DirtTrax Magazine Co-Publisher Motorhead Mark Lester evaluates Can-Am’s all-new budget ATV line focusing on the 499.6cc V-twin powered Outlander L DPS.
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ITP today announced the introduction of its new “Hurricane” wheel for side-by-sides and utility ATVs.
The first ITP wheel in the new “Storm Series” product line, the Hurricane features eight sets of X-shaped wheel spokes and an ITP exclusive “Rock Armor” inner wheel lip to provide unequalled structural integrity. The Hurricane boasts a 1,200-lb. load rating and is backed by the company’s “Lifetime Structural Warranty.”
“Is the Hurricane the strongest UTV wheel on the market today? We think so!” notes Rhett Turpin, ITP Powersports Director of Sales & Marketing. “Plus, no other wheel matches its unique, automotive-like center design. We think owners will really appreciate standing out from the crowd.”
The all-new heavy-duty aluminum alloy ITP Hurricane wheel, the first wheel in the new Storm Series wheel lineup, offers an unbeatable X-pattern design, an ITP-exclusive Rock Armor inner wheel lip and a stunning black finish.
ITP credits the new wheel’s exceptional strength to the interlacing of the center spokes in an X-shaped pattern, the same configuration that’s been used in building construction for thousands of years. The proprietary ITP Rock Armor inner wheel lip, which is designed to guard the sidewall of the tire against rocks and debris, provides additional tire protection.
The new Storm Series wheel line is about “weathering any storm the trail throws your way,” according to Turpin. The Hurricane wheel is expected to arrive at dealerships in November 2014, with additional wheels appearing in January 2015.
Manufactured from a heavy-duty aluminum alloy, the wheel comes in front- and rear-specific sizing (6 + 1) for the most popular side-by-side vehicles.
ITP will initially offer the Hurricane wheel in three size variations (15″, 14″ and 12″) for both UTV and utility ATV applications.
Sizes – MSRP
12×7-in. – $99.86 MSRP
14×7-in. – $122.72 MSRP
15×7-in. – $126.53 MSRP
In business for more than 35 years, ITP has become the world’s #1 ATV/UTV aftermarket tire and wheel source. ITP utilizes its experienced staff of engineers, designers and technicians at its two American tire facilities in Clinton, Tenn., and Jackson, Tenn., to develop award-winning tire-and-wheel designs for virtually all ATVs and side-by-side vehicles. Numerous outlets distribute ITP tires across the United States and in more than 25 countries worldwide.
For a full-color ITP catalog, call toll-free: 1-800-889-7367. Tech questions call: 1-909-390-1905 www.itptires.com
Polaris Defense Debuts Newly Contracted Ultra-Light Vehicle
Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is excited to announce the launch of the DAGOR ultra-light combat vehicle, at the 2014 Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting, in Washington, D.C. , Oct. 13-15.
The DAGOR was designed and tested, and is now under contract and in production – all in less than two years – leveraging Polaris’ world class off-road engineering and design capability, to meet an emerging threat to SOF and light infantry forces.
“The DAGOR was engineered to meet a very demanding set of light-mobility needs for our customer,” said Jed Leonard, manager of Advanced Mobility Platforms, and Polaris Defense. “It provides the optimal balance of rapid air transportability, payload and advanced mobility. The design offers our customers a modular, light-weight platform to support a variety of expeditionary missions.”
The DAGOR has world-class capability in extreme off-road terrain at full payload. The purpose-built vehicle is designed with trophy truck-inspired suspension to carry 3,250 lbs of payload or a 9-man infantry squad at a higher rate of speed over terrain usually traveled on foot. This allows the warfighter to move quickly to the objective with mission-critical equipment.
DAGOR’s unique design allows for ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment in support of combat operations. The vehicle uses a readily available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) driveline, controls and components streamlining mechanic and operator training.
The diesel/JP8 COTS engine was selected for its combination of power, weight and size. The open design of the cargo bed maximizes loading space, flexibility and access for mission-essential equipment.
The vehicle curb weight is less than 4,500 lbs to maximize aircraft operational range. The width of DAGOR allows rapid loading into the CH-47 Chinook platform without modification and the weight allows it to be sling loaded under the UH-60 Black Hawk. The vehicle has completed government durability testing and is certified for CH-47 Chinook Internal Air Transport (IAT), air drop, and UH-60 Black Hawk Sling Load.
“DAGOR is under contract with elements of U.S. SOCOM and international SOF customers,” said Rich Haddad, Polaris Defense General Manager. “DAGOR is larger than our previous offerings like the MRZR and MV850, and represents a step up in size for Polaris and in payload for our customers. DAGOR highlights Polaris DefenseÂ’s ability to fill an urgent need, with an affordable purpose-built MILCOTS solution that can be maintained anywhere with a COTS supply chain.”
Polaris Industries is a recognized global leader in the off-road vehicle industry. Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris Industries, provides the U.S. and its allies with a family of purpose-built ultra-light vehicles for military and government use.
Polaris Defense self-funds military vehicle development by leveraging its high volume commercial production, quality systems and proven processes to provide military commercial off-the-shelf (MILCOTS) vehicles. With a robust global network of dealers, distributors, and subsidiaries, Polaris Defense provides full life-cycle support of these vehicles throughout the world.
Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2013 sales of $3.8 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER and RZR side-by-side vehicles, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric/hybrid powered vehicles. Polaris is among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles and has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with the Victory and Indian Motorcycle brands. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road small electric/hybrid powered vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), Goupil Industrie SA, Aixam Mega S.A.S., and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Polaris Engineered parts, accessories and apparel, Klim branded apparel and ORV accessories under the Kolpin and Cycle Country brands. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PII, and the Company is included in the S&P Mid-Cap 400 stock price index.
Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at polaris.com.
When it comes to doing any general maintenance to your ride, the tools you use have to be good quality and dependable.
We’ve come to really appreciate the line of Pro Point tools we’ve been using from Princess Auto. Pro Point is a unique line of tools and equipment that is committed to delivering professional standards and exceptional value. This is statement that is backed up and guaranteed no matter the job.
With all the tires that we swap on and off day-in and day-out, we’ve been getting good use out of the Pro Point compressor and line of air powered tools, in particular there impact gun.
Comparable to the top national brands, Pro-Point tools are Ergonomic, lightweight and constructed of durable composite housings. The 3/8 in drive impact gun has a working torque range of 80 to 200 ft-lb at 4 CFM and a max torque of 280 ft-lb at 120 PSI.
Air power is delivered with Pro Point’s 20 gallon Cast iron, twin cylinder, oil lubricated portable air compressor. Equipped with quick-set regulator, tank and working pressure gauges and ON/OFF switch the heavy duty induction motor delivers maximum performance and efficiency operating at 155 PSI max pressure for optimum tool performance.
For more information on the complete line of Pro Point tools visit Princess Auto on the web: princessauto.com
One thing that really impresses us about Polaris is the company’s ability to respond to consumer demand.
Take for instance the ACE. Not even a year ago, the single-seated ride-in ATV was intro’d with its all-new 32-horsepower starting yet again an entirely new offroad segment like Polaris achieved with the RZR not that long ago.
Though stout and most certainly aimed at entry-level riders, smaller females and older riders tired of swinging a leg over an ATV, the common cry we ran into was for more power with the 570 ProStar being the most obvious candidate.
So for model year 2015 in true Polaris fashion, the company pulled the sheets off an all-new ACE with that very same 570 ProStar tucked inside.
The 45 horsepower ProStar is a welcome increase in power from the previous season. The vehicle itself remains relatively unchanged except for this 13-pony gain.
There’s ample power at the press of your foot and power sliding around corners induces giggles inside your helmet while the vehicle remains balanced, corrects and continues on down the trail.
With any progression of power, the obvious question is, “What’s next? MORE, MORE, MORE!!” After having the opportunity to sample the all-new 2015 Sportsman XP 1000 earlier this fall, we get the distinct feeling that mill might work perfectly in the ACE chassis.
The question we’re asking is, will an 88-horsepower ACE be enough to get you into the showroom?
Dear Motorhead:
I’m looking to upgrade my ride and I’d like to ask you and the viewers which ATV – the
Grizzly 700 or KingQuad 750.
I’m looking for a bike that is reliable and capable on the trail, I don’t need the biggest or the baddest.
Mike
Mike:
Thanks for your email!
We get a jillion emails a year asking similar Q’s to yours and I am going to have to give you a similar answer without any info on how you ride, dealers in your area etc.
The KQ and Grizz are somewhat comparable however the KQ is actually a design from the middle 00’s – it really hasn’t changed in years.
The Grizz has gone through a couple variations and upgrades which have seen improvements in power, suspension over-all comfort and function.
Having said that – a dealer you can get along with, can get access to easily and can meet your expectations will be the most important decision you make regarding this purchase.
Long after the newness has worn off and something goes sideways you’ll wish you had a dealer close by that “gets it”. You are the only one who can answer this Q.
Hope this helps,
Motorhead Mark
DirtTrax Television Co-Host AJ Lester installs a set of premium Fox factory series shocks on our 2014 Can-Am Renegade 1000 X xc.
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DirtTrax Television Co-Host AJ Lester evaluates CFMOTO’s 800cc pure sport side-x-side offering called the ZForce 800 EX in America and the Snyper 800 EX in Canada!
Windshields are one of the top aftermarket add-ons purchased for side-x-sides.
Seizmik Advanced Utility Systems offers a unique system called the Versa Flip that allows you to change from a full windshield to a half windshield by simply flipping down the front pane.
Some situations call for a full shield such as running in strong weather. However, airflow is obviously more limited with a full shield so the Versa Flip system flips down to allow more airflow onto the driverÂ’s and passengerÂ’s upper half or flips up to allow air flow into the cab while still shielding your face.
This 3-in-1 system is available for an MSRP of $399. You should check out a short video outlining all its features at seizmik.com.
Tread Lightly! celebrated the second anniversary of the “RIDE ON Utah” campaign on National Public Lands Day this past Saturday, September 27.
Working closely with campaign partners, Tread Lightly! has worked to keep nearly 4,000 miles of motorized trails (across 1.8 million acres) in Utah open to the public.
The RIDE ON Utah campaign was officially launched in 2012 – in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Utah’s Division of State Parks and Recreation, Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah’s School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, and Tread Lightly! – to communicate consistent messaging across boundaries promoting ethical and legal use of motorized vehicles on public lands.
Utah’s Lt. Governor Spencer J. Cox recently joined representatives from these organizations for an ATV ride in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest to discuss the RIDE ON Utah program, and he challenged Utah’s 250,000-plus OHV owners to join him in riding safely and responsibly on designated routes.
As a leading national non-profit committed to protecting recreation access and opportunities through ethics education and stewardship programs, Tread Lightly! has fashioned RIDE ON Utah to become a model collaboration between federal and state agencies that is already being replicated in other states.
“Tread Lightly! applauds the agencies responsible for managing Utah’s public lands for their commitment to providing recreation opportunities in balance with resource conservation,” said Lori McCullough, executive director for Tread Lightly!. “RIDE ON Utah focuses on raising the public’s awareness of acceptable behaviors through education and outreach, which in turn protects access and opportunities to enjoy Utah’s beautiful natural resources. Ultimately, access to great, safe riding areas is what our members really want.”
Tread Lightly! is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to promote responsible recreation through ethics education and stewardship programs. Tread Lightly!’s educational message, along with its unique training and restoration initiatives are strategically designed to instill an ethic of responsibility in outdoor enthusiasts and the industries that serve them. The program is long-term in scope with a goal to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with our need to maintain a healthy environment. Tread Lightly!’s award-winning materials, programs and services are solutions to some of the nationÂ’s most pressing recreation issues.
Individuals and businesses can commit to Tread Lightly! and protect outdoor access by becoming a member at treadlightly.org.
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