No More Hype! -- Introducing the Can-Am DS450

Jeremy Schell (left) and Jackie Meadows had a blast dicing it out on two identical DS450s.

It was a month ago when we took 11-Time National Champion, Jackie Meadows to I-81 Speedway in Greenville, TN to ride Can-Am's 2007 Line Up, which included their new DS450. Jackie, anxious as a little kid on Christmas morning, would have his way with each of Can-Am's models, but getting the DS450-scoop was our main mission.

Ride tests make up a big portion of ATV Scene and we feel it's important to maintain our unbiased say-it-like-it-is impression of each and every ATV we test, so choosing the right test rider would be critical, especially when it came to this particular mind-boggling high-tech race-worthy performer. Legendary Jackie Meadows has a lifetime of ATV knowledge under his belt, he's pretty much retired from ATV racing, has no commitments to anyone in the ATV industry and remains in excellent shape. All this adds up to the ideal test rider. With Jackie by our side, we were more than prepared to get the low down on this interesting new machine.

 

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Can-Am 101
Before we dissect the new DS450 and tell you what we think of it, you younger readers need a short Can-Am history lesson. Racing has been key for Bombardier's Can-Am division since it started making high performance off road motorcycles back in the early 70's Today Can-Am recognized that the ATV industry can yield much higher returns than dirt bike motorcycle production. They have no plans to build dirt bikes, instead Can-Am will concentrate on staking their claim in the high performance ATV scene.

 

 

 

DS450 101

Jackie airs it out over the I-81 Speedway finish line jump.

BRP Can-Am CEO Jose' Boisjoli must have frustrated a lot of employees with his DS450 objectives. He asked his team to produce the lightest, best handling and fastest 450 on the market. That's a pretty big demand considering the fact that there are several very well built 450s available these days.

The finished product tips the scales respectfully. At a dry weight of 345 pounds (156 kg), no 450 on the market weighs less. What's more, in an effort to make sure they're new 450 behaved itself properly at pro level race pace, Can-Am hired accomplished racers to supply good feedback from the mission's day one, including champions Jeremy Schell and Josh Frederick.

It hasn't been easy keeping a lid on this new incredible high performance quad for an entire month, but somehow we pulled it off. You've been teased for a month now. We won't torture you any further, so let's get started and take an in depth look at the high-performance quad that Can-Am has been fine-tuning for the last four years.

Rotax Baby

This is one bad boy! Actually it's Can-Am's choice power maker - a Rotax 449cc derived from BRP Can-Am's Aprillia 1000R road bike but made for the rigors of off road ATV racing.

OK so now that you know your Can-Am 101 and the DS450 mission, it's finally time to get down and dirty and know all about the new DS450, let's break it down...

We'll start with the completely new Rotax® 4-TEC® 450cc engine. It's a 449cc Electronic Fuel Injected engine that Can-Am says is by far the most powerful in its class. After riding the machine, we would have to agree. The mighty new Rotax powerplant comes from what Rotax learned with their V990 “Mille” engine that powers the Aprilia‡ RSV 1000 R motorcycle. The DS450 engine uses the same Mille top-end technology with a bottom-end, crankcase, clutch and tranny specifically-designed for the rigors of off-road ATVing.

 

 

 

 

 

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The engine is a free-flow design – with the largest piston bore, intake valves and throttle body in the 450 market. From the looks of this beefy stocker, it appears that it might take to modification well -- meaning the DS may have the potential to be converted into an "airplane", (as the late big Jack Meadows might say) quite easily. A sophisticated EFI system with a superfast micro-controller optimizes performance at every rpm, compensating for both temperature and altitude. All this equates to quick and precise throttle response.

 

ALTEC™ Aluminum Chassis.

Jackie says, "It's the closest thing to a race ready quad off the show room that I've ever seen."

This may be the most innovative and comprehensive portion of the new DS450, or any component on any ATV currently available for that matter. The frame is made from Aerospace-grade aluminum and configured in a dual-pyramidal design. Strength comes from computer-optimized design rather than heavier or added materials. The pyramidal structure has been proven on BRP’s Ski-Doo® REV™ and REV-XP™ snowmobiles.What's incredible is you wont find any welds on the frame. Can-Am uses ultra-modern locking-bolts instead of traditional welds to hold the frame members together. In the end Can-Am reaps some big rewards here. The DS frame is exceptionally strong and lightweight – 13% lighter than the best-in-class competitor to be exact.

 

 

R-type front suspension.

With the lowest unsprung weight in its class, this radical design delivers razor-sharp handling, amazing damping, and confident tracking. Aluminum knuckles with short aluminum spindles, extended-length forged aluminum upper and lower A-arms, aggressive attack angle and reduced-kickback geometry all combine to give the rider confidence while hammering through rough terrain at speed. Front shocks come with KYB HPG aluminum-bodied piggyback reservoirs and they're compression and rebound adjustable. The shocks also feature threaded pre-load adjustment and measure 9.5-inches of travel.

The front suspension and handling are superb, by far the best in the business. The machine goes exactly where you point it in razor-sharp precise fashion. All in all handling is absolutely superior to any off-the-showroom-floor machine we've ridden!

 

R-type rear suspension.

Again Can-Am strived to complete their lightweight mission. The rear is dramatically lightweight – the lightest in its class. The fully adjustable rear KYB HPG shock measures in at 10.2 inches of travel. The swingarm is cast-aluminum. The axle is an industry-first hollow Chromoly 4140 unit that Jeremy Schell claims will not bend, but we're skeptical on this one. Like many component on this innovative machine, we'll have to wait and see how durable these items end up being as time progresses. Aluminum hubs and a rising-rate shock linkage round out the rear of the machine.


Race-worthy Braking by Wilwood™
The DS450 features one radical front brake design to say the least. Can-Am's system features an inverted dual-piston caliper – mounted on the inside area of the disc - completely opposite of any quad on the market. This enables placement of the ball-joints and kingpin axis deep inside the wheel for reduced scrub and steering kickback, as well as self correcting behavior under hard braking. Finally both the front and rear rotors' wave shape is computer-designed for exceptional cooling.

Racer-developed Race-worthy ergonomics.

Can-Am's Jeremy Schell plans to race this machine at the ITP QuadCross Series soon.

If you haven't noticed by now the narrow frame design also features a smooth transitional surfaces all around. This will DS450 riders slip over obstacles in low clearance situations.

The DS 450 comes stock with custom made ITP Holeshot SR tires. Aluminum rims with rolled edges round off the tire and wheel package on all four corners. Detachable headlights and interchangeable front fenders are a nice feature for you pure racer types. Wide foot pegs with kickups and deep heel guards, among other racer-friendly features round out the race savvy package.

We mounted a helmet cam on Jeremy Schell's helmet and got some pretty good footage while the two national champions battled it out on a pair of DS450s.	Here Jackie aggressively carves a turn TT style. Jackie says this may be the ultimate TT machine. We'll have to wait and see.

 

Overall Impression
The new DS450 has got to be Can-Am's most innovative product in company history, maybe even a top three BRP product. As for our overall impression: we'll let our test rider, Jackie Meadows take it from here...

ATV Scene: Okay Jackie you've been sworn to secrecy on this thing for a month now. Here's your chance to finally tell someone about the new DS450. Meadows: Finally! Yeah I'll say it like this. It's the best high performance quad that's ever been made and the closest thing to a race ready quad off the show room that I've ever seen. ATV Scene: How do you think a feather-weight all-aluminum quad will hold up? Meadows: We'll have to wait and see how durable it is, but I think the company will hold up really well. ATV Scene: What do you mean? Meadows: They obviously care to go fast and race. And to me it looks like they're really serious about their mission of dominating the ATV race scene. You know, when I was a kid I remember how cool the Can-Am brand was. It seemed like they did things different than everyone else. It's really cool to see they have the same outside the box way of doing things thirty years later, but what I'm most impressed with is their exclusive commitment to the ATV industry, and especially ATV racing. When it comes to racing, most of the other manufacturers rely on their two-wheeled segment to market their products. Can-Am is going the complete opposite direction and doesn't even care to build a dirt bike. It's 100% focused on ATVs and from the looks of things I would say 80% of their attention will be turned to ATV racing. ATV Scene: Let's break down your impression of the DS450 a little more. You seem to really like this quad. What do you like most about it? Meadows: I would say the way it handles. It turns really sharp and sticks to the track well. It's so light you can put the quad anywhere you want. It's a combination of everything they've done including the narrow frame rails which really make it handle awesome. I was blown away after riding it. They really did their homework. ATV Scene: How about the suspension? Meadows: I snuck out on a section of the track that we weren't supposed to be on. It was a pretty hard core section of whoops. I'm sorry about that, but I couldn't help it. After landing jumps with ease I had to see how it went through the whoops. It's simply second to none! In fact I think it's very comparable to aftermarket suspension found on any of the top race quads. ATV Scene: How does it stop? Meadows: I do a lot of passing by braking really late, but with that I'm extra hard on brakes than the typical rider. The front and rear brakes are on par or better than anything I've ever used. That's pretty impressive for a stock machine. ATV Scene: How about the all-too-important engine? Meadows: Rotax engines have always been pretty bad ass. This thing absolutely screams! I promise you, there's no way any other stock bike can run like this one. I love how the power comes on smooth out of the corners, and from mid to top end this thing really screams. I'll tell you what, I've been practicing on a Honda 450R with an HRC kit and pipe and it doesn't compare to the stock Can-Am, especially on the mid to top end. I'm really impressed with the power.

 

DS 450 EFI Specifications Type: 449cc, single-cylinder, DOHC 4-valve, liquid-cooled Bore & Stroke: 97 x 60,8mm Carburation / EFI: EFI w/46mm Throttle Body, 16 bit CPU w/ 32 MHz clock speed Starting System: Electric Transmission: 5-speed manual Drive train: Chain driven/solid axle Frame: ALTEC dual-pyramidal aluminum Front suspension: type/ Travel R-Type Double A-arm, forged aluminum / Kayaba HPG Aluminum piggy-back with adjustment for compression, rebound and spring preload / 9.5" Rear suspension type/ Travel R-Type swingarm, cast aluminum / Kayaba HPG Aluminum piggyback with adjustment for compression, rebound and spring preload/ 10.5" Front brake: Dual 182mm wave type discs with inverted twin-piston calipers Rear brake: 198mm wave type rotor with single piston caliper Tires / Front: ITP Holeshot SR 21 x 7R-10 in 533 x 178R x 254 mm Tires / Rear: ITP Holeshot SR 20 x 10R-9 in 508 x 254R x 229 mm Wheels: Aluminum Polished L x W x H (in) 72.4 x 46 x 41.9 in L x W x H (mm) 1,839 x 1,168 x 1,064 mm Wheelbase: 50 in (1,267 mm) Seat height: 33 in (831 mm) Dry weight: 345 lbs (156 kg) Ground clearence: 9 in under frame / 5 in under rear axle Fuel capacity 3 US gal. (11.5L) Instrumentation: Low fuel, check engine, neutral Lighting: Dual removable headlights Colors Available: Yellow

The Rest of the Can-Am 2007 Line Up
For the rest of Can-Am's '07 quads check out our video located below. Jackie rode the entire line up. We even humiliated him a little and had him ride on the back of an Outlander Max. It's priceless video to say the least.

 

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(Part 4) May 23, 2007
BRP Reveals DS 450 Drive Line & Rear Suspension
Axle is an Industry First; Lowest Unsprung Weight in Class

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ATV Marketing Director Bernard Guy tells about the rear of the new DS450.

You’ve heard the four challenges from BRP’s President and CEO José Boisjoli. You’ve read about the advanced aluminum frame and chassis. You’ve seen the details on the front end. Now it is time to reveal the drive line and rear suspension of the Can‑Am™ DS 450™ at can-amDS450.com.

Featuring the lowest rear unsprung weight in the class and a fully adjustable rear shock, the DS 450 is ready to excel on the track and trail. Just like with the creation of the ultra-light frame, steel was the enemy. Like others in the class, the DS 450 features a steel axle, but Can-Am engineers found a way to cut the weight of the axle without sacrificing durability.

The axle is made of Chromoly 4140 stock, however, it is hollow. That’s not all; the design team then took that sturdy axle and narrowed it up by adding industry exclusive aluminum extended-reach hubs. Can-Am didn’t stop there, in addition to the swingarm and hubs, the sprocket, sprocket hub and brake disc hub are all made from lightweight aluminum.

 

 

For the tires, Can-Am worked closely with ITP® to develop its Holeshot® SR tire on the DS 450. The tires are an extension of the well known Holeshot brand and are mounted on aluminum wheels.

Visit www.can-amDS450.com to see full reveal details on the all-new DS 450. In the coming weeks more details about this groundbreaking machine will be revealed, keep checking and spread the word.

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(Part 3) May 16, 2007
BRP Reveals DS 450 Front Suspension, Brake and Steering Systems
Inverted Brake Calipers, Tucked Kingpins, Jeremy Schell Speaks Out and much more

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ATV Marketing Director Bernard Guy speaks about Can-Am's impressive front end components and innovations.

If you haven't been keeping up with BRP Can-Am's DS 450 weekly releases you're in for some mind boggling ATV performance news. First and foremost, scroll to the bottom of this page and read the first two parts and check out the must-see videos found on Can-Am's DS 450 info site as well as the exclusive video interviews (found on the left) that we got with Mr. Bernard Guy (Can-Am's Marketing Director).

Never before has an ATV recieved such a high-tech front end setup culminating with the lowest unsprung weight in its class. In addition to forged aluminum upper A-arms, the lower A-arms are forged; representing an industry first.

The R-type geometry of the front end means the kingpin axis is tucked into the wheel as far as possible to all but eliminate wheel scrub on the DS 450. The attack angle of the front end is 14 degrees allowing a rider to attack bumps with less fatigue. There are too many details to list, but the reveal Web site has them all.  

The DS 450 engineer team worked hard to meet the four challenges from company President and CEO José Boisjoli, when he said the DS 450 had to have the lightest weight, lowest unsprung weight, most mass centralization, and highest power at the time of its release. With its high-tech aluminum frame and now, unprecedented front end, the DS 450 is shaping up to be quite the sport ATV.

Visit can-amds450.com to see full reveal details on the all-new DS 450. In the coming weeks more details about this groundbreaking machine will be revealed, keep checking and spread the word.

After viewing the videos you're probably just as excited as we are about riding this machine. Be sure to check back weekly and by all means dont forget to come back June 2nd for our complete ride test on this one of a kind 450 racer.

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(Part 2) May 9, 2007
BRP Reveals DS 450 Aluminum Frame
High-tech Frame has No Welds; is Lightest in Industry

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ATV Marketing Director Bernard Guy speaks about the DS 450's all-aluminum frame with no welds!

Last week BRP revealed the first details of its all-new Can‑Am™ DS 450™. Now, more is revealed about the sport ATV: its Altec aluminum frame. This high-tech frame is the lightest frame in the industry. The engineering team was able to keep the weight down by using ultra-modern lock-bolts instead of traditional welds to hold the frame members together. And frame rigidity is enhanced with its dual-pyramid structure.

Company President and CEO José Boisjoli challenged the engineering team to make the DS 450 with the lightest weight, lowest unsprung weight, most mass centralization, and highest power at the time of its release. Watch as the story of this ATV unfolds during the upcoming weeks.

Click here to see the full reveal details on the challenges from the president and CEO, and now the frame. In the coming weeks more details about this groundbreaking machine will be revealed, keep checking and spread the word.

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(Part 1) May 2, 2007
Can-Am Confirms DS 450 Sport Quad

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ATV Marketing Director Bernard Guy speaks about Can-Am's mission.

Can-Am finally confirmed that they do indeed have a sport 450 in the works. And they've been working on it since 2001.

As you'll see after checking out their must-see info-site and viewing our interview below you'll undoubtedly have to agree with us when we say that BRP Can-Am is extremely serious about the ultra-competitive 450 sport/performance market.

You'll have to wait until June 2nd for the complete DS450 Sport ATV announcement, but each week leading up to the June 2nd date, the Can-Am DS450 web site will introduce you to a few very interesting details that make up their impressive new ATV, (including the frame, the front and the rear of the machine). In addition, each week ATV Scene.com will also provide information that you'll absolutely want to check out, so be sure to check back here as well.

Without further ado, if you're even remotely interested in performance orientated ATVs you need to check this out.....can-amds450.com

While you're there be sure to join their mailing list so you can be reminded to view the next announcement.

 

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