Can-Am faces off Polaris

Canadian quad bike and all-terrain vehicle manufacturer BRP is going head to head on the track with its biggest rival, American giant Polaris. 

The two companies are taking part in a side-by-side category in the Australian Rally Championship. BRP Australia boss Gregoire DuPont says the race series will highlight the capabilities of its Can-Am Commander side-by-side ATV and draw attention to the new range of quad bikes and ATVs. 

VALUE

Prices for the range start at $3669 for the Can-Am Mini DS90 and rise to $26,758 for the 1000cc Commander Limited which is the luxury version of the side-by-side competition vehicle.

The eight quad bikes include youth models, racers and farm quads with prices similar to Polaris, but more than the Japanese models, although they come with more technology. There are also four 1000cc side-by-side vehicles and one 800cc model. 

They feature three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranties which are more typical for cars and SUVs than off-road recreational vehicles. Service intervals are a generous 100 hours.

TECHNOLOGY

The second generation or "G2 platform" for Outlander and Commander have been substantially redesigned with new front and rear suspension, larger brakes, beefier bumpers, more powerful lights, deadlock wheels, progressive-locking AWD and 25 per cent larger fuel tanks in some models.

Biggest change is in the new suspension system which features anti-dive, improved ride for all-day farm use and increased rear squat for better traction.

The torsional trailing arm rear suspension is not fixed like some competitors so the rear wheels move up and down rather than in an arc for better articulation without pushing the rider from side to side over off-set bumps.

They also feature a range of more powerful 800cc and 1000cc Rotax engines with improved fuel injection for better throttle control.

DESIGN

Can-Am quads and ATVs have an aggressive, almost military look. You can even get a camouflage paintjob that looks like a US Army Jeep. They are water resistant and have almost indestructible plastics. 

A handy feature in some models are the racks with a quick-release LinQ system. There is also a handy waterproof rear storage compartment which can be accessed even when the luggage rack is in place.

SAFETY

Roll-over protection is supplied in the sid-by-side Commander models which can be optioned up with windscreens, roof and even a stereo system.

They also have a seat-belt warning light on the instrument panel and a handy seat-belt type of catch for the side safety nets. Brakes are strong with large ventilated discs and twin-piston calipers.

DRIVING

BRP chose a farm in the Brisbane hinterland with a creek and steep hills to demonstrate their range against some of their competitors. The most obvious difference is in the steering in the Can-Am quads and ATVs. They turn tightly with little understeer and reduced kickback. 

Commander models also allow you to vary the sensitivity of the steering from minimum to medium and maximum assistance. 

The course included creek crossings, muddy embankments, steep slopes, log jumps and offset whoops. 

One enthusiastic scribe rolled a quad bike by turning too sharply while sideways on a hill. The rider quickly re-mounted and the bike seemed unscathed in the incident.

BRP's suspension coped well with all the obstacles and left this rider feeling in control and relaxed at the end of the day. 

In particular, the offset whoops can be taken at much higher speed than the opposition models which threw the rider around from side to side.

Throttle response is smooth, not touchy, which is handy for negotiating tricky situations. However, it also provided a burst of acceleration when need to lift the front wheel over logs and other obstacles.

CAN AM RANGE

ATV

Outlander 1000/800R XT
Outlander 800R X mr
Outlander 650/500/400
Outlander MAX
Renegade
DS 450 X mx
DS 250
Youth

SIDE-BY-SIDE

Commander 1000
Commander 800R
Commander 1000 XT
Commander 1000 X
Commander 1000 Limited