The DTV Shredder – Part Tank Part Skateboard Part ATV
Coming to the X-Games Soon?
by Jason Giacchino
When it comes to the distinction all-terrain vehicle, it’s tough to put clear lines of classification onto what is fundamentally an ideal, rather than a specific model. We’ve seen machines come about with three-wheels, four-wheels, six wheels, eight wheels and none. Some have handlebars, others steering wheels. Some mimic the look and feel of motorcycles, others Sherman tanks.
Until now, we can’t confess to being aware of too many off-road vehicles based on the skateboard, but add twin tracks, a Jet-Ski style handlebar column and a few military contracts and we, speaking on behalf of the ATV community at large, say “why not?”
A company called BPG Werks has devised precisely such a machine and calls it the DTV Shredder or “Dual Tracked Vehicle”. Two aggressive tank-treads, skateboard trucks and powerful 4-stroke engine make it capable of traveling on snow, sand, trails and even mountainsides.
Taking a look at the spec sheet, we notice a few interesting features. Among the mentionables: a CVT transmission, electric starting and fully independent suspension (good for 3-inches of travel). A 4-stroke engine provides 15 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM and 15 foot pounds of torque.
Top speeds are listed at over 30-mph, which we suspect is about as fast as one would wish to go while standing precariously close to a pair of tank treads.
From the videos we’ve watched (see below), it appears as though the Canadian manufacturer is targeting the freestyle culture with the Shredder (justifying a product name that seems to have come straight out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Perhaps the greatest feature with the DTV line is the promise of portability. The machine is claimed capable of being partially disassembled for easy transportation within the trunk of a car. And if it proves to ignite the passion of old-fashioned kick-powered skateboarders, change that claim to “fits within the trunk of your mom’s car”.
We certainly can’t argue with the pricing however, as it appears the base model will be sold for a reasonable ,599 and a custom variation ,000+ (which we are hoping includes more than just a graphics upgrade).
Does BPG Werks have the next big trend in all terrain vehicles? Will we eventually see a “Shredder Class” in a future X-Games? Will society reject these things the way a human body would reject a cow’s heart? Who knows! All we can say is, should we happen upon one, we would definitely give it a solid shakedown on our trail network until it either broke down or our aging backs gave out due to the lack of saddle present. Either way, BPG Werks is accepting 0 deposits for deliveries beginning in early 2012.
Check out their official site: http://bpg-werks.com
Pretty sweet right? Do you think the Shredder will catch on? Shout off in the Forums:
http://forums.atvconnection.com/general-chat/340734-atv-skateboard.html#post3073442
