Guetter Brothers Akraix ATV Freestyle Team
::Continued::

My ears were wide open as stories poured out as they talked with kids, moms and dads and even the occasional guy who just knew he could do the flip on his Honda Rancher! It wasn’t showboating, it wasn’t bravado, it was honesty what I was hearing. Tales of injury and triumph that span the world over were relayed to everyday ATV owners who for the first time were finding out that there was more to our sport then recreational riding and racing. They weren’t there to sell themselves or a product, but without knowing it, they were selling the sport to people who left with an expanded knowledge about an entirely different world regarding how ATV’s are being used. The PR work was ongoing and is part of the deal even as the pair sat grounded due to the weather.

On the 3rd day of their trip east, the sun finally broke out and Derek had a chance to shred for the fans at Rock Run

With so much down time due to the foul weather, I turned my attention to the Can Am DS450’s they were using, expecting to find a lot of cool changes and custom parts. What I found was a basically stock ride with bolt on goodies. In fact what I learned was that the DS450’s had been used bone stock for quite awhile until they needed to add a few items to make their job easier.

The standard distance jumped is around 70 feet, however the height at which the rider apexes is anywhere from 30 to 35 feet off the ground. Dropping out of the sky to the landing ramp is violent, and that’s where the custom PEP shocks come in. In order to soak up those big hits, the shocks were massaged to make life a little more plush and witnessing them take the shock of the landing I would say they don’t come any better then what they are using. Even if a trick goes right, sometimes the landing can be a little off and it is the saving grace.

Positioning & durability of the handle bars during ATV Freestyle is key. Each rider has different preferences for their ATV (left) and the Akraix Can-Am DS450's are equipped with Motoworks exhausts (right)

As far as power, Motoworks exhausts give the 450cc power plant a throaty growl and some added grunt when it’s needed. With a 100 foot approach and a 45 degree angle, power isn’t all that’s required, but when these guys turn it loose to do some of the huge natural jumps, every horsepower counts. The engines themselves are stock along with all other major components right down to the axle.

Each rider has a preference for the ergonomics of their ride, and aftermarket bars and their position seem to be the extent of things. Derek has made some custom mounts and worked the stock seat to allow him a place to grab while doing his airborne acrobatics so that the seat doesn’t fly off under the demands he places on it during the trick. Nerf bars and tires round out the modifications you will find.

Derek gets the crowd pumped for ATV freestyle during the show