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2008 BRP Can-Am DS450 ATV Ride Test & GNCC Race Review

2008 BRP Can-Am DS450 ATV Ride Test & GNCC Race Review

2008 CanAm DS450
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.

ERGONOMICS:
2008 CanAm DS450
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.

POWER:
2008 CanAm DS450
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.

SUSPENSION:
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.
2008 CanAm DS450
2008 CanAm DS450
The 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.

BRAKING:
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.

2008 CanAm DS450
2008 CanAm DS450
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
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