Recreational

New model introductions usually amount to the announcement that a manufacturer has one-upped the competition (and sometimes themselves) with a new ATV, and high horsepower premium machines have become the norm. When we arrived at the 2011 Arctic Cat media release event, we weren't really sure what to expect. With over-the-top products like the 1000cc Thundercat and Mud Pro 4x4 ATVs and the lightning fast, versatile Prowler HDX and XTZ line, what would Arctic Cat have under the covers to surprise us? As it turned out, they had a plethora (Jefe...

We’ll admit that the first time we headed out onto the trail riding double on an ATV was a little strange. For years we had been one of the guardians of safe ATVing, and riding with a passenger was one of the Cardinal Sins, sure to lead to destruction and damnation. The trouble was, since the first ATV rolled into the first ride area, undoubtedly a friend, buddy, or girlfriend wanted to ride along regardless of the lack of seat, foot pegs, or handholds.

Early Side x Sides were built strictly for utility use, with all the handling characteristics of a tractor. That caught the attention of Polaris which quietly went into action. With an engineering staff loaded full of Northern Minnesota hunters, it’s no wonder the Rangers are at home in the woods; they should practically be issued a hunting license. Imagine your best dog, best shotgun, best pickup, and best hunting camp all rolled into one, and you’ve got the Polaris Ranger XP 800.

We’ve never been to a ride area and had more reaction than when we rolled into the dunes with the CAN-AM Commander 1000XT. Even before we parked, there was a small flock heading our way, all eager to see for themselves the most anticipated Side X Side in years. It was as if the Commander was a divine revelation and the masses were eager to worship on its gleaming, bright yellow altar of performance. There would be no stealthy testing on this day.

One of the goals of intelligent engineering is getting as many uses as possible out of every part. Instead of designing a part to do only one job, why not make it do several? CAN-AM engineers took that idea to the extreme this year, not only applying it to vehicle performance but expanding the concept to the entire recreational experience.

It took an extra year of rumors and speculation, but when CAN-AM pulled back the curtains to reveal their 2011 new model lineup, there was not just one new Commander Side X Side but FIVE --and they looked stunning! Body styling fit in perfectly with the CAN-AM penchant for an aggressive, in-your-face, muscular look that hints at the performance within. From our first ride, it was clear this was a whole new level of UTV performance whether it was the COMMANDER 800, 1000, or the go-for-broke 1000 X-Package.

It’s often the details that make or break the overall design, and the first place we look is under the bodywork. There are some very creative engineering teams in the power sports business, but the new Commander Side X Sides showed exceptional work by the crew from Valcourt.

It’s easy to overlook the smaller displacement ATVs in favor of maximum power and features offered on larger models. For most owners, however, the extra power isn’t needed and can be intimidating, and a smaller displacement engine in a slightly smaller chassis gets the job done perfectly. The Grizzly 450 EPS was designed with that in mind.

Everybody likes to push the throttle to the stops and feel a burst of power from a big bore engine now and then, and the top utility ATVs from Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Can-Am are all more than capable of delivering a solid punch, followed by an adrenaline shot to your spine!  The performance from top of the line utility ATVs is truly incredible, but 99% of the time all the power isn’t really needed!  Far more important to the overall performance of a vehicle is handling and suspension.

Whether above ground or a half mile beneath the surface, mining is a tough business. It's dusty, loud, and dangerous, but a vital part of our countries energy chain, and that's not going to change anytime soon. As long as we keep using electricity, we'll need mines to help keep the river of energy flowing, but in the case of surface mining there is a concern even after the energy is extracted. Like the early morning fog that silently drifts between the mountain tops and through the valleys, the question has always been what to do with the area once the mining is completed.