Performance of an Automatic ATV

Mrwurm · Oct 28, 2005

Hello folks, I been riding offroad dirt bikes on and off since I was a teen. My current bike is a Suzuki DR350 (4 stroke). Lately, I've been shopping for an ATV. I was attracted to the Bombardier Outlander 400 because of all the reviews I've seen in magazines where they rate it as the most powerfull and fastest in the 400 cc class. Its even touted as beating out many 500 cc machines.

Well, I was about to buy one today, when the dealer offered me a test drive. I was very disappointed. The acceleration was very mild, my Suzuki 350 is much faster and more powerfull. The Suzuki and I weigh 525lbs, the Outlander ATV and I weigh 800 lbs. I ran the ATV in two wheel mode and four wheel drive. (even slower in 4x4) My daughter has a Suzuki 125 dirt bike (4 stroke). For reference, I felt that the Outlander speed and power was similiar to the 125.

Is the weight the reason for the low performance or is it the auto trans. (CVT) I walked away from the machine but I'm wondering if this is common to all ATV's (Quads) ?

I am expecting too much from this very different type of machine ?

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Oct 28, 2005

Jerry........I have an Arctic Cat 400 4x4 auto (2003) & it runs great. It has a low range option which is great for towing & also electric selectable 2wd or 4wd. It's not going to have the performance of a 2 stroke sport Quad, But it gets right with the program in high range. try a couple different brands before you write off the automatics...............We like ours.........Tom

Mrwurm · Oct 29, 2005

Tom, good suggestion, I rode a Suzuki Vinson today (500 cc automatic). It was much more powerfull than the 400 cc Bombardier, but still not as fast as a four-stroke dirt bike.

The Vinson that I rode today handled really well, and I had no problem sliding the back end around curves and then coming out hard.

I know these multi-purpose quads are not pure sport machines, but I think I'm getting used to the power delivery of an automatic. Sure makes riding less work.

hobbyfarm · Oct 29, 2005

I have an uncle (full-time rancher) who has several Polaris models - all automatic.
He says he would not herd cattle with anything else. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Birdman · Oct 30, 2005

I have a ' 97 Polaris Explorer 500 auto and am very pleased with the power and acceleration, but I have not been on a dirt bike in 25 years, so it might be hard for me to make a comparison. My son has Polaris Scrambler 500 auto with the high output engine and I don't like to ride it because it feels like it is going to jump out from under me if I don't feather the throttle. I agree with the previous post, ride some more models to get a feel of the auto. Maybe it is unfair to compare a dirt bike to an ATV. You may never find an ATV that will accelerate like a dirt bike. (until you join an ATV forum and start making mods.) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

db2 · Oct 30, 2005

Jerry: I have a Bombardier Outlander 400 that I bought one year ago. It is definitely tough to compare an ATV to a bike in terms of acceleration. I use mine a lot, mostly for getting around in the bush and a little trail riding. It took me some time to get used to "no gears" riding but I do like this machine and find it is tough and reliable. It certainly will tow or haul quite a load.

Ride a bunch before you make your purchase. Bomber makes an 800CC Outlander as well.

Good luck.

Trail_Time · Oct 30, 2005

The lack of performance is due, more in fact to the weight rather than the auto. I have been riding ATVs for 20 years, since the days of 3 wheelers. I currently a Kawasaki Prairie 700 it is a v twin automatic. I am always amazed with the CVT as it keeps the engine at the right rpms at all times. It is never at a lack of power. I would never switch back to manual for a primary ATV. If you want more oomh... you just need to get a larger cc bike. With the exception of Polaris they all weigh about the same. (600 lbs +/-) More CCs = more performance.

Mrwurm · Oct 31, 2005

Thanks for the advice guys.

Typhoon · Dec 11, 2005

Hey, I feel your pain /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I rode dirt bikes and raced motocross since I was old enough to do so. Just this last spring I purchased my first ATV... a Yamaha 450 Kodiak. (By the way, I strongly urge you to check out yamaha's lineup, they have the strongest atv lineup out there in my opinion). Anyways, I test rode many atv's before making my choice, and until I realized what was going on, I was dissapointed with all of them. The power to weight ratio is drastically different on an atv compared to a dirt bike. For example, I test rode a Yamaha 660 Raptor, which is easily one of the fastest atv's on the planet in production right now. One of my past motocross bikes was a CR-125, and it was quite a bit faster than the 660. And I have more examples but I will keep it short... You grew up on dirt bikes, so ALL atv's are going to seem sluggish. Get used to it. When you are test riding, compare the ATV's to each other, not to any dirt bikes that you have ridden. Also, I suggest a machine that you can switch in and out of 4x4. It makes a world of difference because you need 2wd just as much as you need 4wd, depending on the situation. And the automatic trannies are awesome. Can't beat em. Hope this helps a little! Good luck!!

spikeland · Dec 20, 2005

outlander 800.that,s 2 outlander 400cc motors.retrofitted in one atv.EFI and 62 h.p. from factorytops out around 75 mph.and right now it is the fastest 4x4 on the market.even faster than most of the stock sport quads.thats impressive and expensive.dont settle for less because its cheaper.ive owned 7 different quads in the last 6 years.ive had all the makes top of the line atvs.they are all good and relatively close in everything .some might be better at this and others better at that.but they are all good.ironicly i dont drive my atv no more ever since i got the rhino,i havent wanted to go back to it.these style vehicles are fun as ****. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif