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GM69 Crusader II Full Face Helmet

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If you ride a Spyder, two-wheeled motorcycle or have already put your order in for a new Slingshot, here’s a great option for head protection.

The GMAX GM69 Crusader II is a DOT certified lightweight full face helmet available in three slick looking styles featuring water decals and a clear coat finish.

The GM69 features plush, removable cheek pads that can be interchanged to the perfect fit for your face, a large eye port so you have a wider range of vision and an anti-scratch shield that removes easily without the use of tools.

Its venting system features shell/styro and comfort liner vents that allow airflow into the helmet to cool you down and let’s heat and moisture out. Controls for the vents are large enough that you can adjust even with your gloves on.

If you’re into on-road riding, the GMAX GM69 Crusader II is an excellent option for you to consider.

Visit GMAX online at G-MAX.com for more information.

THE LIFEBLOOD OF YOUR ATV OR SXS

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There’s a lot going on under the seat of your ATV. Most of the time, we get so focused on the experience; we neglect to ensure the vessel providing all the fun is properly cared for.

This goes a bit further than a post-ride power wash, too. Like your car or truck, your ATV needs its oil changed and regularly maintained to ensure its engine’s moving parts continue to do just that – move.

Two primary enemies of your ATVÂ’s engine are friction and heat and there’s a long list of locations within its cast aluminum walls where friction produces considerably high temperatures: For example, piston rings rubbing against the cylinder walls every stroke, the bearings on the crankshaft and connecting rod, cam lobes, tappets… the list goes on. If these areas aren’t properly lubricated, you can measure your engine’s life span in minutes instead of years.

An engine’s internal parts are designed to expand as operating temperatures are reached, so at peek operation, piston rings are sealing most effectively, connecting rod ends have reduced their opening around the wrist and crank pins, all moving parts are efficiently performing their assigned tasks.

If not properly lubricated, these moving parts will heat up and expand beyond their design limits resulting in engine seizure. You could be left in the middle of nowhere with hungry mosquitoes eagerly feasting on your supple skin.

Along with lubrication, engine oil also does its part to cool moving parts as they expand by distributing the built-up heat as the oil moves over the engine’s internal parts.

Oil also helps seal the engine. Its presence inside the cylinder bore creates a light film between the piston rings and the cylinder walls that traps the compressed air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber so it doesn’t leak through the rings on the compression stroke. Furthermore, it prevents ignited gases from getting past the rings as the piston is forced down inside the cylinder following ignition.

Sludge in your engine can interfere with oil flow, hindering the effectiveness of much needed lubrication of moving parts. Sludge occurs as a result of oxidation during regular engine performance. Oxidation is the combination of water and byproducts of combustion forming into a dark, thick guck commonly referred to as, you guessed it, sludge.

If you’ve ever wondered why your oil goes from that nice golden color to black, here’s why. Following that wonderful explosion known as combustion, the byproduct of that reaction attempts to coat your engine with carbon. Oil flow throughout the engine helps wash down the components and keep them clean.

The carbon deposits, along with unburned fuel, benzene and other elements become suspended in the oil making it look darker than fresh, new oil. Consider the number of times per ride your ATV’s engine will fire and you’ll understand a bit more why engine oil needs to be changed regularly.

Engine oil does so much to keep your ATV running efficiently maybe it’s time you performed a bit of simple maintenance to ensure your ride stays healthy. Show it a bit of love and it will repay you with years of faithful service.

FIRST RIDE: 2015 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000

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Hog Canyon in Kanab, Utah was just about the perfect location to take our first and long-awaited spin aboard Polaris’ 2015 Sportsman XP 1000.

The red sand, rocky hillsides and mountainous passes got our hearts pumping at every twist and turn with a few hearty blips of the throttle thrown in for good measure.

We know you’ve been dying to hear if it is everything the Scrambler is and that answer’s simple – no and it isn’t supposed to be! While the Scrambler focuses solely on sport performance, the 2015 Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 aims directly at recreational trail riding enthusiasts that crave the highest level of performance from their ATV while also being able to get the job done.

First off, it’s a beautiful ATV. Sounds biased? Maybe, but it’s true! As the company’s flagship sport utility model, The Sportsman XP 1000 is very similar in appearance to the 850 XP boasting glimmering black metallic painted plastic that’s proven durable even when the mercury dips. Fun fact: The Sportsman uses the same type of plastic that Polaris uses on its snowmobiles!

Composite racks look bold and stylish and provide a combined carrying capacity of 360 pounds. There’s plenty of rack there to load them up and still have considerable juice on tap to haul your cargo out of the bush.

If you’re like 65 percent of Sportsman owners though, you’re less concerned about rack capacity and more concerned with just how much juice the Sportsman XP 1000 actually has on tap when it gets loose. Rest easy. There’s plenty.

The Sportsman’s 952cc fuel-injected twin is the same engine as found in the Scrambler with modified clutching and mapping. The Sportsman’s mill churns out an impressive 88 horsepower, which is actually only one horsepower less than the Scrambler. So if you think you’re giving anything up on the top end, think again.

Off engagement, the Sportsman might not lift the front wheels off the ground, but it’s lower gearing has loads of torque for pulling and winching and at low speeds is more manageable than some competitors.

As the engine builds to mid-range, you can really start feeling its legs begin to stretch and once you’re at full jam, all 88 ponies are out of the stable and you’re really moving.

The Sportsman XP 1000 comes standard with Polaris’ Electronic Power Steering, which we felt at slower speeds provided too much input. Once the ATV increased in trail speed however, its EPS regresses to a comfortable level and left us feeling in full control to take corners at speed and ride as hard as our abilities would allow us. If there were one area we’d like to see Polaris fine-tune it would be the level of assist from its EPS at lower speeds.

Polaris knows what its customers want from their ATVs and whether you use yours for work or play or a bit of both, the 2015 Sportsman XP 1000 delivers the highest level of performance in the sexiest most capable package Polaris has put together to date.

Announcing Yamaha’s 2015 Viking SxS

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The Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., 2015 Viking Side-by-Side (SxS) is rolling off the U.S. assembly line in Newnan, Georgia, just in time for fall hunting and harvest.

With class-leading cab room and comfort, and superior handling and off-road capabilities, the Viking is a tough and hardworking utility-based vehicle that is also fun to drive.

Yamaha’s 2015 Viking is a three-person SxS vehicle featuring a driver-directed four-wheel drive system, the industry’s most durable and reliable automatic transmission, and the most natural feeling electric power steering (EPS).

“The 2015 Vikings are in production and rolling out to dealers across the country this fall,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group marketing manager. “From the summer farm shows to farmers and hunters who are starting to harvest crops and game in the field, we continue to get great feedback from current and future Yamaha Viking owners.”

The Viking’s unique cab configuration allows for pass-through bucket seating and maximum headroom without sacrificing critical ground clearance. Automotive-style controls engage the 686cc engine, and Yamaha’s three-way On-Command system, featuring 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock, is driver-controlled with an automotive-type rotary dial selector.

Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission with high, low and reverse has proven to be the industry’s most durable CVT system and provides the most natural feeling all-wheel engine braking.

The Viking’s rear steel cargo bed was purpose-built for durability and convenience. Large enough to carry a fully loaded pallet, the assisted dump bed can pack up to 600 pounds of equipment and supplies while the standard two-inch receiver hitch is rated to pull 1,500 pounds.

The Viking features nearly 12 inches of ground clearance at the lowest point, a full steel-composite smooth skid plate front-to-back and side-to-side, and an optimized frame with upturned side rails allowing for smoother transitions over obstacles.

The Viking’s long-travel four-wheel independent suspension is perfectly balanced to provide a plush and comfortable ride with a quality damping feel in rough terrain, all while carrying either a light or full load.

Standard EPS models come in Steel Blue (MSRP $12,799), Hunter Green with sun top (MSRP $12,999), Red with sun top (MSRP $12,999) and Realtree AP HD camo with sun top (MSRP $13,599). The 2015 non-EPS models start at $11,799 MSRP.

A new 2015 Special Edition in Matte Silver comes with a hard sun top, cast aluminum wheels, over fenders, mud flaps and the Yamaha accessory bed rail mounting system (MSRP $14,049).

Every Yamaha Viking is assembled in the U.S.A. at Yamaha’s factory in Newnan, Georgia, for worldwide distribution.

Details at YamahaViking.com

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., (YMUS) a leader in the motorsports market, makes the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s 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.yamaha-motor.com.

Off Road Suspension Explained

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DirtTrax Television Co-Host AJ Lester walks us through the importance of proper adjustment techniques for your side-x-side and how it can affect the performance of your ride.

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CAN-AM PILOTS POST ENDURANCE RACING WINS

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Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers won a total of seven classes at both the AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) and Texas Off-Road Nationals racing series over the weekend.

Can-Am 4×4 racers won three of four classes and earned eight GNCC podiums at the Can-Am Unadilla in New York. TORN racers Hunter and Cody Miller each notched wins aboard their Can-Am vehicles in Texas.

“Our Can-Am 4×4 racers had a nice weekend in New York, competing for the first time after the long GNCC summer break. The remaining four GNCC rounds are important because it’s the final push towards a class championship. We had three class wins and put two on the 4×4 Pro class podium to maintain our points lead, so we were pleased with the results,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “Cody and Hunter Miller, were outstanding once again in the TORN series, each winning a class and tallying two podiums apiece.”

GNCC – Can-Am Unadilla

Can-Am racers won three 4×4 classes and earned eight total podiums during the 10 a.m. session at the 2014 Can-Am Unadilla race in New Berlin, N.Y. In the premier 4×4 Pro class, ATV Parts Plus / Can-Am racer Bryan Buckhannon maintained his current class points lead with a solid second-place finish in New York. Fellow Renegade 800R X xc pilot Kevin Trantham, who took third and is currently second in points, joined him on the podium.

“My Can-Am worked well. The track was rough and the lappers were a huge obstacle,” said Buckhannon. “I was able to gain valuable points going into the final three races.”

Can-Am won all three 4×4 amateur classes at round 10 of the GNCC series. With Tanner Bowles having already secured the 4×4 A/B class title for 2014 and moving up to the 4×4 Pro class (sixth in his debut), Indiana-based racer Cory Bartlett picked up where Bowles left off by notching his first class win of the year. Michael Edwards joined him on the podium.

Nick Eichelberger continued his mastery over the 4×4 Novice class with his sixth class win in six chances. Despite missing four rounds, Eichelberger sits just nine points behind the class leader with three rounds remaining and is aiming for a championship.

Tracey Pierce finished third on a Can-Am. After missing the last six rounds of GNCC racing, defending 4×4 Senior (40+) class champion Forrest Whorton earned his first win of the season edging Terry Whitesides, the class front-runner who owns a 26-point lead.

TORN – Edgewood

Can-Am has a good weekend at round six of the 2014 TORN series. Brothers Cody and Hunter Miller each notched an Expert class win and two podiums apiece at the Edgewood facility. Hunter passed Cody on the final lap during Saturday’s super-dusty ATV Pro class race to post his fourth class win of the year on his DS 450. He now owns a six-point lead over Cody, who has four second-place finishes and one win.

The dust went away for Sunday’s UTV Expert class race as almost 2 inches of rain fell overnight in Edgewood. Hunter came off the line in second and Cody was in fifth in their Maverick side-by-side vehicles. After a slow first lap, Cody had gained on the leader.

With two laps to go, Cody took over the lead and held it all the way to the finish for his second victory of the year. Hunter also ended up on the podium in third. Cody holds a six-point lead and Hunter is third in the UTV Expert standings.

“The ATV race had some of the dustiest conditions I have ever raced in and the track was extremely tight and technical, but we got another 1-2 finish in the ATV Expert class,” said Hunter Miller. “In Sunday’s UTV Expert race, Cody got a big win and is now back in the points lead.”

For more information on 2014 Can-Am racing, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please visit can-amxteam.com.

2014 Can Am Renegade 1000 X xc High Performance TEST RIDE

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In this segment, Luke gets out on a long-awaited rip aboard Can-Am’s 2014 Renegade 1000 X xc featuring the powerful 82-horsepower ROTAX 1000 V-twin engine.

Mark Your Calendars for Camp RZR Tennessee

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Polaris RZR wanted to remind off-road enthusiasts of the new Camp RZR at Brimstone, in Huntsville, Tenn., on September 19-21.

Known as a celebration of all things RZR, the first Camp RZR was held during the 2013 New Years weekend, in the Glamis Sand Dunes, in Calif. The event was such a success, it was repeated later that year over Halloween weekend.

Polaris expanded the event internationally when the first-ever Camp RZR was held in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year.

Similar to the Glamis Camp RZR, Camp RZR in Tennessee will feature entertainment, giveaways, vendors, a kid’s zone and Polaris staff on hand to answer questions. Polaris RZR also will be hosting the original Camp RZR, in Glamis, Calif., from Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

More information about the upcoming Camp RZRs can be found at camprzr.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PolarisRZR.

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 PolarisRANGER 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 www.polaris.com.

2015 CAN-AM MAVERICK X DS

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BRP adds the industry’s first factory-installed turbocharged side-by-side vehicle to its 2015 Can-Am off-road line-up, the Maverick X ds model.

“BRP is once again taking the industry by storm with the introduction of another industry-first, the new turbocharged Can-Am Maverick X ds side-by-side vehicle,” said Chris Dawson, vice- president and general manager, Global Sales and Consumer Experience division. “The Can-Am Maverick X ds model brings pure performance to a whole new level, positioning BRP as the new benchmark in the industry.”

The Can-Am Maverick X ds side-by-side vehicle boasts industry-leading power with the new 121-hp Rotax 1000R turbocharged option, providing 10% more horsepower and almost 40% more torque than the closest competitor.

It also features a completely new rear end providing a longer, 88-in (223.5-cm) wheelbase, a redesigned TTA rear suspension now featuring 16 in (40.6 cm) of travel and Can-Am exclusive high performance Fox shocks to provide capability, comfort and adjustability.

This model soaks up terrain and remains nimble. It is tailored to fit riders and their riding style with its premium rider-focused cockpit and ergonomically positioned controls and adjustments.

BRP is also expanding its popular rec-utility side-by-side vehicle line-up by adding the Can-Am Commander MAX Limited model, the most luxurious 4-seat side-by-side vehicle of the industry.
For more information on these and other models, visit: www.can-am.brp.com/off-road.

BRP (TSX: DOO) is a global leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of powersports vehicles and propulsion systems. Its portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am all-terrain and side-by-side vehicles, Can-Am Spyder roadsters, Evinrude and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for Ski-Doo karts, motorcycles and recreational aircraft. BRP supports its line of products with a dedicated Lynx Sea-Doo Evinrude Rotax Can-Am parts, accessories and clothing business. With annual sales of over CA$3 billion from 105 countries, the Company employs approximately 7,100 people worldwide.

FIRST LOOK: 2015 Arctic Cat Prowler 1000 XT

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After putting a lot of focus on the pure sport side-x-side market for the past few seasons, Arctic Cat has made some sweeping changes to its Prowler sport utility line for 2015.

At first sight it is obvious that the Prowler has gone under the knife and received some serious restyling. Surlyn body panels – a technology borrowed from Arctic CatÂ’s snowmobile division – resist scratching and are proven to be tough and durable under the applications you put your UTV through.

Storage is a huge factor that Arctic Cat addressed on the Prowler in 2015. Under the automotive styled hood, there’s a 22.4-gallon weather sealed box, the glove box capacity has more than doubled and there’s also a cubby space in the center of the dash for holding a map or electronics.

The new headlights combine halogen and LED bulbs, controlled by a 4-position switch. This headlight system casts glorious light for evening riding or early mornings.

Fully variable tilt steering allows you to set the steering wheel to your comfort and provides 3-inches of additional legroom over the previous model when in fully up position, which makes ingress and egress into and out of the driver’s seat much easier.

As with all of Arctic Cat’s domestic built engines featuring EFI, the powerplant in the Prowler boasts the all-new closed-loop EFI system with catalyst exhaust that delivers 25% better fuel economy and lower emissions.

The 2015 Prowler is available with a 443, 545, 695 or 951cc engine and is based on the same chassis as its predecessor. It is a big step in the right direction for this line and we canÂ’t wait to get our first run aboard it. When we do, we’ll share our impressions with you first.

For more info visit arcticcat.com