AJ shows how using Camoplast tracks on your side-x-side can get you in and out of places you may never have thought possible.
Dear Motorhead:
First off I’d like to start by saying what a huge fan of DirtTrax TV I am. I have a question about my ride I was wondering if you guys could help me out with.
I ride a 2010 Honda 500 Rubicon, which is an incredible machine but even as you guys have stated has a number of drawbacks.
The issue I’m having is is it really worth the investment of purchasing a muffler, air filter and new jet for the carb to gain hp?
Everybody I ride with tells me to make these upgrades to my bike, but I was wondering is there any proof these investments will actually give me any gains?
Thank you for your help and keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing some new episodes on OLN.
Thanks for your email!
The Honda Rubicon is probably one of the least modified ATV’s and for good reason. Since the Rubicon uses a hydrostatic drive system there is very little if any return on engine mods.
The hydrostatic drive system limits what comes from the engine in a pretty profound way. A pipe will make more noise, however I have my doubts about it making much of a performance gain. Same for re-jetting and a low restriction intake.
The hydrostatic drive system is a “fluid coupling” essentially there is no mechanical link between the engine and the wheels other than pressurized oil.
If you could modify the hydro pump and drive motor you might be able to transfer more power, more efficiently however, as of this writing – I have heard of no such modification being available.
Hope this helps,
Motorhead Mark
Big Buck in Union, SC, is the second race of the six-race UTV series for GNCC.
Polaris Factory Racers William Yokley, John Yokley and Scott Kiger along with 30 other XC1 Modified Racers would take the line for top honors. When the dust settled, William Yokley in his Polaris / Coastal / CST / National Guard / Yoshimura / Yokley Racing RZR XP 900 would take the checkered flag with teammate Scott Kiger taking third.
John Yokley, after finishing first at The Washington in his Big Country Powersports RZR 900, would take fourth. The win catapulted William Yokley into first place in the series standings, with teammates John Yokley and Scott Kiger in second and third.
On the ATV side, Team UXC Racing’s Don Higbee would travel from Wyoming to take second in the 4×4 Senior class on his Scrambler XP 850. Polaris Factory Racers Michael Swift and Rick Cecco took fifth and sixth in the 4×4 Pro class on their Scrambler XP 850s.
In Texas, Team UXC Racing’s Chris Robinson got his third win of the year at TORN Round 3, in the Utility class, on his Scrambler XP 1000. Robinson also finished second in the Expert class night race.
The next GNCC Race is Dunlop Limestone 100 in Springville, Ind. (ATV Only), April 26-27 and the next GNCC Race for UTVs is Rocky Mountain ATV*MC Mountaineer Run in Masontown, WV, May 24-25. The next TORN Race is May 3-4, in Crofton, TX.
William Yokley, Scott Kiger and John Yokley are sponsored by Polaris, Big Country Powersports, Yoshimura, STI, Night Krawler Kustoms, Hot Cams, OMF, Yokley Racing and Coastal Racing.
Team UXC Racing is sponsored by Polaris, Driven Powersports, Maxxis Tires, Fly, Evans Coolant, Axis, Hiper, ROX Speed FX, Dirtworks, SSI Decals, Thermo Tec, Leatt, Ricochet, DP Brakes, Spider, Moto Pro Training, Scott Outerwears, FASST, Fourwerx Carbon Fiber, AmericaÂ’s Motorsports, Ams-Oil, Tire Balls, Ruralube, Rigid Industries, Holz Racing Products, Knight Krawlers Kustoms, Yoshimura
Cecco Racing is sponsored by Polaris, Polaris Engineered Parts, Accessories & Apparel, Coldcock Whiskey, Maxxis, Big Gun, DBP Perfomance, Moose Offroad, Keizer, Custom Axis, Powermadd, Rox Speedfx, Fasstco, DP Brakes, Spider, PNP Supplements, Riccochet, SuperATV, KN Engineering, Bike Trikes and Quads, STM Powersports, ATV Fourplay, All Balls, Zdobinski Allstate Insurance, Tire Balls and Vanilla Gorrilla.
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 www.polaris.com.
Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers posted wins and podium finishes in the 2014 AMSOIL AMA Grand National Cross Country series in South Carolina, the World Off-Road Championship Series in Utah, the Texas Off-Road Nationals in Crafton, Texas, and In the New England ATV Motocross Opener in Wallkill, N.Y. The wins included podium sweeps in the NEATV-MX Pro and Pro-Am classes and another 1-2-3 finish in the GNCC 4×4 Pro class.
“It was a rewarding weekend, earning big wins and numerous podiums in GNCC, NEATV-MX, TORN and WORCS,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “This successful weekend verifies Can-Am offers a diverse, competitive line of off-road vehicles and has a team of resolute racers piloting them.”
GNCC – Big Buck
GNCC round four was held at a fast, tight and dusty Big Buck course outside of Union, S.C. Can-Am 4×4 ATV racers earned an impressive 11 of 12 total podium finishes and three class sweeps. Big Buck belonged to Can-Am X-Team Renegade® 800R X® xc racer Jordan Phillips, who got his second victory of the year and took third on the 10 a.m. overall podium.
Kevin Trantham (Can-Am X-Team) and ATV Parts Plus / Can-Am racer Bryan Buckhannon joined him on the box. PhillipsÂ’ moved to within one point of Trantham for the class points lead, with Buckhannon in third.
BNR Motorsports / Can-Am racer Rob Smith was fourth at round four. Can-Am ATV racers won the three other 4×4 classes at Big Buck. Securing wins were Tanner Bowles (4×4 A/B), Terry Whiteside (4×4 Senior 40+) and Brent Tindall (4×4 C).
“It was great to get my second win of the year. My Can-Am pulled the holeshot and from there I just tried to stay out front,” said Phillips. “My Renegade ran awesome and everything worked so well. Kevin Trantham and I had a bit of a battle going on towards the end and swapped back and forth a couple of times, but I was able to hang on and take the win.”
Big Buck also hosted round two of the GNCC SxS Championship Series. Chaney Racing / Turnkey UTV / Can-Am Maverick 1000R pilot Kyle Chaney earned second in the XC1 Modified class.
Mixing it up with 32 other drivers, Chaney was seventh after the first lap, but pushed hard to earn second during the five-lap feature. Buckhannon was fifth in the XC1 Modified class, edging Team Game On / Can-Am pilot Matt Rowell.
“The track was pretty fast and we really had to take some chances to pass, but we made it work. Our Can-Am had the power and took everything we gave it out there. The way the Maverick corners and handles, it really was amazing,” said Chaney.
The XC2 Limited ranks had 26 entries. Marcus Pratt drove his Jack’s Excavating / Can-Am Maverick 1000R to an impressive second-place finish. He led for three laps and earned his first podium with Can-Am. Can-Am racers Tim’s Towing (sixth), Tigercat Racing (seventh) and ExtremeTec Racing (10th) rounded out the top 10.
WORCS – Sand Hollow
GPS / JRi / Can-Am DS 450 Pro Dillon Zimmerman put in a third-place podium finish in the ATV Pro class at round four of WORCS held at sandy, rough-and-rocky Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. Zimmerman, in second for much of the race, earned his second third-place podium run of 2014. Murray Racing / Can-Am Maverick 1000R pilot Dave Martinez took 12th in the SxS Pro class.
“My quad was working great and handling well with my JRi suspension. The Rotax motor had so much power and got me through the race and on the podium,” said Zimmerman.
NEATV-MX – Opener
Can-Am Pros Joel Hetrick (JB Racing / Elka / DWT), Josh Creamer (BCS Performance) and Keven Vachon swept the Pro Class at the NEATV-MX Opener at Walden MX in New York. Hetrick, Creamer and DS 450 pilot Mathieu Deroy also provided a Pro-Am class sweep.
“My Can-Am was running awesome. I’m super happy to get out here and compete against other fast racers and get some seat time. Winning was good too,” said Hetrick.
TORN – Round 3
Lewis Powersports / Can-Am racers Hunter and Cody Miller earned two podium finishes each at round three of TORN in Texas. Hunter won the nine-lap ATV Pro class by four seconds over Cody. Hunter took second, and Cody third, in the UTV Expert class with their Maverick 1000R side-by-side vehicles. Hunter is the points leader in both classes.
For more information on 2014 Can-Am racing, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
The full-sized Arctic Cat ATV chassis has been around a few years and when it comes to testing, is a pretty well known commodity. Its hallmark is market leading, incredible ground clearance, lots of suspension travel and an ability to use its 4WD system to the max.
With lots of ground clearance and really good tires, you can ride the 500 XT in some incredibly muddy, gnarly conditions in 2-wheel drive. Honest.
However, when you do need 4×4, you get a system that can be toggled on-the-fly using an electric handlebar switch and a handy diff-locker that is equally easy to engage. This system is positive, rapid acting and delivers unbelievable traction in some of the worst conditions imaginable.
Backing it all up is an overachieving engine with displacement that’s dwarfed in this class, but ends up producing close-to-the-top results – both at top end and bottom. With just 443ccs, Cat’s CVT clutching genius and this engine’s wide-as-the-Atlantic power curve, puts it right up there with bigger displacement powerplants, certainly those topping out at 500ccs.
Now that Arctic Cat has added EFI to this SOHC 4-stroke single, we find it even more difficult to separate its performance from its next biggest sibling, the 550 XT.
This is good news for buyers because the price is still remarkably good. It’s definitely a case of getting a bigger bang for your buck.
If there’s an Achilles heel it probably lies in Arctic Cat’s resistance to using a sway bar on its ATVs. To be fair, there are some interesting benefits to not having one.
For instance, when you’re riding trails on the 500 XT and you hit those off-center rocks and stumps with one wheel that can cause the bike to lurch side-to-side or bounce around at the rear, the impact is less than with some swaybar equipped vehicles…to a point.
Since all four of the Cat’s wheels are compressing the suspension independent of one another, the rider tends to not feel the jolts quite as much. The downside is body roll when you’re riding knotted trails at higher speeds.
Without a swaybar, a long travel ATV will tend to “roll” more in corners instead of maintaining a flat, horizontal plain. The engineers compensate for this by stiffening the suspension springs and jacking the shocks’ compression dampening.
Unfortunately, it tends to make the suspension feel less plush, especially in the first three or four inches of compression. It’s a bit of a compromise situation but Cat owners are used to it and apparently, it’s been one of the brand’s selling points.
If Arctic Cat is aiming to capture middle-market buyers with a full-featured ATV, then mission accomplished with these 500-series Cats. They offer a very complete list of 4WD features, a proven platform and solid power all at a bargain basement price tag.
DirtTrax Magazine Co-Publisher Motorhead Mark Lester evaluates Can-Am’s 2013 Outlander 500.
Dear Motorhead:
As an avid ATV enthusiest I am concernd with how you show the biggest and badest ATVs ripping up the country side.
These types of articles on TV only add more fuel to the fire for those who oppose our sport.
You are doing more harm than good for the sport.
Larry G.
Kelowna, BC
Thanks for your email!
While I appreciate your comments let me state a few realities.
First, our ripping up trails is always on designated, sanctioned ATV and SXS trails. Places like Hatfield McCoy and Brimstone and our backyard in Haliburton County have sanctioned trails which – for the most part – are what you see on DirtTrax Television.
These trails are provided for ATV and SXS use and have remedial work done on them seasonally and in some cases monthly and even weekly.
Other areas we use to tape DirtTrax are actually private property owned by our family. We have a professional, groomed track which we use for high performance (450 class) ATV’s and SXS’s for extreme action photography.
So, that’s what you’re seeing – there’s no unruly environmental damage going on. However, there’s something much bigger here at play which your letter tweaks me to speak to.
These vehicles – high performance ATV’s and side-x-sides exist. They are available for purchase by anyone because they sell – and they sell big.
Our portrayal of these vehicles in their proper environment is not the least bit irresponsible. It should be said clearly and known in our sport that these vehicles do “rip” and responsible use of them is very important. However, responsible use as you are implying would be a twenty MPH trail ride never spinning a wheel.
DirtTrax Television and Magazine would not insult the intelligence of our viewers or readers by portraying these vehicles in a way they surely will not be used.
Yes, there are a very small percentage of off-roaders who act irresponsibly and tear up sensitive areas and trespass causing us all harm. However, we’re all big enough boys and girls to know no one buys an XPIK Polaris and drives it 20 MPH.
The irresponsible participants in our sport are no more prevalent (as a percentage of total users) than they are in un-motorized activities like skiing, rock climbing and mountain biking. A certain small percentage of the population cannot be reasoned with – we have them and so does everyone else.
Let’s not believe that if we show ATV’s and SXS’s driving at 20 MPH without spinning a wheel we are somehow going to convince the general public everything is 100% okay all the time or that these high performance off road vehicles are being used this way most of the time.
If you have a problem with irresponsible use and trespass on (or off) your trails then I heartily encourage you to enforce every law and ordinance you have at your disposal to bring these morons to justice and teach them a lesson.
Simply put, there’s a right place and a wrong place for motorized off road activity – we stand solidly for everyone using the right place.
Thanks,
Motorhead Mark
AJ is in Gateway Colorado getting a first rip aboard Arctic Cat’s 2014 Wildcat X Limited and the company’s first entry into the 50-inch wide sport SXS segment – the 2014 Wildcat Trail.
We’re on record on DirtTrax TV this past season claiming the RZR 570 might just be the first crossover Side-x-Side.
We called the 570 a crossover because that’s what it’s doing: Crossing buyers over from 2-up ATVs into side-x-sides. However, there’s more to this discussion than just 2-up capability.
The whole story would implode if the RZR 570 couldn’t go where ATVs go. Its strict adherence to a 50-inch width keeps the 570 oh-so-close to ATV width and more importantly, allows the 570 to fit almost all 2-track ATV trails.
In the RZR chassis the RZR’s SOHC 4-valve mid-40-hp ProStar mill is mounted in the same fore-aft plane as the RZR 900 XP and uses the same, updated and cool-running CVT tied directly to the engine’s cases – not isolated as it is on the 800 twin.
The tied drive system keeps the CVT drive belt in rock solid alignment all the time and thus improves belt life. The orientation of the potent 570 and its one-of-a-kind rear A-arm suspension has to be the future for the RZR line-up, especially considering there’s so many completely different rear suspensions in the RZR line using two unique engine orientations.
One word best describes the 570’s response to throttle inputs: Torquey. The smooth and clean-running 570 bites Kevlar with enthusiasm when you step on it and shifts hard all the way to it’s 60-plus mph top speed.
For a single cylinder mill displacing 570 cubes, this one impresses. Its low-end grunt is a huge contributor to the 570’s trail prowess. Whether you’re navigating tricky, steep terrain or slogging deep chocolate, the 570 responds with a solid surge off engagement and allows the driver to modulate power with ease when traction is difficult.
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The RZR 570 comes with Polaris’ On-Demand, selectable full-time AWD system that monitors wheel speed variance, automatically locking the front diff when wheel speed varies by more than 5-percent. The RZR also comes standard with unlocking rear-diff Turf Mode – exceptionally handy when navigating precious fescue.
From a pure suspension standpoint we think the RZR’s front end is right for the 570’s narrow stance. Its double A-arm setup is plush and mostly bottomless even when jumping.
Sway control is handled from the rear with an effective anti-sway bar keeping the front wheels level and the rear inside wheel from lifting under hard braking while turning.
At the rear the double A-arm system uses what appears to be stubby arms and we suspect they’re part of the reason for a sometimes choppy response on small bumps.
The rear suspension shocks offer preload adjustability. If you soften the springs you will notice less jiggling, however you will ka-bong the bottom of the 570 off rocks with greater frequency.
We installed a set of premium, adjustable Fox Shocks similar to the ones found on the Wildcat Trail, which immediately improved small bump ride compliance.
The RZR 570 might just be the right 2-upper for you and your family. There’s virtually no ground the 570 LE with EPS and EBS cannot traverse.
Try an RZR 570 on your favorite ATV trails and see for yourself if what we’re saying is nuts.
Can-Am ATV and side-by-side racers competed in roughly 17 events for more than $22,000 in prizes at the 2014 High Lifter Mud Nationals at Mud Creek Off-Road Park in Jacksonville, Texas. Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am, Performance Power Sports / Can-Am and S3 Racing / Can-Am and others combined to earn 24 podiums and win seven classes, including both RUV classes, in the Can-Am / BRP Mud Bog and Mudda Cross competitions.
“Can-Am mud racers had an exceptional and dominant performance at Mud Nationals. To win both RUV classes Friday and Saturday night with the Can-Am Maverick 1000R, which included a podium sweep in the RUV mud bog, was simply outstanding,” said Jeff Leclerc, Racing Project Leader, Can-Am. “No matter if it was an ATV or side-by-side, our racers proved that Can-Am is the brand of choice for mud riding and racing.”
Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am
Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am had a great showing at the 12th running of Mud Nationals. The most significant and historic victory for the team and Can-Am came Friday night when longtime Gorilla member and mud racer Steve Hittle took home the top spot in the Can-Am / BRP Mud Bog RUV class.
It marked the first side-by-side overall win at Mud Nationals for Can-Am and was also the first time Can-Am swept the class. Hittle also put his Gorilla-backed Can-Am Maverick 1000R on the box in the Mudda Cross RUV class, taking second.
Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am won the Massimo Obstacle Course, as rider Seth Russell was the quickest to tackle the man-made course of logs, tires, crushed cars, dirt hills and water pits. Team Gorilla Powered by Can-Am pilots Dakotah Klein and Dave Ostapiw won the Endurance Challenge, which required two-person teams to negotiate a deep, long mud hole, from one end to other, as fast as possible. Russell and his wife Caroline were second.
“We were one of the most dominant teams at Mud Nationals this year,” said Jason Shanas, Team Gorilla Owner, “which was highlighted by Maverick racer Steve Hittle’s RUV win.”
S3 Racing / Can-Am
Five podium finishes, including two victories, were earned by S3 Racing / Can-Am X-Team member Shane Dowden. He began his successful weekend with a solid second-place run in the Mud Bog with a Maverick 1000R Friday evening.
Dowden followed that up by piloting his Maverick 1000R to the win Saturday night in the Mudda Cross RUV class. He also had a win in the Mudda Cross Pro Series A class on his Outlander ATV and two podiums with his Outlander MAX in the Mudda Cross Pro Series B and Mudda Cross Super Modified ranks.
“I had a good weekend with five podiums in six classes,” said Dowden. “It was nice to be part of the Can-Am side-by-side vehicle dominance in the bog and Mudda Cross this year.”
Performance Power Sports / Can-Am
Can-Am X-Team member John Soileau took third in the RUV class in the Can-Am / BRP Bog with his Performance Power Sports / Can-Am Maverick 1000R. The Performance Power Sports team featured nine Can-Am racers, including Jace Cheramie, who ended up with six total podiums. He won both the Mudda Cross Super Modified and Lite classes. His teammate Matt Bernard won the Mudda Cross Pro Series B class.
“It was an outstanding and total team effort,” said Soileau. “Can-Am ATVs have always dominated the mud racing here, but we wanted to make a statement with the Maverick side-by-side. We’re starting to be a force with it as well.”
The weekend belonged to Can-Am riders. Team Anyting Goes’ Ryan Hormell won the Mud Bog 601cc and Up class on an Outlander 800R. Team Offroad Explosions, Full Throttle Racing and Team LaFontaine Racing also had podiums with Can-Am ATVs.
The Can-Am Maverick MAX 1000R of Matt Evans was named Bad 2 ‘da Bone show-and-shine winner. Can-Am DS 450 freestyle riders Jon and Derek Guetter also were part of the show.
For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2014 schedule, the contingency program and all amateur racer support programs, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.
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