BRP Outlander 500 DPS ATVs – power and controllability

Since ATVs occupy a fairly large part of the market, there are quite a lot of manufacturers of equipment of this type. Among them, the company that produces the BRP Outlander models deserves special attention. The middle power class BRP Outlander 500 DPS models are in particular demand among extreme recreation enthusiasts.

This model has a fairly powerful engine, despite its small volume. A single-stage transmission paired with a driveshaft ensures efficient transmission of torque to the drive wheels. Additional equipment in the form of power steering, winch and other equipment makes the ATV a truly universal vehicle for overcoming long and difficult sections of the road.

Engine:

Technical characteristics of BRP Outlander 500 DPS

The model in question has a powerful 16-valve engine with electronic direct injection and liquid cooling. In general, the device has the following main parameters:

• Power unit - four-stroke
• Number of cylinders – 2 with V-shaped arrangement
• Maximum power – 46 hp. With.
• Working volume – 500 cubic meters. cm.
• Fuel system - electronically controlled direct injection
• Fuel tank volume – 16.3 l
• Overall dimensions – 218.4×116.8×114.3
• Weight – 297 kg

The role of the transmission is played by a single-stage variator, which provides excellent dynamic characteristics of the device and ease of operation. Additionally, there is a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. This allows you to increase the cross-country ability of the ATV on difficult sections of the road, or make its use more economical on straight roads.

ATVs of this model in all modifications receive many positive reviews regarding ease and accuracy of control. A well-designed and high-quality steering system paired with a hydraulic booster ensures easy and relaxed steering on roads of any complexity. The high-tech front axle suspension on two independent A-arms provides 100% traction even in deep holes and potholes. The rear suspension is made in the form of independent levers, ensuring the stability and stability of the ATV during acceleration or excessive tilting.

Wheels and Tires:

2015 Can-Am Outlander L 500 DPS Review

The new standard in the ATV industry.

BRP's new 2015 Can-Am Outlander L 450 and 500 models demonstrate how the Canadian manufacturer has begun to place the same emphasis on market value as performance.

With the release of the 2015 Can-Am Outlander L models, the company, previously known for its focus on performance and power in its vehicles, also began to show its desire to increase its market share by starting to produce truly profitable and affordable models. The Outlander L ATVs feature a proven design and some of the company's latest technology, resulting in an attractive price for this 500cc V-Twin model (only slightly more expensive than the comparable Polaris Sportsman 570). The power steering-equipped Outlander L 500 DPS we tested costs less than the premium Can-Am Outlander 500 DPS model.

With its new Can-Am Outlander L series of ATVs, BRP aims to attract thrifty buyers on a budget.

Can-Am not only wants to attract more buyers looking for a new ATV, the manufacturer wants to entice those who are looking to buy a used vehicle to buy a brand new Can-Am. For many buyers looking for a new car or ATV, the difference between buying a used or new vehicle comes down to the manufacturer's warranty.

Outlander L 500 DPS: what's inside

BRP designers assembled the Outlander L based on the G2 chassis, introduced in 2012. The G2 steel frame has been engineered to significantly improve strength and rigidity.

Five-way preload-adjustable shock absorbers work with the front independent double A-arm suspension and Can-Am's unique trailing arm rear suspension. The design of the latter has been slightly simplified, although the suspension travel is quite competitive on both sides: 223 millimeters at the rear and 228 millimeters at the front. The caster angle on L models has been reduced, making steering easier, especially on versions without power steering. The reduced caster also made the front end of the ATV more responsive. The G2's redesigned rear design includes lower trailing arm mounting points, allowing the rear end to squat during acceleration for improved traction and handling.

The trailing arm rear suspension has 223 millimeters of travel, provided by preload-adjustable shock absorbers.

The 500 L is powered by a 499.6 cc Rotax V-twin, four-valve, overhead camshaft engine per cylinder. The injection system delivers air and fuel through a 46mm throttle body with dual injectors. This engine was updated two years ago when power was increased by 5.2 horsepower to 45.6. That's 1.8 horsepower more than the impressive Sportsman 570, and only 4 horsepower less than the Kawasaki Brute Force 750!

The fully automatic transmission has high and low range, as well as neutral, reverse and Park. Engine braking is standard on all L Series models. Range shifting is accomplished by a lever mounted on the lower right.

Another Can-Am feature on Outlander L models is the Visco-Lok QE four-wheel drive system. A switch under the right thumb allows you to choose between two-wheel and all-wheel drive modes. In all-wheel drive mode, Visco-Lok acts as a limited-slip front differential for light steering.

Our DPS model was equipped with Can-Am Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering. Like most power steering systems, it facilitates steering and softens feedback by determining the required level of driver assistance based on vehicle speed and steering forces. The uniqueness of the DPS system is that it offers a choice of three levels of assistance, depending on the driver’s personal preferences.

Two hydraulic disc brakes at the front and one hydraulic disc brake at the rear are responsible for slowing and stopping the Outlander L 500. Brakes include 214mm discs, dual-piston calipers and steel brake lines front and rear.

DPS models are equipped with centerless cast aluminum wheels, which improve the appearance of the ATV and reduce rotating masses; base Outlander Ls are equipped with black steel wheels. The wheels of all Outlander L models are wrapped in 25-inch Carlisle Trail Wolf tires.

When it comes to work duties, the Outlander L can tow up to 590 kilograms using the rear tow ball. The steel racks can support up to 54 kilograms in the front and 108 kilograms in the rear, and are equipped with mounting points for the convenient Can-Am Linq accessory mounting system. The volume of the dry box under the rear parcel shelf is 11 liters.

The front and rear luggage racks can support a total of 162 kilograms.

Now about the dimensions: the width of the L model is 1168 millimeters, and the wheelbase is 1295 millimeters - one of the longest in this class. Seat height is 858 mm, ground clearance is 266 mm. The ATV has a claimed dry weight of 319 kilograms, which is about 4 kilograms less than the Sportsman 570 DPS.

Other features of the Outlander L include a backlit digital instrument panel conveniently located in front of the body and in front of the steering wheel. This will allow the driver to easily replace the standard steering wheel with a third-party model.

Outlander L 500: test drive

Neither the attractive price nor the warranty would help the Can-Am Outlander L if it weren't powerful enough. Let's say right away: this is a very impressive ATV!

The 500cc engine is efficient, but quite different from all the other cars in its class. Compared to the low-end brutality of the Polaris Sportsman 570, the Rotax 500 delivers power fairly smoothly and gradually, without catching the driver off guard when he floors the throttle. A little more low-end torque would be nice for jumping over obstacles on two wheels or climbing very steep inclines. On the other hand, the smooth nature of the engine allows for maximum traction on slippery rocks and wet stream banks.

At low speeds, the Outlander L 500's V-twin engine is very smooth.

At medium speeds, the Outlander L pleasantly surprises with its performance and behavior even resembles a sports ATV. When driving through the forests, thanks to the strong torque at medium speeds, you can dash out of corners, and when accelerating in a straight line, it seems that the engine can gain speed endlessly. On a forest path, this mid-range engine could give some larger models a run for their money.

Some drivers always want to be able to lock the front differential of their car. However, Visco-Lok QE is pretty hard to fault. We've tackled a lot of slippery paths and rocky slopes on the ATV, and we can say that the system works as advertised by the manufacturer. Unlike the old Visco-Lok system, which could take a long time to lock at the right moment, the new QE version is much more responsive and its operation is almost unnoticeable. The system simply provides traction to the ground when needed.

The Outlander L's steering is responsive and quick, and the car is easy to control on narrow forest paths. The steering wheel easily responds to the driver's commands, which allows you to aggressively take sharp turns or gently fit into them without exhausting yourself and the ATV. At high speeds, however, the responsive steering makes the car's front end feel a bit twitchy. Switching to the Low mode of the power steering helps reduce this effect, while the High mode is designed for rock climbing, towing and rough off-roading.

The ATV is easy to control, even on difficult off-road conditions.

When cornering, the ATV behaves predictably and steadily, with only a slight sag in the front end. Turning with slipping wheels is a little difficult with good traction, since the engine is quite quiet at low speeds, but it is possible if you catch the right moment when entering the turn.

The Outlander is also docile on climbs. The long wheelbase (1295 mm) and smooth low-end performance help keep the front wheels in contact with the ground, maintaining traction and control. The ATV descends almost as predictably as it ascends.

The suspension is soft and responsive at the same time. The preload-adjustable shock absorbers came from the dealership with medium settings. We made the front shocks a little stiffer to reduce cornering body roll and front end squat. We made the rear shock absorbers softer by one or two positions, depending on the driver’s weight. This helps the rear end of the car squat more easily during acceleration, lowering the center of gravity and allowing it to exit corners more aggressively.

After some minor adjustments, the suspension handled all the tests of the test drive confidently and smoothly.

The new settings allowed us to drive more aggressively on trails, improved traction on rocks and overall balanced the suspension. The Outlander's shock absorbers provide the softness you'd expect from a large 4WD ATV at low speeds. When traveling over potholes, rocks and branches at high speed, the Outlander's chassis and suspension handle the test best when the rider is out of the seat and not pushing down on the front of the ATV.

On descents, the brakes provide confident braking of the car. A test drive showed that the brakes can be controlled equally effectively by either the hand lever or the pedal. However, it takes a little more effort to bring the ATV to a stop than with the incredible brakes of a Grizzly 550, 700 or even a Polaris 570. Engine braking is seamless and works great.

The Outlander's ergonomics earn exceptionally rave reviews. The steering wheel is located close by, and its height and shape are incredibly comfortable. The wide, tall and serrated footpegs are also commendable, as is the seat: soft but not overly soft.

The finish is generally quite good. The two 35-watt headlights are enough for comfortable driving at night, but the orange-backlit digital instrument panel could use a little more contrast.

Saving

So what exactly do you have to lose by choosing the Outlander L 500 over the Outlander 500? BRP decided to remove the DESS digital security system and use a standard key-based ignition. The design of the rear trailing arms has been simplified, resulting in a reduction in rear suspension travel of approximately 12 millimeters (we didn't miss them). The Outlander 500's 26-inch tires have been replaced by 25-inch tires on the L model. All of these suspension and tire changes also result in a reduction in ride height of approximately 12 millimeters and a reduction in seat height of 17 millimeters. The composite racks have been replaced with older-style steel racks, and the rear cargo area holds slightly less. However, the steel shelves should be able to support 9kg more in the front and 18kg more in the rear, and can be hooked up to a cable anywhere to secure things. Finally, the premium Outlander 500 model has four headlights while the Outlander L 500 has two, but that didn't make us rush home after sunset.

After test driving the Can-Am Outlander L 500, you may still not understand why this model is cheaper than the Outlander 500.

Frankly, if we didn't have the detailed specs of the premium model we're comparing the Outlander L to, we wouldn't think we were sacrificing anything with the new model... other than a higher price.

Conclusion

The Outlander L 500 is an excellent and productive ATV. It's a good car for both work and fun. Perhaps this is the most sporty and nimble car in the class of 500-600 cc utilitarian models.

The base model 500 and the 500 DPS version will cost more than the equivalent Sportsman 570 model, with which this new product competes. We're not surprised to pay a little more for the Outlander L than the Polaris Sportsman, since the Outlander has a more sophisticated and expensive V-twin engine and a relatively newly designed chassis. It seems to us that the power and price of the machine alone are enough to make future Polaris buyers reconsider their choice.

Ourlander L 500 may be half the size of the newest big bore models on the market, but we think it's one of the biggest new releases in a long time.

Suspension:

Features of the BRP Outlander 500 ATV

In addition to the additional equipment, this model has received a large number of positive reviews regarding the ease and precision of control in the most difficult conditions. The installed power steering has three-position dynamic electronic control, which allows the manufacturer to achieve easy and precise control in various driving modes. Whether at high speed or immersed in sticky mud, the ATV is easily and accurately guided exactly the way the driver wants.

A fairly powerful autonomous winch will be able to pull out a stuck device even when it seems hopelessly stuck in the mud at first glance. This deprives the driver of the additional hassle of calling for help, especially since this is not always possible.

The suspension and braking system of the model in question deserve special attention. The front suspension is implemented in the form of two A-shaped structures, which ensure continuous traction of the wheels with the road surface. The rear has an independent suspension, the effectiveness of which is complemented by gas shock absorbers. When hitting obstacles, the ATV does not lose control and feels quite confident when accelerating and emergency braking.

Pleasant details of the BRP Outlander 500 ATVs

In addition to all of the above, the devices of this model are equipped with a very comfortable seat for the driver, which does not overwork during long trips. The ergonomic controls and instrument panel keep your eyes on the road, allowing you to navigate difficult terrain with ease and ease.

Already in the minimum configuration, the device has additionally reinforced bumpers that protect the body from damage. The owners are also pleasantly pleased with the security system in case of illegal seizure of equipment. Even if this beauty is stolen and delivered for service, a duplicate ignition key is made only to the registered owner, which eliminates the possibility of unpunished theft of the ATV. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers implement such a policy regarding their products.

Specifications:

Seats:

Exterior: