AJ takes a closer look at one of the industrys most popular mud ATV tires that has been reconfigured specifically for the side-side market – ITPs Mud Lite II.
First time we saw the Raptor we honestly wondered if it was the kind of Pure Sport ATV the masses would respond to. Turns out, it was exactly the kind of ATV the masses wanted.
Well clarify. When the Raptor first came out there was a rabid demand for closed circuit, motocross-style sport ATVs.
Demand was pent up because the market simply hadnt supplied many ATVs of this ilk for a long time. Our impression was that the Raptor, heavy in comparison to the most serious offerings of the time and with a big-inch 4-stroke, simply wouldnt satisfy the wants of hardcore consumers focused on lightness and extreme agility in this category.
What the Raptor did for us was prove there are a lot of riders out there who really want a big torque, good handling, decent riding sport ATV to ride trails on.
The Raptor, when compared to motorcycles, was more akin to an enduro bike than a motocrosser. What this targeting did was open up the serious off-road market to a whole slew of new customers.
The engine and 5-speed manual transmission has proven to be bulletproof and the thousands who own them can choose from a vast array of aftermarket goodies to update them.
Sure, the absolutely highest skilled, closed course riders will prefer 450cc bullets they can take right to the races. The rest of us, however, will have a blast on the Raptor.
This Polaris has been around since the mid 1990s and in terms of sales, may be one of the two most prolific ATVs ever built (the other would be the Honda Rancher).
There were literally hundreds of thousands built and so many are still in use it must be frustrating to Polaris that many owners see no need to upgrade.
Our team became sold on the 500 primarily because of the way it rode. The smoothness and predictability of the McPherson strut front suspension and rear A-arms of this Sportsman were so good it actually continued to dominate in smoothness and rider comfort beyond the front A-arm technology that eventually replaced it.
The engine? Nothing special, just an overhead cam 4-valve single with few tricks and no real mind-bending power output.
It was however, married to ideal CVT clutching and Polaris excellent true 4WD that could be alternated between 2×4, 4×4 locked and AWD. The combo was dreamy in the way it could telepathically sense the riders demands – still is, but that system cut its teeth on the thousands of 500s consumers ate up.
This chassis was extremely comfortable with great rider placement whether you were sitting or standing.
The plastic racks were revolutionary for their time but provided good storage and fastening and gave the Sportsman a distinctive look.
Over the years our crew rode the 500 hundreds of times over some of the gnarliest, wettest, slipperiest ground we could find.
If we had one in our press fleet, it was always along for the ride, no matter where we were headed or whatever other types of ATVs we were taking.
Sometimes, if the trip was particularly long or rough, you literally had to fistfight someone to get some relief from other lesser models by pirating the keys to the Sportsman 500.
Did Polaris hit a sweet spot by building its best-ever ATV years ago? Sometimes we think so.
An all NEW SEASON of Dirt Trax Television begins June 26, 2017 on Outdoor Channel in the United States and WILD TV and OLN in Canada!
We sit down with Factory Can-Am racer Dustin Jones from S3 Power Sports to learn what it takes to claim victory in the Best in Desert off road racing series.
NEW SEASON of Dirt Trax Television starts up June 26, 2017 on OLN, WILD TV and Outdoor Channel!
In this DIRT TRAX CLASSICS segment, Luke and Vern head to Pismo Beach with Yamaha Factory Pro Racer Dustin Nelson to experience the dunes aboard Yamaha Raptors and YXZ450s. Then the boys get their daily dose of horsepower and get to thrash the dunes inside a 300 horsepower Sand Rail.
Yesterday, after wrapping up organized team activities, Aaron Rodgers wanted to show his appreciation to his veteran offensive line by gifting them with customized Polaris GENERAL 1000 EPS Deluxe vehicles. The custom-wrapped, Green, Black and Yellow GENERALs featured the players initials and numbers on the doors. Along with the standard accessories on the Deluxe model which include a poly sport roof, Polaris HD 4500 lb. winch, FOX® Podium QS3 shocks and low-profile front bumper, the vehicles were equipped with Pro Armor® Crawler tires and a light bar.
KENNESAW, Ga. – May 25, 2017 – Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, today announces its Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative endowed more than $100,000 in funds and equipment to eight grant recipients in the first quarter of 2017. This quarter is further highlighted by Yamahas continued support of the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation, and Yamahas Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) grant program.
Starting this year, Yamahas tenured ACT grant program will be under the Outdoor Access Initiative (OAI) umbrella as part of the programs expanded mission to support those who work and play outdoors. Through the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiatives ACT grant program, Oklahoma State University, Utah State University, The University of Florida and the University of Illinois were awarded a combined $8,500 in grants. Recipients of this years Yamaha ACT grants receive financial assistance to attend the 2017 Ag Media Summit in Snowbird, Utah, from July 22 to 26, and to promote and encourage safe and responsible use of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles within the agriculture community.
“While much of the Outdoor Access Initiatives focus goes toward creating and improving conservation and recreational opportunities, the program additionally affords support to those in the agricultural industry – and has for some time now,” said Steve Nessl, Yamahas ATV / SxS group marketing manager. “We have been honored to support the future of agriculture through the National FFA Foundation for many years, and bringing Yamahas nearly decade-old ACT grant program under the Outdoor Access Initiative is a perfect fit.”
As the powersports industrys leading land access advocate protecting the interests of those who work and play outdoors, Yamahas Outdoor Access Initiative supports off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders, as well as those who rely on land access to camp, hunt, fish or farm. The 2017 first quarter Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative grant recipients are as follows:
• Black Hills Jeeps, South Dakota
• Chippewa County Sportsmans Off-Road Vehicle Association, Michigan
• Coalition of Recreational Trail Users, Minnesota
• Maryland Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, Maryland
• National Ag Communicators of T omorrow
• National FFA Foundation
• Pennsylvania ATV Trail Development Corporation, Pennsylvania
• Responsible Recreation Foundation, Colorado
• Tri- County ATV Recreation & Rescue Association, Inc., Pennsylvania
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative continues to accept qualified applications for consideration of support and funding. For more information on the Outdoor Access Initiative, or to submit a grant application, visit www.YamahaOAI.com.
View additional details on Yamahas Proven Off-Road vehicles online at www.YamahaOutdoors.com and additionally follow Yamaha online at www.facebook.com/YamahaOutdoors, www.twitter.com/YamahaOutdoors, or www.instagram.com/YamahaOutdoors. #Yamaha #YamahaOAI #Access #ProvenOffRoad
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
The Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative is the industry leader in guaranteeing responsible access to our nations land for outdoor enthusiasts. Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from nonprofit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies, outdoor enthusiast associations and land conservation groups with an interest in protecting, improving, expanding and/or maintaining access for safe, responsible and sustainable public use. A committee then reviews each application and awards grants to deserving projects. Examples of appropriate projects for grants include, but are not limited to:
• Trail development, restoration and maintenance
• Trail signage and map production
• Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance
• Land stewardship, safety and education
Updated guidelines, an application form and information on the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at www.YamahaOAI.com. For specific questions about the Outdoor Access Initiative, call Yamahas dedicated hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724), email OHVAccess@yamaha-motor.com or write to:
Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Yamaha Motor Corp., USA 1270 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144
About Yamaha Motor Corp., USA
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, (YMUS) a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The companys ever-expanding product offerings also include motorcycles, outboard motors, personal watercraft, snowmobiles, boats, outdoor power equipment, accessories, apparel and much more. YMUS products are sold through a nationwide network of dealers in the United States.
Headquartered in Cypress, Calif., since its incorporation in 1976, Yamaha also has facilities in Wisconsin and Georgia, as well as factory operations in Tennessee and Georgia. For more information on Yamaha, visit www.YamahaMotorsports.com.
Luke evaluates the Sportsman XP 1000 highlifter Edition with a little help from our resident mud expert, Mr. Graham Adams.
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