Press Release –

2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the first four-wheel ATV – the Suzuki QuadRunner 125.

A lot has changed since 1983 and the two new 2008 Sport Utility ATVs reflect the dedication, commitment and evolution that have become Suzuki’s hallmark.

KingQuad 400 Series 4×4 – All New Quad!

The 2008 KingQuad 400 series replaces the award-winning Eiger line. With impressive new styling and better comfort and convenience features, the new KingQuad 400 is clearly a member of the KingQuad family.

New styling features include a T-shaped seat, a new gate-type shift lever, a larger fuel tank, newly designed Maxxis tires and signature KingQuad headlights.
The KingQuad 400 is available in both a semi-automatic five speed (400FS) as well as a fully automatic transmission (400AS) version. The 400AS also features an advanced engine braking system for superior control.

Need more storage? Durable cargo racks are on the front and rear to provide plenty of places to put cargo boxes or bags. An additional four liters of storage space can also be found under the seat. Winch mounting is now a snap with a wiring conduit already installed and mounting space for a solenoid.

The new KingQuad 400 is available in green, red and Real Tree Hardwoods HD® camouflage. MSRP is $5,249 for the 400FS and $5399 for the 400AS. The camo versions are $300 additional.

KingQuad 750AXi 4×4 – Built on Tradition

Building on the award-winning success of the KingQuad 700, the 750 takes the next step in the KingQuad evolution. The AXi explains how the new quad delivers on the KingQuad name. The “A” is for Suzuki’s QuadMatic automatic continuously variable transmission. The “X” is for the fully independent front and rear suspension. The “I” is for the fuel injection system.

The KingQuad’s independent suspension system offers a smoother ride, better stability and performance. The independently adjustable A-arms can be adjusted five ways offering maximum performance while hauling a load and allow for greater wheel travel. In addition to this, the damper’s spring rates have been updated from the 2007 model, giving the 2008 KingQuad better drivability.

One of the best features of the KingQuad 750AXi is the QuadMatic transmission and torque-sensing limited-slip front differential combination. An advanced braking system controls vehicle speed in descent minimizing freewheeling. The torque-sensing front differential can be set in three different drive modes – two-wheel, four-wheel and differential-locked four-wheel drive – all with a simple handlebar-mounted push button.

The 2008 fuel injected KingQuad 750 AXi also sports a larger cylinder that will deliver even stronger power and torque throughout the power curve. The new quad has increased the rpm limit to 7000 rpm for even more power in low-traction conditions. In order to handle all this extra power and torque, several essential components around the driveshaft have also been beefed up.

The 750 AXi is available in the United States in green, red and is available in Advantage® Max-4 HDT camouflage. It is also available in a Special Edition package that includes stylish brushed black bodywork and distinctive silver racks. MSRP is $7,599 for the 750 AXi and $7,699 for the Special Edition and $7,899 for the camo.

KingQuad 450 AXi – Some Changes for ’08

The highly successful KingQuad 450 returns with only a few changes for 2008. As with its big brother the 750 this smaller AXi will have independent rear suspension for improved performance and comfort.

The 450 AXi will also be available in a Special Edition package with the brushed black bodywork and silver racks. 2008 pricing for the 450 AXi is $6,599 plus $100 additional for the Special Edition.

Press Release –

Yamaha Focuses on Highest Level of Service and Support for Dealers and Customers Nationwide

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. has announced the appointment of Mr. Henio Arcangeli Jr. to the position of President of its Motorsports Group.

In this premier leadership role, Arcangeli will capitalize on the strengths of Yamaha’s Motorcycle, ATV, Side-by-Side, Snowmobile and Outdoor Power Equipment groups under a unified direction to help the company excel in a continuously changing retail environment.

Prior to this role, Arcangeli most recently served as Yamaha’s Vice President for Field Sales and Marketing where he focused his attention directly on the marketplace, traveling extensively and visiting many dealerships throughout the country.

“This is an exciting and positive development for our Motorsports Group as we focus on providing the highest level of service and support for dealers and customers nationwide,” said Mr. Masato Adachi, President of Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. “We congratulate Mr. Arcangeli on this new appointment and look forward to furthering Yamaha’s leadership role across the motorsports industry.”

“I am very excited to take on this new role at Yamaha,” said Arcangeli Jr. “I look forward to working closely with all of the Yamaha team members and our dealer partners to continue growing our business by delivering the very best quality products and services.”

Press Release –

KTM’s Tim Farr added to his already impressive year with another win, this time at the first-ever ATV EnduroCross!

The ATV EnduroCross took place on Sunday October 7th at the Lazy-E Arena, the day after the second round of the Endurocross series. Saturday’s track was modified to better accommodate for ATV’s; most notably it was wider than the previous night when only motorcycles were allowed on the course.

ATV racers were excited to try this new event and were eager to see how challenging the course would be. Farr stated, “The course was fun, but challenging.

The rock section stalled most people, including myself.” The majority of riders agreed that the rock section proved to be the most difficult obstacle of the night as it was hard to find a good line through the rocks especially if someone else was already stuck there.

Farr faired well throughout the entire day. His streak began when he won his qualifier. He then turned over the best qualifying lap time giving him first gate pick for the main. In the main, it was Farr who came around the first corner grabbing the holeshot. By the end of the first lap he already had a five second lead!

“The toughest part of the main was getting around the lappers,” Farr reported. “The track was one-lined and when a lapper had that line, it was hard to find a route around them.” Despite the lapped traffic, he found a way through and maneuvered safely around the course to take home the win with a 20 second lead over second place.

“I had a lot of fun today, my KTM 450XC Sport ATV was running great, so all I had to do was ride safe and keep a good controlled pace.” Farr is on his way to proving himself as one of the most versatile Pro ATV riders on the scene as he has already secured a Supermoto and Dirt Track championship title this year.

Farr and his KTM machine have proved to be quite the winning match, and the year’s not done yet!

Press Release –

Dunlop ATV Tires is pleased to announce the release of the all-new Dunlop Quadmax Sport ATV tire, a next-generation design that is destined to carry competitors to the top of podiums across America.

“The Dunlop Quadmax Sport is a high-performance radial ATV tire that we’ve purpose-built for the track,” said Steve Yanacek, Dunlop’s off road and ATV product and marketing manager. “The new design takes our first generation tire and elevates its performance in every parameter, including turn-in, cornering, and drive-out traction. It all adds up to quicker times, lap after lap, in racing conditions.”

With more radial ATV tire experience than any other manufacturer, Dunlop’s engineers tapped into their wealth of R&D and practical experience to redevelop the first-gen Quadmax Sport.

“We examined every aspect, including carcass construction, rubber compounds and tread pattern, to maximize racing performance,” Dunlop Tire Development Engineer Geoff Klein explained. “The new tire represents our best thinking, backed up by extensive real-world testing.”

For example, while it’s a lot of fun for recreational riders to slide the rear end around, Dunlop understands that racers need a tire to be predictable with progressive slide control and side grip for quick hook up and drive out of a corner.

Utilizing the latest compounding technology, combined with a computer-designed, closely blocked tread pattern and tempered with Dunlop’s vast off road experience, the new Quadmax Sport offers greatly improved traction—both off the line for holeshots, plus ‘hook and go’ drive out of corners.

As a plus, the rear tires are duo-directional. When matched on the wheels, they perform extremely well rotating in the opposite direction. This added adaptability allows racers to reverse the direction of rotation as the rear tires wear and continue racing, a significant savings to teams.

“We worked just as hard on the front tire design and it tracks extremely well,” added Klein. “Going into corners it doesn’t push to the outside and the tire holds a line well with very good steering feel, allowing rider to change lines as desired.”

Of course, the Quadmax Sport maintains all the inherent benefits of radial construction, notably a superior contact patch and a compliant ride for less rider fatigue. Dunlop’s engineers focused a great deal of effort tuning the tire’s carcass plies and circumferential belts to preserve these desirable qualities even at the very edge of the performance envelope.

Another benefit of radial design is found in both front and rear tires working together as a system, a key aspect of development that was perfected in real-world racing conditions at Dunlop’s Proving Grounds in Huntsville, Alabama and at race track across the country.

The new Quadmax Sport is produced in the following sizes and will be available at Dunlop retailers in the first quarter of 2008:

Front:
– AT19x6R10
– AT20x6R10
– AT21x7R10

Rear:
– AT18x10R8
– AT18x10R9
– AT20x11R9

Visit DunlopATV.com.