WINNER: Yamaha Raptor 700R
Yamaha has a stranglehold on the Pure Sport segment outselling every ATV-builder by a wide margin.
There’s a reason for this dominance. The company consistently delivers products that are out-of-the-box winners at the races and solid, durable and exceptional performing trail-specific ATVs.
The Raptor 700 was upgraded two model years ago and represents what many feel is the ultimate dune rocket. We believe this is short-selling the Raptors incredible credentials.
The engine is a drop-dead powerhouse that cant be hurt by either over-revving or bad maintenance. It’s a Yamaha.
The coolest part of this superb ride is its ability to play with the deadly serious 450 Pure Sports and most often, give them fits.
It excels in nearly every facet of off-road play and when it comes to trail riding, the Raptor lacks only one feature – IRS
RUNNERS UP
Can-Am Renegade 800R
Can-Am approached the trail-specific Sport segment in its own unique way. The Renegade is essentially a stripped Outlander with nifty performance tweaks producing both a capable mud-slogger and a very solid trail performance 4-wheeler.
Despite its significant weight compared to any of the others here, the Renegade meets this market in a more diverse and appealing way offering Can-Ams unique Visco-Lok 4×4 differential.
Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS
The 525 IRS has owned this BIC award the past couple years because it is virtually incomparable in its capabilities. Lacking only 4-wheel drive, the Outlaw IRS chassis simply out-rides and out-handles everything on fast trails.
It’s an incredibly hard act to follow in a segment continuing to define its parameters. If it’s all about a day of fast trail riding, there’s not much that’ll stay with the KTM 525 powered Outlaw with fully independent rear suspension.
