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IS MY CAT A KYMCO?

Motorhead Mark Lester
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Dear Motorhead:

In the Fall 2011 edition of Dirt Trax Magazine you missed the mark on page 40 in describing the Arctic Cat XC450i as the replacement for the 300 DVX. In actuality the CX450i replaces the 400 DVX.

There still exists a 300 DVX for 2011 as I own one which I purchased in June 2011. While I debated purchasing its Kymco sibling brother (the Mongoose 300 which you cover on page 41) I went with the Arctic Cat based upon some reliability issues I was informed about with the Kymco. Upon closer examination the engine on the Arctic Cat is labelled as a Kymco engine.

I knew this going in from reading an article in another ATV mag but don’t understand it. Why just rebadge someone else’s product and call it your own?

If you have already covered this in an edition of your mag or tv show let me know the edition and I’ll purchase a copy.

Keep up the great work on both the mag and TV show.

John

Dear John:

Thanks for your email!

Sorry for the confusion! Arctic Cat is no longer fractionally owned by Suzuki so you’re right the 400 DVX – a rebaged Suzuki QR 400 – will no longer be built for them.

It appears Kymco is providing not only complete vehicles like the 450 XCi and the 300 you’ve purchased but they are also building motors – particularly the 450 engine used in the XCi and the 450 IRS domestic chassis.

This is not an uncommon situation in the powersports industry as OEM’s look for ways to control costs using off shore vendors.

Truth be told, it is now known some prominent Japanese brands have for many years used off shore Taiwanese builders for major components all the while having us think they were completely built in Japan.

You’ve more or less answered your own question however, I wouldn’t be too concerned about your new ride. Arctic Cat has high standards for the Kymco components and vehicles they sell and Kymco is an exceptionally credibly OE themselves.

Thanks,

Motorhead Mark

Polaris 850 X2 vs. 850 Touring

Motorhead Mark Lester
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Dear Motorhead:

I really enjoy your show. It is one of my favorites. Can you provide some information on the Polaris X2 850 LE?

I know this is a special edition. I am intrested in buying one and I would like to know how it stacks up against the others in its class.

Thanks,

Jeffrey

Dear Jeffrey:

Thanks for your email!

The 850 X2 is a great riding, superb handling ATV with copious power. It is unique in that it can capably haul a passenger comfortably or perform yard chores with its morphing dump box.

If you want ultimate passenger comfort go for the Sportsman Touring however, there is very little perceptible difference in the ride and comfort afforded the passenger on the X2 and you get dual purpose versatility.

We’ve wrung out a 550 X2 and found it to be incredibly useful on long trail rides and around the yard. The power of the 850 mill impress you.

Hope this helps,

Motorhead Mark

Polaris to Acquire Goupil Industrie SA

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Combining Polaris and Goupil creates a dynamic on-road, commercial small electric vehicle business poised for continued growth

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the acquisition of Goupil Industrie SA, a privately owned, Bourran, France-based manufacturer of on-road, commercial electric vehicles, built on a modular design that offers many functional options and appeals to a wide variety of customers.

The move will add Goupil vehicles to Polaris’ growing small electric vehicle product portfolio, while becoming part of a global brand will expand Goupil’s reach, both within and outside its existing European sales base.

Goupil, which reported approximately $25 million in sales during calendar year 2010, will continue operating in Bourran with its current staff.

“As Polaris continues to deliver outstanding performance and gain market share in our core business, we are excited to acquire Goupil and add to our growing small electric vehicle lineup. We are eager to pursue the natural synergies between their commercial light duty work products and the more people-mover oriented offerings from our GEM business,” said Scott Wine, Polaris chief executive officer. “We see tremendous, long term growth in the global small electric vehicle market, and Goupil, with its established product line, history of profitable growth, and segment-leading European presence, will be an integral part of our strategy to realize that potential.”

This acquisition further strengthens Polaris’ position in the small electric vehicle market, building on the previous purchase of Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), an American manufacturer of electric vehicles. Goupil and GEM produce complementary vehicles, and their combined portfolio provides Polaris with a lineup of small electric vehicles suited to a wide range of utilizations, spanning from people-movers to light-duty haulers.

By coupling Goupil and GEM with the recent minority investment in Brammo, Polaris now possesses a solid foundation for future innovation in electric vehicle technology.

“Joining Polaris presents us with the resources we require to grow into a stronger, more profitable business,” said Pascal Duclos, co-founder of Goupil. “Polaris and Goupil share similar values, as we both build upon a core of innovation and quality products. We are thrilled to become part of Polaris and look forward to expanding Goupil’s presence across all of Europe and into North America.”

About Polaris – With annual 2010 sales of $1.99 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER® for recreational and utility use, snowmobiles, motorcycles and on-road electric powered vehicles.

Polaris is a recognized leader in the powersports industry, among the global sales leaders for both snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. The Company has established a presence in the heavyweight cruiser and touring motorcycle market with Victory motorcycles and the acquisition of the Indian motorcycle brand. Additionally, Polaris continues to invest in the global on-road low speed vehicle industry with internally developed vehicles and the acquisition of Global Electric Motorcars (GEM). 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.

About Goupil Industrie SA – Goupil Industrie SA, founded in 1996 by Pascal Duclos and Thierry Zerbato, designs develops and sells electric vehicles for use in commercial applications. Goupil, located in Bourran, France sells its vehicles in 18 countries throughout Europe and beyond. Goupil offers a diverse electric vehicle lineup that includes the G3 and the newly introduced G5 and G5 hybrid electric models. Goupil vehicles are compact, maneuverable, on-road approved and available in multiple configurations to meet the unique needs of its municipal, industrial, delivery, service provider and other commercial customers.

Jeremie Warnia Wins 2011 WORCS Championship

Dirt Trax Online
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Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racer Jeremie Warnia won the World Off-Road Championship Series (WORCS) Pro-class Championship with a second-place finish at the finale in Surprise, Ariz.

Teammate Josh Frederick, who was tied with Warnia for the Pro class points lead heading into the final race, finished third and only two points behind Warnia in the chase for the series title. Collins Webster won the WORCS Pro-Am Championship by winning the final race aboard his Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450.

“I couldn’t be happier for Jeremie Warnia and for the Motoworks / Can-Am team’s outstanding effort in 2011,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “Both Jeremie and Josh Frederick were extremely competitive and very consistent all season long, which is the mark of both a top-notch program and a professional approach from a riders’ perspective. They only missed one Pro class podium the entire season and notched six victories in nine races. While they both deserved to win, Jeremie prevailed and I’m thrilled that he could earn his first WORCS title.”

The WORCS finale was held at Speed World MX and featured wet, muddy conditions due to heavy and steady rains throughout the night. The poor conditions early on made the start of the race even more important.

Warnia got a good start as he rocketed off the line and tucked into second place behind the race leader. Frederick was less fortunate than his teammate but still was in the top five at the start.

However, the 2010 WORCS Champion fell to seventh after the first lap and had to play catch up the remainder of the race. By lap six, he had passed his way into third place, but could not catch the top-two racers.

Warnia took the lead on lap six and he was aggressively pursuing his first WORCS title. Two laps later he fell back to second and made the decision to ride in control and finish the race in his current position.

He crossed the finish line in second place, earning his eighth Pro class podium of the year, and ahead of Frederick to capture his first WORCS Pro Championship.

Frederick ended the day in third place in the Pro class after his inspiring comeback at round nine. In 2011, he finished on the podium in every round and earned second overall in the Pro class points standings.

“It has been a pleasure for me to ride in the U.S. for the last couple of years and getting a championship here has made me very happy,” said Warnia. “Today was great for me. I got a good start and I just tried to ride my best. I have been training hard, trying to do my best and I finally got a championship.”

“I am disappointed I didn’t get the championship, but I am really happy for Jeremie and his winning the championship is good for our team,” said Frederick.

Fellow Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 Pro Dillon Zimmerman matched a season best with a fifth-place finish at the final event in Arizona. He finished sixth overall for the year in the Pro class. Can-Am DS 450 pro racers finished first, second and sixth in the Pro class.

Pro-Am competitor Collins Webster capped his season with a dominating ride aboard his Motoworks-prepped Can-Am DS 450. He moved from second into first on lap two and never looked back as he posted the fastest lap of the race on lap 10 and won his class by more than 30 seconds.

The racer, from Las Vegas, Nevada, won four overalls in 2011 and finished 22 points ahead of second place during his championship-winning season.

“It feels great to take two championships this year,” said Johnny Leach, Motoworks owner. “The Can-Am DS450 is a very solid machine and it has been great for us this year.”

In the UTV Class 1 race, Mark Holz finished third in his Motoworks / Holz Racing Can-Am Commander 1000 X to capture second place in the class championship points.

LATEST YAMAHA RHINO RULING

Dirt Trax Online
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With Ruling in McTaggart vs Yamaha, Yamaha Now Victorious in all Rhino Cases that have Gone to Trial

The Court of Appeals of Georgia today unanimously reversed a trial court’s May 2010 decision in favor of plaintiffs and ordered judgment for Yamaha in McTaggart vs Yamaha, a case involving an accident on a Yamaha Rhino.

The Court of Appeals’ decision means that courts in all nine cases that have gone to trial have rejected plaintiffs’ claims and found in favor of Yamaha.

Yamaha stands firmly behind the Rhino and will continue to vigorously defend the product. The Rhino is a safe and useful off-road vehicle when driven responsibly, and has won virtually every “first in class” award and top safety ratings in independent reviews since its introduction.

The testimony and evidence presented during the trial showed that this unfortunate incident had nothing to do with the design of the product. The incident illustrates the importance of following the safety guidelines posted on the vehicle and the owner’s manual.

The Rhino is a safe and useful off-road vehicle when driven responsibly. Drivers and passengers should wear helmets, protective gear including foot wear, and the vehicle’s three-point seat belts at all times.

Yamaha’s top priority is the safety of our customers, and we pride ourselves in the safety and quality of our products.

To learn more about the Yamaha Rhino, visit our website www.truthaboutrhino.com

Note to Editor: This statement can be attributed to Van Holmes, ATV/SxS Public Relations Manager, Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.

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

Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. (YMUS), a leader in the motorsports market, offers the toughest, most capable and versatile ATV and Side-by-Side vehicles. The company’s ever-expanding line of products 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 1977, 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

RIDE IMPRESSIONS: Polaris Sportsman 850 Touring

Mike Lester
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RIDE IMPRESSIONS: Polaris Sportsman 850 Touring

Without question, the 2-up ATV industry has crept its way into the hearts and minds of ATV enthusiasts everywhere.

Who would have thought that a “Tourer” could actually have the showroom appeal of a 1-up ATV?! Sounds insane, but Polaris has embodied this unique balance in its Sportsman 850 Touring.

The XP chassis features a longitudinally mounted engine, which provides considerably more room in the footwells delivering a more natural feeling when in the saddle and especially when transitioning from a seated to a standing position. Furthermore, this additional space goes a long way when you have a passenger at your back.

Polaris’ unique Comfort Ride system is essentially a spring shock mounted just under the rear seat and provides additional support for your passenger when the ATV’s suspension is pushed to its limits. Though not ones to usually take the back seat, we found this spot so comfortable we might not complain nearly as much if we had to relinquish the controls again in the future.

We hear a common complaint about Touring ATVs from guys that see the benefits, but have a tough time giving up the performance and handling a 1-up ATV delivers. We think Polaris has been listening because the 850 Sportsman Touring has this riddle solved.

Our favorite feature has to be how quickly and conveniently you can turn this 2-upper into a 1-up ride. Literally within minutes, you can remove the rear seat and hand grips and you’d swear you were riding a 1-up Sportsman XP. In 1-up trim, you have full use of your front and rear racks so you can load up fire wood, hunting or camping gear, or just unleash the 70 horsepower monster under your seat for a full day of solo riding.

Proportional EPS works exceptionally well to provide smooth handling through tight twisty trails, especially with a passenger in tow and little features like heated hand grips and a thumb warmer kept are digits toasty on even the chilliest fall days. Snow? Crank up the hot grips, hook on your Glacier Plow and clear your driveway comfortably all winter long!

At Dirt Trax, we’re huge proponents using an ATV designed for 2-up riding instead of adding a king/queen seat to a 1-up ATV. Single passenger ATVs were not designed to accommodate the additional weight placed over or slightly behind the rear axle, which can result in instability when climbing hills putting you and your passenger at risk of flipping over backwards.

The 850 Sportsman Touring sacrifices nothing in performance to provide you with the safest most comfortable ride you could ask for and in our opinion, that’s a deal maker right there.

VIDEO:

* 2011 Polaris Sportsman Touring 850 LE

2011 Polaris Sportsman Touring 850 LE

Dirt Trax TV
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Dirt Trax Television Co-Host Luke Lester takes us through the highlights and features of Polaris’ 2011 Polaris Sportsman Touring 850 LE.

Watch full episodes online at www.dirttraxtv.com

Yamaha Partners with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Dirt Trax Online
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Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., the leading maker of ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) vehicles for outdoorsmen, has partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) to help support its mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.

Through the partnership, Yamaha becomes the exclusive sponsor for the RMEF’s “Ride Right” program that delivers safe, responsible outdoors recommendations through BUGLE magazine, the foundation’s official publication.

“Yamaha is proud to partner with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and their efforts to communicate safe, responsible messages to sportsmen,” said Steve Nessl, marketing manager for Yamaha’s ATV/SxS group. “Yamaha is the leading ATV manufacturer involved in the outdoors industry, and the Ride Right campaign perfectly aligns with our goals of fostering responsible public messages and ensuring lasting access to our public lands.”

Yamaha will also join the RMEF Great Elk Tour and give away a Grizzly 700 FI EPS ATV in Realtree AP HD camo (MSPR: $9,499) to support RMEF membership and fundraising campaigns.

“Anyone can enter to win the ATV at any of our 2012 Great Elk Tour stops at sports and outdoor shows around the country,” said Steve Decker, vice president of marketing for RMEF. “We thank Yamaha for giving RMEF supporters an opportunity to win a great prize, and for supporting conservation.”

Yamaha, through its relationships with organizations such as RMEF, Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club International, Buckmasters, NWTF and NHF Day, among others, is a continued supporter of conservation efforts for outdoor recreational enthusiasts.

Not only does Yamaha support critical outdoors conservation programs, but it also runs its own program – the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative, which has GRANTed nearly $2 million toward supporting safe, responsible riding and open, sustainable riding areas since 2008.

The Great Elk Tour is the Elk Foundation’s premier traveling conservation exhibit showcasing mounts of some of the largest bull elk in the world. The display offers a better understanding of the habitat needs of these animals and how supporting the Elk Foundation helps conserve elk country.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that has protected or enhanced habitat on over 6 million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

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

Is Honda Stepping Up or Backing Down?

Motorhead Mark Lester
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Dear Motorhead:

First, I wanted to say that I really enjoy Dirt Trax Television. You guys are by far the most knowledgeable and informative ATV show I’ve watched.

In your recent episode “Honda Historical”, you indicated that in 2000 Honda introduced the first longitudinally mounted engine in the Rancher. However, they actually introduced that in 1995 in the Fortrax Forman 400.

Other than that, I found the segment on Honda innovation interesting as although historically they were very innovative, they’ve fallen way behind in recent years. They’re largest ATV is a 680, they don’t offer power steering on their flagship Rincon and they don’t offer a differential locker on anything.

Personally, I’ve always felt Honda has tons of potential, but fails to use it. It seems they are happy with sitting on thier current marketshare lead and selling by their name and known reliability rather than being innovative. I think this will eventually catch up with them.

Anyways, thanks for reading my slight rant and keep up the good work! I’m anxious to see a test of the new Outlander 1000, as I’m pretty set on upgrading my Grizzly 700 to one.

Tyler

Thanks for your email!

You are correct about the 1995 Foreman – I apologize!

Yes, Honda needs to step up and offer competitive features to stay credible in the game. I think they are finally “getting it” and we’re optimistic about the next few years.

Time will tell!

Motorhead Mark

Yamaha GRANTs Support 4,500 Miles of OHV Trails

Dirt Trax Online
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Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A.’s, OHV Access Initiative – the industry leader in Guaranteeing Responsible Access to our Nation’s Trails (GRANTs) announced a significant contribution to the nation’s OHV trail network with GRANTs funding five projects in the third quarter that support 4,500 miles of OHV trails across the country. 

Further, the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative announces the schedule of submission and decision deadlines for 2012 with a call to the OHV community to identify quality projects for consideration of support from the GRANT fund.
 
“More than 160 Yamaha GRANTs have been awarded since the Initiative’s inception in 2008, but we want to do more,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV and SxS marketing manager.  “The Yamaha OHV Access Initiative has grown into the number one industry resource for the OHV community in its support of riding areas across the country, and we encourage riders and public land managers to work together to identify and submit projects for consideration of a GRANT.”
 
Five organizations were awarded GRANTs totaling more than $40,000 in the third quarter 2011 funding cycle of the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative:

808 MX ATV Association – Hilo, Hawaii
Forest County ATV Association – Laona, Wis.
Long Island Recreational Trails Conservancy – Long Island, N.Y.
North Country ATV Association – Greenville Center, N.Y.
Shasta-Trinity National Forest – Redding, Calif.

Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of trails, maintained and rehabilitated countless riding areas, improved staging areas, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local riding communities across the country to improve the OHV experience. 

Yamaha is actively seeking qualified projects at local, state and federal levels.  The 2011 OHV Access Initiative GRANT application form and guidelines are available at www.yamaha-motor.com/ohvaccess. 

The deadline to submit an application for consideration in the fourth quarter GRANT funding cycle is November 30, 2011.
 
The quarterly review calendar for 2012 is as follows:

Submission Schedule Approval Deadline

– December 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012
– May 4, 2012
– April 1 – June 30, 2012
– July 31, 2012
– July 1 – September 29, 2012
– October 31, 2012
– October 1 – November 30, 2012
– January 11, 2013
 
About the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative

Each quarter, Yamaha accepts applications from non-profit or tax-exempt organizations including OHV riding clubs and associations, national, state and local public land use agencies and other members of the OHV community in the United States. A committee then reviews each application and awards GRANTs to deserving projects.
 
Examples of appropriate projects for GRANTs include, but are not limited to:

1. Trail development, restoration and maintenance
2. Trail signage and map production
3. Staging area construction, renovation and maintenance
4. Land stewardship, trail safety and education
 
For specific questions about the OHV Access Initiative, call Yamaha’s dedicated OHV Access Initiative Hotline at 1-877-OHV-TRAIL (877-648-8724) or write to: Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Review Committee, 6555 Katella Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630-5101.

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