Home Blog Page 287

FIRST RIDE: 2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS

0

Last week Dirt Trax Magazine got the opportunity to throw a leg over the 2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 in the mountains surrounding Medford, Oregon.

Saying the Brute Force 750’s engine is a bit snappier as a result of this season’s modifications is like saying Pismo is a bit sandy. Kawi wants this to be its year to shine and has come to the table with a winner. The icing on the cake is the addition of electric assisted power steering.

While climbing to 4000 feet elevation, fuel delivery to the Brute’s 90-degree 749cc V-twin mill was smooth and linear. There were times we were practically vertical in our ascent and right when you needed that extra burst of power, the engine never stuttered once. The Kawasaki’s power is exceptional and low-end grunt has improved to get you up and over the crest without the slightest concern.

Power steering remains one of the best innovations since independent rear suspension. Don’t let the haters fool you. During our ride, there were plenty of rocks hidden under the snow-covered trails providing just about every opportunity for the bars to be ripped from the riderÂ’s hands. Every hit was absorbed thanks to the input received by the EPS assist motor, leaving the rider feeling completely in control over extreme terrain.

One thing we truly love about Kawasaki ATVs is how we feel in the saddle. The seating position feels slightly taller than competitive brands, but it provides a better view over the front racks and makes sitting-to-standing transitions much easier.

Handlebar height is just right for a 6-foot rider size and the simple addition of sportier grips on this model provides the feeling of enhanced steering control especially when coupled with the new EPS.

You can expect a full report in the upcoming issue of Dirt Trax Magazine available in late April and you can bet we’ll be pulling all strings to get a Brute force 750 for testing on Dirt Trax Television this season.

Until then, make sure you’re signed up for Dirt Trax Magazine on Zinio.com to be among the first to get this issue (Volume 12, Number 3) without even leaving your house. Technology is awesome!

BEST IN CLASS: Best 2-Upper

0

WINNER: 2010 Can-Am Outlander Max 800R

It was Can-Am who delivered the first purpose-built 2-up ATV and altered the market forever.

Today, the Outlander Max stretched chassis offers a rock-solid base to carry two people in complete comfort and safety.

In fact, we’ve argued the Max is actually more stable in gnarly, twisty, off-camber and hilly terrain with two on board than when driven solo. Might be a bit of an exaggeration but we think it’s an incredible way to carry two people, period.

Making the Max worth extra jing is the formidable Rotax 800R V-twin chugging 70 ponies. The exhaust sounds alone from this mill are worth the price of admission.

Can-Am’s unique Visco-Lok 4×4 that requires no manual engagement of 4-wheel drive or diff-lock, unless the driver chooses it, great factory wheels and tires, beautifully crafted seats and storage areas plus a host of well-thought-out comfort amenities put the Outlander Max at the top of the twofer game this year.

RUNNERS UP

2010 Sportsman Touring 850 EPS

Bristling with comfort amenities, the Sportsman was oh-so-close to taking the BIC again this year with our editors arm wrestling over details. The “Comfort Ride” fully suspended rear passenger king-queen seat is an amazing feat of engineering providing an almost serene, smooth ride for rear seat passengers.

Combine this with the XP platform’s super narrow ergonomics and both rider and passenger can take on terrain effortlessly for hours at a time.

2010 Arctic Cat TRV Cruiser

Arctic Cat is downright competitive this year offering this amazingly well equipped, top drawer 2-up touring ride. The amenities here scream “Big Miles!” with a beautiful and functional rear luggage box and front fairing.

Creature comforts extend to thoughtful heated front and rear grips and an excellent digital gauge package. We cannot overstate how torquey and powerful this 1000cc twin is when carrying a full load of gear and two adults.

GBC riders tackle Aionia Motorsports Park

With only 6 days to recuperate, and prepare after Round 1 in Florida, The team of GBC support riders arrived in Georgia road weary but enthusiastic about the second stop on the 2011 GNCC tour.

Near perfect temps greeted the riders and a considerable amount of rain in the days leading up to the event ensured that there would be no dust, and both rider and tire would be tested in the soggy Georgia red clay.

Always quick off the tip of the starters flag Kristen Atwell started the day off with another holeshot, and traded the lead back and forth throughout each of the first 4 laps.

The final lap saw the top 3 women all running within inches of each other right up to the checkered flag. Kristen finished in 3rd place and 6th overall. Known to excel as the series heads north to tighter and more technical tracks, watch for Kristen and her X-Rex tires to be making a visit to the top step of the podium very soon.

Forest Whorton continued his winning ways in the 4X4 +45 class and holds the points lead heading into the Steel Creek GNCC. Top 4×4 open contender Rick Cecco was running well, and hoping to track down his first win of 2011, but a mechanical failure dropped him from contention after 3 laps.

In the afternoon Pro race it was Johnny Gallagher who lead the way this time for the GBC brigade. Starting off the day near the back of the pack Johnny climbed his way up the ranking all day long to eventually cross the line in the 6th place position, 7th overall.

“I had a terrible day in Florida, so I was anxious to redeem myself here today. My Ground Buster II XC’s pulled me through all the deep ruts and mud holes with ease, and IÂ’m looking forward to Steel Creek.”

XC1 Rookie Kevin Yoho proved that his top 10 finish in Florida was no fluke by backing it up with a 7th place, and 8th overall.

Brian Cook used the traction of his GBC’s to get off the line quickest and was awarded the holeshot award. He ran in the top 5 for the first 3 laps before loosing time removing a stick that wedged itself in his chain.

Despite the setback Bryan was able to earn an 8th place finish, 9th overall. Keep a close eye on Mr. Cook at round 4 in 2 weeks, as Steel Creek is a track he has won at before. The XC2 podium celebration was covered in GBC Motorsports riders with FRE/KTM riders Aarol Bright, and Richie Brown taking the 2nd and 3rd place positions, as well as 12th and 13th overall.

The racing action moves north to Morganton North Carolina on March 26th, if you’re attending the race be sure to stop by the GBC pit area in the Pro Pits to say hello and pick up some cool swag!

RANGER RZRs Continue to Dominate WORCS

The Crazy Horse GP WORCS race, in Lake Havasu, AZ., saw Polaris RANGER RZRs dominate with clean sweeps of the top three spots in the Side-by-Side 1 and 2 classes.

National Guard Polaris Coastal DragonFire Yokley Racing Team Driver William Yokley finished sixth in the Side by Side 1 Class, and National Guard Polaris Coastal Yokley Racing Team Driver Scott Kiger finished third in the same class.

“We are thrilled to see RANGER RZRs, especially the new RANGER RZR XP 900, on top in the Side-by-Side classes,” said Donna Beadle, Polaris Race Team Manager. “We congratulate Yokley and Kiger on their great runs and look forward to the continued success of RANGER RZRs in this series.”

Yokley continues to lead the WORCS season points in the Side-by-Side 1 class and Scott Kiger is in striking distance, in fifth. The Team will be back in action at the GNCC race, in Union, South Carolina, on April 9.

BRP TO HOST ITS BIGGEST COMM/ TECH EVENT EVER

4,000 PEOPLE FROM MORE THAN 100 COUNTRIES TO VISIT MONTRÉAL AND THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS

From July 10 to 17, 2011, BRP will host the largest event of its history in Montréal, Québec. Over 4,000 dealers and distributors from more than 100 countries will visit Montréal and the Eastern Townships. All regions of the world will be represented: Latin America including Brazil and the Caribbean, all parts of Europe including Russia, the Middle-East and Africa, Asia-Pacific as well as the NAFTA countries, Canada, the United States and Mexico.

“Although we have been present in many markets outside North America for several years, we started to really focus on international markets in 2005,” said José Boisjoli, president and CEO. “Six years later, we can be proud of our leading position in North America and of our international expansion; it is time to celebrate and invite our dealers, distributors, employees, suppliers, representatives of the media as well as the general public to show them our origins and what fuels our passion.”

The Palais des congrès de Montréal (convention centre) will become a large showroom where all the latest models of BRP product brands (Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Rotax, and Can-Am) will be on display. Another section will showcase concept vehicles, prototypes and technological innovations never before seen by the public. BRP will also provide participants with the opportunity to test-ride or take a closer look at all the products in an “Ultimate Playground” setting.

BRP will also extend an invitation, for the first time in its history, to members of the general public for July 16 and 17 so they can discover in person what BRP is all about.

Wienen Dominates Field At AMA National

Chad Wienen, Team Motoworks / Can-Am DS 450 racer, continued his commanding performance this weekend at the AMA ATV Motocross national race near Pell City, Alabama, going 1-1 on both Pro-class motos to take the overall. Wienen won the first moto by 18 seconds and the second moto by 12 seconds.

“We at BRP were very impressed by Chad’s performance this weekend,” said Jimmie O’Dell, Race Manager, Can-Am. “It is clear the off-season training by Wienen and the hard work Motoworks has put into its DS 450 program are coming together nicely at this early stage in the season.”

His teammate, John Natalie, went 2-2 for second overall on his Can-Am DS 450 and sits second in the points championship after Wienen.

Can-Am X-Team racer Chase Snapp put in another top-10 performance is currently seventh in the points championship with his DS 450.

Amateur racer, Cole Henry, took third overall in the Pro-Am Unlimited class on his DS 450 and sits third in the points championship after two rounds. The next round in the series is April 2-3 at Ballance MX near Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The third round in the WORCS series was also this weekend near Lake Havasu in Arizona. In the Pro class, Motoworks / Can-Am teammates Josh Frederick and Jeremie Warnia battled hard most of the race with Warnia barely edging Frederick out at the checkered flag.

This win puts Warnia and his Can-Am DS 450 atop the WORCS series Pro points championship. The next WORCS race is round four at Cahuilla Creek near Anza, California.

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.

Arctic Cat’s Wild Cat SxS Sneak Preview

0

First look at Arctic Cat’s Wild Cat SXS captured likely on a camera phone at the dealer show earlier this season. Does the RZR XP have some serious competition?

Read the official announcement from Arctic Cat here.

Arctic Cat Unleashes Possible RZR Beater

Arctic Cat Unleashes a Wild Cat at Recent Dealer Show ROV Wows Dealers

Arctic Cat showcased an unexpected ROV dubbed “Wildcat” during the close of their 2012 snowmobile dealer show in Nashville, TN.

Arctic Cat has strived to bring innovative designs and technology to their customers since 1962. With 2012 marking the brand’s 50th Anniversary, the bold off-road styling cues of the WildcatÂ’s bodywork coupled with its aggressive sport stance and interior suggest Arctic Cat will move to the forefront as the industry-leader in the pure sport ROV segment.

“This is the Year of the Cat! It’s also the Year of Excitement,” Claude Jordan, CEO told dealers in attendance. “Inspired by race bred and race proven designs, we are committed to giving our customers the highest-performance models they deserve in the snow and off-road categories, as well as future endeavours.”

Very few details were released regarding the Wildcat, but Jordan noted, “An extremely capable suspension is what all pure sport ROV owners are begging for, and we promise this will be an industry leader.”

When asked about production dates, Jordan hinted, “You may see this in dealer showrooms during our 2012 fiscal year which would end next March.”

BEST IN CLASS: BEST 400 CLASS SPORT UTILITY

0

WINNER: Arctic Cat 450

The Cat is a well-deserved winner in this category because of its great engine and even better 4-wheel drive system.

The fact it has incredible ground clearance (11-inches) and is the only 450 in this group with EFI seals the deal.

This particular Arctic Cat has its own unique bodywork compared to the bigger-inch models in Cat’s ATV lineup but remains ergonomically spacious and comfortable for any sized rider.

When you compare the individual features of this ATV – things like electric selectable 4WD, diff-lock, engine braking, single lever brakes, digital gauges and SpeedRacks it makes for a very comprehensive package.

The proof is in the riding here and this is a smooth riding, good handling ATV with really no overt shortcomings anywhere.

RUNNERS UP

Yamaha Kodiak 450 Auto EPS

This is the most recent Yamaha to receive EPS wizardry and what a difference it makes! Although the same 421cc engine is used, there’s a completely new one-piece frame underneath and the front suspension geometry has been tweaked to accommodate the EPS. It all works together very well and the 450’s trademark compact dimensions and reputation for lightness make it a strong contender here.

Polaris Sportsman 400 HO

This is an all-new Polaris model this year but even based on our limited riding experience with it when our winners were selected, our editors saw it as a very strong contender in this segment.

It’s based on the newly renovated McPherson Strut Sportsman Classic platform and features a 455cc engine with All-Wheel Drive and a super-cush independent rear suspension. The whole deal is packaged at an incredibly low price.

Roper David Key wins George Strait Roping Classic

Professional team ropers David Key and Jade Corkill are the new Grand Champions of the 29th Annual George Strait Team Roping Classic.

The finals for Roping Classic were held Saturday at the Rose Palace in San Antonio, Texas. Key, 42, and Corkill, 23, were one of fifty teams that returned to compete in the finals from nearly 500 teams who competed last Friday in the preliminaries.

Key’s Stephenville, TX, rodeo arena is composed of 100% Tarter Farm and Ranch Equipment products, including new roping chute, leadups, arena panels, stripping chute, bow gates, rodeo sweep, leadup corners, and holding pens.

“I depend on my Tarter roping products when IÂ’m practicing for competitions,” said Key, who is sponsored by Tarter. “Whether you’re a recreational roper or a competitor, youÂ’ll find that this equipment will be an easy and ideal choice for all your roping needs.”

Dale Sorge, rodeo product manager for Tarter, said “Tarter is proud to sponsor a champion roper like David Key and is confident his adoption of Tarter’s rodeo equipment has played a role in his success.”

Tarter’s new line of roping and arena equipment has revolutionized the rodeo equipment market. From the heaviest manual chutes for competitions to the electric chutes that operate anywhere without electric or air, to the new roping sweep system, the more than 26 products released in 2010 contain innovative features that give new versatility and independence to todayÂ’s modern ropers.

About Tarter – Tarter Farm and Ranch, the nation’s largest manufacturer of farm gates and animal-management equipment, is a family-owned business in operation since 1945, with manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Utah. Tarter’s product lines include farm and ranch equipment, goat and small animal equipment, equine equipment, roping & arena equipment, ATV equipment, 3-point equipment and utility trailers. Tarter products are sold in more than 5,000 farm and ranch stores nationwide. For more information about Tarter Farm and Ranch, please visit www.tarterfarmandranch.com.