ATV Illustrated Magazine’s Blog

ATV Illustrated’s 550cc Class Utility ATV of the Year - The Polaris Sportsman 550 XP

By John Arens

The Polaris Sportsman 500 has been one of our favorite utility ATVs for years. It’s one of the true workhorses in the Polaris barn and capable of just about any task with just enough performance thrown in to make it worthy of weekend trail rides and playtime when the work was done. The trouble was, the Sportsman 500 was beginning to look a little dated, and with several new, extremely capable competitors entering the class, we originally thought the beloved Sportsman 500 would slip into the obscure existence reserved for all ATVs that never see updates. When Polaris announced “a few” changes to the ’09 lineup they had our interest, but we were totally blown away with what they had in store. What they delivered with the all new Sportsman 550XP is an amazing ATV that has raised the bar for every utility ATV to come.

Whether at work or play, the Polaris Sportsman 550XP is a fantastic ATV

Tags: 2009 Models, ATV of the Year Awards, ATVs, Polaris, Sportsman 550XP

ATV Illustrated’s Performance Side x Side of the Year - The Polaris Ranger RZR-S

By John Arens

Tags: 2009 Models, ATV of the Year Awards, Polaris, Ranger RZR, Side x Sides, UTV

ATV Illustrated’s Crossover Class Side x Side of the Year - The Kawasaki TERYX 750 FI 4×4 Sport

By John Arens

Tags: 2009 Models, ATV of the Year Awards, Kawasaki, Side x Sides, Teryx, UTVs

Website News Update

Along with ATVs and Side x Sides, we recently tested the old adage that adversity brings out the best in a strong organization. Recently our web site crashed, and in doing so it not only wiped out four years worth of content, but caused us to evaluate our entire site performance. Fortunately, all the content was backed up in our original files, and after sitting around the Editorial Planning table, everybody agreed it was time to upgrade our site look and performance anyway. We’re going modified! Our new and improved site will best reveal the different aspects of our magazine, and will include broad ATV and Side x Side coverage from all aspects of the sport, along with trailhead destinations and work projects utilizing the latest in tow-behind implements, attachments, and gear. Look for our new and improved site in about two weeks and the Trail & Travel Special Issue coming out in May. Until then we’ll have plenty of new articles here, and we’ll see you on the trails.

ATV Illustrated’s 450cc Class Utility ATV of the Year - The Honda FourTrax Rancher AT

By John Arens

The old saying “there’s no replacement for displacement” is true enough in most cases, and we’ll be the first to admit that many times we’ve been part of the crowd that believed too much power was just enough. While big bore ATVs often times grab the lions share of ink and pixels, displacement induced tunnel vision has been known to cause many riders to overlook excellent ATVs with smaller engines. In fact, with a displacement of 420cc - less than one cylinder on some models -, the Honda FourTrax Rancher AT is one of the best ATVs on the market today.

With the added ground clearance and IRS, the new Rancher AT has no problem in the rocks.

Tags: ATV, ATV of the Year Awards, honda, rancher

Happy New Year

By John Arens

Many people begin each year with a new year’s resolution. No doubt a few nights ago there were hordes of individuals vowing to work out more, stop smoking, lay off the strip clubs, or any other manner of self improvement pledges. The determined few usually make it until at least February. Thankfully the thoughts of such a declaration completely slipped my mind (along with most memories of the evening) but in the spirit of the holiday, instead of a resolution for the New Year, I’ll make a few predictions. A year from now as 2009 dwindles away perhaps we can look back and see how close I came to at least some of them.

Tags: 2009 Models, 2009 Predictions, ATVs, Side x Sides, UTVs

Trilogy of Pain

By Bill Sutton

I never thought I would say, or even suggest, that riding an ATV causes pain. The riding itself doesn’t hurt, unless you have a really bad seat on your machine (or, even worse, your body). Nope, it’s the ever-expanding regulations that hurt. Riding an ATV is supposed to be fun, and sometimes it is. Sometimes exploring the mountains or desert or canyons is exhilarating. Sometimes the feeling of freedom far outweighs the rain or wind or cold. Riding an ATV along a seldom used trail that goes to places you have never been is fun.

Tags: ATV, Editorial, Law Enforcement Officer, Trail Riding