2008 ATV Buyers Guide

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-Am
The 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.

Honda
The 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.

Kawasaki
The 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.

Polaris
The 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.

Yamaha
The 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.

Suzuki
Suzuki'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.

Strong Utes

Artic Cat
The 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.

Kawasaki
Kawasaki'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.