Putting Utility Quads To The Test
July 21, 2010 by Tom Kaiser
While I realize it’s only July, October is a big month here at ATV Magazine, as it’s the month we hold our annual ATV Trials testing event. Like everything else in the magazine business, we’re always working several months into the future. It makes for some fun situations — sweaty wintertime photo shoots in the heart of the summer, trail riding in bone-chilling fall cold — and generally has us thinking far ahead. Thinking about it, it’s kind of surprising I don’t ever leave my house dressed in snow gear in August. That sounds like something I’d do.
ATV Trials 2008
If you read our magazine, you’ve undoubted heard about ATV Trials (check out a detailed blog on the subject HERE), as it’s a solid week of testing we do every year to test the latest and greatest utility, sport, 2-Up and crossover ATVs on the market. Many of the big comparison tests you read about happen at this event – allowing us to have things in the hopper for months like February, when the quad riding opportunities are a bit limited up here in Minnesota.
Salt bags are an easy way to test a machine's handling with serious weight on the cargo racks.
This year we want to put a new spin on our utility quad testing, and have been brainstorming new ways to really, really test the capabilities of large utility ATVs. Our many-rider test team always rides them in rugged conditions, not just riding hard, but also slowing down and paying attention to the little things actual owners will notice. We also test the machines using salt bags to put serious weight on the racks. It’s very surprising what some weight on the racks will do to a machine’s handling, while some hardly notice the added pounds.
Stability evaluation is also important, with off-camber riding specifically done to see how a machine handles uneven terrain. We’ve also pulled out the radar gun for the sportiest rigs, and it’s useful to compare the acceleration curves of similar machines. Some of these modern quads can really haul the mail! Again, this has been very helpful, but we want to take it further. But what do you do?
One idea that’s come to mind is doing what the farmers do, pulling an implement. A cultivator, disc or plow can put tremendous stress on engines, 4WD systems, chassis, transmissions, and can really test the durability of a machine’s construction. Pulling a drag sled would also accomplish the same basic task, but could be too heavy depending on its size and weight.
A recent test reaffirmed how taxing farm implements are, even on large ATVs like this Arctic Cat 700.
Any ideas out there from you, our real-world users? What, beyond riding at varied speeds, on uneven terrain, with weight on the racks and pulling something with resistance do you do that tests your machine to the maximum limits? I’d love to hear any and all ideas, as we can always test harder and try new things.
Planning is well underway for this year’s event. We’ve selected our top-secret location, and all signs point to great riding, excellent scenery, decent seasonal weather for everyone involved and easy coordination of the little logistical matters that go into such an event — lodging, scheduling, transportation, accommodations, nearby services, etc…
ATV Magazine conducts the most thorough off-road vehicle testing in the industry, and that will never change — but it never hurts to have a little help from your friends. Share your ideas by commenting below or e-mailing me at tkaiser@affinitygroup.com.
How could we not go here? Moab, Utah is just amazing, and a great place to put a machine through its paces.
Recent ATV Trials Locations:
2006 – Little Coal River — Hatfield-McCoy Trails, West Virginia
2007 – Rockhouse System — Hatfield-McCoy Trails, West Virginia
2008- Brushy Mountain Motorsports Park, North Carolina
2009 – Moab, Utah
2010 – (Top Secret)
Wear a helmet, respect the trails and ride safely!
— Tom Kaiser
Last 5 posts by Tom Kaiser
- Rec UTVs: We Test, You Decide - August 27th, 2010
- Load Up The Trucks! - August 20th, 2010
- Stalking Bill Gates - August 13th, 2010
- Going To Extremes - August 6th, 2010
- Ride With A Guide - Take An ATV Tour - July 27th, 2010
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Tom, Good post.
Over the years, we’ve done some different tests, one included a weighted drag sled (See Iron Range Trials) and ground clearance with various measured rocks (See same Trials). I think, if done correctly, a true turning radius test would be interesting.
Quick hit ideas:
Maintenance report – ease of access/side panels/location
Braking Distance
Hill climbing acceleration (0 MPH to certain distance)
I’ll let others bring their ideas to the table as well.
I think a “water/mud” test would be a good addition to the list of things J-rod already mentioned. The test could include comparing where the air intake is and how high exactly it is off the ground.
It could also include a mud and/or deep water crossing test to see how well the quad can hold up against the penetrating power of water and mud.