BEHIND THE WHEEL
Let’s get one thing clear from the get-go: While Kyosho has clearly taken strides to make the Outlaw Rampage faithful to real-truck proportions and construction (including a solid rear axle), that does not make it a go-slow-and-crawl-over-stuff “trail truck.” It’s 2WD and geared for speed and definitely not intended to go head to head on rocks and roots with the Vaterra Ascenders, Traxxas TRX-4S, and Axial SCX10S of the world. What the Outlaw Rampage is designed to do, and does well, is go fast and provide lots of dirt-roosting, tire-spinning, rough-and-tumble RC action with real-truck looks. It’s basically a pre-runner (or a hot-rodded version of a traditional pickup truck, if you’re not hip to desert-racing terminology).
Just like every other RC car I’ve ever driven (and I bet the same is true for you), the first run was a street session around the neighborhood. Despite its relatively mild power system, the Outlaw Rampage feels like its packing serious heat thanks to punchy power delivery and its scale-width tires. The 15-turn motor has no problem spinning the tires, and there’s zero axle twist thanks to the motor-on-axle drivetrain. However, the differential does like to unload, which can turn drag-style launches into a one-tire fire that requires steering correction to keep the Rampage aimed straight. And it’s part of the fun, really; stand on the gas in a powerful full-size pickup and it’ll also do a “one-legger.” The Rampage topped out at 26mph, which feels a lot faster because of the truck’s ragged-edge handling dynamics. There’s lots of body roll, and the truck will lift its inside rear wheel as it reaches its cornering limits. This isn’t a hammer-the-gas, bang-the-wheel type of truck with more traction and suspension than power; you have to really drive the Outlaw Rampage, and it’s fun to ride the edges of the chassis’ capabilities. And entertaining too, because you can really see the suspension at work and the forces at play.
In the dirt, where the Rampage can slip and slide, handling is very loose. This truck is a donut machine, and you’ll need a light touch to keep the firm tires hooked up and the Rampage on a straight course—again, you have to drive it. Loosening the slipper clutch can help. I found the Rampage easiest to drive on short grass, where it had more grip but still allowed some slide to avoid traction rolling. As on pavement, the Rampage gives plenty of warning as it gets closer to exceeding its cornering limits, so there’s ample time to countersteer out of a potential flip. As for toughness, the Rampage took a few bangs and barrel rolls in stride, with the exception of one roll with the body removed that yanked the rear axle down and popped off a shock cap. It wouldn’t have happened with the body on, so that one’s on me.
FINAL WORD
The Kyosho Outlaw Rampage is the most unconventional scale truck on the scene. Who else is doing a faithful recreation of a pre-runner/trophy-truck chassis with 2WD and a motor-on-axle setup? Nobody, and ya gotta give Kyosho credit for doing their own thing and trying something new. And it’s not expensive! As $300¬–400 seems to be becoming the new price of admission for a solid RTR, the Outlaw Rampage’s asking price of $230, complete with Team Orion battery, is a nice respite for the wallet. The Rampage does require some skill to drive well, but that’s just a different kind of fun. (Tip: you can always turn down the throttle via the endpoint setting at the transmitter to slow things down for less-skilled drivers.) I suspect there are a lot of guys who, like me, are eyeballing the Outlaw Rampage as a project truck. It’s definitely an enticing platform for tuning up and tricking out—stay tuned.
SOURCES
Kyosho kyoshoamerica.com Team Orion teamorion.com