Race-Worthy from the showroom floor
photos by John Pellan and Can-Am BRP
video by Joe Tolle
As impressed as we were about how stable, comfortable and predictable this quad is, we were as equally bummed at the way it makes its power. It’s the same electronic fuel injected 449cc single-cylinder, liquid cooled, dry sump, dual overhead cam, four valve high flow head Rotax engine as Can-Am used in last year’s model. Compression remains at 11:8:1, as does the 97x60.8mm bore and stroke. With literally no low end and little mid range, constant clutching is necessary in order to get at the powerband. Top end power is another story. Even with the corked up stock exhaust system, this baby flat out flies! Again what the motor lacks the suspension and handling more than make up. John Natalie and his Rage ATV tuned Rotax engine seem to rip pretty well. “Ironman” Natalie has given the DS450 a few holeshots this year, so with a little tinkering -- waking up the low end and mid range power is probably attainable.
ITP QuadCross MX Pro tires (18 inch rear and 20 inch front) are mounted on 8 inch ITP T-9 black beadlocks with inner reinforcement rings in the rear, and 10 inch black T-9 GP front wheels. This combo not only looks super cool, it’s pro-level all the way. You’ll find the stocker excels especially well on hard-packed tracks, but still offers enough traction if the terrain is a bit soft. Of coarse lightweight aluminum nerf bars with aluminum heel guards are included. You can even adjust the widths of the bars and easily take off the heel guards if needed.
Lastly, as this a true race machine a tether cord is included. For some reason a steering stabilizer is not included in the race-from-the-showroom-floor package however. To us this is kind of like driving to Disney World but not buying a ticket to check the park out. To Can-Am’s credit, no other manufacturer offers a stabilizer as stock equipment either. This and an aftermarket exhaust system are the two absolute must haves for this machine.
So let’s see, pro-level equipment packaged together on a state of the art aluminum chassis with very few aftermarket products needed -- all for under $9k retail. Not too shabby when you add it all up.
Attention Cross Country Racers!
Since it’s basically the same quad, the XC version of Can-Am’s best ATV to date is just as amazing as its moto cousin. Its front end is similar but measures in at a perfect cross country savvy 46 inches. Front travel is 9.6 inches while rear travel is 10.5.
Instead of QuadCross tires, 20 inch ITP GNCC tires are mounted on 10-inch black aluminum ITP T-9 beadlock wheels in the back. Up front, 21-inch ITP Holeshot GNCC tires are mounted on 9-inch black, aluminum ITP T-9 wheels with beadlock rings. The taller lugs of the Holeshot GNCC tires provide superior traction in demanding race conditions. Ground clearance is improved an inch over the MX version at 5.2 inches. The shock department is handled with the same KYB fully adjustable units and the same adjustable Chromoly 4140 hollow rear axle is used.
You can tell Can-Am means business with the components they’ve chosen for the XC package. You’ll get tapered aluminum bars, quality aluminum frame and swingarm skid plates, aluminum nerfs with nets, heel guards, an aluminum bumper and grab bar, a tether cord, and much more including pro-level aluminum hand guards that mount to the handlebar ends. No skimping here whatsoever!