Test: Can Am Outlander with Apache Tracks
Since we do not live in Alaska, snowmobiles can only be used in our adulterous land conditionally. I am not saying that if you really have enough time and a caravan, a weekend somewhere near Krvavets or you work as a caretaker of a mountain lodge in Kofce, the property is justified and, at least in the third case, also rational.
Otherwise, for those few free winter days when it starts rampaging down the snow-white slopes, it makes more sense (ah, smart and adrenaline-pumping sport ...) to simply rent a sled for that € 300 this weekend.
Another option to defeat the white tick is a four-wheeler, according to a four-wheel drive home quad. Wrapped in real tires, it handles the snow very confidently, better than most off-road vehicles, but once it has the snow in its lap, it doesn't go any further.
Hence, there is a third option: four-wheeled caterpillar... From spring to late autumn, you have wheels with (off-road) tires on your car, which you replace with tracks for the winter.
A system from an American manufacturer is called an Apache, but it is a caterpillar adapted for installation on four-wheel drive ATVs. Remove the wheel and replace it with a track.
According to Ski & Sea Service Manager Marco Jagr, the transition from brown bear to white can also be done in your home garage if you trained with Tomosaki a little during your youth.
The Outlander range, which is one of the working four-wheelers in the offer of the American manufacturer Can Am, consists of models with a displacement of 400, 500, 650 and 800 cubic centimeters and has undergone some changes for 2010.
They have changed front wheel suspension geometry, front and rear shock absorbers replaced, 650% more power on the XNUMX cc version, improved airflow to the liquid cooler, new (lighter) aluminum wheels fitted, redesigned and perhaps most importantly added DPS (Dynamic Power) Steering) or according to local "servo balance".
That's right, it helps the driver to change direction electric motor... You can choose between two operating levels (MIN and MAX) depending on the complexity of the terrain: for faster driving (eg on gravel road) the first program is used, and for a slower "ascent" on a technically challenging basis, we select "max. help ”with additional electrical support.
The catalog promises that with Equipped with DPS the four-wheeled vehicle transmits less surface shock to the handlebars, but unfortunately we have not been able to verify this or is difficult to confirm as the track-equipped track reacts differently to the terrain than a conventional ATV.
The electronics came in handy for Apache, however, as cornering at lower speeds was not an easy task. Since there is much more ground (snow) on the tracks, the steering resistance when cornering is logically higher, and for the same reason, and also because of the higher friction of the tracks (compared to tires), some engine power is also required. myself.
We're not going to argue that 650 "cc" is too little, since this car moves surprisingly fast, but still - when the open road rises a little, the strength to roam is running out and by then the adrenaline junkie already knows that he should choose the 800cc version when purchasing.
Power is sufficient for safe descents as it is still available reducerthat slows you down and allows you to climb such steep slopes that it leaves the driver in dire need before the car breaks down, or, as the photographer said while looking for a suitable location to digitally shoot the Outlander: don't shake me! "
But let's not just praise - it can also be buried... There was not much snow this time, but I still remember last year's presentation on Rogla, when the driver left only rear-wheel drive in front of me (derailleurs with a derailleur on the right side of the steering wheel) and I was stuck in a pile of plowed snow. by the road.
Neither the four-wheel drive, nor the gearbox, nor the pushers of colleagues helped, the help of another four-wheeled vehicle on Apache was not needed.
Hence, in this test case, there was another device that could come in handy in such cases − Veal, which pulls up to a ton and weighs 300 kilograms. So with Outlander, you can also come to the aid of a neighbor as he delves into the unstoppable Lado Nivo.
The winch from the renowned manufacturer Warn can be controlled both from the steering wheel and using the remote control (via cable), which is stored under the front rack. Yes piece of standard equipment on the XT version, in addition to DPS (Dynamic Steering), an improved and faster Visco-Lok QE differential, 12-inch alloy wheels, more off-road gears, front and rear hose guards and arm protectors.
Thus, the package is very richly equipped, which is also noticeable for the price. Price for military (or hunting) graphics of a color ATV with additional Apache tracks exceeds 20 thousand.
For thought: an all-wheel drive Suzuki Jimny costs about five thousand less, not to mention how many Russian fields you get for that money.
But the dealer offers a different math: a four-wheeler (€14.400) plus a snowmobile (the cheapest in their offer is €8.390) is more than a four-wheeler with Apache tracks (€20.594). Not to mention the image of the Lada Niva ...
Technical information
Model: Can Am Outlander Max 650 XT with Apache Tracks
Base model price: 13.900 EUR
Test car price: 14.400 € 6.194 + XNUMX XNUMX € Apache tracks
engine: two-cylinder V, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 649 cc? , 6 valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection.
Maximum power: np
Maximum torque: np
Energy transfer: Automatic transmission variator, four-wheel drive, gearbox.
Frame: stainless steel pipe
brakes: two coils in the front, one coil in the back.
Suspension: front double A-arms with single shock absorber per wheel, 203 mm travel, rear single suspension with one shock absorber per wheel, 229 mm travel.
Tires: 26 x 8 x 12, 16 x 10 x 12.
Seat height from ground: 877 mm.
Fuel tank: 16, 3 l.
Wheelbase: 1.295 mm.
Weight (dry): 326 kg.
Representative: SKI & SEA, doo, Ločica ob Savinji 49 b, Polzela, 03/492 00 40, www.ski-sea.si.
We praise and reproach
+ engine, gearbox
+ rich equipment
+ workmanship, reliability
+ field capacity
+ comfort
+ can be used all year round
-
price
- for more demanding drivers in the event of a track lacking power
- intensive maneuvering at low speeds
Matevž Gribar, photo: Aleš Pavletič
