Top 10 Racing Quads for 2007

The 2003 Predator was Polaris' first shot at producing a true sport machine with a manual transmission. The result was a machine which steered very true in corners, but also had a very loose rear end and a very heavy-feeling nose.

It has good stability with a quick-revving engine; its main drawbacks are rather weird ergonomics and a loose rear end.


Yamaha Banshee, 660R Raptor

The Yamaha Banshee is a top of the line ATV with fast speed and great performance off-roading. The Banshee’s alloy wheels and super quick steering make this ATV’s handling one of the easiest and smoothest of racers. The perfect ATV for people 16 yrs. and up.

Its best features? Light weight and a motor with plenty of torque.


Bombardier DS650 Baja - Baja X

The DS650 is available with two packages of upgrades: the Baja and the Baja X. The X goes a step further with gas-charged front shocks, skid plates and nerf bars.

The result is undeniable, and the ride is like nothing else. The DS650 BAJA X is ready to race right off the line and is the perfect vehicle for sandy, dry and rocky terrain.


2007 Suzuki QuadRacer R450

The write-up from Suzuki is that its new racing quad is "an ATV Like No Other...the 2007 LT-R450 is a whole new concept...a machine built for racing, with the help of WPSA Champion Doug Gust." Promising...


Kawasaki KFX700 V Force

This is a quad which sometimes likes to be ridden hard. One of its best applications is in slow, technical riding--not muscling through roots and trees as on the east coast, more like going up big, rocky hill climbs, which are abundant out west.

A fine west coast quad; but if you're an looking for an east coast racing machine, it's outclassed by the Raptor in potential, the Predator in motor and the Baja X as a fast trail cruiser.


Polaris Outlaw

The 2005 Outlaw boasted the first fully-independent rear suspension on a high performance sport quad. The 2006 model is much smoother. The current Outlaw chops up MX track as compared to the other sport quads. On the un-groomed track the Outlaw is often the favorite of test riders.


Honda EX

With Honda, you have the choice of the raging TRX400EX, the more nimble TRX300EX, or the tough, lean TRX250EX models.

The TRX400EX was conceived using one of Honda's best XR engines ever, and from there specially tuning it for ATV duty. Honda refers to it as "the best all-around sport ATV out there." Who are we to disagree?


Cannondale Cannibal

The smallest manufacturer on our list, which made ATV's from the late 1990's to 2003. The Cannibal started with the first aluminum frame, the first fuel injection and Cannondale's own unique powerplant to drive the whole thing. On top of that, it gave high-rpm hijinks at both the dunes and the track, performing effortlessly.

Don't look for new versions of the Cannonball, though. The company was unable to drive down the cost of their motor vehicles fast enough. Sales took off when the company was still losing money on each motorbike they shipped. This gap drove the company to seek bankruptcy protection in 2003.


Kawasaki 2008 KFX450R

This is being called an "early release 2008 model," but will arrive in dealerships early 2007.

Its motocross performance is based on the World Champion KX450F. This high performance machine is said to include all the race-winning performance and technology required for success straight out of the crate. It includes a lightweight titanium exhaust header pipe, a durable forged piston, and an all-aluminum frame, combining exceptionally light weight with the extreme stiffness needed to win races.


2007 Yamaha Wolverine 450 4x4

The Yamaha web site refers to the Wolverine 450 4x4 as "either a very sporty 4WD ATV or a very terrainable sport ATV. The jury is still out riding."

The new Wolverine appears also to be better suited to west coast climbing than the more flat east coast. It combines features like 4WD and a fully automatic transmission with light weight, sport-tuned adjustable suspension. The result is a highly functional machine that’s a blast to ride almost anywhere.