ATV Tests

-- Suzuki, Honda & Kawasaki 250s fight it out -- Back in the June 1987 issue of Dirt Wheels we did a comparison of the three hottest 250 quads you could buy at that time. Below is a reprint of that original article for your viewing pleasure. MORE ARTICLES YOU'LL LIKE: https://dirtwheelsmag.com/shootout-of-the-century/ https://dirtwheelsmag.com/25-years-ago-in-dirt-wheels/ https://dirtwheelsmag.com/shootout-1986-honda-trx250r-vs-lt250/ . . . . . . . .

-- ATV TEST: Great upgrades for an impressive machine -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels The fun never stops in the world of four-wheeling! Can-Am makes some of the best 4x4 quads around, and you can find models outfitted with extra upgrades in the lineup. The Outlander XT is one of those models, and we got our hands on the 2019 1000R version in a black and Can-Am Red color scheme! We were fortunate to test the Outlander in a lush and thick Canadian forest setting to find out the Outlander’s strengths and weaknesses.…

-- A new three-wheeler you can buy today from TPC -- the staff of Dirt Wheels Action photos by Ashley Calvo Bill Casey is a man that simply couldn’t settle for riding four-wheeled machines. He started out on motorcycles in 1976, but traded with his friend who owned a Honda ATC, and the rest was history for him. Three wheels has always been his passion, and that extended into creating TPC Trikes. Casey founded his company in 1998. He concentrated on vintage ATC restorations, modifications and repairs. However, the…

-- Rincon 680 vs. Brute Force 750 vs. Kingquad 750 vs. Sportsman 570 -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels As time rolls on, technology advances, but the realities of the off-road market mean that the best-selling machines get the tech and marketing dollars. That means that big 4x4 quads keep improving, but they don’t get the attention UTVs do as they get more popular. Reductions in marketing dollars means it has gotten difficult to get enough of these big-bore brutes to perform shootouts. We managed to gather the Honda…

-- 1999 HONDA 400EX vs. 1989 250R -- When Honda came out with its TRX250R in 1986, the ATV world became a much better place. It wasn't long before  this two-stroke machine became known as the best high-performance quad ever made. Life was good for quad riders for four years, and then the bad news came. Honda announced that the 1989 model would be the last 250R  it would sell. For the next 10 years we all waited for Honda to introduce a new replacement for the 250R. Everyone was growing impatient and then the news finally…

-- Testing the KingQuad 750’s talented little brother -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Suzuki was the creator of the modern quad. During a time of three-wheelers, the difference a quad made was simply stunning. The upgrades came fast after those early quads, and in many cases it was Suzuki coming up with the innovations. Recently, though, the Suzuki quad line-up has been unchanged for too long. Never fear, an all-new 2019 Suzuki KingQuad 500AXi is here, and it is a welcome revision of a model that we have always liked.…

-- Building the ultimate 2-stroke quad -- Honda TRX250Rs don’t have fans. They attract devotees—riders and owners with a two-stroke obsession that infests every cell with a sneaky efficiency that would make a papa virus proud. Like many TRX250R obsessions, Eric Christiansen’s started out many years ago. When he bought this machine 20 years ago, it was a wedding gift for his wife. Yes, we have all heard the “it’s for my wife” line before, but she actually spent a lot of time riding it for the first six years they owned…

-- Testing the original ATV reimagined -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Chances are that any off-road enthusiast recognizes the unique eight-wheeled profile of the new Argo Aurora 800 Limited. The name Argo may not roll off of your tongue—yet. Argo isn’t currently a household OHV name, but it could become one. 2017 was the 50-year anniversary for Argo, and the milestone coordinated with an infusion of leadership making the move from Arctic Cat. Using the anniversary as a kick-off, Argo made a huge push with its classic…

THE HISTORY OF YAMAHA'S BIG SPORT QUAD -- The 1990s maintained a stagnant state of limbo for ATV manufacturers of sport quads. Of the potential manufacturers, Yamaha was the strongest player with the famed Banshee 350 and Blaster 200 two-strokes and the Warrior 350 four-stroke. Yamaha had a strong hold on the market, but it also knew that those beloved two-strokes would slowly be forced from the line-up by increasingly strict emissions standards. The fight to stay ahead of the competition lit a fire beneath…

 -- ATV TEST: Small quads kids and parents will love -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Until seeing them parked together side by side, you could be forgiven for thinking the 2018 Suzuki QuadSport Z50 and QuadSport Z90 are the same machine but in different colors. Both machines share many features and technical specifications but are physically distinct. For example, they have a sturdy but compact steel frame with single-A-arm front suspension and swingarm rear suspension. The same is true of the drum brakes—two front…

-- Testing big changes to a proven 4x4 performer -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Can-Am has one of the most extensive lineups of ATVs on the market. We have tested many of their machines over the years, and while a lot of them are great, there was always something off with the handling characteristics. It is safe to say the Canadian manufacturer has figured it out for 2019! Their Outlander and Renegade line of the 650, 850 and 1000R have all received new upgrades for 2019. Our test subject is the popular Outlander 650…

-- 2-stroke power to break the sand barrier -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels, photos by Pat Carrigan CT Racing’s 400cc Banshee kits have been a popular kit for years. CTR originally marketed a 370cc, long-rod kit for the Banshee, but after the 4mm stroker cranks proved dependable, it discontinued the 370cc kit and replaced it with the 400cc kit. They are basically identical kits, but the 400cc kit has a longer stroke. The cylinder bore sizes are the same. The added 4mm of stroke works amazingly on the Banshee. It adds…