Last week, Denis Lavoie and I had the chance to try, in preview, the very first Segway ATVs to arrive in Quebec. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Eskape gang from Granby for their time and generosity.
The first things that jump out at you about Segway ATVs
Obviously, Segway means technology and design out of the ordinary. One of the first things that jumps out at you when you see a Segway ATV is its look and the design of its headlights. It looks like Tesla has ventured into the world of ATVs.
The simplicity of the design, the sophisticated curves, the finishing details and the brightly colored touches on the front grill, the footboards and the bumpers can be summed up in one word: WOW!
And please note that the colors do not represent a specific model, each vehicle can be ordered with one of the three colors (Green, Red or Blue).
The models and their differences
First of all, to help you to differentiate them, the letter (S) is for “Short” (single-seater) and the letter (L) is for “Long” (2-seater). As for the E, it’s for “entry level” and the X is for the top of the range model. The AT6 is for the 600cc model (570 to be more precise). Now that you are experts in Segway nomenclature, here are the models.
The Snarler AT6 SE (Starting at only 7500$)
To do things in order, I first rode the Snarler AT6 SE (the entry-level model). And here I want to tell you that “entry level” definitely does not mean basic. Let me explain.
This beautiful little 570cc ATV has 44hp and comes with power steering, 15″ brand X tires, a tow ball, an 5″ screen and most importantly, 2 tons of app technology. I’ll get to that later… unless you’re too impatient… click here.
The Snarler AT6 SX (Starting at $9500)
The SX is more “high-end”. The main technical differences with the SE are the suspension, the winch and the wheels. The Snarler AT6 SX has a gas suspension rather than an air suspension and the shocks are adjustable for rebound and compression. It comes with a winch that can pull up to 2500lbs. The wheels are a bit bigger and are equipped with mags. In short, an extra 2 thousand dollars that is easily explained.
The Snarler AT6 LX (Starting at $10,500)
The LX is actually quite similar to the SX, but longer and 2 seats. Again, it comes with a winch, a tow ball and all the comfort you need to share your day with someone.
What you see once you’re on the vehicle
When you get on a Segway ATV, the first thing you notice are the details of the seat’s construction. The seat is made of a non-slip fabric and the seams seem to be of high quality.
Once seated, you notice that the handlebars and controls are relatively simple. A 5″ backlit screen gives us all the necessary information.
It is in the details that I was most surprised. Segway thought of creating a space for the knees to facilitate the turns without bumping on hard plastic. Other details such as the welds, the power coating of the tubing and the quality of the paint enhance the feeling of confidence.
Once on the trail
The Snarler’s ride is very smooth. The suspension and finishing of the vehicle are very well done. Of course, the 570cc 4-stroke engine delivers a decent 44hp. I chose the word “decent” because it’s enough, but I’m sure that other more powerful models will come out in the next few years. Obviously, the gas model is not made for speeding. If what you’re looking for is power, you’ll have to wait for the hybrid version from Segway. Because yes, Segway is planning to offer hybrid ATVs and side-by-side models. According to our sources, the Snarler would go from 44hp to 88hp in hybrid mode. Not bad for a brand that’s just entering the market.
Acceleration is gradual and generous. The vehicle is responsive and the power steering makes maneuvering very easy. One area for improvement would be its handling ability. You won’t be able to make sharp turns with a Snarler. That said, it won’t stop you from having a lot of fun on the trails. I would like to add that the center of gravity and weight distribution are excellent.
The most interesting point, in my opinion, is without a doubt the technology. I’ve described the vehicles in the last few lines, but it’s not worth much if you don’t read the rest… which is here.
What makes Segway a serious contender in the ATV world is its technology.
Here are the top 5 fascinating things you can do remotely with your phone:
And the killer question: When will electric ATVs and side-by-sides be available?
