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DREAMING OF BAJA

Rick Sosebee
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DREAMING OF BAJA

It’s almost time for the men and women with a goal of conquering the toughest off road terrain on the North American continent to head south of the border and line up in the streets of Ensenada Mexico for the race of their lives.

The cool ocean air fills the small town and many race teams will be on the course weeks before the green flag is dropped to get a good look at their foe.

This year’s Baja will head from Ensenada down to the tip of the Baja California peninsula to end in LaPaz. This fact alone adds close to twice the cost, as it requires even more support.

The landscape is harsh and the chance of getting help in case of an emergency is limited to the help you may or may not have brought with you.

Chase teams simply cannot outrun their vehicles on parts of the course due to the small towns and local traffic on the rough roads that will be ever present on race day. The teams will have to organize support to be spread out all the way down the peninsula.

There’s a mystique to Baja and I long to be there every year, but this time I’ll have to stay back home and follow the race online.

I wish this year’s ATV and SXS teams well and I plan to get back to Baja real soon.

Fuel Economy and Your Toy Hauler

Rick Sosebee
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Fuel Economy and Your Toy Hauler

Pulling a trailer to your local ride area can be hard on your wallet and with fuel prices being what they are, it can be quite a juggling act to keep the tank full regularly.

I’ve recently become focused on the fuel mileage of my trusty 2005 Chevy Duramax 2500 turbo diesel.

I purchased the truck from a friend who had bought it new and I know the truck has been well maintained since because I do most all of the work on this hauler. I can tell you it’s quite a difficult task getting a few more miles per gallon out of it.

Diesels have many little improvements that seem to get better performance from the engine, but not much MPG gain.

There are many tricks that supposedly produce better fuel mileage but it’s very hard to determine which ones work and which ones are bogus.

The first tip I tried out was a vinyl bed cover. This was advertised as a gas saver because it allowed the air to flow over the bed and made the truck more aerodynamic. I did notice a little gain, but only on long highway use.

I then replaced the stock air breather and installed a larger exhaust that yielded no real gains either.

I’m really digging deep to save on fuel expenses because I’d rather spend money on fuel for my ATV than for my truck. I think I may just have to accept the fact that it’s going to be an expense of owning a huge diesel truck to tow my ATVs and side-x-sides.

Honda of South Carolina to Produce Side-by-Sides

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American Honda announces that production of Honda side-by-side MUVs will transfer in 2013 from Honda de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (HDM) to Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) in Timmonsville, SC. Honda currently markets the Big Red side-by-side in the U.S.

These changes are part of a global Honda strategy tied to future growth forecast in the side-by-side segment. Current plans call for the completion of side-by-side production at HDM in 2013, with production to begin at HSC in the summer of 2013 to meet the needs of U.S. customers and for export to global markets.

Currently dedicated solely to the production of Honda all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), HSC has the capacity to produce more than 250,000 vehicles and 310,000 engines annually.

Based on the increased production capacity and future expansion potential, it was determined that HSC was the right location for Honda side-by-side production.

HSC is one of nine major Honda factories in the U.S. Since it began operation in 1998, HSC has manufactured more than 2.5 million Honda ATVs.

Following the move of side-by-side production, HDM will increase capacity for the production of additional two-wheel products to meet growing market demand in Mexico.

About American Honda – American Honda Motor Co., Inc. was established in 1959 and is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides in the U.S. The American Honda Motorcycle Division is responsible for the sales, marketing, and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers.

For more information on Honda products, go to www.powersports.honda.com.

Yamaha Announces New Rhino Body Kit

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Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.’s, Parts and Accessories Division (YPAD) is offering a new Rhino Body Kit, giving owners yet another way to personalize their Yamaha Rhino Side-by-Side vehicles.

The eight-piece collection includes a front bumper guard that mounts to the OE bumper, two-piece wraparound front overfender flares that extend the OE front fenders an additional 4.125 inches, rear overfender flares that add 3.375 inches to the rear fenders, and a shaker-style hood scoop.

All components are made from double-walled and UV-resistant roto-molded linear low-density polyethylene and are designed to fit all Rhino 700, 660 and 450 models.

The base MSRP of $289.95 will appeal to Rhino owners looking for an affordable way to customize their vehicles while offering owners added debris and front bumper protection.

The kit – Yamaha part number DBY-ACC56-00-8 – is available through authorized Yamaha dealers nationwide. Yamaha has nearly 140 Rhino parts and accessories in the new 2013 Outdoors Accessories & Apparel Catalog, which is also available through Yamaha dealers. Rhino add-ons can also be found online at www.yamaha-motor.com.

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.

Ego and Rookie Riders

Rick Sosebee
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Ego and Rookie Riders

I ride all over the USA and Canada and have ridden in Jamaica and Mexico as well and there’s always an air of ego amongst ATVers no matter what country I’m in.

If I’m asked, I usually try to share whatever advice I can offer to eliminate errors less experienced riders may make and also to ease first time jitters and keep the entire group safe on the ride.

Doesn’t matter if it’s at a hunt camp or at a pay-and-ride location, there’s always one person who will never admit they’re in over their head as a new rider.

Seems folks think just because they’re riding an ATV or SXS they have to prove things to other more experience figures in the group.

No matter which vehicle I choose, ATV or SXS, there’s at least one person who’ll say they can ride anything and have been riding their whole life. When they finally get on the machine I notice a very familiar look of frustration and fear as we head out on the ride.

It doesn’t take long to figure out they actually have zero experience or simply lack the ability to ride the terrain I picked and were just too embarrassed to share that small yet important bit of information.

So what’s the right move? Should I patiently ask if I can help or just sit back and watch an accident unfold?

Bottom line is, if you have a chance to ride an ATV or SXS and you’re inexperienced, don’t try to do everything an experienced rider would because eventually the trail or vehicle will expose your weakness.

If you don’t understand how to operate high/low gear, switch from 2WD to 4WD or are unsure when to use the brakes, don’t start the machine until someone has gone over this with you.

Furthermore, if there’s any part of a trail system you cannot navigate safely then simply don’t do it! Bury your ego, be honest with yourself and you’ll be on your way to becoming a better rider.

HOW TO GET SPONSORED

Rick Sosebee
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HOW TO GET SPONSORED

I’ve been seeing emails and posts on various sites lately and it seems like fair game on getting sponsorship for racing.

There are so many companies willing to give the right applicants assistance including some freebies, but at the very least heavy discounts on products that you use each weekend at the events.

This is something I would’ve loved to have as a young rider early in my racing career.

I’ve also heard some racers complaining about the amount of support they have available to them from each of the companies offering it.

Its hard for me to think that a rider with one season under his belt could have a program refined enough to get a free quad and piles of cash to support him as a racer. If you think any of these companies owe you big loot simply because you can ride a wheelie farther than anyone in your neighborhood you’re delusional. Recognition takes time and some really good riders barely have what they need even at the pro level.

The fact that you can get any help at all in this type of economic climate is a blessing and should be held at the highest level of appreciation. Each sponsor should be treated like it’s just as important as the other.

If you’re looking for help for the 2013 season then you need to start filling out applications now. If you’re lucky enough to get assistance in the way of a discount or a freebie from time to time, cherish that and let the sponsor know every time you can just how important they are to your program.

WHICH TRACK KIT SHOULD I GET?

AJ Lester
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Dear Motorhead:

I have a 2011 700 TRV. Can you give me advice on which track system to purchase? Looking at a Tiger Trax or Tatou 4s system.

Also own a Honda 350 and the only advantage is the 4s can be placed on it as well.

Thanks and I appreciate any advice.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for submitting your question.

To answer this honestly I must say I do not have first hand experience with the Tiger Tracks. I’ve used almost every other design but not the Tiger Tracks system, but here are my observations as I did research them this morning and have some advice.

If both are the same cost I would pick the 4S Camoplast kit in a heartbeat. Camoplast’s business is tracks and track kits, they are tried and trusted and I have put them through some incredibly gruelling tests both summer and winter and never had one fail, both on an ATV and a side by side.

The 4S kit is designed to be used 4 seasons if you so choose, so you never need to worry if you put them on a little early and don’t have enough snow or keep them on too late.

Non-4-season kits such as the Tiger tracks system will experience overheating issues if you run them without enough snow, this will cause premature wear and can even melt components. As I said before I don’t have first hand experience with Tiger Tracks however I have had these issues with similar winter-only designs.

Camoplast also offers multiple gearing and mounting options so if you do decide to trade your ATV in down the road you have no problem going from an Arctic Cat to a Polaris to a Kawasaki to a Honda, they sell the adapters and main Sprockets to work with almost every ATV ever built.

This also makes resale of the tracks more desirable, as a buyer will have the confidence in paying a premium for a product he/she can still purchase parts and adapters for.

While I’m sure the Tiger Tracks will work well in the snow, if you are not paying a premium for the 4S kit, I would hands down pick that every time.

Camoplast backs its product up, sell parts should you require them, make a specific 4-season product and I fully believe it’s the best track kit for the money.

I’ve tried to break them by overloading and running vehicles through touch rocky terrain, mud, hard packed, and even on asphalt and just can’t get them to break or de-rail a track. They are one solidly designed kit.

Hope this helps and thanks for watching the show!

AJ Lester

Yokley Snags GNCC Open Modified UTV Championship

Dirt Trax Online
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William Yokley and his National Guard / Polaris / Coastal / Yoshimura / DragonFire /Yokley Racing RZR XP 900 took the GNCC “Open Modified” UTV Championship for fourth consecutive year with Yokley’s teammate, Scott Kiger in his National Guard / Polaris / Coastal / Yoshimura / Yokley Racing RZR XP 900 taking second. RZRs proved to be a dominant force in the class taking the top five spots for the season.

The last UTV race of the season, The Amsoil Ironman, saw three RZRs on the podium for the “Open Modified” class with Yokley taking top honors. Teammate, Kiger, had an unfortunate incident where a tree became lodged between his wheel and frame leaving him in last after the first lap. Kiger was able to pick cars off one-by-one for the remainder of the race to finish fourth and seal second place for the year.

“We would like to congratulate William and Scott on another awesome GNCC side-by-side racing season,” said Donna Beadle, race team manager for Polaris Racing. “They made it an exciting season and once again, brought home the championship.”

Yokley Racing is sponsored by The Army National Guard, Polaris Industries, Coastal Racing, Yoshimura, Kenda Tires, DragonFire Racing, EXIT Suspension, Keizer Wheels, Holz Racing Products, Tireballs, Moto Pro Training, Monavie, March Westin, TUSK Off-Road and Big Country Powersports.

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.polarisindustries.com.

CAN-AM RACERS EARN SEVERAL PODIUMS ACROSS AMERICA

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Can-Am Renegade ATV racer Cliff Beasley won the U2 class and finished second overall in the morning session at round 12 of the 2012 Can-Am GNCC Racing series in Indiana. Can-Am Outlander racer Tanner Bowles won the 4×4 Open class. Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Pro Chris Bithell finished third in the XC1 class at the Ironman GNCC.

At the final round of the New England ATV Motocross series in New York, 2012 Pro and Pro-Am class champion Josh Creamer earned two more podium finishes. In desert racing, Cory Sappington’s Desert Toyz / Can-Am team recently took a second place finish at the Best in the Desert Bluewater Desert Challenge in Parker, Ariz.

“Can-Am racers recently earned important victories and podium finishes in several events across the country. Cory Sappington’s second-place finish in the Parker, Ariz., was impressive. Josh Creamer battled through horrible mud in New York, to cap a perfect season in the NEATV Pro class,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “I was proud of the way our racers overcame the mud at the Ironman GNCC. Cliff Beasley was amazing in his U2 class win. It was also great to see 17-year-old Tanner Bowles win the 4×4 Open class.”

Ironman GNCC

Beasley, who was the top finishing Can-Am racer in the morning, piloted his Renegade ATV to the U2 class win at a rain-soaked Ironman in Crawfordsville, Ind. Beasley’s 10th win of the year also earned him second on the morning overall podium and first on the 4×4 podium. Can-Am racer Jordan Phillips took second in the U2 division and fifth overall in the morning.

The 4×4 Open class came down to the final lap. Can-Am Outlander ATV racers Bryan Buckhannon and Michael Swift, who had swapped the lead on the final lap, ran into trouble and left the door open for another racer. Bowles, who moved up from the 4×4 Novice class after round 10, took full advantage as his notched his first 4×4 Open class victory of 2012. Buckhannon ended up second, while Swift was third.

In XC1 Pro class action, Bithell got stuck twice on the final lap, but still earned a hard-fought third-place finish. The Motoworks / Can-Am racer is fourth in the Pro class rankings.

“I couldn’t have done it with out these Indiana fans,” said Bithell. “It was one those days when it was easier to follow, then lead, just let the guys in front of you make the mistakes.”

Forrest Whorton won the 4×4 Senior class and fellow Can-Am racer Chad Morret won the 4×4 Novice class. In side-by-side racing, Team Travalena, with GNCC PR rep Jen Kenyon as co-pilot, earned second in the UTV XC2 limited class in a Can-Am Commander. Brent Tindall (4×4 Sr.) and Joshua Trafelet (4×4 Novice) also earned second in their respective classes. Can-Am racers who earned third place in their class were: Kevin Trantham (4×4 Lites), Steve Cunningham (College B 16-21), Scott Day (U2), Jeff Leonard (4×4 Sr.) and Forrest Burkitt (4×4 Novice).

BITD Bluewater Desert Challenge

Team Desert Toyz / Can-Am recently finished second at the two-day, 150-mile Best in the Desert Bluewater Desert Challenge in Parker, Ariz. Sappington’s team piloted its Desert Toyz / Can-Am Commander 1000 X to a fourth-place finish on day one. Sappington finished the 25-mile, three-lap course in third place on day two. His 4-3 score was good enough for second overall.

The Murray Motorsports / Can-Am Commander 1000 X team of Jason and Derek Murray tallied 5-4 scores to finish fifth. More importantly, the top-five finish means the Murray brothers carry the class points lead into the final round of the season in December.

NEATV-MX Finale

Creamer took home the Pro win and finished second in the Pro-Am class at Twister Valley in Fort Plain, N.Y. Creamer, who won every Pro class moto he entered, won the first moto and the class overall without racing moto two due to poor weather conditions.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2012 schedule, the ’12 contingency program and DS 450 amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

THUMB OR TWIST THROTTLE?

Rick Sosebee
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THUMB OR TWIST THROTTLE?

I was recently invited to ride a friend’s ATV and the strangest thing was waiting for me when I jumped on the seat and grabbed the handlebars.

As I reached over to grab a handful of throttle I noticed this particular ATV had a twist throttle like a dirt bike instead of a thumb throttle.

Immediately I was confused and unsure whether I could wrap my head around it. When I gave the grip a little twist, in my mind I was trying to balance holding on and loosening my grip enough to back off the gas without getting thrown off the machine altogether. Why do our brains function this way?

I grew up riding dirt bikes, but when I get on a quad with a twist throttle I feel out of sorts. I know several full time ATV racers that use the twist method, but for me an ATV with a thumb throttle just feels more natural.

I know of at least one company that makes a device that incorporates both thumb and twist methods and can be switched back and forth between the two by simply pulling a pin lock on the underside of the housing. Seems like a cool idea for someone comfortable with either or for someone interested in trying out both.

We’re curious to know how many trail riders out there actually use a twist throttle instead of a thumb throttle when riding your ATV. Share your comments with us below.

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