRA Outdoors model features Realtree APG HD camo, hard top, and dual gun scabbards. Kawasaki; 800/661-7433.
www.kawasaki.com
| polaris Ranger Rzr side View
PolarisThe Polaris Ranger RZR ($10,299) was built from the ground up as a performance side-by-side, which uses an 800 EFI midengine design. It boasts adjustable seats, steering wheel, and passenger-side grab bar. The power-to-weight ratio makes the RZR quick, but IRS, on-demand true 4WD, and 10 inches of ground clearance make it trail capable. The narrow stance allows it to fit on a quad track. The composite cargo box is equipped with Polaris' Lock & Ride system and can haul 300 pounds. Polaris; 800/765-2747.
www.polarisindustries.com
