Best-in-class horsepower, ride and utility are featured on new models

John Deere recently unleashed its most performance-driven Gator utility vehicles yet. Targeted toward the true outdoor adventurist, the 2011 lineup of Crossover Utility Vehicles (XUV) is packed with advanced features that deliver an unparalleled balance between work and recreation.

“Headlining the 2011 XUV models will be the brand new Gator XUV 825i – the fastest and most powerful Gator ever produced,” said David Gigandet, tactical marketing manager, utility vehicles. “Anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors will enjoy putting its best-in-class advanced engine system to the test.”

Boasting 50 HP, it is the highest-powered engine in its class with superior low-end torque for taking on even the toughest tasks, trails, and terrain. Horsepower is delivered by an 815cc, liquid cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine featuring 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and electronic fuel injection.

“And, the 825i can travel at speeds up to 44 mph,” emphasized Gigandet. “This is the fastest Gator we’ve ever built and this is an example of the commitment we’ve made to provide top-of-the-line XUVs for the outdoor enthusiast.”

All the new Gator XUV models have a completely re-designed front and rear independent suspension system that delivers a superior ride through rough terrain.

The new models are designed for less body roll and superior side-hill stability with either no-load or maximum cargo. Also, all the models sport an entirely new braking system that improves stopping performance over previous models.

“John Deere has a long heritage in the utility vehicle category with the Gator as a tried and true workhorse,” said Gigandet. “With the introduction of the 2011 XUV, the new Gator line-up now delivers the innovation and top performance consumers desire, as well as the best in class utility, reliability and quality we’re known for.”

The Gator XUV also features 1500 lbs. of towing and 1400 lbs. of payload capacity. The all-new hybrid metal and composite cargo box offers 16.4 cu. ft. of capacity, the most in its class, and an available factory installed spray-in bed liner with 20 integrated tie downs to help keep cargo in place.

The sides of this cargo box are removable as well, giving the user a flat bed that’s easy to load and unload from any side.

All Gator XUV models are available in one of three different finishes: olive and black, Realtree Hardwoods HD Camo or traditional John Deere green and yellow.

In addition to the XUV 825i, John Deere also offers the 625i and the 855D to round out its full line of crossover utility vehicles. Here are the basic specifications for those two models:

– Gator XUV 625i
– Gas EFI
– 617cc, liquid cooled V-twin engine
– 23 HP engine
– 30 mph top speed
– Gator XUV 855D
– Diesel
– 854cc, liquid cooled 3 cylinder engine
– 25 HP
– 35 mph top speed
– Now with full clutch enclosure

Visit your local John Deere dealer or check out the Web link at www.JohnDeere.com/Gator to learn more.

The Rockstar Makita Suzuki ATV team enjoyed another dominant weekend of racing at Round 6 of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship in Millville, MN.

Josh Creamer went 1-1 en route to his fourth win of the season, while teammate and defending champion Dustin Wimmer finished fourth overall with 3-4 moto scores.

“This weekend was awesome,” Creamer said after the race. “It couldn’t have gone any better. We were all on an even playing field at this track, and I finally got a good holeshot and got out front both motos and rode two smart races.”

Heavy rain canceled Friday practice, but it didn’t slow the Rockstar Makita Suzuki team during qualifying, with Wimmer and Creamer logging the two fastest lap times. Wimmer got the fastest qualifier award, and he and Creamer got to choose their gate positions first. When the gate dropped for moto one, it was Creamer making the most of his gate pick, securing the holeshot aboard his Suzuki QuadRacer R450 and never looking back. As Creamer checked out at the front, teammate Wimmer was working his way forward from a strong top-five start. After a race-long battle, Wimmer was able to fight his way on to the podium, finishing in third.

Moto two saw Creamer again take the holeshot. After a brief challenge from the competition, Creamer prevailed, opening up another big lead on his way to a perfect overall finish. His QuadRacer R450 was setup perfectly for the challenging track, and his results prove it.

“The track was really rough, but we nailed our setup and our Fox Shoxs were working great this weekend,” Creamer said. “The power of the QuadRacer R450 was great, and there was plenty of traction because they got a lot of rain this week before the race. The track kinda fell apart at the end, but the QuadRacer R450 handled it really well.”

Teammate Wimmer again started in the top five, where he stayed the entire race, finishing a strong and consistent fourth. His 3-4 finishes were good enough for fourth overall. “We didn’t get the results we were looking for this weekend,” Wimmer said, “but we’ll get back to work this week and come back ready for Muddy Creek.”

Team Rockstar Makita Suzuki and the QuadRacer R450 lead the championship standings with Creamer in first, 15 points ahead of two-time champion Wimmer in second. “It’s a great feeling leading, but I’ve got to keep my head on straight because we still have a lot of racing left,” Creamer said. “It’s motocross and anything can happen.”

Muddy Creek Raceway in Blountville, TN, is the next stop of the AMA ATV Motocross Championship, which takes place June 19-20.

Defending 2009 GNCC ATV Champion Chris Borich and his amazing Suzuki QuadRacer R450 dominated the mud at the John Penton GNCC race this weekend in Millfield, Ohio.

Round 8 of the GNCC series was a muddy and slick one, but Borich found enough power and traction to take it to the checkered flag with a sizeable lead. Borich is now leading the series with 28 points and has won six races so far in 2010.

Borich started the day off with a great start, thanks to the fine-tuned power and traction of the R450. He stayed up front, dicing with other racers, and found himself in the lead on the last lap of the muddy race.

Borich’s lead was a small gap at the start of the lap, but by the end of the race he had an impressive 30-second lead.

“My Suzuki has great power, and it handles well no matter what the conditions are,” Borich said. “We put together a good race and I’m happy with the results. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Borich will be on track again June 26 for Round 9 of the series as it takes over Snowshoe Resort in Snowshoe, West Virginia. Look for him and his QuadRacer R450 to be battling it out up front.

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., continues to expand its ATV line adding the new Grizzly 450 4×4 utility ATV with Electric Power Steering (EPS) and the all-new Raptor 125 sport ATV. These are the latest models to join Yamaha’s dominating 2011 model year fleet of the highest performing, top quality off-road machines.

“The new Grizzly 450 EPS is a mid-level machine with top-of-the-line features that excels in trail riding and utility functions. The Raptor 125 is the first in its class from a major ATV manufacturer with true sport performance,” said Mike Martinez, Yamaha’s general manager of ATV and Side-by-Side operations. “These two models give customers a couple of great new options within Yamaha’s 2011 line. It’s the superior functionality and performance in both of these ATVs, along with Yamaha’s known durability and reliability, that provide the high value our customers expect.”

The new Grizzly 450 EPS combines Yamaha’s most innovative features for the outdoor and recreational enthusiast: award winning Electric Power Steering, industry exclusive Ultramatic automatic transmission with the centrifugal clutch system, On-Command 2WD, 4WD and 4WD diff-lock, and an all new rear sealed wet brake.

The new 450 includes all of these key features in a mid-level chassis – with an all new one piece frame and independent rear suspension – and strong 421cc, 4-stroke engine able to handle more than 250 pounds rack capacity and 1,322 pounds in towing.

The all-new Raptor 125 introduces Yamaha performance and engineering to the entry-level or step-up sport ATV market. This is the first 125-class sport ATV from a major ATV manufacturer.

The Raptor 125 is a true-sport machine with a 124cc, two valve, single overhead cam engine, five-speed manual transmission, electric start, hydraulic disk brakes and five-way preload adjustable suspension.

All combined, the new 125 has the same great suspension components and handling characteristics of the award-winning Raptor 250. The Raptor 125 also gets new Maxxis sport tires – 19-inches in front and 18-inches in back.

Yamaha’s complete utility ATV line for 2011 announced this June includes the Grizzly 700 EPS, Grizzly 700 (non-EPS), Grizzly 550 EPS, Grizzly 550 (non-EPS), new Grizzly 450 with EPS, new Grizzly 450 (non-EPS), Grizzly 350 IRS 4×4, Grizzly 350 4×4, Grizzly 350 2WD, Grizzly 125 2WD and Big Bear 400 4×4.

Yamaha’s 2011 sport ATV models announced this June include the Raptor 700R (also in a Special Edition model), Raptor 350, Raptor 250, Raptor 250R (with piggyback shocks), the all-new Raptor 125 and Raptor 90. The 2011 Rhino 700 FI, including a Sport Edition, was announced in February.

The 2011 models will be in dealerships across the country this summer. More details on these models, including specific pricing and availability, can be found at www.Yamaha-Motor.com.

Have you been wondering what’s under the hood of Yamaha’s new motorcycles and ATVs? Stop scratching your head because today Yamaha releases their 2011 motorsport lineup!

On the four-wheel side of things, the Kodiak 450 receives a facelift. Like the full-size Grizzly 550 and 700, the new Kodiak is equipped with a variable Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

A new one-piece lightweight chassis offers nimble handling, a sealed rear wet brake delivers more accurate brake feeling and durability, and a rear anti-sway bar improves handling and steering accuracy.

Yamaha has also released the all-new Raptor 125R. Inspired by its big-bore big brothers, the Raptor 125 is the perfect segue into off-road riding.

This little guy is powered by an engine that feels way bigger than 125cc, a 5-speed transmission and features a Raptor 250R based chassis for great handling characteristics.

“The new Raptor 125 is a great option for new or less experienced riders to enjoy off-road,” says Jon Blaicher, Yamaha Product Manager, ATV. “It features smooth four-stroke power and great performance at an affordable price.”

For complete details on these and other 2011 Yamaha motorsport models, please visit Yamaha-motor.ca.