Can Am 2008 product launch

Whether you’re an MX racer, duner, woods rider or just an all-around rider like most of us, Can Am has 2008 models that will make you stand up and take notice. In fact, it may make you want to jump up and run out the door screaming praises. Our friends to the north are introducing a few new models, two of which really got our attention. A race inspired DS450 and Renegade 500 along with new youth models in 70, 90 and 250 sizes. The bad news is, they have decided to no longer build the DS650 or Rally 200. Goodbye DS650, we will miss you …

When it comes to the new DS450, it may have taken the engineers at Can Am a few years to get it out the door, but now that we’ve ridden it, we’d say it was worth the wait. With a totally new design with its aluminum frame and construction, this DS 450 (449cc) is one that any Jedi Knight could use to tame the dark side of the force.

Back in late April, Can Am chose a small local track near Greenville, TN to host their release of this incredible redesign of a racing quad. We say redesign, because that is just what they did. Starting from the ground up, this lean mean, racing machine has very little DNA from its bigger brother, the DS650. In fact, it only shares two features of its older sibling. They both have two spark plugs and a 14 degree attack angle on the A-arms.

We’ve learn to expect great things from Can Am, it was two years ago they wowed us with their Outlander 800, and followed it up last year with a sport version of that, the Renegade 800. Now they are making a huge statement with their version of a track inspired race quad. When the idea of this machine first came to be, weight and power was at the top of the list. They wanted it to be the lightest frame and have the most power that was possible.

With that in mind, the frame was going to be the first hurdle to overcome. Can Am Engineers started thinking outside the box and came up with a couple ways to shave weight. First off, they looked at the design of frame itself. How do you make a strong frame using lighter or less material? The idea of using two triangles instead of a box in the middle was chosen as the best way to go. But, loosing weight didn’t stop with that. What about the process of how the frame is held together? By the use of lightweight aircraft aluminum bolts, they were able to save even more weight than welding. They showed us how the bolts were stretched to a pre determined length, cut off and then a nut was squeezed around the end of the shaft, locking it in place for life. We got a chance to compare the weight of a modern day bolt and nut, to those that were used to keep the frame together on the DS450 and was amazed of how much lighter it really is. It’s this kind of thinking that was the result of a 450 sport quad weighing only 345 pounds dry!

Here are some details about the DS450: The lightweight and trademarked ALTEC dual-pyramid aluminum frame is said to be 13 percent lighter than the best in class competitor. Made from Aerospace aluminum, its dual pyramidal design is something Obi-Wan Kenobi would be proud to ride. This pyramid design already has time in the field with BRP’s SKI-Doo and REV-XP snowmobiles. It has KYB HPG aluminum body piggyback, fully adjustable shocks to absorb the terrain and Wilwood disc brakes with 182mm wave-type discs and inverted twin-piston calipers and 198mm wave-type disc in rear. Racer fans might enjoy the kick-up foot pegs and detachable headlights and interchangeable fenders. You may notice the A-arms look a little different that what we’re used to seeing. They are being called, R-type forged aluminum, with a new design of inverting the dual piston caliper which enables placement of the ball-joints and kingpin axis deep inside the wheel for reduced scrub and steering kickback, as well as self-correcting under extreme braking. Oh…and the new Rotax 450 single cylinder engine is something to be proud of as well. It’s top-end DNA comes from its cousin, the Aprilia RSV1000. With a free-flow air design, and largest claimed piston bore, intake valves and throttle body, you can bet this has every potential to be a crowd pleaser.  

The Renegade has the same inner spirit of a sport quad with a few of the comforts of a utility. This year it comes with separate break controls for front and rear! The IRS is a much softer ride, one that you can enjoy all day. It may take a little more effort to slide a corner, but once you get the feel of it, you’ll be grinning all day.

As we said before, last year Can Am gave quad fans a sport version of the Outlander, as the Renegade, which was the first time any OEM gave riders a sport quad with both  Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). In a conversation with fellow journalists at the dinner before the unveiling of Can Am’s new vehicles, the idea of a 500cc version of a Renegade was one that was talked about in detail. We agreed the Outlander’s 800 motor was truly the best available in an ATV, but we also agreed that not everyone can afford the price tag that comes with it. We’re glad Can Am saw this and as part of the 2008 lineup, offer a 500cc version of the Renegade. With a lower sticker price and still plenty of horsepower to get the job done, we wouldn’t be surprised if this unit is their single best selling unit in 2008.  Our test drive of the 500cc Renegade was the proof that we were looking for. Although it was on the same frame as its bigger brother, our test rider said it somehow did feel a little smaller. Perhaps it was more of a mental thing than anything else, because this same, 230 pound, 6-foot 2-inch tester never said anything about being cramped while riding the 500.

One thing about having twin cylinders and 800cc’s is, there is no problem picking up the two front wheels and in some cases, all four.

The Outlander got a few improvements for 2008 that make it even more attractive to enthusiasts. (All three models, the 500, 650 and 800 had new digital gauges with 15 functions). It also has a redesigned CVT sealing system that help keep the belt and clutches dry when riding in wet conditions. All XT models also got a bigger winch, from a 2500 to 3000 pulling capacity. And if that wasn’t enough, how about 11% better fuel economy from an improved EFI mapping system and a quicker-to-engage Visco-Lok 4×4 system that now engages in about five seconds.

If you have youngsters looking for a ride, check out the new 70 and 90 models. Both are 4-strokes and have new styling along with longer travel suspension. They have CVT tranny’s, (with forward, neutral and reverse) throttle limiter, full floorboards and day lights. They even thought to put in a small storage compartment up front to hold bottles of water, or to stash that favorite something that might have been found on the trail while exploring.

Some of you may be reluctant believing that a company that has only been making quads for just over a decade can be making a family of units this good. We might be surprised too, but if you take a look at their history and current standings in the power sports market, they are a leader within this industry and not to be considered the new kids on the block. They actually invented the snowmobile and lead that market. They are also the U.S. leaders of personal water craft. It’s safe to say that this company of designers and enthusiasts themselves are going to be one to keep an eye on over the next few years. It’s this type of leadership that demands other OEMs to step up and make a product that will match or beat what the leaders produce. As consumers, we are the ones who get the most out of this, because it provides us with so many options within the market.

Take a good look at this one, because when you see it on the track, it might be a little blurred.

As you can see, the 2008 lineup from Can Am is full of options for just about everyone in the family. From the small youth models, to a choice of few big bore sport and utility quads. By the end of the summer, dealers should have these units in stock. If you get a chance, stop by and take a look at all the models available.