Power To The Ground
All models offer 2WD/4WD and diff lock, easily switched between modes with a push button on the handlebars. The 500 utilizes a wet clutch into the CVT while the 1000 has a snowmobile-like CVT system. The two-up ATVs are six inches longer than the base model and offer up a little more suspension travel than the single seat ATV. The second seat is slightly raised as are the foot rests. The rear grab handles are adjustable.
Additionally, all the ARGO ATVs come equipped with a standard anti-vibration 2-inch hitch receiver. You should be able to take the hitch right off your pickup and slide it into the receiver on the Xplorer.
The XRT 1000 LE has the added features of active descent control and an electric unlocking, turf mode rear differential.
Indeed the 1000 had plenty of spunk and the engine was fairly responsive when we squeezed the throttle. It definitely jumped to life. On the 500 the power builds slowly but it does build until we had the throttle mashed to the bar. Many times on the trails on the ERX Motor Park property we had the throttle pinned.
During our travels at ERX we did find a pretty steep—but short—hill we could climb and descend. On those handful of times we ascended and descended we were focused on the power, active descent control and diff lock features. The 1000 had plenty of power to climb the hill although we weren’t totally comfortable in the diff lock position as the ATV seemed to have a mind of its own. In just 4WD alone, it was fine and we ambled right up. The jury is still out on the active descent control. It seemed to work and we could tell it was trying and offering some resistance as we descended but we would like a little more time on the vehicle before saying anything more definitive.
EPS
We also had a good opportunity to test the Xplorer’s EPS or Tri-Mode Speed Sensing electronic power steering. Not only does it sense speeds and adjust, it allows riders to manually select three different modes depending on their personalized riding preference. One setting is turning the system completely off (and why anyone would do this?) while the other two are minimum and maximum settings. We are big proponents of EPS and would choose those models over non-EPS versions as they are worth the extra money it costs to have power steering. EPS takes the jarring out when you hit obstacles littering the trails and that makes it less tiring to drive. We drove both versions—non-EPS and EPS—of the ARGO Xplorer and it should come as no surprise that we liked the EPS version better.
Another feature we like are the brakes. There is a foot brake and hand brake lever (on the left handlebar). Both engage the brakes on all four wheels and that takes away any learning curve—no matter how small that may be—to figuring out which hand lever or foot brake operates the front or rear brakes.
We also like the gauge. If offers plenty of information for riders and is easy to see and read.
ARGO did hit the ground running with its Xplorer ATVs. This first year of being in the ATV side of the powersports business will be very telling for ARGO and it will be very interesting to see how it all shakes out.
