Dropping the Bomb, LiterallyIf you followed bike racing in the 1970s, chances are you'll remember Can-Am motorcycles sweeping the '73 ISDT podium or even the season sweep of the '74 AMA 250cc National Motocross Series. Those same visionaries who brought Can-Am to the podium in the '70s are the very same dedicated staff delivering the Bombardier Recreational Products to you. Not to be confused with a merger, Bombardier has enthusiastically decided to bring back the Can-Am name to prove its commitment and to reignite the passion for the off-road enthusiast. Today, that inspiration, drive and winning spirit of Can-Am from many years ago was reborn to deliver the ultimate connection between a man and his machine. Identifying a unique name with an individual product line is not unusual for Bombardier. Just like BRP's watercraft are labeled Sea-Doo and its snowmobile lineup is called Ski-Doo, now the ATVs will wear the Can-Am badge.
As if resurrecting the Can-Am name wasn't big enough news, the shock factor continues with the release of an intriguing '07 ATV lineup. One of the new models joining the returning great machines from '06 is the Renegade 800 H.O. EFI 4x4. Much like the concept employed with Yamaha's Wolverine and Kawasaki's KFX700, this new creation is intended to help bridge the gap between utility and sport ATVs. The Renegade promises to be an ideal marriage of performance, handling and attitude of a sport quad with the go-anywhere capability of a four-wheel-drive utility. And with its extraordinary 800cc motor that we've already tried out in the Outlander, this machine should be one of the most powerful ATVs in production.
Also new for '07 is the Outlander 500 H.O. EFI. Nearly identical to its larger Outlander brothers, this new recreational ute rounds out a now full line of Outlanders (400, 500, 650 and 800). And last but not least is the two-up version of the Outlander 800, the Outlander Max 800 H.O. EFI. It could be the ultimate in the line of two-up touring ATVs, with that powerful 800cc mill and its ability to haul two riders anywhere for an exciting outdoor excursion. We'll be back to give our first-ride impressions of the new Can-Am machines in the September issue.
New ITP Radial MeatsITP has added another tire, the TerraCross R/T, to its already massive catalog of tires. Designed for sport-utilities and side-by-side utility vehicles, this new radial meat promises an ultrasmooth ride and has an impressive list of features: a super-tough, six-ply construction; an exclusive wrap-around shoulder lug design to provide excellent sidewall protection and grip when navigating trails with large ruts or rocks; and a unique, interlocking tread pattern and wide footprint to give exceptional traction and flotation. All this means the TerraCross R/T should be ideal for mud, snow or sand yet offer plenty of operator comfort and confidence on hardpack surfaces; the new meat also claims to be surprisingly lightweight. It's the best of all worlds-highly capable and reliable in loose and rugged conditions yet smooth and surefooted on smoother terrain.
ITP's TerraCross R/T rolls out with several sizes for sport-utility quads: 25x8R-12 and 26x8R-14 fronts; and 25x10R-12 and 26x11R-14 rears; and a 26x9R-14 front and a 26x11R-14 rear for the side-by-side utility vehicle application. To order, see your local ATV dealer or visit www.itptires.com
Oops, We Did It Again!Somewhere in the flow of press releases, e-mails and phone conversations, the signals got mixed, and we stated that the Pro Armor Rhino front bumper gracing page 121 in our April issue comes with a Warn winch preinstalled. Not so. Although we shot it with a Warn mounted, the bumper comes solo for $299.95 or $377.95 in the black or stainless steel versions, respectively. You put the winch on yourself, and Pro Armor sells the hardware to attach a winch to the bumper.
I'm 19 years old and just bought an '06 Honda 400EX. I'm already better than all my friends after having it for just one week. I taught myself how to do wheelies and stunts. I just wanted to say that I'm new to this sport, and I love it. I must have put at least 20 hours on my EX already. My girlfriend took the picture. She says it's the last time she'll watch me ride. Now that's love!-Chris Mazzarella
Get your time in the limelight! Shots of your machine or an awesome trail-ride experience are good starters-just let us know who, where and what (the ATV model is, that is), plus who shot it. Note that low-resolution digital images look awful in print. If your image is simply too small (less than 1200x1500 pixels at 72 dpi) to do it justice in paper form, we'll instead run it on our website (prints and slides are still OK, you just won't get them back). Send rants, raves or whatever to atvrider@primedia.com or ATV Rider, Reader Mail, 6420 Wilshire Blvd.,Los Angeles, CA 90048.