ATV Tests

 By the staff of Dirt Wheels  2022 ARCTIC CAT ALTERRA 600 EPS Arctic Cat announced a new ATV as part of its 2022 lineup. Available in authorized dealerships in July, the all-new Alterra 600 EPS features an all-new engine, drivetrain and chassis, offering increased power, better handling, more durability and easier servicing. The Alterra launch coincides with Arctic Cat’s 60-year anniversary in powersports. ALL ABOUT POWER Powering the Alterra 600 EPS is a 600cc, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that…

As good as it getsBy the staff of Dirt Wheels There are subtle but important changes and updates to the 2021 Polaris Sportsman 850. In this case we are testing the Ultimate Trail Edition. That whole Ultimate Trail Edition (UTE) designation and specifications are new for 2021, so the UTE is, by definition, all new, despite sharing a great deal with current and past twin-cylinder Sportsman models. Regardless of the percentage that is new, the package is impressive, and we were excited to get some trail miles under the…

Duncan Racing builds another beauty By the staff of Dirt Wheels Photos by Pat Carrigan Gambling is all about knowing the odds. If you understand odds, there are bets so safe, they hardly meet the definition of the word “gambling.” Dirt Wheels can’t possibly know anything specific about your significant other, but we can safely wager they have never gotten you a gift like this sublime 1985 Honda ATC 250R. Sure, maybe some of you have, but knowing the odds, we feel pretty safe with this blanket statement. After all,…

Who says you need a big-bore quad? By the staff of Dirt Wheels Most manufacturers have directed their attention away from sport quad production in the last decade, and Honda certainly has. On a positive note, utility-type quads are becoming a more appealing option. In fact, some are becoming so capable that 4x4 quads are becoming the new sport quad. We tested the $7699 Honda FourTrax Rancher 4x4 Automatic DCT EPS quad, which is a nicely equipped 420cc version with plenty to offer. This popular and reliable model is…

Dan Mayer’s second time around By the staff of Dirt Wheels, Photos by Pat Carrigan It is an old story: parents, trying to do what they think is best for their kids, forbid the purchase of an ATV. Often, as is the case with Dan Mayer, quads become the forbidden fruit and a life-long obsession is born. This Duncan Racing 2018 Lobo-chassis build is the latest milestone in Mayer’s dedication to magnificent quads. It turns out that Mayer was a die-hard Dirt Wheels reader as a youth, and he was drawn to the radical…

Sport, race and big-bore fun By the staff of Dirt Wheels This winter Yamaha finally announced its YFZ450 and Raptor 700 lineups. Both models return with new colorways in base and special-edition versions. Unfortunately, the 2021 YFZ450 cannot be sold in California. As for the Raptor base, 700R and 700R SE, there are California CARB-compliant models and 49 state models being produced. They are all built in Yamaha’s U.S. factory in Newnan, Georgia. 2021 YAMAHA YFZ450R According to Yamaha, the YFZ450R…

A 500cc hybrid monster By the staff of Dirt Wheels Yet another fire-breathing, torque-churning monster machine has come to life in the depths of Daryl Rath’s compound. Daryl leaned on his skill and expertise, as well as his expert staff to bring to life a hybrid—a Yamaha YFZ450R endowed with a Suzuki LT500R two-stroke power plant. The aptly named “Rathzilla” was devised to destroy the competition under the control of Rath’s stepson, Jared Weckman. Weckman is an impressive pilot on the Midwest TT racing circuit in the…

Dream two-stroke dune runner By the staff of Dirt Wheels Photos by Pat Carrigan Darryl Smith has always been a motorcycle guy, but the rest of his family were Banshee folks. It was only natural that he pick up a 2006 Banshee to join in. Miles and hours of dune fun slinging sand with a twin-cylinder, two-stroke sport quad followed. Unfortunately, an issue with the throttle resulted in a wadded-up quad. Smith’s choices were to attempt a resurrection of the original machine or look for a new one. After consulting with…

Ready for adventure or a second person By the staff of Dirt Wheels If you don’t follow the motorcycle market, you may not understand how much of an impact adventure motorcycles have had on new machine and aftermarket parts sales. Adventure bikes are large machines capable of going long distance and carrying ample gear. That sort of sounds like the definition of a big-bore 4x4 quad, right? CFMoto agreed and saw the potential in making an adventure/overland-specific quad equipped for packing everything you need. Enter…

Great news for trail riders and hunters By the staff of Dirt Wheels It seems like the new-model mill never stops grinding at Polaris. Our “2021 Buyers’ Guides” are long published, and it looked like the Polaris lineup appeared complete, but here they are with multiple new models for the RZR Trail line, the Ranger line and a new Sportsman quad! These new-for-2021 Polaris models are excellent news for both trail lovers and hunters. Customer feedback is crucial to Polaris, and they have taken that input to make the RZR Trail…

Ready for the major leaguesBy the staff of Dirt Wheels CFMoto remains dedicated to the 4x4 quad market with an extensive lineup that includes a new CForce 600 for the 2021 model year. This company prides itself on quality and value. In the fight to stand toe-to-toe with the big brands, CFMoto only sells the single-seat CForce 600 in one form—fully loaded. Other brands have a bewildering number of trim levels and equipment packages for a single displacement. CFMoto simplifies the showroom and pricing by selling every…

RAZOR DIRT QUAD 500 36V ELECTRIC ATV Off-roading is a lifelong sport. It’s one of those hobbies that can be enjoyed at any age and at any pace. With the right machine, two, three, and even four generations of family members can all partake at the same time. At the younger end of the spectrum, the activity starts with toys in the dirt until kids grow and can start riding on their own. The step right before getting on a gas-powered off-roader usually lands kids on an electric machine like the Razor Dirt…