2003 Can-Am 330 Outlander
| First Look! Bombardier Outlander 330 H.O. The Outlander Is A Winner For Bombardier! |
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Bombardier is a Canadian company with business stemming from Aerospace, Rail Transportation and recreational products.
The world wide corporation builds and distributes Learjet, multiple high speed trains, people movers of all types and recreational machines such as Snowmobiles, Watercraft and ATVs. Yes, they are a well structured corporation with plenty of well planned strategic moves. As with any of the big Powersport manufactures a full model line up is not only good business sense it is also a necessity. The market indicates a need for models to cover all sizes and classes, family use would have to be the biggest reason for having a complete selection. Recreational time is limited in today’s world and when a family picks ATVing as a family pass-time there had better be a unit available to cover each member and their ability level. Almost a year ago Bombardier gave us a first look at the new 2003 Outlander™ ATV, a distinct segmented recreational utility ATV.
The “Outlander” was the latest piece in Bombardier’s line-up creating a 400 class Rec-Utility. Well, Bombardier has decided to build on the new Outlander release and opted to produce a 400 XT package and a 2×4 of the original 400 H.O. version along with a complete new Outlander release. This new model offered in 2×4 and 4×4 is the all new 330 Outlander H.O. Imagine, five different Outlander options! The new ATV uses a reliable, high performance 330cc Rotax® engine with a 4-stroke, one-cylinder single overhead cam. This 
engine is exactly the same power-plant found in the 400 Outlander, only with less displacement. We have tested the Outlander 400 extensively and in the opinion’s of our test group. The Outlander performs quite well. We hit the trail day in and day out, with many different machines and the Outlander leaves us wanting more. Just lately we were testing a few 500cc and 600cc models, the Outlander ran with these big-bores with out any problems. That’s right a 400cc that can run with the big boys and the unit produces a superior ride. Riding the new 330 Outlander made us think how much the smaller engine responded like it’s larger sibling. The 330 package still includes a CVT automatic transmission only now engineers have adjusted the clutching for the smaller engine. By revamping
the engaging RPMs of the primary clutch, the unit accelerates very closely to the larger 400 Outlander. Seems all the same features found with the 400 model are also found on the 330 model. Including Integrated Engine Braking, which some folks may not expect on a mid-size unit! Features such as styling, handling, ergonomics and even 2WD/4WD selectability which is only part of the 4×4 package. The 330 is built with Bombardier’s new TTI™ (Trailing Torsional Independent) rear suspension. This new system repositions the two-independent pivot points so that the rear wheels travel in a straight “up-and-down” line. Each arm transfers a percentage of
force to the other side through a durable, lightweight internal torsion bar, which reduces the undesirable ‘chassis-roll’ and contributes to a comfortable ride when encountering rough terrain. The pivot points are located 15 inches ahead of the wheel center and a great deal of the ‘travel-force’ occurs centrally along the frame. Automotive bearings located at trailing-arm pivots account for less friction and eliminates replacement of disfigured bushings. We encountered some challenging situations and the independent rear suspension along with the well-padded seat provided superior riding comfort.
The basic styling is right on track, we love the great looking front grill and headlight area. A strong front rubber coated bumper adds function and good looks. The high rear angled front fenders are exactly what riders are looking for, even the rear of the ATV has plenty of good fundamentals. A grab bar, high cut rear fenders and a integrated brake-light make for a complete package. Again, we feel the Outlander is built with plenty of good looks, the format is strong and well designed. Typically rocks, logs and trail hazards are not going to rip anything lose, the combination of the SST frame and well designed undercarriage produce a go over
and through anything vehicle. Now, the only thing that could be improved on. Would be two areas of the styling and function and we do stress these are small items. They may not affect another rider but in my opinion any machine can be improved on in some area. Really, the Outlander is fantastic in function. Bringing plenty of new design features into one exciting package, almost the perfect mid-class ATV. Now, if anything could be changed I would like to see conventional steel racks and a redesigned 
floorboard area. The plastic racks are nice and they are functional but my preference is still a rigid rack that I can tie anything to. Infact I like the looks of a raised rack, call me old fashion but some changes are still hard for me to except. Also, the basic design of the functional floorboards work well! There is nothing wrong with the function of the Outlander’s floor-boards as is, it’s just that my personal preference would be to see a redesign with less of a plastic mud flap. Perhaps changing to a black rubber extinction and integrating a fully aluminum floor board, would still keep the weight down but make for a better looking foot area. As is the Bombardier Outlander series is a great, functional product. These are just personal suggestions.
When riding the tricky spots, an ATV rider depends on the braking system of their ATV and the Outlander’s brakes are something to talk about. Bombardier is the first in the industry to position the front and rear hydraulic disc brakes inboard next to the differential replacing the traditional wheel-hub installment. The inboard rear disc-brake is located at the ‘output’ shaft protected
above the frame and is part of the ‘sprung’ weight of the chassis, not unsprung’ on the hub. This might be a radical move, but Bombardier’s engineers feel this move improves overall hydraulic efficiency and significantly reduces the build-up of mud and debris on the discs’ surface, therefore giving longevity to the brakes. The brakes provided stop-on-a-dime action even when covered in mud. The Outlander has some of the best braking power we have ever enjoyed, the stopping ability is always there when you need it! The single handlebar brake lever works great, making for easy, controlled stops. The foot activated brake works just as well and is easily found when needed.
Frame
The most unique aspect of the Outlander series would have to be the Surrounding Spar Technology (SST™) frame. This is a one-piece perimeter steel frame that conveys a narrower bottom ‘runner’, giving ‘slide-and-glide’ action. The SST frame allows the Outlander to “ski” across obstacles without getting hung up. You won’t find a heavy-duty skid plate underneath this model. Why? Because the frame its self is a heavy-duty skid platform. Sounds 
a little risky, but Bombardier insists the frame provides greater strength, better engine protection and superior power-to-weight ratio. The Outlander is 120 lbs. lighter than the Sportsman 400 and 80 lbs. lighter than the Arctic Cat 400i. All the major service components have been grouped in one very accessible location to improve the task of regular maintenance. We found the “ski” technology worked well. When out on the trails there was no situation this ATV couldn’t handle and upon careful inspection there wasn’t any evident damage to the underside of the ATV only a lot of dirt and grime from a hard day of riding.
Cooling
The Outlander is liquid-cooled with a front mounted radiator. The radiator’s centralized position allows convenient access. Just pop
off the “hood” and you can add coolant when necessary. You’ll also find the unified braking master cylinder, electric relay, connectors, fuses and toolbox for easy servicing. The air intake is located high and centrally under the center body cover directly above the engine with wake-guards to protect from water intake. The Canadian bush is famous for the amount of water found within it’s reaches and naturally when we had the opportunity to run a shallow river-bed we could not resist. The Outlander splashed through the large cold river of water about a 1’1/2″ deep and our test rider noticed no change in the units’ operation. Seems the Canadian engineers have the 
perfect test grounds. When an ATV can make it in the Canadian wild, it will make it anywhere. Since gas is heavier than air, the fuel tank is located low and rearward under the seat, with a filler location on the left rear side behind the seat. This feature was appreciated because there was added padding to the front of the seat curving upward making for a more comfortable ride.
Bombardier brakes a number of standard design techniques with the Outlander platform. Incorporating good looks, functional styling and all the features anyone could ask for! We enjoyed the well light display, giving information such as gear selection, four
wheel drive, speed and tripometer. The seat area is comfortable and plush, giving plenty of room to move from side to side. Bombardier is working hard to change the perception that its machines are heavy and can only be used as a workhorse. The Outlander is breaking new ground for Bombardier and we like the direction they are headed. Their four-wheel drive line-up is impressive and the Outlander is top notch with its revolutionary Visco-Lok optimized traction system and the SST™ frame. Our test rider put the machine through a severe test, using the extremities as a test ground. Traveling woodedtrails that where littered with pine swamps, 
broken sharp sticks and large rocks, the machines had only encountered a flat tire here and there. We noticed that the 330 Outlander had no problem keeping up with the larger 400 model, even in a unofficial drag-race the 330 Outlander was very close at the end of the run. The Outlander series is priced at ,999 / ,399 (Camo) for the 400 H.O. 4×4 and for the Outlander 400 4×4 XT H.O.:US MSRP : ,799 / ,199 Camo). Lastly, ,199 for the 2×4. The new models are ,399 / Camo ,799 for the 330 H.O. 4×4 and ,599 for the 2×4 version. Available in Laurentian green, Viper red , Bombardier Yellow, and Camo HD. These new Bombardier models will be available in March 2003. In addition to ATV’s, Bombardier is a world-leading manufacturer of business jets, regional aircraft, rail transportation equipment and motorized recreational products.