Dirt Trax TV Co-Host Luke Lester evaluates Kawasaki’s potent 750 V-twin powered 4-seater Teryx4.
Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racer Joel Hetrick finished second at round seven of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship Series, while teammate and defending champion John Natalie finished fourth. In the New England ATV Motocross Series (NEATV-MX), BCS Performance / Can-Am racer Josh Creamer won both the Pro and Pro-Am classes at round six.
“Our Can-Am racers battled the heat and elements to bring home some impressive top finishes at the AMA ATV MX Nationals and at the NEATV MX regional series,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Joel Hetrick was clearly a top performer all weekend in Ohio, as he was the fastest qualifier, won moto one, earned second in moto two and took second overall in the Pro class. I was proud of the way he battled back from a poor start in the second moto to finish second overall. Defending Pro class champion John Natalie had a difficult time adapting to the track at round seven, but still sits in second in the points race with three rounds remaining. Josh Creamer continued his dominance in the NEATV series, convincingly winning all four motos he entered. We’re excited to have him join John and Joel in Unadilla for round eight of the AMA ATV MX series.”
AMA ATV MX
The Sunday Creek Raceway track was rough and riders were having a tough time finding the perfect machine set-up. To add to the tough conditions, the temperatures were near 100 degrees with high humidity, causing fatigue for many racers. After posting the fastest lap in timed qualifying, Hetrick came off the line for moto one in second place.
By lap three, he had taken over the lead. From there, Hetrick extended his lead and eventually won the moto by almost 10 seconds. It was his second moto victory of 2012. Natalie, coming off back-to-back wins at the previous two rounds, started fourth in moto one and then picked up another spot a few laps later. He ended the moto in third place.
Hetrick had too much wheel spin at the start of moto two and came out in eighth place. However, he soon passed his way into fourth, behind Natalie. Hetrick stayed behind him for a couple of laps, before making a pass for the third position. He then went after the second-place racer.
After a few failed passing attempts, Hetrick made one stick and was in second and in hot pursuit of the race leader. The Can-Am racer had reduced the leader’s gap to just two seconds by the final lap, but ran out of time to challenge him before the checkers flew. Hetrick had to settle for a 1-2 finish and second overall. Natalie ended the second moto in fifth place to earn fourth overall for the day.
“It was hard to pass out there, but I got around and caught up. It took a lot out of me and I got a little tired, but I gave it my all out there and I made it on the podium, so I’m pretty happy overall,” said Hetrick. “This [finish] really helps me in points and I just want to go out there and keep winning motos.”
Travis Spader (BCS Performance / Can-Am) won the Open A, Junior 25+ and Vet 30+ classes and took second in the 4-Stroke A class. Can-Am X-Team racer Chase Henry was third overall in the Production A class, posting 4-2 moto scores.
NEATV-MX
Creamer once again dominated both the Pro and Pro-Am classes, grabbing three out of four holeshots and winning all four motos, at round six of the NEATV-MX series, which was held at MX 207 in Maine. Creamer won the first Pro class moto by almost 15 seconds. He grabbed the second-moto holeshot and never relinquished the lead on his way to another 1-1 sweep in the series.
The Pro-Am class played out very similarly for Creamer, as he took both holeshots and led both motos from start-to-finish and posted another convincing victory. Creamer, a former AMA ATV Pro MX Champion, plans to compete at the Unadilla, N.Y., round of the AMA ATV Motocross series on July 14th. Along with fellow Can-Am Pro class racer Richard Pelchat from Canada, Creamer will compete in the Pro class with Natalie and Hetrick.
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.
Ever wondered just how fun it would be to have a few more buddies or family members along on an offroad adventure in your side-x-side? The advent of the 4-seater UTV has made now this a possibility.
There are many new multiple-passenger side-by-sides available these days and one that stands out for versatility and comfort at a decent price is Kawasaki’s Teryx4. This machine has brought classy design and V-twin power to a segment that continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
The new Teryx4 has a 750cc V-twin T2 powerplant to get you and your peeps moving. Kawasaki has packed this mill with just a little more usable horsepower, torque and a little better clutching to accommodate the extra torque needs.
The clutching in this Teryx4 makes throttle response seamless just like pressing the gas pedal in your Chevy. The combination of a CVT belt drive and the internal centrifugal clutch creates a smooth linear throttle response.
When the pedal is pressed to the floor, you’ll notice a little less arm-stretching power than the regular Teryx likely due to the additional raw materials needed to fit two more bodies in the cab, but its not enough to make the Teryx4 boring in any way – in fact it still hauls out the hard pack like a boss.
The suspension of the Teryx4 isn’t built for huge motocross doubles and hard licks to the wheels can give the driver a jolt. Keeping this in mind we found that the single chamber gas charged preload adjustable shocks on the front worked surprisingly well to smooth out rough sections of the trail. The piggyback, fully adjustable shocks out back smoothed out the bumps in the backseat keeping our passengers’ spines intact.
The engineers at Kawasaki really have a good thing going with the Teryx4 and have thought through just about every element that would impress a buyer. One notable creature comfort is the high back, super comfortable seats. The fact that your passenger can ride in comfort as well as the pilot can make a long ride more enjoyable.
Back seat passengers have the same comfy seats as well as a large passenger grab bar to hold onto. Keeping everyone in the seats are the anti-cinch three point seat belts and beautifully crafted half doors deliver added protection for the whole crew.
EPS is only available in the upgraded packages, but is worth every penny as it makes negotiating tight twisty trails or rough, rocky ridge climbs a snap. Other benefits to upgrading your package are piggyback shocks up front as well as out back and a sweet Camo paintjob is also available.
Overall Kawasaki’s Teryx4 could be the most versatile work and play vehicle for everyone in the family. With a price tag starting at $13,399 (US) thereÂ’s big fun to be had for the family or for getaways with friends.
A helmetÂ’s primary function is to protect your head. So what should you look for when buying a lid? The first things to consider are its certifications and what these certifications mean pertaining to crash related injuries.
Organizations like Snell have many different tests to ensure a helmet will actually do its job if or when necessary.
The Snell foundation was established in 1957 after William Snell died from a motorcycle related accident. This non-profit organization works to understand the causes of head trauma as well as ways to prevent them.
Getting a helmet with a Snell rating means the helmet manufacturer has had its products tested to prove itÂ’s ability to prevent injuries at particular crash or impact levels.
ItÂ’s likely youÂ’ve seen a DOT certification or decal on the helmet you are considering. The DOT or Department of Transportation sets its standards and counts on the honor system for makers of this type of protection to abide by. That said you are essentially leaving your trust and the well being of your melon to the honesty and reputation of the helmet manufacturer.
Your best bet is to look for a helmet that is both Snell and DOT approved to be sure all of the bases are covered. ItÂ’s also a good idea to buy from a reputable company with a proven track record for making helmets.
Your head is important and so are the gooey contents inside it. Protect it. A helmet is one item you donÂ’t want to cheap out on.
With summertime in full swing, this is the perfect time to think about off-road ATV and Multipurpose Utility Vehicle (MUV) fun, and Honda is proud to announce another wave of dirt-going models for 2013.
“This new release once again demonstrates the broad capabilities of Honda’s ATV and MUV product line,” says Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “These four machines—the TRX450R, TRX400X, TRX250X and Big Red—all hit distinctly different segments of the off-road market, yet each is outstanding in its class and they all remain extremely popular.”
TRX450R: A winner, plain and simple
By winning races in virtually every form of ATV racing as well as racking up a string of exciting victories in the grueling Baja 1000, the Honda TRX450R has rightfully earned a place far above all others in its class.
At the same time, this race-proven durability makes it a great match for recreational riders as well. So no matter what you may plan for your weekend of riding, you’ll surely find the TRX450R comes out as a winner, plain and simple.
Price/Availability: TBD
TRX400X: A legend in its own time
Aggressive styling, loads of performance and renowned Honda reliability all combine to give the TRX400X near-legendary status among the ranks of sport ATVs.
Its bulletproof 397cc RFVC (Radial Four-Valve Combustion Chamber) engine has earned its place as one of the all-time great engines by offering both power and durability in spades.
Yet sophisticated features such as a five-speed transmission plus Reverse and electric starting bolster the fun part of the equation as well.
All in all, the TRX400X delivers all the goods for those in search of a performance-packed ATV that also includes Honda’s famed excellence of design.
Price: TBD. Availability: Fall 2012.
TRX250X: Longtime favorite for beginners and experienced riders
Aggressive, race-inspired styling gives the fun-to-ride midsized TRX250X a distinctly sporty look. Yet thanks to its torquey powerplant and Honda’s innovative and easy-to-use SportClutch along with other great features, this versatile machine remains a favorite among beginners as well as longtime riders.
Price: TBD. Availability: Fall 2012.
Big Red: Working hard, day in and day out
The Big Red MUV has a reputation for being a hard-working machine that’s way ahead of all other options and that’s a standing itÂ’s earned the old-fashioned way—out in the field, working day in and day out.
Multiple patents and numerous automotive-based technology features add to Big Red’s superior handling, secure feel and comfortable ride. Yet it works harder than ever, thanks to its 675cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected engine, excellent load-carrying and towing capacities, sophisticated suspension, comfortable bench seat and a Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) that meets OSHA requirements.
Price: $11,699 – $12,299. Availability: August 2012.
About Honda – American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and MUVs in the U.S. American Honda’s Motorcycle Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through authorized Honda dealers.
For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com
Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racer Chris Bithell finished second overall at round eight of the 2012 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) series held in Snowshoe, W.Va.
Can-Am racers Andrew Langston (4×4 Open) and Jordan Phillips (U2) each won their class and finished first and second on the morning overall podium.
“Motoworks / Can-Am XC1 Pro Chris Bithell provided this team with some much needed momentum and drive for the remainder of the season after earning his best race finish of the year this past weekend at Snowshoe. He now sits firmly in fourth place in season points, just four points out of third. Some of our X-Team-supported 4×4 racers faced challenges this past weekend, but Forest Whorton and Kevin Trantham continued their winning ways aboard their Outlander ATVs,” stated Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “And the depth of Can-Am mounted racers in the field was very evident, as Can-Am ATV racers earned five class victories and the morning overall. It’s great to see Can-Am privateers race their way to victory and take full advantage of the Can-Am Amateur Racing Contingency Program.”
This round of the Can-Am GNCC racing series is staged atop Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains at more than 4200 feet and is truly a rider and fan favorite due to it’s picturesque views and resort-type atmosphere.
Snowshoe is considered one of the roughest, most challenging GNCC courses in the series and features a unique asphalt street starting line, demanding hills as well as rough-and-rocky trails.
Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 pro Chris Bithell started on the front row and remained in fourth place pacing himself in the early stages of the race.
Just before the final two laps, he made a charge and passed two riders on his way to the second position. During the fifth-and-final lap, Bithell continued to close the gap on the race leader and eventual winner but had to settle for second overall. The runner-up finish was Bithell’s best finish of 2012.
“I was in the top five and I just kept working my way up and in the final lap, I started to reel in the leader, but I ran out of time. It was a tough track, but it was a lot of fun,” said Bithell. “I can’t thank Can-Am and Motoworks enough for putting together such an awesome machine for me and doing everything they can to make sure I get on the podium.”
In the 4×4 Open class, Can-Am X-Team members Michael Swift and Bryan Buckhannon led the majority of the race, but both fell victim to a horrid bottleneck late in the race. Can-Am / Zakowski Motorsports privateer Andrew Langston took advantage of their problems and grabbed the class lead.
He went on to win his first ever 4×4 Open class event and the morning overall. Swift eventually recovered to regain second place, but Buckhannon, the reigning 4×4 Open class champion, got horribly stuck while trying to navigate around the bottleneck. Once Buckhannon got rolling again, he finished fifth in the class. He still holds the class points lead.
“I am so stoked to take the overall win. I knew that Swift and Buckhannon were out front and when I saw they had issues and I got by, I knew I was in the lead in our class, but wasn’t sure about the overall. I was really pumped to take that win,” said Langston.
Heading into Snowshoe, defending U2 class champion Cliff Beasley was undefeated in 2012. However, he day ended short after a crash on lap two. Beasley’s misfortune allowed young North Carolina rider Jordan Phillips to take over the lead aboard his Renegade 800. He held on to notch his first U2 class victory and grab second overall in the morning race.
Kevin Trantham continued to dominate the 4×4 Lites class aboard his Outlander 500. He took over his class lead during the first lap and went unchallenged all the way to the finish to earn his seventh win of the season.
Forrest Whorton claimed another class overall win, edging fellow Can-Am X-Team rider Mike Penland for the win in the 4×4 Senior division.
“I had a really solid race. The track was pretty tough, but I just did my best out there and I finished really well,” said Whorton.
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.
I can recall countless hours playing down at the creek with my friends as a child and the muddier we got the more fun it was. Now my mom didn’t share my same affection for mud, but I always had fun while it lasted.
Being an ATV enthusiast as an adult now, I’ve found an addictive new way to play in the mud. There’s nothing like ripping through the deep mire on a powerful sport utility ATV just praying you’ll make it to the other side without the help of a winch.
Some companies have taken notice of this unique mud riding counter culture and the racing events going on in select parks in the south.
Both Arctic Cat and Can-Am have designed and built models specifically for hitting the deepest mud you can find. Can-Am’s Rotax V-twin powered X mr boasts air controlled suspension to get the best height advantage on 6 different levels as well as a snorkel system for anything that needs fresh air to stay above the messy waterlines.
I had the opportunity to ride the 2013 Can-Am Outlander X mr a few weeks back and it is better than ever. Ripping through watery mud and seeing the thirty-inch silverback tires tackle every obstacle in their path is exhilarating.
If you’ve never run a true mud pit or done some serious riding in the goop you don’t know what you’re missing.
So get off the couch, go out and find a demo ride or take the family to one of the many mudding events happening across North America. This is some serious fun you won’t forget it.
I recently spent a few hours looking over a used ATV that was overheating.
The owner kept the machine very clean so it appeared and claimed he had serviced the engine recently.
The ATV would start, run a few miles then would lose power and finally die. Without knowing what exactly this machine had been through I checked the radiator and was surprised to find it was almost empty.
After filling the rad to an appropriate level, I took the ATV out for another boot. Just like before the machine would lose power, but this time it started spewing antifreeze out onto the ground.
After removing bodywork panels to get access to the rad, the problem was right in front of me.
This ATV had been submerged in thick mud at some point and most of the mud was still caked onto the rad. So after giving it a good cleaning the machine ran like a top and the problem was solved.
Keeping your ATV cool in the heat of summer is hard enough without adding a clogged radiator to the mix.
ItÂ’s always wise to ensure your ATV can breathe, but also that its key parts are in good working order. Regular inspection before and after a ride can prevent unnecessary service and keep you out on the trails.
Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Josh Frederick and teammate Dillon Zimmerman each finished in the top 10 of the World Off-Road Championship Series Pro class held at On The Edge Raceway in Enterprise, Utah.
Frederick posted a fourth-place finish and Zimmerman rallied to finish seventh overall. Collins Webster, Can-Am X-Team DS 450 racer, earned third overall in the Pro-Am class.
“It was a very challenging weekend in Utah, for Motoworks / Can-Am pros Josh Frederick and Dillon Zimmerman. They battled their way through deep-water crossings and a very rocky, short racecourse that forced many bottlenecks. Even with the difficult conditions, I was proud of the way both our riders never quit and fought all the way to the end. We have two races remaining to show them what we’re made of and we will continue to keep fighting for the championship until the very last race of the season,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Collins Webster had a good race on a very difficult course to put his Can-Am DS 450 on the Pro-Am class podium again.”
Frederick came out of the dead-engine start in the top five. However, early in the race his machine had issues due to the deep water that in some areas was over the ATV’s seat.
Despite the problem, Frederick moved up into fourth place after that, but could not advance further. Frederick is 13 points out of first place with two rounds remaining in 2012.
He also competed in his Motoworks / Can-Am Commander 1000 X in the SxS Production 1000 class and finished sixth.
I felt good this weekend and the bike was amazing, but this was a tough race and we just tried to do the best we could out there. I’m going to take it one race at a time. We all put in a lot of work and I want to put the Can-Am on the podium next round,” said Frederick.
Zimmerman was just outside the top five off the start, but got stuck on the second lap and dropped to 13th. However, the young pro fought hard to get back into the top 10.
By the end of the race, he rallied to pick off six riders to finish seventh on the weekend. Zimmerman is currently fourth in the Pro class standings.
Webster came off the Pro-Am class starting line in the top five and soon worked his way into third place. He held that spot for the remainder of the race and earned his fourth podium finish of the season.
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.
I’m a big fan of Yamaha’s 700 Grizzly and have been of this line for years. In fact, I talked my father-inlaw into buying a 660 back in 2005, which he still owns and loves.
That’s why I was very happy to throw my leg over a 2012 Grizzly recently and pour on some serious miles.
Initial throttle squeeze could use a touch more honey, but as it winds out top end power from the 686cc fuel injected single is impressive. There’s ample torque at each squeeze and most riders would be satisfied with the power the Grizzly produces off the line.
The stock 5-way preload adjustable snail cam shocks work surprisingly well to soak up trail chatter. Honestly, this is one area I expected to affect my ride and literally bash my body to bits over tough terrain, but this suspension stood up to abuse run after run.
These shocks could stand up to years of riding and if they ever needed to be replaced, you could easily upgrade and feel like you just bought a brand new ATV because the rest of the unit would still be solid.
Handling through winding trails and over aggressive terrain is outstanding and power steering reduces steering effort significantly minimizing rock hits and reducing bar whip to laughable levels. Hit a rocky section and confidently stab the throttle knowing youÂ’ll remain in control and make it out the other side in a hurry.
In the saddle, the Grizzly seems to fit an average sized rider perfectly. The comfortable seat provides ample cushioning, switchgear is well thought out and the digital instrumentation is easy to read even in direct sunlight, rugged floorboards minimize slippage when maneuvering through muddy and wet areas and the diff-lock button would make the Brute Force envious.
One area we’d like to see some reworking is the Grizzly’s rack system. Though entirely functional, the textured steel cargo racks seem wimpy and outdated when parked next to a Sportsman or Outlander and significantly weaken the aesthetic appeal of a great ATV. We’d love to see Yamaha make the move to a composite rack system or see something available from the aftermarket industry like this suited to the Grizz.
The Yamaha’s legacy for building durable and reliable ATVs lives on in 2013 and if you’re in the market for an ATV with a reputation for longevity, you’ll smile every time you turn the key on your new Grizzly.
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