HOW FAST WILL IT GO?
Answers to a common question about off-road vehicles
How fast will it go? Beyond the price to own, and some of the features that set a vehicle apart, that question is most often asked by off-road vehicle shoppers. When it comes to motorized vehicles, speed is important. It's understandable that everyone wants to get to where they are going sooner than later, even when venturing into the great outdoors.
But should this be the case? An ATV or side-by-side is meant to traverse crazy off-road conditions, and while they're definitely fun, they are also designed and built for work. Speed may not be that important if you really think about what you're looking for in an off-road vehicle.
On the roadway, most drivers keep the speedometer at the posted speed limit. Of course, there are no speed limits on off-road trails, but speed also equates to power. The prevailing thought is if it'll go fast, then the vehicle can tote a heavy load. That is not necessarily true.
In this article, you will find out more about speed in off-road vehicles, and why it might or might not be important to you.
Why is top speed not listed?
First off, when looking at the spec sheets, you will not see the top speed listed. That is because off-road vehicles are meant to be powerful at lower speeds. Softer suspensions for absorbing bumps, short wheelbases, and knobby tires are among the reasons why ATVs are not conducive for speed. Manufacturers also know that too many variable factors can contribute to speed, including where you ride and widely varying conditions.
What is speed in an ATV?
Speed is affected by a lot of things. This includes, among other things, the power of the engine, the transmission, how it's geared, and driving conditions. For off-roading, the latter condition is the most notable. ATVs are meant for off-road use, and they are rarely (and should not be) driven across solid pavement. Most ATVs are designed for the power needed to traverse steep hills, haul gear or tow loads, gain traction in slippery or muddy terrain, and do it all safely. Fuel economy is another factor, because there are no gas stations out in the middle of nowhere. And don't forget that the faster you go, the more fuel you use.
Those base features are what you will find with Tracker Off Road models. If you are looking for a vehicle with impressive suspension for handling most any condition, a powerful vehicle that hauls and tows, and all at a great price, then these vehicles are worth a look. And above all else, these vehicles are built in America by skilled craftspeople using the best parts available.
What does engine CC mean, and how does it affect speed?
On most spec sheets you'll undoubtedly find references to CC. That stands for cubic centimeters, a metric measurement used to describe the size of the combustion chamber. It also refers to the amount of space that pistons travel through the engine, called displacement. That can provide an indicator of engine power and speed. For example, if a cylinder has 500cc of displacement, that means inside the cylinder there is a maximal space of 500 centimeters. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the displacement, the higher the power of the engine.
But how fast do they go?
Let's break down the speed of the most popular Tracker Off Road models. Just remember, off-road driving conditions rarely afford the chance to peg the needle on the speedometer. First, we'll tell you that if you're all about pure speed and don't care about much else, then most Tracker Off Road models may not be the right fit for you. But if you're looking for all-around, off-road vehicles that haul, tow, go through water and mud, and do it all for a great price, then you should seriously consider Tracker Off Road while you're doing your shopping.
How fast is the Tracker 570 ATV?
First up is the Tracker 570, a great all-around ATV that will haul more than 600 pounds of weight and tow 1,050-pound loads with ease. The 570 has a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, single-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. Displacement is 545cc. In our tests we ran the 570 back and forth several times during a video review. It averaged between 52 and 44 mph.
What is the top speed of the Tracker 700EPS ATV?
We also looked at the 700EPS. This is a 700-class ATV with the same features as the 570, but with power steering. That makes handling the vehicle at slower speeds in choppy terrain a dream. The 700EPS has a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, single-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. Displacement is 695cc. It has a few more horses than the 570. For our video review we reached speeds of between 55 and 57 mph.
How fast does the Tracker 800SX side-by-side go?
We also tested the 800SX, a side-by-side off-road vehicle that comes with a best-in-class suspension and ground clearance. The 700EPS has a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, three-cylinder, dual-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. The 800SX has a rating of 50 hp In our video review we ran the 800SX back and forth in several areas, from open, flat fields, to country roads. We found the speed ranged from about 45 to 53 mph.
What is top speed of the Tracker SVX1000?
The king of speed in the Tracker line of side-by-sides is unquestionably the Tracker SVX1000. The SVX1000 has a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, twin-cylinder, single-overhead-cam, gas-powered engine. Electronic fuel injection (EFI) improves performance and fuel economy, while the drivetrain uses a CVT transmission. Displacement is 957cc with a rating of 100 hp The SVX100 has twice the horsepower of the 800SX side-by-side, another couple of inches of ground clearance, and awesome suspension. Acceleration of this unit is simply amazing-it will push you back into your seat when you stomp on the throttle. It will haul 600 pounds and tow an amazing 1,200 pounds. Top speed during our testing was about 75 mph when running empty. Click here to see the complete review.
Summary
Hopefully that gives you an idea about the speed you might expect from Tracker Off Road. But think about this: What are you really going to do with the vehicle? If you want pure speed, keep looking, but if you're shopping for great vehicles that haul, pull, have amazingly smooth rides, and all at prices that beat the other brands, then Tracker Off Road should be given serious consideration. And don't forget the best built, best backed warranties on every vehicle.
Finally, enjoying outdoor sports takes two things: having fun and keeping it safe. Wearing protective gear is how you do both. On an off-road vehicle, you are fully exposed to everything standing in the way of you and the outdoors. That includes slapping tree branches, flying insects, and airborne gravel. Wear an ATV-specific helmet, eye protection, and appropriate apparel and footwear to keep your off-roading safer.
And finally, please take an ATV safety course. It might even be a requirement, depending on where you plan to ride. The ATV Safety Institute offers the ATV Rider Course, which is a hands-on course that develops safety knowledge and awareness through interactive activities and video. A two-part online and interactive course taught by ATV Safety Institute instructors is available for single riders or families. Find out more at atvsafety.org. You may also find similar programs in Canada for our friends north of the border. Stay safe on, and off-road.