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ATV of the Year

The 2012 Can-Am Outlander Max 650
Written By: 
Staff
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If we could only pick one machine for everything from weekend trail rides to work around the yard or farm, it would be the Can-Am Outlander MAX 650. It’s off-road perfection on four wheels. What makes the Outlander 650 Max special is that it does so many things so well. Can-Am bumped up the power on the 650cc, liquid cooled, EFI equipped engine this year and it completely changed the feel.

Best Big Bore Sport ATV of 2012

The Yamaha Raptor 700R
Written By: 
Staff
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When it comes time to hit the dunes or trails, we’re looking for power in a great handling package and that means the Yamaha Raptor 700R. It’s been the perfect power and play machine since it was first introduced, and for this year Yamaha gave the mighty Raptor 700 a round of updates. Just to make sure you didn’t miss anything, they also bestowed the “R” designation to its name as well, but what it all means is the best machine in the class just got better.

Best 300cc Class Sport ATV of 2012

The Yamaha Raptor 250
Written By: 
Staff
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There has never been a better model for budding sport riders than Yamaha’s beloved Raptor 250.  It’s sporty, it handles excellent, it’s as reliable as your favorite dog, and it looks great.  Even today, despite its size (and ours) we still have a blast out playing on the Raptor 250.  With every ride, the Raptor 250 becomes our personal time machine and it reminds us of what we loved about riding in the first place.     
 

Best 500cc Class Utility ATV of 2012

The Polaris Sportsman XP 550
Written By: 
Staff
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It’s hard to find anything about the Polaris Sportsman 550 we didn’t like.  From our first ride, we knew this model was really something special.  The engine is powerful, the ride is satin smooth, and the ergonomics are excellent.  We’ve used the Polaris Sportsman 550’s for every task from casual trail rides, to plowing snow, to pulling logs and they’ve always gotten the job done.  They’re also extremely reliable.

Best Sport ATV - Playmate of the Year

The Yamaha YFZ 450
Written By: 
Staff
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The best ATVs always remind us of one thing: why we began riding in the first place.  For play riding on the trials or the dunes, we want an ATV that offers nimble handling, good power, and sporty looks.  Yamaha has sport ATVs for every size and skill level, but late last year they came up with a unique solution to fill the last hole in their sport ATV lineup. 

Best Open Class Utility ATV of 2012

The Can-Am Outlander 800R
Written By: 
Staff
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It’s almost a little hard to believe an 800cc machine would not be the most powerful ATV in the lineup, but with Can-Am anything is possible.  The Can-Am Outlander 800R definitely qualifies as a big bore machine by anybody’s standard, however, and it’s our pick as the best Open Class Utility ATV of 2012.  What sets the Outlander 800R above other models in the Can-Am (and everybody else’s) lineup is the second generation SST chassis.

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