Why A Grizzly Over The Competition?
Written by: Drake Lau (Mainville ATV and Outdoors)
The question I get asked the most, why a Grizzly? Don’t get me wrong I love what Can am, Polaris, and other manufactures have to offer but there is one thing they don’t. Yamaha's a less common, less supported and not "cookie cutter". This makes it a lot more fun and interesting for me.
I knew from day one that I wanted to do a build on a machine that most people look away from, and rarely consider as a base platform to begin their build. As I started to build up what is project Suspect today, the uncountable challenges and frustrations of the task at hand began to become apparent. With a machine like the Grizzly the aftermarket is not that of the other main brands. When it comes to upgrades, modifications and accessories things can be very hard to find and when found are very generic and lack that proper fit and feel. Simply put, the focus is else where in the aftermarket.
This led to a very large number of details, upgrades, and customizations of Project Suspect to be sourced and built buy small time shops and business. Custom build pieces, knowledge, effort and drive to build what you want and need. This is the challenge that I wanted to bring to light both to myself and to the sport. Starting with a 2016 Yamaha Grizzly 700 SE I knew that I wanted to build it to be a capable mud machine as well as a functional trial bike as well. Hurdle number one for this was the snorkel set up. I looked in every catalogue, website, and manufacture came up with nothing that had the style fit and finish I desired and wanted. This led to an entire tear down of the bike and one small piece at a time from the ground up I had to build what I believe is one of the only PVC black pipe systems hard plumed the entire way that I know of. It was a long multi day project with many breakdowns, challenges, and frustrations it was complete.
Performance was the next obstacle. Having a machine awaiting large wheels and tires clutching is the next most important upgrade and again ran into the same problem. Nothing but very generic and mild kits that were not what I needed or was looking for. That being said the hunt led to a small-town Machinist making custom primary clutches out of his garage that are designed and built exactly for what I was looking for. The hand built part really makes the feel of this build what I was looking for.
After having the main modifications complete to made this a deep-water capable mud machine, the last touches were the easier part but still a small chore. With the help of Dirtylife.ca, we completed the final touches such as rad relocates, lift kits, rims and tires. All of this brought this machine closer to the final stance and appearance you see today. Final touches were done to really make Suspect and give it the attitude it needed was to have a number of components blasted and powder coated with the red that gives it the evil personality I so desired from the day I came up with its plan! To say that a build like this is impossible simply isn't true, but it can be challenging without resources. Making it one of the biggest reasons I went this route. No better feeling then showing up to a group ride or rally and having a machine that in no way resembles ANYTHING that come around. A motto I heard when I was young and stuck with me was “Built not Bought” and to this day gives me great satisfaction and pride knowing that Suspect is one of a kind and will never be replicated!
