By Josh Arnold, ATV Escape
There is a new kid in the ATV/UTV town, and it is one that needs to be reckoned with. Bad Boy Off Road has just released its first in a long line of side-by-sides called the Stampede, and, after riding it for a day in Moab, I found it to be a legit side-by-side that stands side-by-side with the other major players in the market. Bad Boy Off Road is owned by Textron Specialized vehicles, which owns other brands you have heard of including E-Z-GO, Cushman, TUG, McDonald Douglas, and Bad Boy Buggies to name a few. What this means is that Bad Boy knows how to build a motorized vehicle, and all that expertise has been focused directly at making a side-by-side to go head-to-head with the other side-by-sides in every segment of the market. Bad Boy has made it clear it wants to not only coexist in the market but to dominate the market. Others have tried and failed, but, based upon the new Stampede, Bad Boy is clearly in the market to play ball.
The hallowed off-road ground Bad Boy chose to introduce us to its new Stampede side-by-side was the halls of Moab, Utah. If any ATV or side-by-side wants to be taken seriously, then it must be able to handle Moab and return in one piece. Bad Boy told us nothing about what they were introducing to our group, though the feeling was a side-by-side. The night before the ride, they had in the lodge the poster below with a side-by-side silhouette masked in smoke, and the name Stampede next to it. After a nights rest, our group gathered for the presentation and waited with baited breath to catch a glimpse of the Stampede. The Stampede came galloping in at which point I had a chance to take it in. At a glance, the Stampede looks like most side-by-sides on the market, which, for a new-comer, is impressive. It has an aggressive stance, tilting bed, room for two, and a powerful 900-class engine. The Stampede is aimed at the utility-rec side of the market. What truly stands out on the Stampede is that it incorporates an extended-cab storage area between the seat backs and the front of the cargo bed. This extended-cab area has a flat load deck, and sides with wing-doors that can be opened for easy access to your gear. It is the perfect width for a backpack, tools, gun case, bow case, or anything similar. This is a fantastic feature that is exclusive to the Bad Boy Stampede. After spending time staring at the Stampede and talking to the engineers, it is clear that Bad Boy is intent on being not only competitive in the utility-red segment, but innovative and dominant also.
Getting to Know the Stampede
Soon we were headed to one of the trails in Moab to put trail miles on the Stampede to see how this machine would perform on the recreation side of utility-rec. Arriving at the ride-site, I chose a Platinum EPS+ model complete with selectable rear differential, EPS, BigHorn 2.0 27-inch tires,alloy wheels, and color-accented seats. Climbing into the cab was easy due to the large half-doors that swing wide and do not get in your way when you are getting in and out. Throwing my gear into the extended-cab worked perfectly, and the roof covers the extended-cab area. Planting myself into the seat, I took the cab in and found it to be predictable for a side-by-side. I turned the key to hear the engine stir to life, and our group pulled out to hit the trail for the day, taking both Moab and the Stampede in.
Power & Ride
If what Bad Boy wanted to accomplish was an aggressive ride between the power and suspension, then it has hit the nail squarely on the head. Though the Stampede is bred to work, as its name implies, the performance is more on par with a rec/utility that puts recreation first on the list of importance. The engine is a liquid-cooled 4-stroke, twin cylinder single overhead motor with 846cc of displacement producing a class-leading 80 horsepower along with 59 lbs of torque. On the trail this engine shines with a flat torque curve through the engine RPM. The power is on tap when pressing the throttle up to about 45 MPH. After that, the engine seems to need a little more time to increase speed. Bottom end is much more punchy with the power. This makes it fun to accelerate out of turns, and get the machine a little sideways while conquering the unknown. The CVT transmission is what you expect on a side-by-side, with a high and low range with a park position included. I thought the engagement as a whole was good, though from a start it seemed that it needed too high of an RPM to engage. Engagement was smooth, and the power was ample to get the Stampede to handle the ride in the High position all day.
The tight and comfortable suspension is made up of dual a-arms front a rear with 9.3 inches of travel in the front and 10.4 in the rear. Sway bars are present in the front and rear to keep the Stampede tight in the corners, which means you can push it more than most work-type side-by-sides. It rides more sporty than what you expect from a machine in this class. The ride is on the firm side, but not to much, and It provides comfort on rough terrain. Since the Stampede has 11.25 inches of ground clearance, it can crawl up and over rock ledges and large rocks. Though our ride didnt include any crazy Moab trails, the Stampede had no issues tackling the trails we rode. The 4-wheel drive system on the EPS and EPS+ models include the ability to lock or unlock the rear diff with a rocker switch, and then put it in 4×4 mode with another rocker switch. The system engages the front wheels once there is a little rear tire spin. So the Stampede is a capable side-by-side when it comes to off-road prowess.
Interior Details & Polish
The first thing noticeable about the Stampedes interior is that every single model has doors rather than cargo nets, which is a welcome thing. Bad Boy has focused on comfort with the bench seat having a comfortable feel with lower back support and plenty of cushion. All the switches and controls are within easy reach, and the LCD screen is the largest available, keeping you informed of everything happening with the Stampede at any given time. Depending on where you position the steering wheel, though, can make the LCD screen impossible to see. The steering wheel can be adjusted to fit the driver, and there is glovebox and in-dash storage to stow gear. Of course, the extended cab storage is an industry exclusive, and is perfect for carrying backpacks, rifles, bows, tool boxes, or anything you want to keep close to you with easy in-and-out access. This is the standout feature of the Stampede, and one I loved during the day of riding. The cab proved to be comfortable throughout the day of hitting the trails.
Will It Work?
The Stampede is directly targeted towards the utility segment of the market. I cant speak to using it as a work vehicle because we didnt use it for that, but the Stampede certainly has the goods to be a good worker. It can tow 2000 lbs., haul 600 lbs. in the cargo bed, has the extra storage behind the seats, and has the extended cab area to haul more stuff. If work needs to be done, the Stampede should be able to handle it. I know when you are working around the job site or working a fence line it will offer comfort while riding along in the cab.
Bringing it Together
Throughout the day, the Stampede showed its capability on the trail to be comparable to its targeted competitors including Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, and Yamaha. The build quality and attention to detail is there, making the Stampede legit as a side-by-side. Bad Boy Off Road has made a solid step into the market with the Stampede, and it is aiming to bring a side-by-side into every segment in the upcoming years. Looking back on the Stampede, it is amazing what a quality side-by-side Bad Boy has produced, considering it is the first one they have built to play in the side-by-side market. I had a good time driving it in Moab, with its sporty feel and powerful engine. Its performance is sportier than the other vehicles in this segment. It will no doubt be a worker in the field. Clearly, it will only get better with time as Bad Boy Off Road refines the Stampede. It comes with a 2-year warranty, and is manufactured in Augusta GA. Know that the Stampede is just the first of many machines we have seen from Bad Boy Off-Road, and if having class-leading specs was Bad Boys goal, then it has succeeded with the Stampede.
Models Available
Stampede 900 4×4 Base- $13,799
- Spooled Rear Axle
- Self-Compensating Rack and Pinion Steering
- 26-inch Kenda Off-Road Performance Tires
- Colors: Forest Green and Inferno Red
Stampede 900 4×4 EPS- $14,799
- Selectable Locking Rear Differential
- Electronic Power Steering
- Hi/Lo Headlights
- 26-inch Kenda Off-Road Performance Tires
- Colors: Black, Inferno Red, Forest Green and optional Realtree® Xtra
Stampede 900 4×4 EPS+- $15,599
- Selectable Locking Rear Differential
- Electronic Power Steering
- Hi/Lo Headlights
- 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 Tires with Alloy Wheels
- Premium Seats
- Colors: Platinum, Inferno Red and Black
Manufacturer Info:
The Bad Boy brand pioneered the category of electrically powered 4×4 vehicles, ideal for hunting and outdoor recreation due to their silent, odorless operation and environmentally friendly, emissions-free drivetrains. Today, the diverse Bad Boy product line includes gas, electric, and hybrid-powered off-road vehicles for a variety of uses in work and play, including the new Stampede 900 4×4 side-by-side.
Website: www.badboyoffroad.com
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