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2008
BRP Can-Am DS450 ATV |
Yadkinville, NC - I can usually be
found turning wrenches for the guys at atvriders.com,
on project quads and generally fixing what they manage
to tear up. The benefit to that is I get to throw a
leg over many of the models they get in here for testing
and review and it is always cool to thrash on someone
else’s atv rather then my own! So when they asked
me to actually race the CanAm DS450 in a GNCC event
I was a little intimidated. I do not race a lot, and
even less then that when it comes to XC however I figured
it wasn’t on my machine so why not! They dropped
off a DS450 for me and told me it had to be kept stock,
with the only changes being the addition of a mandatory
kill switch. OK, so no skid plates, no stabilizer, no
tires just stock. At this point I started thinking they
just wanted me to get punished for two hours on a stock
quad and I had better get some seat time in to see what
I would be in for.
I snuck the DS 450 to my favorite motocross track, Breezewood
Proving Grounds, for some testing and hit their cross
country loop to help dial in the stock shocks. The KYB
shocks worked pretty well and were easy to adjust to
my weight and a few tanks of fuel were run through the
machine as I tried my best to get ready for the two
hour event.
The layout of the Can-Am DS 450 really fits me well,
at 6’0 and 180 pounds, I was very comfortable
with the way things seemed to match my riding style.
The narrow seat and feeling of sitting on top of the
machine matched well with what I am used to (YFZ 450).
The peg position works well and my only real complaint
is that the stock grips are a bit hard. All the nifty
gadgets are well placed, and you can even see the warning
lights without looking to hard. Clutch pull was easy
and throttle pressure light although just like all EFI
controlled ATV’s, keeping from touching the throttle
before hitting the starter button is something you have
to train yourself to do.
Overall power is good, although I felt it was geared
higher then I would have liked, especially for XC racing.
Smooth power delivery is how I would describe the DS450
in stock form, and pulling the front end up in 5th gear
is no problem. I was feeling pretty good about the DS450
and I am pretty picky when it comes to what quads I
like or dislike based on how they perform versus what
brand they happen to be. The DS450 should have no problem
going bar to bar with any stock ATV on the market in
a drag race. The addition of a less restrictive exhaust
would surely open up this machine and a gear change
would be best for trail riding or woods racing.
The Can-Am DS450 KYB stock suspension really isn’t
bad at all. The KYB shocks were easily adjusted and
the machine handles excellent in stock trim. The front
end is accurate in how it tracks and feels plenty nimble
for the woods. During my time with the DS 450, I was
able to push it hard on the MX track and only found
the suspension lacking in the corners. All in all, one
of the best stock set ups I have had the opportunity
to ride.
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Can-Am DS450 comes stock with KYB shocks front
and rear, and the suspension off the showroom
floor is capable of hitting the trails or catching
some major air as Breezewood Proving Grounds
track owner, Dan Harris, demonstrates above
after just a few laps on the DS450 around the
motocross track. |
The braking on the DS450 is suburb and should only
require normal care. The foot and hand brake levers
are positioned well and bringing the DS 450 to a stop
from high speeds was no problem. It is always a good
thing to be able to stop and at no time during my
riding/testing did I find any brake fade.
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| The
front dual-piston brake calipers on the DS450
are inverted and on the inside of the disk,
which is a first for sport ATVs, and in the
rear a wave style rotor is utilized with a a
dual-piston caliber, and this combinations provides
plenty of braking power |
