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Yamaha Announces All-New YFZ450R

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Press Release –

Yamaha Engineering and Race-Ready Features Create New Top Level of Performance

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., announced the highly anticipated and all-new YFZ450R at its national dealer meeting in Las Vegas today.

The new 2009 model year machine, built to be the world’s best all-around high performance racing and recreational sport ATV, comes loaded with state-of-the-art suspension, fuel injection, a no-weld aluminum frame and an all-new power packed engine set in a motocross-wide chassis.

Yamaha has a well deserved reputation of building the industry’s best sport ATVs. The original YFZ450 was announced in 2003 as the first race-ready 450-class ATV with leading technology and more pure sport performance than any machine ever built at that time.

Since then Yamaha has dominated the field across the board with the best selling big bore sport ATV in the Raptor 700R* down to the best selling 250-class machine with the Raptor 250.

But the YFZ is still the pinnacle of ATV performance, and even with a constantly growing number of competitors entering the 450 market, the YFZ has always been the top seller in its class*.

MX WIDTH WITH CAST ALUMINUM FRAME

The new YFZ450R meshes this history of dominance with the latest in Yamaha technology and innovation. In its stock form, the YFZ450R is the best all around performance ATV combining racing technology and features with all-terrain sport performance.

Starting with its motocross track-width, the YFZ450R is immediately ready for the MX track. The no-weld cast aluminum frame is lightweight and has a tension-steel bottom portion that helps keep the engine as low as possible centralizing mass for excellent handling. The cast aluminum frame is bolted together, rather than welded, for maximum durability.

SUPERIOR SUSPENSION

The YFZ450R comes with newly designed front and rear suspension. The front frame is narrow at the A-arm mounting points reducing changes in the camber as the A-arms travel through their full range of motion.

The front 44mm KYB shocks have Kashima coating for smooth operation and impact absorption with 9.8 inches of wheel travel. The gravity-fed aluminum rear swingarm is matched to a fully adjustable 46mm KYB piggyback shock affording the rear wheels 11 inches of travel.

POWERFUL 449CC ENGINE WITH FUEL INJECTION

The YFZ450R has a powerful 5-valve DOHC liquid cooled single cylinder 449cc engine that uses the cylinder head and cylinder from the championship-winning YZ450F. The titanium five-valve cylinder head comes with camshafts designed just for this machine that hammers out superior low- to mid-range torque and pushes through to a high-revving, hole-shot grabbing top end.

The technologically advanced 450R is also equipped with electronic fuel injection featuring a 42mm Mikuni® throttle body, 12-hole Denso injector system and a Mitsubishi 32 bit ECU, which provides exceptional atomization of the fuel for maximum power, unrivaled throttle response and automatic altitude and temperature adjustment.

The system also includes idle speed control for easy, reliable start-up. A stainless steel head pipe with a titanium heat shield and a new oval muffler provide maximum performance while keeping the YFZ450R well within current noise guidelines.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLEBARS AND SIMPLE SERVICE ACCESS

Yamaha Factory Racing experience led to a host of enhanced features on the YFZ450R. One benefit is race prep and service made simple. Body panels come off easily, and there is no need to remove the battery or other components to take off the fenders. The oil tank is integrated with the crankcase so it’s easier to service the engine.

The YFZ450R also boasts ProTaper® handlebars and all-new four-position adjustability. There are two sets of holes in the handlebar crown and eccentric clamps that allow the rider to choose between the standard setting, 10mm or 20mm forward, or 10mm back.

A newly shaped thumb throttle lever delivers smooth throttle control requiring less effort and causing less fatigue. A new seat design is thin yet roomy in the front and wider and more padded in the back for a more comfortable all-around ride. The YFZ450R also comes with very large 65mm wide foot pegs with kick-ups that provide maximum traction and added comfort when moving around on the machine.

NEWLY DESIGNED TIRES, DISC BRAKES AND RIDER COMFORT

Newly designed Dunlop® tires have a superb combination of compound, tire profile, tread pattern and sidewall-to-tread center stiffness to provide outstanding comfort, bump absorption and precise cornering performance.

At 20 inches in the rear and 21 inches in the front, the tires also provide maximum ground clearance for track, trail or dune riding. The YFZ450R has excellent stopping power from dual front hydraulic disc brakes and a lightweight wave-type rear rotor including dual piston calipers in the back as well as the front.

Rounding out the ATV’s top features is an instrument panel located on the fender in front of the rider including vital indicators signaling low fuel, coolant temperature, check engine, and neutral gear in a straightforward LED display.

The 2009 YFZ450R comes in a standard color Team Yamaha Blue/White or in a second color Red/White. It will be in dealerships in November with an MRSP of $7,999 USD.

2008 Suzuki King Quad 750

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2008 Suzuki King Quad 750

By: AJ Lester

From top to bottom the 2008 Suzuki King Quad 750 is a thing of beauty. Meticulously crafted and trimmed, this 724cc EFI liquid cooled gentleman has the heart of lion.

While twins make up the big bore majority, Suzuki’s engineers chose a plasma coated single jug design. Though the exhaust note may not be as pleasing to the ear as a twin, the arm stretching torque produced will leave your nether regions tingling.

Mated to KQ’s power plant is Suzuki’s buttery smooth QuadMatic CVT tranny – hands down the best shifting and most responsive transmission in the industry. The power train throws torque to the electric shift 2wd/4wd driveline via selectable handlebar mounted controls and included in this cluster is electric diff-lock for when you’re up to your seat in muck.

The King Quad gets up to speed in a hurry carrying its rider through mud and over rocky terrain in buttery smooth comfort thanks to an independent front suspension with 7.1 inches of travel and 8.1 inches from the independent rear. Both front and rear shocks feature 5-way adjustable snail cams.

While the KQ does suffer from high-speed body roll and inside corner over-steer in hard cornering, it is controllable and only evident in extreme conditions. 200 mm front disks grab hard and deliver positive handlebar actuation. Wrapping the aluminum stamped wheels are factory Dunlop meats.

Standard amenities topping the list include a big and beautiful LCD display relaying myriad data, a single 4 watt handlebar mounted headlight plus two 30 watt grill mounted lamps that cast artificial sunshine over even the darkest path. Although they serve their purpose, the front and rear racks on the KQ seem a bit gaunt and don’t serve justice to its muscularly styled plastic.

There’s also a large fender mounted water resistant storage well that’s great for carrying a pocket camera, wallet or insurance documents. One thing that we wish Suzuki had thought of here is a place to store a water bottle. Unfortunately the storage well just wasn’t large enough and although hydration wasn’t an issue on this trip; this is one area we’d like Suzuki’s engineers to address.

The 2008 King Quad oozes quality typical of what you’d expect from Suzuki. It’s an off-road breed ready for any job you throw at it delivering exceptional handling and power that’s fit for, well, a king.

OUTLAW WINS AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI

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OUTLAW WINS AUSTRALASIAN SAFARI

Press Release –

After more than 2500 miles and 7 torturous days, Polaris Outlaw mounted John Maragozidis has won the inaugural ATV Class at the “Dakar down under,” the Australasian Safari. Maragozidis crossed the line in 31hr 42m, almost 2 hours ahead of his next rival.

With more than 1600 miles of timed competitive stages on some of Western Australia’s most punishing desert terrain, the Safari covers both private and public trails before finishing in the state capital, Perth.

The introduction of the quad class this year has added another dimension to the 21 year history of one of world motorsport’s most grueling events.

“Unlike the Dakar events in Europe and Africa, Australasian Safari competitors must also occasionally dodge 5ft tall Kangaroos and Australia’s maddest bird, the Emu, which is about the size of an Ostrich. They love to run along side you then cut out in front!” Said Polaris Australia’s National Sales Manager, Peter Harvey.

Unfortunately, this year an entrant in the ATV Class from South Africa hit a 150 pound Kangaroo. Reportedly he continued to race with what he thought was a painfully bruised thigh.

The Australasian Safari is a rally style event where competitors race at set intervals and compete against the clock. Cars, Motorbikes and ATVs all complete the same competitive sections.

“The Outlaw 525 IRS handled the terrain brilliantly. I don’t think I’d attempt this race on a quad without a independent rear suspension,” said Maragozidis. “When you’re belting across rocky terrain and bull dust at 100kmph, traction and handling are everything.”

“This year, Polaris Australia and its dealers have made an outstanding investment in ATV racing, and it is great to see the results,” said Harvey.

So far this year Polaris Racing has won the Australian ATV MX Tri-State Series, the Queensland ATV MX Championship, and currently has a solid lead in the Victorian ATV MX Series.

For more information visit www.polarisindustries.com.au

OUTDOORSMAN: Kids Keep You Young

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By: John Arkwright

We used to build our duck blinds in mid-July, over two months before duck season. Now we rush to get it done the week before opening day.

Back in the day, we were busy participating in spring and fall work weekends at deer camp, cleaning up and maintaining the hunt trails and, so many weekends in July, August and September consisted of the whole family, young and old, banging away at clay pigeons or shooting silhouettes or firing a few balls through the .308 to make sure it was ready for deer and moose season.

It’s different now and I attribute these changes to a few things. One, we’re getting older and while not lazy, our priorities change. For instance, when I was 15 or 16 years old you couldn’t get into an organized hunt club unless it was family owned.

Today I own my own camp and there are very few young people who enjoy spending time hunting and fishing like we did back then. Of course, we didn’t have cell phones, iPods or virtual reality video games. Our virtual reality was being outdoors and it was a great time to grow up.

Frankly, nowadays, too many of us put our guns away after hunting season ends and, locked away there in the gun safe, they collect dust for ten months. I was becoming one of those people, so last year I returned to our local gun club after a long sabbatical. I try to get out to shoot at least once a week and I really enjoy those outings.

One of the club members, Carl Giesler, comes out faithfully and brings his 14-year old grandson, Max, with him. Max has been shooting since the age of four and has probably been shooting skeet for seven years. He has developed excellent shooting skills. These outings make all of us try a little harder because this kid can really shoot and none of us old guys like to be beat by a kid.

On my dresser I have a picture of my daughter, Carrie, who was five at the time, with a duck decoy under one arm and her stuffed toy Snoopy under the other. We used to take off together for the day to hunt ducks or grouse with our black lab, Nugget.

We always had plenty of food and a Coleman camp stove to make our lunch and hot chocolate. Those were absolutely great days! Carrie, who is now 25, still loves fishing; she owns her own fishing boat, rides snowmobiles and recently has developed a love for ATVs. Every year we attend a few ATV rallies and she sure can hold her own.

I think I’m safe saying that when Carrie has children of her own, she will want them to have those same opportunities to go camping, fishing, and snowmobiling and ATVing. It seems like participating in these activities and the adventure of being together is what keeps us all young at heart!

Here’s my spin on this editorial: Spend as much quality time as you can with your kids when they’re young, because they grow up way too fast. In the blink of an eye you’re helping them fill out college applications. If you’re a hunter, join a gun club or, if you love riding ATVs, join an ATV club and get involved as a volunteer. Take your kids ATVing; it’s an awesome sport. Better yet, take them hunting, fishing and camping on ATVs, and make it a family event.

The emergence and popularity of ATVs is at an all-time high and provides families with unlimited options for enjoying the outdoors. Teach your kids how to be responsible, safe and to respect the environment, other people and private property. Most of all, just have fun together and create albums of memories that will last a lifetime!

HIGH RANGE: Trail Consciousness

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By: Motorhead Mark Lester

If you’re like me you love riding off-road. For me, there’s something special about being in God’s creation, way out there, no pavement, no distractions; just me, my wheeler and my riding skill to get me there and back.

This spring I’ve had increased consciousness of what we’re doing out there, in the places we love to ride. Here’s what’s concerning me: There’s an increasing number of us who love the outdoors, love riding ATVs off-road and want to do it more often.

If an ever-increasing number of us are going to the same places more frequently it’s inevitable we’re going to wear out those great places to ride. This spring the Northeast has been exceptionally wet – way more rain than average on top of a record shattering winter.

It’s no secret ATV riders love to shoot mud holes. However, mud holes normally dry up by early summer, limiting deep ruts and excessive erosion.

This season the mud holes are virtually bottomless and the ever-increasing numbers of ATVs riding trails are making them almost impassable. When (and if!) this season ever dries out, these mud holes will be impassable trenches, degrading the riding experience for many of our fellow users.

If we use different trails every week instead of rounding up a whole herd of friends every Saturday and taking them to “our special spot” we might make things better.

Try to spread out your riding when the trails are most vulnerable – like in the spring as the frost leaves the ground and when there’s abundant rainfall.

We cannot continue to view trails solely as ours to do whatever we want. Many trails are on private land, many on public land. If you think ATV users are divinely ordained and will always have access to trails no matter what goes on, it’s time to wake up and smell the Joe.

This little diatribe on responsible use relates again to what we’ve repeatedly mentioned in this magazine: Start an ATV club and become consciously pro-active at preserving access to your favorite trails.

It’s exciting to see more and more trail sanctioning groups and ATV clubs performing seasonal repairs to trails. This is going to be key in keeping other trail users like hikers, bicyclists and equestrians, who don’t ride ATVs, on our side.

Next time you see what amounts to a rutted, tracked up mess when an overused mud hole dries up, think about how that looks to other users, particularly non-motorized types or, worse yet, the non-enthusiast media.

Proactive clubs and sanctioning bodies are quickly getting in front of this issue right now. Bulldozers and backhoes are being purchased or contracted to repair heavily used trails and restore them back to excellent condition.

With the explosion of ATV trail use across North America and the need for more riding areas and clubs to sanction and maintain these areas, we simply can’t continue to expect unlimited, unrestricted access without contributing to the maintenance and repair of the trails we love.

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE: Volume 10, Number 1

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ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE: Volume 10, Number 1

The 10th anniversary edition of All-Terrain Vehicle is on newsstands across North America now! This issue is packed with the information you crave.

The 2009 model preview covers 22 new and improved models including the new 550 Grizzly and the re-sculpted Suzuki Z400. Plus our “Odd-Man” shoot out pits three top sport ATVs against one another.

Grab your copy today or subscribe online and receive 12 issues for $12.00.

Click here to subscribe.

Do I need POwer Steering On My Grizz?

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Question:

Dear Motorhead,

I’m looking at buying a Yamaha Grizzly 700. What I’m uncertain about is the Electric Power Steering option.

I may consider upgrading the stock 25″ meats to a set of 26″ ITP Mudlite XTR’s. Is this a good tire upgrade for the Grizz and would I then need EPS?

Also, would the larger tires cause added stress to components designed for stock rubber? 

Thanks,

Curt

Response:

Good questions. If you are not going to add bigger skins then don’t bother with the EPS option – it simply isn’t necessary.

However, with the big meats installed you’ll be happy you opted for EPS – this is where it’s real value comes in.

Yes, when you put big meats on any ATV you run the risk of hurting steering and suspension components in extreme conditions.

EPS makes your leverage over a too-stuck tire exponentially stronger stressing the tie rods and spindles.

This being said, thousands upon thousands of Grizz buyers will be doing what you are and will have no trouble.

Thanks,

Motorhead Mark

Jagged X’s RANGER RZR Dominates

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Press Release –

Jagged X and their No. 1919 RANGER RZR repeated history and continued to dominate the Best in the Desert Series by taking their second “Vegas to Reno” win.

The team finished the race in 17 hours and 26 minutes, a full hour and 18 minutes faster than the only other finisher. The win is the No. 1919’s tenth consecutive Best in the Desert finish.

Known as the longest and most grueling off-road race in the U.S., this year’s “Vegas to Reno” race was 457.5 miles with varying elevations consisting of 2,500 ft on the desert floor to more than 9,000 ft. in the mountains.

Jagged X and the No. 1919 mastered the changing elevations and extreme temperature swings in true dominating style.

“The second ‘Vegas to Reno’ wins proves there’s nothing the RANGER RZR can’t dominate,” said Craig Scanlon, product line sales manager for Polaris. “This race threw everything at us; desert, mountains, steep climbs, extreme temperature changes and the RANGER RZR gobbled it up looking for more.”

Jagged X’s RANGER RZR, piloted once again by Brandon Schueler with co-driver Blake Van de Loo, took off in second place and within a few miles Team Jagged had taken the lead and was on a track to keep it.

Temperatures were more than 100 degrees as the RANGER RZR made its way North towards Reno, Nevada and the finish line. The Jagged X lead was never challenged but at about 2:00 am, after nearly 400 miles of dirt and rocks, the No. 1919 hit a huge ledge hidden in the deep silt and damaged the left front suspension.

Driver and Co-driver managed to three-wheel the car into the last pit where the pit crew was able to repair the damage and send the jagged X team, which was still in the lead, to the finish.

The next race for Jagged X and their RANGER RZR is “The Bilek Racing Silver State 300,” in Mesquite, Nevada, September 26-28.

Polaris Rolls Out ’09 Outlaw 450 MXR

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Press Release –

Team Polaris/Rath Racing will go full-bore into AMA’s Steele City Invitational this weekend!

Polaris will roll out the new 2009 Outlaw 450 MXR complete with new Rath Racing Graphics for the quad’s first race.

To keep with the “new” theme, Pro Riders Jason Dunkelberger and Mitch Reynolds will be aboard for the first time for Team Polaris/Rath Racing and be wearing newly-released Fly Ride Gear.

If that wasn’t enough “new” stuff, race fans will get a first-look at Polaris’ brand-new youth RANGER RZR 170 at the Team Polaris/Rath Racing pit!

“Polaris is very excited to launch the Outlaw 450’s racing debut at Steele City,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “We can’t wait to see ‘Dunk’ and Reynolds put the bike through its paces and hopefully pull a podium.”

BRP TO RUN SPECIAL GRAPHICS AT AMA PRO ATV OPEN

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Press Release –

This Saturday at the AMA Pro ATV Open at Steel City Raceway in Delmont, Pa., both Team Epic Racing / Can-AmTM and Warnert Racing / Can-Am will race DS 450TM ATVs with special plastic and graphics for the winner-take-all ATV motocross race.

John Natalie and Cody Miller of Warnert Racing will sport red and white plastic with a special graphics package.

While fellow Pro-class racers, Jeremy Lawson, Greg Gee and Sage Baker will race Team Epic Racing-prepped DS 450s with black plastic and graphics.

“As competitive as this race always is, we also want to have a little fun and do something different at the final AMA Pro ATV event of the season,” said Del Bohlman, Product, Media Relation and Racing Manager for Can-Am ATVs at BRP. “The special plastic and graphics reflects this special event on the calendar and all our racers and team members are looking forward to racing on Saturday.”

The next race for the Can-Am DS 450 teams will be the Supercross de Montreal on September 20 at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.

Visit www.can-amxteam.com for more details and race results.

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