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.

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.

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 Cat’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 can’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

We’ve been so impressed with Arctic Cat’s 50-inch wide Wildcat Trail. If you’ve seen our intro and AJ’s test ride on DirtTrax television you get just how we feel about it.

We’d suspected something a bit more aggressive might turn up in the Cat lineup and for 2015 Cat has stretched the Trail out to 60-inches, which bridges the width between the Trail and the original Wildcat.

As it was rolled out on stage tonight at the dealer convention in Las Vegas, a few details of the 2015 Sport Limited grabbed our attention and had us eager to get up next to it for a closer look.

The Limited features full doors to keep legs, feet and arms all inside the cockpit. They also look really sweet and compliment the overall appearance of the graphics adorning the Wildcat Sport Limited.

Furthermore, the Sport Limited features Elka Stage 5 aluminum piggyback gassers with dual-speed compression and rebound adjustability. We’ve used these shocks on Trail tech projects in the past and the ability to tailor ride compliance is a highly underrated feature that you’ll grow to appreciate with every ride.

More options on the 2015 Wildcat Sport Limited include variable tilt steering so you can find the perfect steering wheel position to maximize space and comfort in the cockpit, 12-inch cast-aluminum wheels and variable assist power steering, which will make the already light and nimble steering feel utterly effortless.

From everything we’ve seen this unit is dressed to impress. There’s so much performance in this package we’re chomping at the bit to get our unit on the ground and ride the Wildcat Sport to its limits.

Visit ArcticCat.com for more info.

We’re in Vegas tonight for Arctic Cat’s 2015 dealer convention where the TRF-based company’s pulling the sheets off its latest offroad lineup for the eyes of nearly 2000 dealers and media.

There’s big news out of the Cat trailer this season including the introduction of a new-from-the-ground-up ATV in three trim levels. The XR, XR XT EPS and XR Limited available with the 500, 550 and 700 mills.

The XR line boasts all-new bodywork as well as a SpeedRack II composite rack system with a rubberized anti-slip TPE surface that integrates Cat’s new slide-and-lock SpeedLock and SpeedBuckle attachment system.

Its engine has been mounted further forward in the chassis, which provides more room in the foot well and a narrower saddle position now puts the rider’s feet approximately 2-inches closer together providing a much more natural seated stance.

One new element we feel will make a significant improvement to ride quality is the addition of an integrated rear sway bar. Couple this with the XR’s slightly wider chassis and we suspect cornering to be flat and much more controlled through winding sections of trail and body roll to be reduced dramatically.

Rising fuel costs appear to have been top-of-mind as the XR’s engine advancements include a new closed loop EFI system featuring a catalyst exhaust that delivers 25% better fuel economy and lower emissions.

This has been a big night and we have more to share so stay tuned for more from Arctic Cat’s 2015 offroad line.