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Growing In Glamis, Aboard Yamaha SE Quads

February 2, 2010 · 2 Comments 

Riding the 2010 Raptor 700R SE at California's Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Glamis). Back in 2007, when I was still new to  ATV Magazine and ATV Sport, our staff took a trip out to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA, a.k.a. Glamis) in extreme Southern California for a 450-class sport quad test. I had been riding my whole life, but had only ventured outside of the Midwest to ride a few times at this point – to North and South Carolina, Oregon, Kentucky and West Virginia. Everybody said I just... [Read the full story]

ATV Racing

atv

Quick Tip, Homemade number plate

January 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

I got the inspiration for this blog from a question that was asked in our own ATV Magazine Forum.  A forum member needed a solution for a quick, cheap, and easy number plate so he could participate in a race coming up soon.  Here is my condensed response. Materials needed: White 5 gallon plastic bucket (can probably found in the trash or thrift store) Tin snips, heavy scissors, or grinder with cut off wheel (basically any tool that will cut thick plastic) High temp heat gun or propane torch (use caution with the torch!) 400-600... [Read the full story]

ATV Tech

atv

Quick Tip, Homemade number plate

January 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

I got the inspiration for this blog from a question that was asked in our own ATV Magazine Forum.  A forum member needed a solution for a quick, cheap, and easy number plate so he could participate in a race coming up soon.  Here is my condensed response. Materials needed: White 5 gallon plastic bucket (can probably found in the trash or thrift store) Tin snips, heavy scissors, or grinder with cut off wheel (basically any tool that will cut thick plastic) High temp heat gun or propane torch (use caution with the torch!) 400-600... [Read the full story]

ATVs

atv

American company acquires foreign company? Polaris?

February 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Will some new engine tech and design come to Polaris via Swiss Auto? Time will tell. It may seem shocking to most, especially in this recession as well as the state of the country where typically the news headlines talk mostly about American companies leaving or being acquired by foreign entities.  The somewhat shocking news of the exact opposite happening raises and eyebrow for me.  This company is Polaris of all companies.  Now not being a hard core fan or follower of Polaris’s development of machines over the... [Read the full story]

Industry Insiders

atv

American company acquires foreign company? Polaris?

February 5, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Will some new engine tech and design come to Polaris via Swiss Auto? Time will tell. It may seem shocking to most, especially in this recession as well as the state of the country where typically the news headlines talk mostly about American companies leaving or being acquired by foreign entities.  The somewhat shocking news of the exact opposite happening raises and eyebrow for me.  This company is Polaris of all companies.  Now not being a hard core fan or follower of Polaris’s development of machines over the... [Read the full story]

Modified

atv

Quick Tip, Homemade number plate

January 21, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

I got the inspiration for this blog from a question that was asked in our own ATV Magazine Forum.  A forum member needed a solution for a quick, cheap, and easy number plate so he could participate in a race coming up soon.  Here is my condensed response. Materials needed: White 5 gallon plastic bucket (can probably found in the trash or thrift store) Tin snips, heavy scissors, or grinder with cut off wheel (basically any tool that will cut thick plastic) High temp heat gun or propane torch (use caution with the torch!) 400-600... [Read the full story]

Rec. Riding

atv

ATV Super Stars to Attend Winter X Games

January 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment 

Indeed it’s true…brothers Caleb and Colten more, widely known for their high flying freestyle motocross acrobatics, have secured invitations to compete in this years Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado. [Read the full story]  Read More →

Travel

Growing In Glamis, Aboard Yamaha SE Quads

Riding the 2010 Raptor 700R SE at California's Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (Glamis).

Back in 2007, when I was still new to  ATV Magazine and ATV Sport, our staff took a trip out to the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA, a.k.a. Glamis) in extreme Southern California for a 450-class sport quad test. I had been riding my whole life, but had only ventured outside of the Midwest to ride a few times at this point – to North and South Carolina, Oregon, Kentucky and West Virginia. Everybody said I just had to ride in the dunes. From the descriptions I heard, I was very excited and a bit intimidated by such an alien riding environment of towering dunes, stadium-sized sand bowls.

Back in ‘07, we were there to ride the newly-expanded fleet of 450cc sport quads including: Yamaha YFZ450, Suzuki LT-R450, Honda TRX450R and Kawasaki’s new KFX450R. We also had a few built-up machines out there, which I really had no business riding for my first visit, in such fast company.

I learned all the basic techniques before my first ride: don’t stop at the bottom of a hill, turn out (back downhill) if a hill climb isn’t going your way, maintain speed on off-cambers to keep the quad planted, look out for witches eyes (quad-swallowing divots created by shifting wind patterns) and, most importantly, don’t go off on your own unless you’d like to become a well-dressed stick of beef jerky. Read the rest of Growing In Glamis, Aboard Yamaha SE Quads »

New Hampshire Trip, Ride Report and Video

This entry I am posting on behalf of two of our faithful ATV Magazine forum members.  After they bragged about getting this trip together I asked them to write up a full report with pictures and video, send it to me and I would post it here for the world to see, and maybe even get a blurb in the magazine itself.  This trip just shows how something like the ATV Magazine forum can bring two members together for an epic ride.  With out further delay I give you forum members warrior~kid and CChagros (aka. CC) with their ride report of the some of the terrain available in New Hampshire. Read the rest of New Hampshire Trip, Ride Report and Video »

UTVs

SxS debate, CPSC to Regulate ROV Utility Vehicles

ROV (Recreational Offroad Vehicle), Side by Side, SxS – how ever you want to say it you know what I am talking about.  The CPSC is at it again, conjuring up rules and regulations concerning these machines.  I have read the entire CPSC memo and here are my opinions on the bullet points presented in the memo.  The regulations center primarily around the “questionable” stability of these machines, as tested using two tests used to evaluate stability and handling characteristics of automobiles and trucks.lateral stability tests (SSF) static stability factor, vehicle handling test (SAE J266, dealing with under steering and over steering).  The CPSC also made recommendations on passenger retention systems and  as well as  technology to encourage use,  I am assuming they mean starter interlock devices and 4 point harnesses. Read the rest of SxS debate, CPSC to Regulate ROV Utility Vehicles »

Your gas can and you, fuel can storage and safety

It may seem somewhat pointless to talk about fuel safety as it relates to ATV’s as most people intend to be careful with storage and dispensing fuel in their ATV.  The shocker might be that most of us (including me from time to time) break some of the simple safety rules when it applies to transportation and storage.

There is a lot of choices when it comes to gas cans, make the right choice. It could save your life.

There is a lot of choices when it comes to gas cans, make the right choice. It could save your life.

First lets examine the container.  It may become a shocker (it did to me the first time I researched for a better/proper container) that many of the inexpensive containers sold at your local hardware store, discount retailer, or auto parts stores DO NOT meet DOT (Department of Transportation) standards for transportation in any vehicle.  Most containers only conform to current CARB and EPA standards that mostly deal with out gassing and leakage while in storage.  These standards have little to do with the actually quality of the can and it’s ability to store the fuel for extended periods of time.  With storing fuel the key to success (and not wasting money) is keeping the lighter more evaporative elements of the fuel from evaporating.  This is where safety and performance go hand in hand, less evaporation in storage will equal a safer storage of the fuel and performance.

Read the rest of Your gas can and you, fuel can storage and safety »