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Can-Am ATV
Renegade
Reviews and Tests.
I suspect the Can-Am ATV Renegade line is designed for folks that have
trouble making a decision. Can't choose between a sport or utility ATV?
The schizo Renegade has wheels in both camps. Sport styling, but with
much of the running gear borrowed from the workhorse Outlanders.
Of course, finding niches and coming up with vehicles for them is what
the innovative Canadians at Bombardier do best. Why should their Can-Am
ATV line be any different? Do the Renegade models deliver? ... Read on.
500
- Do you like balance in your life? Ying - Yang is your favorite
symbol? You'll love the Can-Am ATV Renegade 500. This four wheeler
straddles the line
between sport and utility as well as any one machine could.
The smooth, fuel injected, V-twin Rotax supplies the power. More of it
than any other 500 by the way. But it's a manageable, tractable kind of
power. Ying-Yang is a wonderful thing.
Suspension comes down on the sport side of the line. Long travel double
control arms in front, and the standard TTI in the rear but with better
shocks than the Outlanders. 38 pounds lighter means less pounding on
you.
Utility wise, you won't find racks on the Renegade. You will find the
same 1300 lb. towing capacity as the Outlander 500. The fuel tank also
holds the same amount, and the seat heights are the same.
Both Renegades get individual braking for the front and rear in 2008. I
guess the bitchin' was finally heard all the way up in
Valcourt, Quebec.(For those that don't know - that's the corporate
headquarters) Let's just hope it makes its way to all the other models.
Getting back to that balance thing. This Can-Am ATV Renegade supplies
all the sporty look and feel most of us will need. With all the comfort
and practicality most of us want.
Gripes -
complaints - problems - niggles - Price is steep but a 3
year warranty makes it a little easier to swallow. Harder to swallow is
the extra loot for decent skid plate protection. If you ride in rocky
areas at all, you'll need it.
Riding in the wet can cause some problems with belt slippage and noisy
brakes. Pegs could be a little low for deep mud or snow. Some think the
visco-lok isn't that great.
Conclusion? I like it. Polls show that most people who got their
commitment phobia under control and actually bought one, like 'em too.
Can't decide if you want to look at one? Come on man - "Just do it".
Click here for Can-Am ATV Renegade 500
specifications.
800
- "OMG!" ... "Holy Crap!" ... "Are you kiddin' me?" ... "No way man!"
... Stand around folks after their first trip on the Renegade 800 and
this is what you'll hear. The PG-13 version that is. The women and
children will need to be protected from what most guys will really be saying.
32 pounds lighter than the 800 Outlander, and with enough better
suspension to get you going really fast, really quick. You might want
to spend some time on your kid's video games to sharpen your reflexes
before you tackle this mission.
You will experience the kind of eyeball rotating, arm straightening
acceleration usually reserved for racing machines. The long travel
suspension puts most of the power to good use, so you better be looking
where you want to go. Oops! You're already there!
All kiddin' aside, you really need to know what you're doing and have
been doing it for a while, before you strap on one of these. Over 600
lbs. times "big speed" equals trouble if you don't. When total overkill
is your goal, the 800 Renegade is for you.
If not, this wild-eyed experience will wear pretty thin after a while.
In the real world with rocks, trees, ruts, holes, etc., the
concentration it takes to ride the 800 can wear you out quick. That's
not to say it ain't fun in the right situation. Just not for all day
rides. Unless you have a lot more self-control than me.
Cons - You'll probably be going too fast to notice anyway. Just for the
record:
- Lack of skid protection.
- Belt slippage in wet conditions.
- Cracking at some frame mounts.
- Damage prone stock wheels and tires.
Should you buy one? If you want a little utility in your sport ATV and
like to go scary fast, the 800 will do the job. Rewarding the Can-Am
ATV
Renegade crew for building a machine for this niche is no bad thing
either. I suspect the Canucks are causing some midnight oil to be
burned in the Orient.
Click here for Can-Am ATV Renegade 800
specifications.
Related
Links:
Can-Am
ATV DS Models.
Can-Am ATV Outlander Models.
Can-Am ATV Home page.
World of ATVs Home page.
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