Can-Am is a subsidiary of the Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) company which was founded by Joseph-Armand Bombardier at Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec, Canada, in 1942. The BRP company is responsible for many well-known brands within the recreational products market, such as Ski-Doo (snowmobiles), Can-Am motorcycles (ATVs and Spyder Roadsters), Sea-Doo (PWC and SportBoats), Lynx (snowmobile), Evinrude Outboard Motors, Johnson Outboards and Rotax Engines.

In the 1970s, BRP developed and built the first Can-Am offroad competition motorcycles and, after very successful years of competition, expanded with an ATV range which is still in production today. The BRP company today employs over 6,800 people at facilities in America, Europe, and Asia.

Engine

At the heart of the latest Outlander is the 48hp, eight-valve, liquid-cooled SOHC Rotax 570 V-Twin engine, which offers improved performance over the previous model. Can-Am uses Rotax engines in all its vehicles. The 570 ATV’s engine has received larger pistons, longer stroke and a higher connecting rod to improve horsepower and torque, as well as acceleration, without compromising top-end speed. The new 570cc Rotax electronic fuel injection (EFI) engine has also gained an additional 4% horsepower and 9% more torque in low and mid-range RPM over the previous version and remains very capable of heavy work such as towing. EFI ensures optimal performance from the engine at all times.

Getting the power to the ground is achieved through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which means no shifting is required. The system includes standard engine braking with high, low, park, neutral and reverse gears. The latest Outlander now has a new L gear ratio, which is 7% shorter than the old version, meaning more comfort for low-speed riding and also better traction for towing heavy loads.

Air box

The CVT housing has 13 bolts to ensure a proper seal and also includes an integrated drain plug for easy servicing. The air box is incorporated into the chassis design at a high and centralised location for filtering and processing air. It also has a dual room air filtration design that captures dirty air in one portion of the box and clean air in another section before it sends the air to the engine. The air intake is located high up at the front of the ATV which ensures performance in mud and water.

The Outlander L Pro is fitted with a torsional trailing arm independent rear suspension (TTI), which has far fewer moving parts than other systems. TTI is designed to eliminate scrub and camber changes when the suspension works up and down and helps keep the ATV in straight line.

The rear suspension also has motion control shocks which offer 8.8in (22.4 cm) of travel. The rear suspension also includes a removable external sway bar and lower pivot points for geometric squatting to improve traction and power transfer.

Capable on off-road conditions

Up front, the Outlander is fitted with a double A-arm configuration with motion-control shocks and five-way adjustable preload settings provide a smooth ride over all terrain. Front-end suspension travel is 9in (23.6cm) and the drive control geometry tightly controls the roll centre, especially when entering corners at speed. With a ground clearance of 10.5in (26.7cm), the Outlander is very capable when the going gets tough in harsh off-road conditions, although I would highly recommend the optional electric winch for when your skill runs out and you end up stuck.

The Outlander L ATV range uses BRP’s exclusive surrounding spar technology (SST) fully welded G2 frame, which offers increased structural integrity and handling while also using fewer parts.

Transfers power

Traction is controlled by a Visco-Lok front differential system which progressively transfers power from a slipping front wheel to the gripping one; this is all done automatically with no buttons to push or levers to pull, allowing the rider to concentrate on what’s important.

On the ground, the Outlander sits on four 12in cast aluminium wheels wrapped in 25in Carlisle Trail Wolf tyres. This provides the Outlander with rugged performance in tough terrain and changing conditions, as a bigger tyre design helps you easily overcome obstacles.

Braking is taken care of by large 214mm disc brakes, front and rear, fitted with hydraulic twin-piston callipers for superior stopping power. The Outlander comes as standard fully equipped to tow with a rear ball hitch and 590kg towing capacity. The Outlander is fitted with front and rear steel racks as standard, which can carry 54kg up front and 109kg on the rear.

Practicality

The Outlander offers numerous features to increase its practicality and comfort for the rider, such as power steering. There is a 10.9-litre water-resistant rear storage compartment and 12-volt power outlet. Up front, the rider is kept informed on what is happening via a multi-function digital gauge, which displays important information such as speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meter, gear position, hour meter and engine hour meter, temperature and engine lights, fuel gauge for the large 20.5-litre tank and clock.

Price

The outlander L Pro 570 which we tested is priced at €9,600 including VAT and has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty as standard.

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