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King Boss Quad’s Totally Customized Defender Max 6×6!

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Nick Frenette A.K.A. “King Boss Quad” brought his fully customized Can-Am Defender Max 6×6 up to Dirt Trax World Headquarters to show us every detail of this fully functional build. Watch as Luke and Nick comb over every square inch of this vehicle and get inside the mind of King Boss Quad. Stay tuned for the feature video of this beast in action COMING SOON!!

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Polaris Launches RZR PRO XP Limited Edition

Polaris RZR introduces the RZR® PRO XP Orange Madness LE and RZR® PRO XP 4 Orange Madness LE, a new limited edition model to the 2020 RZR lineup.

The RZR PRO XP Orange Madness LE, is equipped with the ultimate trail performance that can only found in the RZR PRO XP lineup, including a 64-inch width to navigate the trails and 22-inches of usable suspension that provides all day comfort.

Coupled with its performance, the PRO XP Orange Madness LE also features industry-leading RIDE COMMAND technology, Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio, and is available in the limited edition “Orange Madness” paint scheme that customers have been asking for.

In addition to the best in trail-class features of the PRO XP Premium, the PRO XP Orange Madness LE also features RIDE COMMAND technology integrated into a 7″ Glove-Touch Display with built-in GPS navigation, Group Ride, Bluetooth smartphone connectivity, pre-downloaded maps available offline, and more.

The Rockford Fosgate Premium Audio system pairs with the RIDE COMMAND display seamlessly to deliver crisp, full sound to provide the ultimate soundtrack for your ride.

The PRO XP Orange Madness LE delivers a new-level of ultimate trail performance packing 181 horsepower tuned for response in the 20-50MPH range, a completely redesigned cockpit that elevates the driver’s experience, and a longer 96-inch wheelbase that turns tighter than the incredibly agile RZR XP Turbo.

The PRO XP Orange Madness LE also comes standard with a telescoping steering wheel, signature LED accent and head lights, retractable 6-pt. harness, Walker Evans 2.5 Needle Shocks and Isolated Xtreme Performance True On-Demand AWD/2WD.

The PRO XP 4 Orange Madness LE features the industry’s first second-row fold flat rear storage – just unclip, flip and fold flat to take what you need for a day on the trails.

The RZR PRO XP Orange Madness LE comes in an eye-catching custom orange and yellow paint scheme that is complemented by a sleek graphics package.

Pricing starts at $26,699 for the PRO XP Orange Madness LE (2-seater) and $30,599 for the PRO XP 4 Orange Madness LE (4-seater) which will be available in dealerships in June.

WILL WE SEE A NEW HONDA RINCON?

When Honda announced its 2020 ATV selection it was noteworthy that, at least in Canada, a model year 2020 Rincon wasn’t being offered.

In the US there is a 2020 Rincon in showrooms, but it was difficult to see any difference in it compared to its previous model years.

This isn’t a big deal because the Rincon has seen little change in the last five years anyway, but, obviously, still sells pretty well in the United States.

It’s got a reputation for incredible durability and is very much loved by those who slapped down the cash to buy one ever since 2003.

However, the 675cc Rincon as we’ve known it suffers by comparison against larger displacement ATVs in its class offered by Polaris, Can-Am, Arctic Cat and Kawasaki.

It looks like Honda doesn’t think this is a very big deal, but when a whole nation doesn’t include it in its sales brochures, it’s a pretty big sign a smoke signal has been sent up and it’s time for an update.

Another clue there’s something up with the Rincon is the stellar redesigns and updates we’ve seen done to the new 520 Rubicon. This is a really great-looking ATV and has the rack features and reverse gear actuation updates we’ve wanted for the Rincon for a long time.

Thus, we think a new Rincon will likely share the looks and tech benefits of the most recent version of the Rubicon.

To completely ice the cake, we’d love to see an upgrade in power to put the Rincon heads-up against, at least some versions of the Sportsman, Brute Force and Outlander.

We’re dreaming about a new Rincon 850 with updated bodywork, easy engagement of reverse and Honda’s new storage and rack features.

As far as the suspension and chassis goes, we wouldn’t want Honda to change a thing! Travel and ride are adequate, handling is absolutely top drawer and the Rincon’s weight and dimensions fit like a glove.

We know it’s hard to make a winner better, but we think it’s time to breathe new life into the Rincon – and soon!

2021 KAWASAKI BRUTE FORCE

Designed to get the job done while also possessing fun, recreational capabilities, the 2021 Kawasaki Brute Force® ATV lineup meets the needs of farmers, ranchers and those with a love of the great outdoors.

The Brute Force model range is designed to suit a variety of needs and budgets. The Brute Force 750 4x4i models are equipped with a 749cc V-twin engine and are available with Electric Power Steering (750 4x4i EPS and EPS Camo models) as well as four-wheel drive to help ensure you can conquer the terrain.

The price-friendly Brute Force 300 is equipped with a 271cc single-cylinder engine and is a great tool to get the job done. Built around a sturdy frame, with proven Kawasaki performance, the Brute Force ATV family is Kawasaki STRONG.

MODEL VARIATIONS:

Kawasaki Brute Force® 750 4x4i
Color: Firecracker Red
MSRP: $8,999
Availability: Now

Kawasaki Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS
Color: Super Black, Bright White
MSRP: $9,999
Availability: Now

Kawasaki Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS Camo
Color: Realtree Xtra® Green
MSRP: $10,599
Availability: Now

Kawasaki Brute Force® 750 4x4i EPS
Color: Fragment Camo Gray
MSRP: $10,599
Availability: Now

Kawasaki Brute Force® 300
Color: Super Black, Bright White
MSRP: $4,399
Availability: Now

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and Jet Ski® watercraft through a network of almost 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,400 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles.

Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at kawasaki.com.

2021 TERYX KRX 1000

For 2021, the Kawasaki Teryx KRX® 1000 is back and ready to take on any adventure in its path. One of the most durable and reliable machines in the sport side x side category, the 2021 Teryx KRX 1000 is built Kawasaki Strong, so that it is ready for your world and your adventure.

The Kawasaki Teryx KRX 1000 sport side x side is engineered for high adrenaline adventures and conquering tough terrain. Powered by a durable 999cc parallel twin engine paired with a CVT transmission and centrifugal clutch, the Teryx KRX 1000 has the power to tackle a whooped-out trail and the torque to conquer technical rock crawling sections.

A high-rigidity frame with integrated Roll Over Protection Structure (ROPS) positions the wheels as far apart as possible to provide a sure-footed stance, superb cornering and straight-line stability. Obstacles on the trail are soaked up by FOX 2.5 Podium LSC shock units, which combined with long suspension arms give the Teryx KRX 1000 the longest suspension travel in its class.

A roomy cockpit features half doors and adjustable high-back bucket seats to deliver outstanding rider comfort no matter the terrain. A large all-digital instrumentation screen offers at-a-glance information to the driver including a CVT temperature readout and low voltage warning lamp.

Every aspect of the Teryx KRX 1000 has been engineered with Kawasaki’s dependable, proven performance to outmuscle anything that stands between you and an adventure of a lifetime.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) started full-scale production of motorcycles over a half century ago. The first Kawasaki motorcycle engine was designed based on technical know-how garnered from the development and production of aircraft engines, and Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by the company’s constant effort to develop new technologies. Numerous new Kawasaki models introduced over the years have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends based on their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki’s commitment to maintaining and furthering these strengths will surely give birth to new legends.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and Jet Ski® watercraft through a network of almost 1,100 independent retailers, with close to an additional 7,400 retailers specializing in general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,100 people in the United States, with approximately 260 of them located at KMC’s Foothill Ranch, California headquarters.

Kawasaki’s tagline, “Let the good times roll.®”, is recognized worldwide. The Kawasaki brand is synonymous with powerful, stylish and category-leading vehicles.

Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at kawasaki.com.

POLARIS SALUTES AMERICAN HEROES

Honoring its American roots and community of owners, today Polaris Off Road, the world leader in powersports and off-road innovation, launched Polaris Salutes American Heroes campaign. Since its founding in 1954, the American-based company has placed tremendous value on the power of determination, tenacity and purpose.

Those qualities date back to its start when two brothers and a friend set out to find a better way to navigate the Roseau, Minnesota snow. With some ingenuity and grit, the three rolled up their sleeves and combined an engine and a sled to produce what would eventually become the first snowmobile and the start of Polaris.

Today, more than 60 years later, those same principles are visible in heroes of all kinds, those who are stepping forward to help the country navigate new road blocks with no map or driver’s manual to guide the way. From school teachers finding inventive solutions to connect with and educate youth, to farmers working together to ensure the country’s food supply remains intact, or the many caregivers, neighbors and volunteers going out of their way to help others and keep our communities safe.

This campaign sets out to share the many stories of Polaris heroes – from traditional military members to the grocery delivery drivers – that deserve a salute.

“The Polaris Salutes American Heroes campaign was developed to recognize our owners and dealers who are going above and beyond to serve our country and their communities in heroic ways,” said Steven Menneto, president of Off Road, Polaris. “Just like Polaris, many of the ideas that are making an impact now start with a simple need, the willpower to make a change and a little creativity. We see that ingenuity every day in our employees, dealers and owners and are happy to use our platforms to share their stories and further thank and honor them.”

Throughout the month of June, consumers, owners and dealers are encouraged to nominate a current Polaris owner or dealership employee that is based in the United States for a chance to win a charitable gift, prize pack and to have their stories featured across Polaris channels.

Nominees will be broken into five categories and should embody the commitment, dedication and sacrifice of a true American hero while having a profound impact on others.

The campaign’s five nomination categories include:

• Protecting America (military, first responders)
• Healing America (doctor, nurse, dentist, home health aide)
• Growing America (agriculture industry, small business owners, teachers)
• Sustaining America (grocery, transporting supplies)
• Raising Up America (celebrating those that give back to their communities)

Five winners will be selected the week leading up to the Fourth of July. Winning owners will receive a $1,000 donation made by Polaris Foundation to a charity of their choice and a summer prize pack worth more than $500 MSRP, including a cooler, summer gear and other Polaris accessories.

Polaris will also select five dealer employee winners who will receive a $500 donation made by Polaris Foundation to a charity of their choice, along with the summer prize pack. Nominees must be residents of the United State or District of Columbia in order to win.

For more information about Polaris Salutes American Heroes and to nominate a hero you know, visit Polaris.com/AmericanHeroes and join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. With annual 2019 sales of $6.8 billion, Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the Polaris RANGER, RZR and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; snowmobiles; and deck, cruiser and pontoon boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including TransAmerica Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets includes military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

polaris.com

FIRST 50 MILES IN THE TERYX KRX 1000

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Did you know that Kawasaki has a pure sport side-x-side? I’m being sarcastic. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know. Honestly we’ve never seen the Internet fill up so quickly with so much content about a single vehicle since news of it dropped last fall. There are ride impressions, walk-around videos and editorial out there from just about anyone who has ever even heard of a side-x-side.

We’ve delivered here too. We did an overview this past fall with our initial impressions and Luke’s walk-around just dropped a few days ago with his full test ride scheduled for the upcoming season of DIRT TRAX, which makes it tough to come up with a new and interesting angle to present OUR impressions of the Teryx KRX 1000. However, we’re smart guys so here’s our report after the first 50 miles behind the wheel of the KRX.

Our test ride included a wide range of conditions such as long straightaways, winding fire roads, sand and 25 laps around a mile long off-road course of varying terrain including mud, grass, sand, rocks and ruts. During the course laps I stopped frequently to make small adjustments to the 24-position Fox Podium 2.5 LSC shocks, which I’ll talk more about shortly.

The KRX is outfitted with a 999cc parallel twin with a CVT clutch, which should put plenty of power to the ground. We quickly found at first stab of the accelerator, the KRX feels soft on engagement – like we were waiting to get our arms stretched out, but that feeling never came. Top end proved to be less than thrilling too as I topped the KRX out at 67 mph (108 km). That was everything it had and I was going downhill with the wind at my back [cough]. We feel this is largely due to its weight topping the Talon R by around 350 pounds. Some clutching work from Kawi’s engineers could definitely add a bit more low-end jump and we’re confident the aftermarket industry is likely already on top of this.

Where the KRX shines though is its mid-range. Through the off-road course, there was loads of power. Backshifting and upshifitng as we approached and rode out of corners, then pressed hard on the gas as the straightaways opened up put a smile on my face. Blasting down fire roads was a thrill ride coming out of bends and letting the back end get loose, then counter-steering to straighten out upon approach of the next bend was so satisfying. We feel like the KRX could benefit from about 10 more ponies to deal with that additional weight at top end, but mid-range power is definitely dialled in right.

The KRX has superior ground clearance and suspension travel numbers in this class. However, even with the front and rear sway bars, the vehicle suffers from excessive body-roll when riding at full soft. It took a little bit to dial in the 24-position clickers to where we liked them, starting from full soft and then adding a few clicks front and back each lap around the course. I honestly think some owners just don’t mess around with their suspension settings enough and for vehicles in this class, it is essential. I found the sweet spot on the KRX to be 10 clicks from soft out back and 6 up front. At these settings, I found a balance of significantly reduced body roll in corners and enough plushness to not beat my spine to mush as I rode over bumps and rocky terrain at speed.

The 8-ply rated Maxxis Carnivores hook up really well on grass and dirt and their aggressive tread can grip washed-out and over-ridden corners like Scooby on a rib eye. These are heavy yet durable tires and in rocky desert conditions we would wager a puncture from a sharp rock would be far less likely than it would with competitive rubber.

Behind the wheel, the KRX delivers the comfort you’d expect from Kawasaki just like we’ve experienced with the Teryx and Mule. The steering wheel height is adjustable and the instrument cluster moves with the steering column. We found it to be in an appropriate location to be easily read through the wheel. The digital gauge cluster has a ton of information. Readouts are easy to see even in direct sunlight and most importantly the numbers on the speedo are large enough to read at a quick glance. There’s loads of legroom for someone of average height and even plenty for taller drivers as the seat adjusts forward and back. The seats are quite comfortable, but I would personally prefer more bolstering to secure the driver and passenger in position while taking sharp corners. Seating position is also quite a bit higher than in a RZR PRO XP, which accentuates the KRX’s body-roll. Perhaps with a bit more bolstering, body roll wouldn’t feel as noticeable from the cockpit.

Kawasaki came to bat with an excellent product. The KRX 1000 gives the impression there’s a future for this vehicle. From its robust engineering and class-leading toughness, to its absolutely gorgeous fit and finish, it is very subjectively one of the sexiest side-x-sides on the market.

We feel that if Kawasaki takes the necessary steps in the future development of a factory turbo it would put this vehicle at the top of the food chain. However, even in its stock trim you get one heck of a vehicle here at a sticker price competitive with other vehicles in this class.

FULLY DECKED OUT KRX 1000!

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Kawasaki Canada just sent us a brand new 2020 Teryx KRX 1000 fully loaded up with some really cool aftermarket parts and accessories. Luke’s combing over every inch of this vehicles before he takes it out for a full-on TEST RIDE.

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WILL CAN-AM USE BRP’S PDRIVE CLUTCH?

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When we’re dealing with off-road brands with deep roots in the snowmobile business, like Polaris, Yamaha, Arctic Cat and BRP, there are often opportunities for these particular OEMs to piggyback development of technology for both off-road as well as snowmobiles.

The advent of an entirely new primary clutch developed by BRP’s Ski-Doo snowmobile division begs some commentary. From our perspective here at DirtTrax we have a birds-eye view of the company’s pDrive primary CVT clutch. The concept of re-engineering age-old “sliding button” torque tower clutches has been discussed for many years.

The sliding button design deals with horrendous friction in high horsepower applications. As horsepower and RPM increases so does the friction on the sliding buttons located on the primary clutches fixed spider. This friction is made more massive by this design reality: As the moveable sheave moves inward pushing the drive belt upward, the sliding buttons’ engagement of the torque towers is moving further away from their starting point on the moveable sheave.

The loads on the torque towers are ridiculous. Basically this friction and load component is overcome by heavier flyweights that generate centrifugal force, pushing the moveable sheave in, overcoming the clutch spring’s force which is required to push the moveable sheave away from the fixed (inner) sheave.

In the world of snowmobiles this movement is subject to forces generated by engines producing over 160-hp (in Ski-Doo’s situation) and over 200-hp in some competitive snowmobiles.

The pDrive “roller tower” primary changes all the rules in the snowmobile primary clutch paradigm. Instead of sliding buttons dragging their way up and down the torque towers, Ski-Doo has designed a roller system – actually three rollers – to take the loads generated when moving the belt up and down on the inner and outer sheaves.

The introduction of the pDrive roller primary required a complete re-think of calibration components, specifically the flyweights and spring, to adjust to the dramatically reduced friction.

So the question remains: Will the innovative and super efficient pDrive roller tower primary clutch find its way onto Can-Am off-road vehicles? For sure, the pDrive could handle the power output of Rotax’s current stable of turbo and non-turbo 4-strokes. Here’s where I think there may be a wrinkle: Dirt.

Yep, the environment SxS and ATVs operate in is understandably dusty and dirty. The exact opposite is true of snowmobiles. Snowmobiles don’t even run foam or paper air cleaners! Why? Winter does not produce the gritty dust and dirt these snowbound engines operate in.

So what about pDrive and dirt? We suspect pDrive may need a more sophisticated filtration system to keep out gritty dust and dirt to ensure the clutch doesn’t experience rapid wear in dirty conditions. That’s just a guess right now.

One thing’s for sure, savvy off-road racers might be well advised to explore the pDrive primary clutch. There are likely performance improvements and efficiencies that could be gained using pDrive under controlled high maintenance, racing conditions.

THE NEXT SINGLE SEATER

This is a complicated question because there are a number of factors to consider.

First and foremost, the question hinges on whether or not the RS1 is considered to be a success in the off-road marketplace. Yes, a lot of owners are in love with this single-seater cross between an ATV and a RZR; but is the market for this type of vehicle big enough to warrant the investment needed to build a competitor to it?

Let’s keep in mind; the conventional ATV biz isn’t exactly dead or replaced by the RS1. There are zillions of ATVs still out there being used daily, and sales, although not as robust as they were ten years ago, are still decent. It’s already been made pretty clear there are ATV customers, there are SxS customers and there are RS1 customers.

True, those who experience the RS1 love its similarity to driving a fully jammed RZR, but having more than one vehicle like this could kill the RS1’s market and end up being a flop for both Polaris and for whomever decides to compete.

It’s a gamble.

But let’s let our minds go wild for a moment. Which competitor would be the candidate to come up with an ACE clone? First, we don’t think the Japanese OEMs would try to tap this market. The investment in tooling and R&D for the potential return just doesn’t fit the conservative footprint of Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki or especially, Suzuki.

We think the best two candidates would be Can-Am or Arctic Cat. These companies keep a close eye on the pulse of Polaris and build their product lines very closely aligned with what Polaris offers.

If the sales stats were clear, we could see either one of them offering a single-seater. Both have an enormous selection of engines and a long list of patents and engineering innovations that could prove useful for a venture like this.

We’d put our tallest money on Can-Am, who loves to surprise us with new and innovative products all the time. It’s fun to think of a 1000cc V-Twin hybrid using the best chassis features of the Renegade and the Maverick X3 to produce a super-high performance single passenger rocket with maybe even some of the tech features of the Can-Am Spyder thrown in.

Which raises another question: Is the best market for an RS1 clone ultra-performance driven or is it closer to Utility?

Time will tell.