ATV buyer’s guide 2023-24

This year’s Ultimate Guide to quad bike all-terrain vehicles is characterised by the new 40hp and 50hp Can-Am Outlanders, a couple of additions to the CFMoto line-up, newcomers to the Segway and Shire ranges, a revised Yamaha range, and the demise of HiSun models in the UK. 

See also: On test: CF Moto challenges the big brands with new ATV line

Can-Am

New-generation Can-Am Outlander quad bikes © Can Am

There are comprehensive changes for the Can-Am listing this year as the new Outlander 500 and 700 series quads step in to replace most of the Outlander 450, 570 and 650 vehicles.

The freshly-minted machines are powered by a new liquid-cooled Rotax 650cc two-stroke petrol engine developing 40hp and 50hp, coupled to the also new pDrive primary transmission, which is said to be smoother shifting and more durable.

Selectable two- and four-wheel drive is combined with a Visco-Lok limited slip front differential or the Visco-4Lok version that adds a full lockout setting.

The hardware is housed in a tubular steel chassis with arched “A” arm suspension front and rear for what manufacturer BRP claims is class-leading ground clearance at up to 33cm, plus generous 25cm front and 26cm front and rear wheel travel.

Within myriad features and build specs to suit different rider priorities, the HD versions have stiffer suspension for heavier payloads and gearing suited to working vehicle applications.

CFMoto

New 28hp non-power steering CForce 450 Basic © CFMoto

Two newcomers have been added to the CFMoto range, with the CForce 450 Basic being a down-specced version of the current 450 EPS.

By deleting power steering and fitting steel wheels – a more practical fitment for farm use anyway – the price of this model comes in £667 less than the better-equipped version.

Extended wheelbase CForce 520 L EPS has seats for two © CFMoto

The second new model is a longer wheelbase version of the more powerful 520 EPS that accommodates a rider and passenger.

The chassis stretch from 1,288mm to 1,460mm allows a longer seat cushion and backrest to be fitted, and there are passenger foot-rests too.

There is a tad more ground clearance (262mm versus 249mm), a bit more weight (365kg versus 344kg), and also half a litre more capacity in the fuel tank. But the 802kg towing rating is unaffected by the changes.

Both newcomers build on the latest CForce chassis structure introduced in 2022 with the 28hp 450 EPS and 34hp 520 EPS.

This brought improved rider ergonomics, tighter steering, reduced noise and vibration levels, more storage and fuel capacity and a number of other improvements.

HiSun

HiSun distributor Barrus, meanwhile, has dropped the Forge 500 and Tactic 550 quads to focus on the more comprehensive selection of HiSun petrol and electric side-by-side vehicles.

Kymco

The Kymco range has been extended by slotting in the 443cc MXU 465 between the current 300i and 550 models.

This road legal machine is powered by a liquid-cooled motor of 33hp output and fuelled from a 15-litre tank, and has the usual auto transmission with low and high forward ranges.

Two- or four-wheel drive are selected electrically and there is a locking rear diff but no power assistance to ease the steering effort.

The newcomer weighs in at about 294kg on a 1,217mm wheelbase, with 260mm of ground clearance to clear rough and rutted track and field surfaces.

Shire

Shire Tundra is a 14kW two-place electric quad © Shire

A more powerful quad with an extended chassis has replaced the Shire III Ultima in Greentouch Technologies’ range.

Powered by a 14kW-rated electric motor supplied by a 72V 120Ah lithium-ion battery, the vehicle has two-speed drive and is reckoned to be capable of travelling 80-100km on a full charge.

A winch and bull bars are included, along with a separate low-backed seat for a second rider.

But it retains some cargo space on a wrap-around steel rack at the rear, in addition to the one up front.

Steel wheels are standard, and polished aluminium is optional.

Segway

Toned-down appearance of Segway’s Snarler AT5 © Segway

While continuing to build a dealer network for the newly introduced Segway Powersports quad and side-by-side vehicles, distributor Dualways is now looking to expand the range with the forthcoming Snarler AT5.

This more compact and lighter quad is powered by a 499cc petrol engine developing 39hp, which compares with the existing AT6 model’s 570cc and 44hp.

The newcomer has a locking front diff to help maintain traction and electronic power assistance for easier steering, and may come in long-wheelbase, two-rider configuration as well as a standard single-seat layout.