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THE ORIGINAL SIDE-X-SIDE

Mike Lester
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THE ORIGINAL SIDE-X-SIDE

A Rare Gem Discovered at ArcticÂ’s 50th Celebration

Arctic Cat celebrated its 50th anniversary last week with festivities taking place in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Showcased among the vintage snowmobiles and early projects by the fledgling company, was one of the original fifteen Model 1000 side-x-sides created by Edgar Hetteen in 1965.

This beautifully restored Model 1000 (pictured) is owned and was displayed by Wayne and Cindy Kuster of Grand Forks North Dakota.

The Model 1000 featured 4-wheel drive, an articulated chassis and a 10 horsepower Koehler engine driving through a snowmobile-type torque converter. It also boasted a forward and reverse gearbox. Look closely at the tractor-type tires – pretty much the first mudders before this was even considered an aftermarket upgrade!

Unfortunately in its early days, Arctic Enterprises couldn’t afford to dive into an entirely new market introducing this radical concept and the Model 1000 got shelved.

Now 46 years later, Arctic Cat introduces another radical new design in the 1000 Wildcat, but the Model 1000 will always represent CatÂ’s commitment to innovation by introducing vehicles ahead of their time.

For more awesome information on Arctic CatÂ’s history, read “LEGEND: Arctic Cat’s First Four Decades” written by the late CJ Ramstad. Its a must-read for any Arctic Cat fan.

SUZUKI ROLLS OUT 2012 UTILITY SPORT ATV LINEUP

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SUZUKI ROLLS OUT 2012 UTILITY SPORT ATV LINEUP

Suzuki is pleased to announce the arrival of the 2012 utility sport ATV lineup, including the KingQuad 750AXi, KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering, KingQuad 500AXi, KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering, KingQuad 400ASi, KingQuad 400FSi and Ozark 250 models. These class-leading utility sport ATV models boast the performance and features to hit the trail or get the job done.
 
“Our utility sport ATVs boast advanced technology and class-leading features for impressive performance and tough versatility to conquer any trail or task,” said Suzuki’s Senior Communications Manager Steve Bortolamedi, “the powerful, Suzuki fuel-injected 2012 KingQuad models and the sporty, lightweight Ozark 250 offer customers many options to find the right ATV to suit a wide variety of needs.”
 
The KingQuad 750AXi and KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering are rugged machines engineered to tackle the toughest jobs and nastiest trails without breaking a sweat.

They are loaded with technologically-advanced features including adjustable, independent A-arm front suspension, locking front differential, high/low-selectable subtransmission and a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled powerplant with efficient Suzuki fuel injection to give these top-of-the-line KingQuad models impressive all-around performance. Advanced electric power steering makes it convenient and easy for the KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering to tackle the toughest terrain.
 
The KingQuad 500AXi and KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering boast much of the same class-leading features and advanced technology as the KingQuad 750AXi and KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering models, with a robust Suzuki fuel-injected 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 493cc engine and lightweight chassis with adjustable, independent A-arm front suspension, easily-selectable push-button 2WD/4WD operation and selectable high/low range that provides strong, versatile performance with exceptional torque and power to handle difficult trails and terrain.
 
The KingQuad 400ASi and KingQuad 400FSi models feature SuzukiÂ’s advanced ATV technology in a lightweight mid-size utility package that offers excellent handling and strong performance for a wide variety of trails and tasks.

The Suzuki fuel-injected KingQuad 400FSi and KingQuad 400ASi models are the only utility ATVs in their class available in both manual and automatic transmissions, to suit a wide variety of rider applications and preferences.

The KingQuad 400ASi and KingQuad 400FSi also boast class-leading features like dual front hydraulic disc brakes, easily-selectable 2WD/4WD options with selectable high/low subtransmission and convenient features like LCD digital instrumentation.
 
The Ozark 250 represents an incredible value for a lightweight utility sport ATV. The pack of class-leading features on the Ozark 250 includes a powerful 246cc 4-stroke powerplant, independent A-arm front suspension, swingarm rear suspension and sleek modern styling. It offers customers looking for a rugged, sporty lightweight utility sport ATV a great choice with unrivaled performance and convenient features.
 
More information about the 2012 Suzuki utility sport ATV line can be found at: www.Suzukicycles.com and Suzuki Now – www.suzukicycles.com/now

Friday Night Lights ATV Summer Series

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GBC Motorsports would like to congratulate ATV racers Ed Franco and Ralph Rodriguez on being the first two winners of the Friday Night Lights ATV Summer Series raffle.

Both Franco and Rodriguez took home a set of GBC Motorsports’ Bomb Squad MX tires, the high performance ATV MX tire designed in conjunction with ATV racing legend Wes Miller and H-Bomb Films’ Bomb Squad ATV team.

GBC Motorsports will raffle off another set of Bomb Squad MX tires at the upcoming round of the FNL ATV Summer Series on August 12th.

Bomb Squad MX tires incorporate both the Bomb Squad and H-bomb logos into a unique dual-directional tread pattern for better forward traction and braking performance.

The tires also feature a high knob count to allow racers looking for the ultimate in performance to groove the tires to better suit track conditions.

The Friday Night Lights ATV Summer Series at Milestone MX Park in Riverside, Calif. is one of the most successful amateur ATV racing series in Southern California, and GBC Motorsports is proud to support local ATV racing.

The series draws amateurs from all over California, as well as pro racers like Jeremie Warnia and David Haagsma.

For more information on GBC Motorsports’ products, including the Bomb Squad MX tire line, check out www.gbcmotorsports.com.

Honda TRX 420: Is it Better or Just Different?

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Honda TRX 420: Is it Better or Just Different?

When it comes to hardcore ATV users – you know, those of us who have owned more than one ATV in the past, Honda has been a bit quiet the last couple of years.

The company is still number one in ATV sales, though, and this status is testament to the fact consumers still view the brand as durable and appealing.

Perhaps Honda has been a bit tardy with keeping a long list of new features and innovations from appearing on its ATVs the last while and in defense of the company, the desire to build simple, efficient and lightweight 4-wheelers has been a priority.

For instance, logic dictates if an ATV is light enough, its 4-wheel drive system will work much more efficiently on slick or mud clogged surfaces. If an ATV is designed with utmost simplicity, it will tend to last longer and be much more reliable.

We took delivery of a new TRX 420 Canadian Edition (apologies to our US readers and viewers here but the same ATV is called the FourTrax Rancher AT south of the Canadian border).

The idea behind the Canadian Edition moniker is suspension calibration. Someone in the engineering department must have figured out Canadians have much more tender butts because this one has a very plush ride and uses most of its travel to keep the rider comfortable.

What we’ve been particularly surprised at is the combination of a strong feature list (EFI, selectable 4×4 (no diff-lock), dual clutch automatic tranny, great gauge package and IRS) combined with very good handling, exceptional ride and a strong running mill.

Although the wheels are stamped steel, there’s decent rubber boasting a nice semi-aggressive lug configuration.

The dual clutch 5-speed shifts beautifully and gives the rider nice little nudges to remind him that shifts are actually taking place. We found this to add to the fun and definitely creates a different sort of riding experience. This transmission is as smooth as silk and, after using it for a while, even our most CVT addicted testers had to agree it works.

Ergonomically, the 420 is a winner. Full floorboards, comfortable control layout and a great seating position put the rider in a very confident state of mind. Build quality is excellent, too.

Probably the best way to sum up our impressions is to say Honda doesn’t always do things the way everyone else does, but with this 420, the trip to home plate is just as effective as any of the competition.

Natalie Wins Red Bud Extending Points Lead

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Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 pro ATV racer John Natalie won round 10 of the 2011 AMA ATV Motocross Championship series held at Red Bud in Buchanan, Mich.

With a brilliant second-moto performance and victory, Natalie secured the Pro class overall and extended his points lead heading into the series finale Aug.13 in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

“John was absolutely outstanding on the punishing Red Bud motocross track,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “His 2-1 finishes were truly inspirational considering the challenging whoops section, the heat, humidity and the fact that he’s still healing from his surgically repaired arm. This win puts him in the driver’s seat for the finale at Loretta Lynn’s. And it was also nice to have Chase Snapp notch yet another top five finish as a rookie pro.”

In the first Pro class moto, Natalie came out of the gate in fifth, but quickly passed his way into the second spot. He later passed for the lead in the difficult whoops section. He dropped back to second place after a small miscue prior to the checkers.

Natalie came off the line in third place to start the second Pro moto. He again moved into second place and then started to pressure the leader. Natalie took over the race lead at the midway point, but was challenged by another rider over the final few laps.

Each time, Natalie held off the younger racer and then eventually crossed the finish line with the second-moto victory. His 2-1 scores were good for the Pro class win and his third overall win of 2011. He now leads the second-place rider by 10 points with one round remaining.

“I have a little more cushion in the points now, but that won’t allow me to relax because I really want to win this championship and anything can happen,” said Natalie. “I felt pretty good out there. My arm is doing much better and I am going for the win at Loretta’s. I have to thank Can-Am and Motoworks for everything they do because if it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be up here [on the podium], so I am going to do everything I can to give them a championship.”

Pro-class rookie and Can-Am X-Team member Chase Snapp had a good first moto as he finished fourth. However, in moto two an errant rock got stuck between the engine cases and the shift lever and forced Snapp to pull off to fix it.

Even so, he managed to finish ninth in moto two and secure fifth place in the Pro class standings. His 4-9 moto scores earned him the fifth place position for the weekend. It was the fifth time Snapp has finished fifth or better aboard his Can-Am DS 450 this season.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

WHICH BIG BORE ENGINE LAYOUT IS BEST?

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WHICH BIG BORE ENGINE LAYOUT IS BEST?

Currently, there are three engine configurations available when you’re shopping for a Big Bore ATV: There’s the single cylinder engine, the parallel twin and the V-twin.

There are fairly distinct advantages with each and you may not have really thought much about it.

If you prefer the single cylinder “plonker”, you’ll find, for vibration reasons, the engine displacements of these motors usually don’t go beyond 700ccs. These engines are very light, have fewer moving parts and tend to deliver huge torque at low RPM.

Some use overhead valves with one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder (Honda). Some are single overhead cam or DOHC 4-valvers (Suzuki, Yamaha, Arctic Cat) – however, each has the advantage of producing the kind of power that really works well with 4-wheel drive – bottom end grunt and a torque curve that kicks in low and stays strong up through the mid-range!

The V-twin, (Kawasaki, Arctic Cat, Can-Am) although a bit more complex and somewhat heavier, shares the single’s advantage of being very narrow. This narrowness works well with the limited space available around the footrests on an ATV.

Displacements can comfortably exceed 1000ccs and there’s less likelihood of having huge vibration issues when the cylinders are firing at 60 or 90-degrees.

The parallel twin (Polaris) is a popular choice but needs a counter-balancer when the engine size gets over 500ccs.

This usually means extra weight and of course, more complexity with two cylinders instead of one. The advantage is that the parallel twin loves to rev and cam timing can be more radical without sacrificing much torque.

Some parallel twins are even firing. This means the engine actually works like a big single with both pistons moving and firing in unison. Counter-balancers are definitely used in this configuration.

Tough to say one is better than the other – it all depends on what you like in an ATV. Priorities are usually related to weight, power or throttle response. You be the judge.

Can-Am DS 450 Racers See Weekend Success

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Can-Am pro racers had a successful weekend racing their DS 450 ATVs in both the United States and Canada. Three racers earned a total of six pro-level podiums competing in the New England ATV Motocross (NEATV-MX) series and the Canadian Motosport Racing Club (CMRC) series.

“Can-Am pro racers continue to put in impressive rides and earn podiums aboard the highly competitive DS 450 ATV,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “No matter the country or the series, the DS 450 has proven to be a competent and capable machine for ATV motocross.”

In the NEATV-MX series, Motoworks / Can-Am racer Josh Creamer won the first moto in both the Pro and Pro-Am classes, but finished in the runner-up spot in moto two of each class. His 1-2 moto scores in both classes earned him second overall in each class. However, he remains just 14 points behind the Pro class points leader heading into round eight August 7, in Lyman, Maine.

“It was definitely a rough track and I had some shock issues out there, but I finished on the podium and that’s what counts,” said Creamer. “I’m going to be doing a little more training between now and the next round, because I want to be back on top and take the win.”

BCS Performance / Can-Am DS 450 pro racer Cody Miller tallied a 4-3 moto score in the Pro class for third place overall. Miller, who grabbed the holeshot in the first Pro-Am moto, also finished third overall in the Pro-Am class.

The CMRC Canada Cup series held a doubleheader this past weekend Motopark Racing in Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada. Round two was held Saturday in the brutal heat and humidity and round three was held the following day.

Can-Am X-Team pro racer Richard Pelchat earned second in the pro class on both days. He earned 2-2 moto scores on both days, which resulted in second-place overall finishes for each round.

“Overall I had a good weekend and my quad was running really well despite the heat and I had a good time out there. I am going to go home and rest up a bit and recharge. Then I am going to get back to training so I can come back in the next round and take a win for Can-Am,” said Pelchat.

For more information on Can-Am racing, the entire 2011 schedule, the 2011 contingency program and Can-Am DS 450 ATV amateur racer support program, please visit www.can-amxteam.com.

WILDCAT EXCLUSIVE CLOSE-UP

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WILDCAT EXCLUSIVE CLOSE-UP

This past weekend marked Arctic Cat’s 50th Anniversary and the town of Thief River Falls Minnesota was powder keg of excitement as enthusiastic Cat faithfuls roamed the streets chomping at the bit to be a part of the festivities.

Events included a swap meet, test rides of prowlers and ATVs and plant tours running all day Friday and Saturday.

Among the events that took place was an amazing vintage showcase featuring just about every model of snowmobile, ATV, side-x-side dirt bike and yes, even bicycle that Arctic Cat has rolled out its doors since Edgar Hetteen founded the company in the early 1960’s.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated element of the whole event was the opportunity for anyone wearing green undies to get a close-up look at Cat’s new RZR XP beater, the 1000 HO Wildcat side-x-side.

With itchy trigger fingers, AC cognoscenti resisted pulling the sheets off the Wildcat until anticipation had reached a boiling point early Saturday afternoon. Your favorite television show and magazine – Dirt Trax, got an exclusive chaperoned sneak peek at the Wildcat on the back lot of the Arctic Cat plant before anyone else.

The Wildcat is a thing of beauty and Cat engineers have done their homework with an offering that will give the RZR XP a run for its money. Dirt Trax Co-Host AJ Lester wiped the drool from his mouth on more than one occasion that day as he envisioned his first ride behind the wheel of the Wildcat.

You can expect a full TEST RIDE of the Wildcat on an upcoming episode of Dirt Trax Television and in Dirt Trax Magazine and expect to see it run against an XP the minute we get it on the ground.

See exclusive photos of the Wildcat by clicking the images to the right.

Who Is Listening to Whom?

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Who Is Listening to Whom?

The last couple of issues of Dirt Trax Magazine and on this website (check out our archives May 20, 2011: “How About a Gentler Razor?“) we’ve been hinting about the need for Polaris to introduce a down-priced single cylinder RZR with about 550cc’s of displacement.

The idea, we asserted was to get folks who don’t have the jing to buy fully jazzed models like the Razor S or the new XP900 into the market to experience the fun factor a buggy style off-roader offers. Lo and behold, we just received word Polaris has introduced a new model called the RZR 570.

This vehicle offers full-time 4-wheel drive and all the great suspension travel RZR lovers have come to expect. It’s actually considerably better equipped than we could have dreamed – we had originally suggested a 2-wheel drive vehicle instead of one with 4×4 to keep the price as low as possible.

The good news is this Razor will be priced about $2,300.00 less than a base RZR 800 ($9,995.00 US) and still uses good quality suspension components (Sachs ZF shocks with front and rear sway bars) and lots of travel (9-inches front and 9.5-inches rear).

We haven’t gotten all the details on the new Pro-Star engine yet but, although Polaris claims it’s all-new, we would guess it’s based on the company’s DOHC XP 550 mill and is perhaps punched out a bit to get to 570ccs. Dunno for sure yet.

One thing we do know is that Polaris has utilized a completely new transmission to accompany the Pro-Star 570 engine. Our guess here is that the positioning of the RZR’s power package (placed further back than the 550 Ranger) required a new casting to hook up its transverse mounted single cylinder mill to its CVT and rear differential.

Hats off to Polaris for building a vehicle that will bring new people under the sport UTV spotlight. In the future, we’ll try to keep reading the minds of the OEMs as well as we did on this one!

* Read more about the RZR 570 here!

POLARIS INTRODUCES RANGER RZR 570

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POLARIS INTRODUCES RANGER RZR 570

Since 2008, Polaris has introduced a new RANGER RZR model every year and Model Year 2012 will be no different, introducing the new RANGER RZR 570, the second trail-capable side-by-side in the RANGER RZR family.

Priced at $9,999, the single-cylinder unit offers a value trail machine that stays true to the RANGER RZR family promise of being the ultimate combination of power, suspension and agility.

“The launch of the RANGER RZR 800 introduced the industry to the first trail-capable Side-by-Side,’ said Matt Homan, vice president and general manager of Polaris’ Off-Road Division. “With the success of the RANGER RZR 800, we saw the need for a single-cylinder model at a price point that will allow more customers to enter the trail-capable Side-by-Side segment.”

At the heart of the RANGER RZR 570 is an all-new ProStar 570 single cylinder, DOHC, electronic fuel injected engine. The engine is the second in the ProStar family, made specifically for Side-by-Side vehicles, which also includes the ProStar 900 introduced earlier this year in the RANGER RZR XP 900. The ProStar 570 has 650 watts of stator output and features a removable cargo bed floor and a wet sump for easy serviceability.

To complement the new engine, Polaris equipped the RANGER RZR 570 with a new transmission that was specifically built to optimize the power of the new ProStar engine. Its optimized gear geometry means more power to the ground, less driveline noise and lighter weight. The innovative design, first featured on the RANGER RZR XP 900, features a helical cut final drive with high torque capacity to maximize efficiency.

To tackle the rugged trail, the RANGER RZR 570 features an all-new, ultra smooth Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) with specifically-designed geometry that provides 9.5-inches of travel in the rear. The front suspension features Dual A-Arms with 9-inches of suspension travel.

Coupling the front and rear suspension with a 77-inch long wheelbase, pre-load adjustable ZF Sachs Shocks on all four corners and exclusive front and rear anti-sway bars that keep the chassis flat while cornering, gives the RANGER RZR 570 the ability to soak up anything the trail can throw in its way.

Since the launch of the RANGER RZR 800 in 2008, Polaris has been the only manufacturer to offer a trail-capable Side-by-Side. At 50 inches wide, the RANGER RZR 570 is the second trail-capable model in the family. Built with the patented design that places the engine behind the seat, the RANGER RZR 570 has a low center of gravity delivering agile, razor-sharp handling on the trail.

When the trail gets rough, the vehicle’s True All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system puts the 50-inch width to work in and out of corners.

It’s the easiest-to-use and fastest responding on-demand system that automatically engages all four wheels when forward traction is needed and it reverts back to two-wheel drive automatically when AWD is no longer needed. The system provides easier steering, less wear and tear on driveline components, and maximum power when you need it most.

For comfort, RANGER RZR 570 also sports comfortable ergonomics with tilt steering offering the widest range of motion, adjustable hand rails and seats. Safety features include a Certified Roll-Over Protective Structure (ROPS) and side nets designed for easy in-and-out access. For gear, the unit features a new, rear 300 lb capacity, flat cargo box with Lock & Ride accessory technology and built-in rack extenders to maximize carrying capacity.

Offered in Indy Red, RANGER RZR 570 will be available at Polaris dealerships late fall. More information about Polaris’ whole line of Off-Road Vehicle offerings can be found online at www.Polaris.com.

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