BUYER’S GUIDE: 2016 Sport ATVs

Another year has passed, which means new and exciting ATV models have hit the market. Nowadays, these machines are coming with more features at better price points. Power steering is becoming a standard feature on a lot of new machines, which is a nice thing to have.

The 4×4 market is gaining new models every year, which is a major plus; unfortunately, the sport-quad side of things is beginning to dwindle. There are less offerings of sport ATVs than we have seen in a long time. Yamaha’s Raptor 250 and 125 have become more difficult to find, along with Kawasaki’s KFX450 and Can-Am’s DS 450, but they are out there, so contact your local dealer and they can help locate them for you. Some machines aren’t getting updated this year, like Honda’s TRX450R that remains unchanged from previous years with its steel frame and carburetor. We hope that as time goes on we will see more thrilling sport ATVs hit the market again as technology keeps advancing.

However, there are still great options to choose from at great prices. Assembled in the pages that follow are photos, prices and descriptions of over 80 ATVs that are out for 2016.
The prices listed are base MSRP, so depending on your destination, better deals await you.

2016 ATV BUYER’S GUIDES
Sport ATVs
4×4 ATVs
2×4 ATVs
2-Up ATVs
Youth ATVs

CONTACTS:
Apex: (480) 507-5050, www.apexatv.com
Arctic Cat: (218) 681-9851, www.arcticcat.com
Can-Am: (715) 848-4957, www.canam.brp.com
CFMoto: (888) 823-6686, www.cfmotous.com
Hisun: (972) 446-0760, www.hisunmotors.com
Honda: (310) 783-2000, www.powersports.honda.com
Kawasaki: (949) 770-0400, www.kawasaki.com
Kymco: (864) 327-4744, www.kymcousa.com
Polaris: (888) 704-5290, www.polarisindustries.com
Suzuki: (714) 996-7040, www.suzuki-cycles.com
Yamaha: (714) 761-7300, www.yamaha-motor.com

APEX 450F/250F ($13,000/$12,000)
Apex designs pure racing machines. They utilize Yamaha powerplants from the days before fuel injection was utilized. The suspension, wheels, bumpers and more are put on these race quads for pure performance. Apex makes limited runs of these machines, but if you are a serious racer, they have an ATV for you.

CAN-AM DS 450X MX/XC (2015 MODEL: $9,799/$9,099)
The sport 450 market is getting slimmer. This top contender fell off of the line for 2016, but there are still many to purchase at your local Can-Am dealer. The DS 450 sports a 449cc, fuel-injected four-stroke engine that has plenty of power to the track or trails. There are two models looming about—the DS 450X mx or 450X xc.

CAN-AM DS 250 ($4,199)
This sporty ATV carries a 249cc, liquid-cooled fourstroke engine in its chassis with an automatic CVT-style transmission with reverse. Double-A-arm suspension covers the front end with a swingarm in the rear. Hydraulic brakes stop the front tires, while a single rear hydraulic disc brake slows down the back tires.

HONDA TRX450R ($7,799)
Honda’s sport 450 hasn’t changed much at all over the years it has been in production. It has the most simplistic design with a steel frame and a carbureted engine. The 450cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled powerplant pulls hard and is easy to upgrade with aftermarket parts. Racers still choose the TRX450R because you can start upgrading it right out of the box with performance parts on a budget. Hopefully, a new version with electronic fuel injection will come out soon.

HONDA TRX400X ($6,399)
The TRX400X is one of the longest-running sport ATVs since its days as the 400EX. Since then it has gotten a few cosmetic upgrades to the current X version. It has a practically bullet-proof, air-cooled, single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It comes with hydraulic disc brakes in the front and one in the rear. The five-speed transmission also has reverse, which is a nice commodity.

HONDA TRX250X ($4,699)
Honda’s TRX250X has new color options for 2016 of red and white or all white. It still has a 229cc air-cooled fourstroke engine with a five-speed transmission that doesn’t require the use of the clutch to shift gears, but if you want that sporty feel, the clutch works quite well. Like the TRX400X, this machine is very durable and a blast to ride.

KAWASAKI KFX450R (2014 MODEL: $8,299)
Another great sport 450 model that fell off the manufacturing lines is Kawasaki’s KFX450R. This aluminum framed and fuel-injected racer has been a popular choice in the racing scene and is still a great machine for the trails and track today. You can still find a KFX450R at some dealers near you.

KYMCO MONGOOSE 300 ($3,899)
The Mongoose 300 and MXU 300 share the same 270cc engine that has an automatic CVT-style transmission with a reverse gear, but their body and chassis are different. The Mongoose has 5.7 inches of front suspension travel on a dual-A-arm setup with 6.5 inches of rear-wheel travel. It was designed for sporty trail riding.

SUZUKI QUADSPORT Z400 (2015 MODEL: $7,149)
The QuadSport Z400 is a very popular sport-type ATV, and for good reason. Its riding position is comfortable for riding trails, yet sporty enough to race. The engine has a great range of power from the bottom to top end. It is fuel injected and has adjustable suspension for a nice ride. We hope it jumps back in Suzuki’s lineup next year.

YAMAHA YFZ450R ($8,899)
The YFZ450R is now one of the only track-ready sport 450s available in the ATV market today. The YFZ is a fuel injected monster with a 449cc, DOHC four-stroke engine with five titanium valves. The transmission is a five-speed style with a slipper clutch. The machine is chain-driven and has long-travel front suspension with 11 inches of travel in the rear swingarm.

YAMAHA RAPTOR 700/700R ($7,799/$8,299)
The Raptor 700 is a fuel-injected beast of a quad. It’s well-known in the sand dune and desert circles as being a major powerhouse. The 700R comes with fully adjustable piggyback suspension. The starting system is electric and the five-speed transmission comes with reverse as well. This is still the most powerful sport ATV on the market.