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Yamaha Producing Additional ATVs

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Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., is rounding out its utility ATV line with the addition of 2013 red utility ATVs produced at its Newnan, Georgia, manufacturing facility.

Red versions of Yamaha’s popular utility ATV models should start arriving at dealers before the end of the year and include the Grizzly 700 FI EPS, Grizzly 550 FI EPS and Grizzly 450 EPS.

“Yamaha has strong demand from a variety of customer groups – including farmers and recreational users alike – for the red utility models, and we’ve seen our dealer partners ask for them this fall,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV/SxS group marketing manager. “All of Yamaha’s 4×4 ATVs now come from its U.S. manufacturing facility in Georgia, which allows the company to respond more quickly to customer demands while also streamlining distribution. It’s exciting to see that process in place.”

All combined, Yamaha has one of the most complete lines of the toughest, most off-road capable utility ATVs including the top selling 650-799cc class utility ATV, the Grizzly 700*.

All of Yamaha’s Grizzly 4×4 ATVs and Rhino Side-by-Side vehicles are produced at the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC) in Newnan, Georgia.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. – 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.

ATV TEST RIDE: 2012 Honda Foreman 500

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Dirt Trax Television Co-Host AJ Lester evaluates Honda’s steadfast Foreman 500 ATV featuring power steering.

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Yamaha Selects Sweepstakes Winner

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Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the leading maker of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles for outdoors enthusiasts, has selected its 2012 National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) Day sweepstakes winner.

As part of Yamaha’s ongoing support of NHF Day, the company announced that Nancy Watkins of Eau Claire, Wis., is the winner of the Rhino 700 FI. Mrs. Watkins was one of more than 42,000 people who entered the sweepstakes, which is designed to help promote outdoors sports and conservation.

The Rhino 700 FI donated for NHF Day – including Genuine Yamaha hunting accessories – is valued at more than $13,000. The Rhino, along with all of Yamaha’s 4×4 products, is assembled at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Newnan, Georgia.

“Yamaha is proud to be a fifth-year sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day and to support outdoors conservation and recreation,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “Congratulations to Mrs. Watkins for winning the Rhino, and thanks to everyone who showed up at a National Hunting and Fishing Day event throughout the country this fall.”

NHF Day falls on the fourth Saturday of September each year and serves as the most effective grassroots effort ever taken to promote outdoor sports and conservation. Yamaha, through its relationships with organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, Buckmasters, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and NHF Day, among others, is the leading ATV & SxS supporter of conservation efforts.

“We’re thrilled to have Yamaha as a sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs for Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo. the official home of NHF Day. “The Rhino giveaway has been a huge hit amongst NHF Day participants nationwide, and we also congratulate Mrs. Watkins on her new Rhino.”

Follow Yamaha Outdoors on Facebook.

About Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

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, race kart engines, 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.

RZR 900 XP vs Commander 1000

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The Dirt Trax crew pits Polaris’ ultra potent RZR XP 900 against our 2012 project Commander 1000.

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Polaris Acquires KLIM Technical Riding Gear

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Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of Teton Outfitters, LLC, a privately owned, Rigby, Idaho-based company which designs, develops and distributes KLIM Technical Riding Gear.

Calendar year 2012 sales for KLIM are anticipated to approach $30 million. KLIM is an industry leader in technical riding gear.

This acquisition adds KLIM to Polaris’ growing parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) business. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The KLIM acquisition provides yet another growth opportunity for our PG&A business, a key contributor to Polaris’ top-line growth and profitability,” said Steve Eastman, Polaris’ vice president of PG&A. “KLIM is an established leader in the powersports apparel market with a strong track record of providing innovative, premium technical riding gear to a broad range of consumers. Adding an outstanding brand like KLIM, whose strengths complement our existing business, gives us a more complete PG&A product lineup, one which will flourish in the global market. We are excited to welcome KLIM employees into the Polaris family. With our common culture and vision, we believe this will be a mutually beneficial partnership for everyone involved.”

Polaris will maintain the KLIM brand positioning and name while continuing to drive its existing apparel brands. KLIM will continue operations in Rigby with its current staff.

Polaris has plans to establish the Rigby facility as its new apparel Center of Excellence, bringing the unmatched capabilities, expertise and knowledge housed in Rigby to all Polaris branded apparel.

“I built KLIM with a passion for the category and a commitment to the world’s adventure snowmobile and motorcycle riders,” said Justin Summers, KLIM founder, president and CEO. “We had a vision of making products that mattered, that solved problems and that were the best they could be. I am very proud of what we have built at KLIM, and I am fired up that the next chapter of the KLIM story will be written through our exciting partnership with Polaris. KLIM will now have the resources to reach the next level as we continue to innovate and lead into the future.”

KLIM is known not only for superior quality, innovation and performance, but also for its understanding of riders’ needs and devotion to addressing them in its products.

This passion underscores KLIM’s culture and vision, which in many ways mirror Polaris’ own guiding principles. KLIM was advised by The Meriwether Group.

About Polaris – Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry with annual 2011 sales of $2.7 billion. Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER 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 vehicle industry with Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) and Goupil Industrie SA, and internally developed vehicles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. 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 vehicles accessories are available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime at www.polaris.com.

About KLIM – KLIM Technical Riding Gear is a global leader in designing, developing, sourcing and distributing the most advanced powersports apparel for the snowmobile and motorcycle rider. Utilizing the world’s highest technologies in waterproof, breathable, durable and comfortable materials, like GORE-TEX products, KLIM offers gear for the most demanding riders. Driven by the continual feedback and input from dedicated test pilots and passionate customers, KLIM strives to do one thing above all – improve the riding experience without compromise. For more information, visit www.KLIM.com.

All-New Moto Racing-Pro Smartglove

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Slide’em announced at SEMA that it is bringing its newest premium, flagship smartglove, the Moto Racing-Pro Smartglove, to North America. The high-end smartglove offers an industrial and robotic design, innovative 100% silver plated tips in all 10 fingers, heavy duty rubber protection and silicone grip to take on challenges in performance racing requiring touch screen devices.

“The cutting edge design mixed with touch screen capability will set a new bar for touch screen gloves around the world,” said Lawrence Crook, Founder and CEO, Slide’em Smartgloves. “This Smartglove brings the best design and functionality into one glove – a glove that, for many, will be the connection between touch screen technology and heavy duty functionality.”

The global roll out began last week in Canada and USA. The Smartgloves will be available online at www.slideem.com and a number of retail partners.

“After one day of wearing the gloves, you’ll realize what you’ve been missing!,” continued Crook. “With gloves as cool as this, you won’t want to take them off! Customers can now connect with their touch screen devices with the gloves on – and all 10 fingers! I envisioned pit crews and racing teams running all their touch screen systems and monitors wearing my gloves. The recent launch of Windows 8 touch screen computers makes anything possible for Performance Racing.”

SMARTGLOVE FEATURES

* 100% silver plated material – 2-way stretch scratch resistant material
* More conductive than your finger!
* Flexible and perfect accuracy on all 10 fingers
* Works on all touch screen devices – Mobile, Tablets etc.
* High quality silver plated material
* Smartglove is silver material technology that is applied to all Slide’em Smartgloves.
* Claims the quote for “The Original Smartglove”

MOTO RACING-PRO DESIGN & STYLE

* High-Accuracy Smartglove Touch screen Material on all 10 fingers
* Reinforced SBR padded palm for extreme conditions on palm
* PVC knuckle protection & heavy duty strap with inside quick release
* Premium fit glove design for superior flexibility and dexterity
* Hi-temp silicone grip control on palm – with circuit board pattern
* Double layered synthetic leather palm for hand comfort

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

The worlds first touch screen glove designed for the motor racing sports and performance racing team crews. The majority in this field have touch screen devices and currently need to remove gloves while working to interact with personal or work devices.

For more about Slide’em visit slideem.com

WILDCAT OR RZR 900 OR NEITHER?

Dear Motorhead:

First off, love your show!!! I watch it mondays at 4 on Outdoor Channel, then the rerun at 10:30.

My question for you guys is I’m torn between the Polaris 900 and the Artic cat Wildcat. I do mostly trail riding in Kentucky hill climbs, creek crossings not a lot of mud but some.

All the advertising I see for the side-x-sides are in desert dunes and wide open places. I ride in the woods though so which do you think would be best for me?

Thanks for your time!!

Tony R.

Thanks for your email!

You’ve asked the right question at the right time!

Neither of these two SXS will meet your expectations in the woods – we’ve been careful to make sure we make that clear in our Test Rides of both these capable Pure Sport, ultra high performance SXS vehicles – as well as the new Can Am Maverick.

You are correct in your observation that theses vehicles are portrayed by their makers – and us – as best in wide open spaces. If you want a Pure Sport SXS for trail use you should look at either Polaris’ 50 inch RZR 570 and RZR 800 and/or Can-Am’s Commander 800 and 1000.

You will find both the RZR 900 and the Wildcat to be awkward in tight trails, constantly floating back and forth in deep two track laid down by sub-50 inch ATV’s and SXS – these super wide Pure Sports do not fit very well on bush trails.

If you want to rip it up in sand pits, dunes or wide, abandoned fire roads the RZR 900 and the Wildcat simply cannot be beat – they are a blast and incredibly capable at speed.

So, you need to make a big decision going into this purchase – where are you going to ride most? Once you answer that question then you have to decide which SXS is right for you!

Hope this helps!

Motorhead Mark

OFFROAD AUCTIONS AND INSURING YOUR RIDES

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Sometimes I go searching for an older maybe once popular, but now forgotten ATV to fix up – as if I really need one more project.

I rarely find a deal of the century, but it’s really cool to look around at how some once wonderful rides end up.

I have not yet listed myself as a dismantler or scrapper and keeping a license to be able to bid on these things can be a bit expensive. One company I ran across didn’t require a license to bid, however they wanted you to deposit a minimum of one thousand dollars in order to place your bid!

I’m not overly trusting when it comes to sending money to a third party like that, but I guess this may be the only way I’m going to be able to bid.

Some auctions were for heavily damaged ATV and SXS vehicles that wouldn’t have been that hard to repair except the insurance company had written them off. The price the insurance companies paid each owner for the damaged ATV or SXS can be seen at most auctions and it seems they’ve received close to replacement price on each one.

From this I started to notice just how many ATV owners carry insurance on their rides. I’ve never really thought much about keeping a separate insurance program for my ATVs.

I guess if I had become victim of a theft or maybe a really crazy crash where the ride was demolished it might come in handy, but again I really have never considered it. Maybe I should.

WILDCAT 4 COMING FEBRUARY 2013

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The Wildcat 4 1000 answers the call for pure-sport ROV enthusiasts who want to carry 2 or more passengers.

The Wildcat 4 is purpose built with many of the industry-leading key features found in the Wildcat 1000, but Arctic Cat engineers have gone beyond “industry-leading”.

A completely new drive and driven clutch was designed in partnership with the leading clutch authority, Team Industries.

The new clutching system answers the call for improved acceleration while putting the massive torque and horsepower of the 1000 engine to the ground where it matters.

In addition, a new sway bar has been designed to work harmoniously with the all-new PODIUM FOX SHOX, creating an unrivalled operator and passenger experience.

* Industry-leading 5-Link rear suspension, 13-inches of ground clearance, and 18-inches of rear suspension travel!

* Full Perimeter Exoskeleton frame was stretched 29-inches to accommodate four occupants with a best-in-class ride-in comfort and leg room

* Interior has a locking glove box and cup holders, four high-back bucket seats with 3-point seat belts and four tube-frame doors with integrated nets

* V-Twin, SOHC, liquid-cooled, 951cc, Electronic Fuel Injection built for massive torque and improved acceleration

* Automatic transmission has a park-in-gear shifter with Reverse, Neutral, High and Low gears while the 2wd/4wd/Diff Lock switch is easy to locate on the dashboard

* Variable Assist Electronic Power Steering (EPS) designed to maintain a light steering input effort with an infinitely adjustable tilt steering wheel

* LED Headlights and Taillights utilize 50% less wattage

* Available in three painted metallic color choices: Sunset Orange, Black and Arctic Green

* MSRP $19,599 US/ $21,999 CAN

The Emergence of 4-Seater Side-x-Sides

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Dirt Trax TV Co-Host discusses the rise in popularity of 4-seater side-x-sides and discusses the benefits and advantages of these vehicles.

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