Outlaw ATV
From Reach
Reliable, flexible, and inexpensive, the ATV 300 "Outlaw" is the vehicle of choice for many loners on the go.
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Locomotion
The Outlaw uses a fairly pedestrian 4 wheel drive, with front wheel steering. The engine takes a fairly small 10 Tin gas tank, but the vehicle's light weight allows it to travel well over 800 miles at modest speeds over flat ground. The engine makes up most of the vehicle's weight, and provides tremendous power with good fuel economy. This power makes the Outlaw one of the fastest land craft on Reach, capable of reaching top speeds in excess of 150mph.
Design
The Outlaw's frame is made of a number of lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal rods. The four wheels are spread widely, while the single seat and engine are set very low to the ground, giving the Outlaw tremendous stability, even while making tight maneuvers at high speed. Behind the engine is a small cargo storage area, affectionately referred to as the "rucksack," and is sometimes used to bring a single, uncomfortable passenger. While the metal bars serves as an effective roll cage, the entire internal assembly is exposed to the atmosphere.
Cost and Maintenance
One of the Outlaw's most appealing feature is the price tag: a humble 300 Tins will trade for a used model in good condition. Every single part can be manufactured at a modest machine shop, making it easy to keep running. Some ambitious machinists actually manufacture new Outlaws from scrap metal, though the quality of these vehicles may be questionable.
Customizability
The light yet strong frame of the Outlaw can bear tremendous additional stress, while the powerful engine can easily carry additional weight. Anyone with an idea, some scrap metal, and a rivet gun can customize their Outlaw. Modifications range from bullet-proof windshields. to fully armored cockpits, to light machine guns manned by a gunner in the rucksack.
Miscellaneous
The Outlaw's official name is the ATV 300. The "Outlaw" appellation has more sinister roots. As organized crime grew, some colonists began using light ATV's in raids. So many criminals found the 300 ideal for this work, that watchmen, upon spotting the vehicles, would cry the warning: "Outlaws!" Over time, the vehicles themselves began to be associated with the warning, and the name stuck.
