Figuring Things Out
On land, there is a very slight learning curve when learning how to drive the XTV. The learning comes in anticipating the turning. Say you want to turn right so you turn the handlebars to the right. That essentially locks up the right-side wheels while the left-side wheels keep moving to help make the turn. Some compare the turning of the ARGO XTV to how a skid steer turns. With the ARGO, if you want to make a sharp turn, you turn the handlebars quite a ways in that direction. A slight turn requires just a slight turn of the handlebars. It does feel similar to the turning of most other powersports vehicles but not quite as you have anywhere from two to four more wheels than an ATV or side-by-side.
Whereas XTV vehicles with a single differential—when you turn the handlebars—it locks up the wheels on the one side and speeds up the wheels on the other side, XTVs (Avenger 8x8 LX) with a triple differential slows down the wheels on one side and speeds them up on the other side. That triple differential Admiral HS steering transmission makes the Avenger 8x8 LX capable of reaching a top speed of 25 mph. That is 30 percent faster than other ARGO vehicles. The Avenger 8x8 LX is designed for long rides and has been equipped with an onboard entertainment system and a set of ultra-low pressure tires on dual beadlock rims.
Additionally, on the XTVs with eight wheels, the rear wheels are almost off the ground so those wheels don’t give much resistance when turning.
One thing you notice rather quickly on the XTVs is the tread pattern on the wheels. ARGO vice president of engineering Doug Braswell tells us the tread pattern was developed from a study by the U.S. Navy. The Navy studied how much water can be moved by a certain width of tire as well as how much water is caught in the tread and propels the vehicle. The shape and distance of the tread on XTVs was derived by that government study.
Treading Water
That tread pattern worked very well in the water. Of course, the vehicle makes a much wider sweeping turn in the water than on land. Another slight learning curve. It was definitely fun to see just where the XTV would go in water, i.e., deep water, swampy areas, mud, etc., and once we got used to sitting in the right spot to get the best balance, we went just about where we wanted. The vehicle can climb fairly steep, muddy banks as you exit the water as well.
ARGO also made an XTV with a track system on the wheels available for us to drive that day in Minnesota. That was awesome. We tried it in water and on land. In deeper water, it was more difficult to turn because the track somewhat prevents the tires from doing what they normally do when you turn the handlebars. However, in a swampy area or in mud, the thing is a beast and claws its way through anything and everything. The same was true on land. We were able to find a trail with downed trees and a few other obstacles the tracked XTV went over it all. So did the non-tracked XTV we tried but the tracked XTV just seemed more stout and rambled over those obstacles with authority. We’re sure that was somewhat a perception thing because both tracked and non-tracked went everywhere but the tracked vehicle was amazing.
After our day of riding in Minnesota, we did have one lingering question. Who is the ARGO XTV best suited for? Certainly outdoorsman, especially hunters and fisherman, but lots of people would enjoy the vehicles, if they keep in mind what it’s designed for and what it’s not designed for. It can handle a whole host of surfaces—dirt, water, mud, snow, etc.—but it’s not going to get you there very fast. That’s not a negative, just reality.
Simply put, the ARGO XTV gives off-roaders one more option to explore the woods, swamps and water areas.
