Home Blog Page 319

2010 Can-Am DS 450: Hardcore To The Core

0

Staff Report

In the Sport division of Can-Am’s 2010 offerings, things stay the course with minor adjustments and tweaks to the DS to improve reliability.

However, big changes have been made to the Can-Am race support program. If you plan to race your DS 450, make sure you stop by your Can-Am dealer and ask about available support packages for racers.

You don’t have to be a Pro or hit every event to receive support from Can-Am in 2010.

Make sure you find out what’s available – including parts and contingency cash – before you put your DS to the test.

In fact, we think any Pure Sport 450 buyers should consider Can-Am very carefully this year before buying a new race-ride.

Can-Am’s support can make the difference between having a successful season or coming home with an empty wallet.

Battery Storage Tip

Question:

Dear Motorhead,

My ATV’s are stored in an unheated garage during the winter. What battery conditioner do you recommend or use?

Thanks,

Ray

Reply:

Thanks for your email!

There’s only one way to condition your battery – remove it if the vehicle is stored for long periods – particularly if the temperature will be below freezing in the storage facility.

Place the battery on a block of wood – keep it off cement floors – and trickle charge it every 30 days for a couple hours. Keep it above freezing temps while stored.

Motorhead Mark

2009 Season Recap and 2010 Plans!

0

Press Release –

The Factory Polaris Rath Duro Team had a busy 2009 season tearing up race tracks, and what a successful season they have had.

The Rath team has put their machines on the podium and top of their classes multiple times in multiple series. They have taken home wins in all disciplines this season including Cross Country, MX, Supermoto, Ice Racing and TT. This team knows what it takes to put their winning Polaris ATVs out front and on top.

The Rath team has enjoyed success with both the Outlaw 450 MXR and the all-new Sportsman 850 XP with Power Steering.

The Rath Outlaw 450 MXR’s with Daryl Rath and Casey Martin piloting them, have taken wins in Supermoto, TT and MX respectively. Martin even holds the honor of the highest place finish at the Pro Am Level in the AMA ATV MX National Series with his amazing third place overall finish at the final round on MX at Loretta Lynn’s.

Since then, Martin has continued his winning ways competing in a winter series close to his hometown in Frenchburg, KY, while training for next season. Martin once again will be contending for the 2010 AMA ATV MX Pro Am Championship in a class stacked with talent.

When asked about his thoughts on 2010 Martin said, “I plan on racing throughout the winter season to train for 2010. The Outlaw 450 MXR has been awesome. I made the switch mid-season and while it may have taken me a round or two to get comfortable, I can say I am feeling 100 percent aboard this machine.”

Daryl Rath added, ” With the double schedule we ran in 2009, Jennifer was going to all the MX races and myself to the XC events. I had the first opportunity to watch Martin compete at Loretta Lynn’s and he was amazing. He put his head down and charged the entire race. I couldn’t ask for a more determined young rider to be part of my team. It was extremely clear we have this bike figured out and Casey is getting comfortable, and I am glad to have him back on the roster for 2010 and will enjoy watching him head for the front.”

The Rath Sportsman 850 XP piloted by Daryl Rath has taken the wins in the AMA National Hare Scramble Series and the IATVHSS Series in the “Utility Unlimited” class. Rath also has finished in the top three of his respective class at the GNCC Cross Country Nationals a remarkable eight times, giving Rath the third place overall in the” Utility Unlimited” class, along with earning a “Top Ten” National Ranking in the Overall Morning Class.

“We have a lot to be proud of and worked hard to get those results. We took a brand new bike and finished top three, it is amazing what can be done with good people behind you and supporting your drive to win. There will be no off-season for us as we are already testing and make additional improvements for 2010,” said Rath.

Cody Anderson also enjoyed his first year as a cross country contender on a Sportsman 850 and was happy about the opportunity. Anderson will be returning to his MX roots as well and will return to an Outlaw 450 MXR to compete in the regional series along with a select number of AMA Nationals.

“It allowed me to experience something new and different and though I am going to return back to the Polaris Rath MX Team for 2010, it was a great experience,” said Anderson.

Another change for the team in 2010 will be the return of Rath on an Outlaw 450 MXR for some non-GNCC conflicting cross country races in select series.

“I have always been one to race many different types of ATVs and I still enjoy challenging myself by racing all across the board. It is one of the best ways to cross train which helps me stay on top of the game.” stated Rath. “ We are excited to bring almost all of our same sponsors back for 2010, a consistent program with consistent partners plays a major role in success.”

“I’m extremely impressed with the accomplishments of the team this year. It is not easy to take a whole new quad and make it competitive the first year out and the success with the Outlaw 450 MXR and Sportsman 850XP with EPS in several different venues is a great testament to the work and dedication of the Rath team,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “With how much has been accomplished in 2009, 2010 should be an excellent race year for the Factory Polaris Rath Duro Team.”

Dalton Mud Runner Kits for Outlander and Renegades

0

Press Release –

For 28 Inch and Larger Competition Mud Tires

This new kit is mainly for 2006 – 2010 Can-Am Outlander and Renegades and focuses on larger, extreme mud tires and heavy mud use. It includes Dalton’s most popular primary spring and the yellow/black secondary, along with mass adjustment rivets and detailed instructions for flyweight set up for various mud tires and applications.

This kit is only recomended for the described application. If you run lesser tires for trail riding you will have much better CVT efficiency with Dalton’s regular kits.

Visit www.daltonindustries.com

FXR BACKSHIFT ZIP

0

If you’re anything like us, you like to look cool even when you aren’t glued to an ATV.

When you’re hanging out casually with friends or out on a date with your lady, its still about style.

Check out FXR’s BackShift Zip Up sweater. This cotton Poly brushed fleece zip is perfect for fall weather when its just a bit to cool for a T-shirt and not quite cold enough for a coat. Plus, when the mercury dips, it’s not so bulky that it can’t be worn under your jacket.

Available in black, this sweater features high quality embroidered FXR logos across the chest, shoulders and lower back, perfectly placed pockets and leather zipper pulls.

Maybe one of the warmest sweaters we’ve worn, The FXR BackShift Zip Up will keep you toasty warm and looking ultra cool.

Visit www.FXRracing.com.

ROSEWOOD BY SMITH OPTICS

0

Check out these sweet sunglasses from Smith Optics. The Rosewood is an ultra-cool aviator/navigator style frame blending the classic attributes of both.

There’s even a subtle Smith logo adorning each arm that blends in seamlessly and adds to the trendy and elegant mystique of this frame.

There are eight base carbonic lens options available in polarized and non-polarized all featuring Smith’s TLT Optics technology.

Tapered Lens Technology is the solution to the visual distortion that occurs with regular glasses when light passes through an aggressively bowed lens. By progressively tapering the lens from optical center towards the outer edge, light waves reach the eye directly delivering true optical clarity.

Even if you’re not a huge Tom Cruise fan, Top Gun was a pretty awesome flick and now anyone can feel like Maverick. Throw a pair of Rosewood glasses on your face and you might feel the need for speed too.

Visit SmithOptics.com

TRITON TRAILERS

0

Not everyone can ride right from their door and many ATV enthusiasts like to pack it all up and head out to a remote destination like northern Ontario, Brimstone or the Hatfield McCoy Trail system.

It comes down to hauling your ATV though – particularly if you have more than one ATV and a bunch of gear.

Triton Trailers makes beautifully crafted, fully enclosed ATV trailers perfect for hauling 3 or 4 ATVs and all your gear comfortably.

The PR-227 features tall aluminum diamond plate stone guards and anodized aluminum trim, plus all aluminum framing from top to bottom. Plus, formed aluminum fenders over the tires add a touch of class to this unit.

This 27 foot hauler can handle everything you need for a good ride. Plus there’s full deck length Quickslide Channels for quickly and safely tying down your equipment at any point in the length of the trailer.

Another thing we love is that doing so many shows and outdoor event, we can use our trailer as home base. Once all the ATVs are out, we can get changed inside and store out gear and valuables knowing they’ll be safe when we lock the doors.

Plus, in addition to the drop down ramps at the front back, there’s also a single door that allows quick and easy access in and out of the trailer so you don’t have to open the entire ramp just to get your stuff.

Visit TritonTrailers.com

What Happened to The Suzuki Vinson?

Question:

Dear Motorhead,

I watch Dirt Trax every week and haven’t seen any info on the Suzuki Vinson 500.

I feel it should have been included in your 500 class shoot out. Its a good ATV and I just want to know what you think of it.

Ron

Reply:

Hi Ron,

I fully agree. The Vinson 500 was a good ATV for its price category. The reason you haven’t heard anything about it on the show is because they stopped making the Vinson 500 and replaced it with the independently suspended King Quad in 2007 I believe.

The Vinson 500 was a really nice ATV and did have a great motor, which was one of its strongest attributes.

It was also very comfortable ergonomically and had a good feature list. Its biggest downfall was that it didn’t have IRS, which meant it didn’t ride as smooth as some of the other 500 class ATVs – it rode nicely for a solid rear axle ATV, but when you got off an IRS bike and onto the Vinson you could really tell the difference.

With that said the solid axle design did have its strong points, as all solid axles do. There are fewer pivot points to wear out, hooking on a trailer doesn’t cause the suspension to sag way down and there is far less perceptible body roll in the corners. All good things.

I hope this is the information you’ve been looking.

Luke Lester (Filling in for Motorhead)

Luke can bee seen weekly on Dirt Trax Television on OLN, Wild TV and Outdoor Channel

What’s The Deal With Cannondale?

Question:

Dear Motorhead,

What do you know about Cannondale? I was looking at buying one but have never heard anything about them – good or bad.

What do you guys think?

Jason

Reply:

I’m actually able to give you some solid information on this topic as I spent quality time with a Cannondale 440 when it were first introduced.

The chassis is really good, so is handling. Keep in mind this isn’t a full 50′ wide ATV. Back then they came standard width so if your planning on motocrossing it you might want to consider that.

The engine wasn’t a mind blower but it had good bottom end, good mid range and reved out just a little sooner than I would have liked.

What impressed me most back then was the suspension. The shock package was way ahead of anything else available at the time.

I can speak to reliability as we didn’t ever get one for a long term test. Though I do know when I was testing at Cannondale I cased a 100 foot double, flattened 3 of the 4 tires and didn’t bend an axle or break anything. I’ve never done that on a landing without braking something else as well.

I think the biggest thing you should keep in consideration is the availability of parts. This ATV has been out of production for quite some time and even when it was in production, the dealer network was small as were production numbers.

If you’re comfortable with that, you’d be one of very few people in the world who actually has one. Which is cool.

Good luck with your purchase.

Luke Lester (Filling in for Motorhead)

Luke can bee seen weekly on Dirt Trax Television on OLN, Wild TV and Outdoor Channel

Yoshimura Congratulates Chris Borich

0

Press Release –

Chris Borich took his Rockstar / Makita / Suzuki / Yoshimura QuadRacer R450 first across the checkers for the tenth time in the GNCC 2009 series on Saturday.

Even with the championship already in his pocket, the Pennsylvania native pounded out another one at the final round of the cross country series in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Yoshimura’s Brant Russell summed it up when he said “The boy has talent. All it took was adding a great quad in the QuadRacer R450, some Yoshimura power and a champion was born. It’s been a great season, and we congratulate his fine efforts.”