Since the expiration of the "Consent Decree" we have seen the introduction of the 400EX and the DS650.

Rumors are starting to surface of new performance sport quads from Polaris and Yamaha.

Wouldn't it be awesome to have the 500 XC VES snowmobile engine in a Quad? 96 horsepower. Or the YZ400 from Yamaha.

What do you think?

Can anybody smell what Polaris is cookin'?

 

Yamaha has already offically announced that they will be releasing a new sport quad in 2001. But not the YZ426 motor. There is an article in this month's DirtWheels that talks about Yamaha's new machine. The Yamaha rep said it was a four-stroke(not yz426), and going to be fast. They were testing it against the DS, 400EX, 250r, and Banshee. We will see what happens.
As far as Polaris is concered. I think that they would be stupid to release a new 2-stroke. As of January 1st, 2001. Sale of new 2-stroke motors is banned in California. And 50% of atv sales are in califonia. Other states like Wisconsin, are banning the sale of new 2-stroke outboard motors in 2001. What states and regulations will be next to kill the 2-stroke.
And last, but not least. You can put all of the power in the world into a quad frame. But if it weights 500lbs, has crappy suspension and the handling sucks. All's you have is an high-priced, over-rated, failure.
I hope that Yamaha and Polaris don't let us down. Don't forget, Kawasaki has something up thier sleeve as well. Should be an interesting next couple of months.....

Chris 00' red rocket

 

So on the Yamaha side that would probably leave us with the YZ400 setup, which is also good. It would seem that the Banshee is due for a redesign so that would probably be the ticket.

I almost forgot about the Califonia red sticker
green sticker access program. Yikes!

So with the threatened demise of the 2-stroke engine, what does old North Star have up their sleeve at the skunk works? The current 500 HO is no lightweight rocket nor is the chassis.

 

Did anybody see the new quad from cannondale. Aluminum frame 350 pounds and a so called 50+ horsepower engine. All that can be yours for only $7000.00.

 

I talked with my dealer and he said that the Polaris rep confirmed that Polaris was working on a new sport quad, but that it was still a early prototype, based on a 700cc twin snowmobile engine. The rep also told my dealer that most of the test riders had wiped out while test riding the prototype, but the rep also said that he didn't think it would be ready for the 2001 model year.

As for the other future of the sport quads, I think we will see some radical machines in the next few years.

 

Hi!
I heard yesterday from my Polaris dealer that the new Scrambler 500 2wd should be available early in the summer. The price in Portugal should be about 6,500 USD including taxes. He said Polaris was already producing the quads.
My dealer also told me that the Portuguese importer was not surprised when he asked some questions about the high performance quad. They didn't give any information though.

JNB_Sport400

 

JNB_Sport. I was in Lisbon Portugal in Feb of 1999. What a great city. We only stayed there for 1 weekend on our way to Italy. We had some much fun, your clubs don't close until VERY late in the morning. How is the riding over there? And what kind of riding is it? (mud, trails, rock??)

 

Lurch,
I'm glad you like Lisbon. It's a great european city with a very latin way of living.
Riding in Portugal is incredible, mostly because of the great weather we have. The temperatures hardly go under 10ēC in the winter and above 35ēC in the summer.
One can choose between mountains, woods or plain terrain for riding. In some places (very, very few) we can ride in beaches too.
I believe we (Portuguese ATV owners) have a great country to practice. Did you knew that we can ride our quads on public roads ? It's great, isn't it ?
I wish I had pictures to show.

JNB_Sport400