Australasian Dirt Bike — January 2018

126 | JANUARY 2018 http://www.adbmag.com.au

CATEGORY

Street Ute

Vehicle:Holden Commodore SS

cargo comparo | 4WD v VAN v UTE v SUV

Highway ability:TheSSisracedat
Bathurst,sohighwaydrivingisa
walkinthepark.Theseatsarethe
most comfortable, the driving
experience is excellent, it’s equipped
with all the gadgets and it’s got plenty
ofgrunttopasstrucksontheHume.
9/10

Nickability:The street ute is even
worsethanthedual-cabwhenit
comestothievingpricksstealing
your stuff while you’re not looking,
becauseyou’vegotlessroomtolock
gearaway.Ifyouleaveitinthetray,
do not leave it unattended.
2/10

Versatility: The SS may get you to
the track quicker but if you have to
bump up onto a gutter at the track or
cross a causeway, turn around.
Unless you’re on bitumen, you ain’t
getting through. We were limited in
off-road testing this vehicle because
we were concerned we might not get
the car out. I highly recommend you
don’t take this vehicle onto the beach
to go camping and riding with your

buddies. Even weekly chores are

limitedunlessyou’rewillingtolet

theeggsrollaroundinthetray.

2/10

Idiot proof: The SS was probably the

easiest to drive when fully loaded.

There aren’t many blindspots and you

can clearly see out the back when

reversing with two bikes in the back.

It’s a little harder with one bike

diagonally across the tray. The

turning circle is excellent and it’s a

little more compact than the others,

which makes it less intimidating

for newbies.

7/ 10

Loading: This is by far the easiest.

Both Digital Ed Olly Malone and I

are over 190cm so loading into the

VW van removed some of our scalps.

The ute’s tray was just as low but

didn’t require us to bend our backs.

We could fit three bikes (although

we didn’t have room for all the

riders) but you’ll need to tie it all

down so it doesn’t fly out.

7/ 10

Not bad on space, but make sure you tie it down