‘Liiiiiiiike a glove!’

As a young ATV rider, I didn’t care if I wore brown jersey gloves (you know those ones that cost a little more than a buck?) when I rode my old Honda four-wheeler. As a young kid in the 1980s, we wore whatever we had on hand to keep warm in the winter or to add comfort. When my riding career took a more “professional” approach in 1998 — that’s when I started at ATV Sport — I soon realized motocross gloves were so much better than a cotton or knit glove. Duh, right?! Plus, they look a lot better with the rest of the MX gear than those ugly brown mitts or your grandpa’s leather work gloves.

However, after a dozen years of riding ATVs, I’ve also come to the conclusion that all MX gloves are not created equally. This glove topic comes up because I recently lost one of my favorite EVS SX Lite riding gloves at the Alexandria Wal-Mart. I was wearing it as a “light spring glove” and it fell out of my jacket pocket. I’ve had the EVS gloves since they were introduced and they were one of the best pairs gloves I’ve ever worn. They held up and showed minimal wear, even after several rides, trail races and other uses (digging in the garden and mowing the lawn – seriously they were that versatile). Perhaps their only flaw was the lost of the silicon grips on the fingers (peeled off), lack of palm padding and excessive top finger padding. Even so, I loved them and I am saddened by the loss.

My all-time favorite MX riding glove, however, has to be the FOUR Mission glove, by O’Neal. What a clever concept, to actually craft a riding glove for ATV riders, those guys and gals who need to use their right thumb to engage their quad’s throttle. It featured a stretch Spandura right thumb for quad riders and eliminated a significant weak spot (see below) in MX gloves. The patent-pending custom Gel pad lined right thumb is my favorite feature as it produces all-day comfort. Palm padding and stitching are an added bonus. My red-black-and-white Mission glove (dated) offers a perfect fit and ATV comfort to go with it. If my entire MX glove collection could feature these attributes, I’d be a happy quad rider. Looks like I’ll have to order some new 2010 gloves (right).

MX Glove’s Typical Weak Spots

Over the years, I’ve found MX gloves have certain weak spots at least according to my testing. And like I previously stated, some gloves are better than others. Neither the FOUR glove nor the EVS glove have had these problems.

• The No. 1 problem has to be sizing. I wear an XL and I’ve had some gloves fit too tightly and others fit too loosely and create fold spots and blisters.
• Area between the index finger and thumb. It HAS to be stretchy for ATV riders because ours thumbs are stretched out while we ride. More often than not, this is wear an MX glove fails for me.
• Finger tips. I’ve had several gloves come unstitched here or have holes in the finger area. Once this happens, it’s time for the trash.
• Palm area. After a long riding day, testing or racing some gloves just can’t hold up and develop holes in their palms. However, others MX gloves are tough and never seem to get thin in this area.

Do you have a favorite riding gloves? Let me know the brand and why you like them.

How to choose a pair of goggles

Goggles are a crucial accessory in any off-roader’s gear bag. They can be the difference between a comfortable ride and a dirt-in-the-watering-eyes sunburned-face miserable experience. It is important, however, to properly select a goggle that best suits one’s riding tendencies and locations. There are so many types of riding, as well as many different riding conditions, and the proper goggle (and lens) can make all the difference. Every goggle should have these core features:

• Quality hydrophilic foam
• Interchangeable lenses
• Silicone-lined strap
• Venting
• Polycarbonate lens

The aforementioned features are vital to the performance of the goggle, but it is also very important that the goggle fits the riding application, face, and helmet. The better a goggle fits inside the opening of a helmet, the easier it is to create a nice seal of foam around the eyes. When choosing a goggle, have your helmet close by. A goggle may fit nicely around your face alone, but it may fit completely different with the helmet on, or even the opposite. Sometimes a goggle can compliment a helmet by naturally fitting inside the opening and creating a seamless connection of goggle and helmet. With your helmet on, try different goggles on, making sure the strap is even and straight around the sides and rear of the helmet. Grab the sides of the goggle frame and adjust the fit inside of the helmet opening, doing your best to seal the foam around your face. Make sure the goggle does not press down too much against your nose; for this can limit your breathing through the nostrils.

Once you have found a frame that matches well with your face and helmet, it is time to choose the best lenses for you style of riding.
Every off-road enthusiast should have a clear anti-fog lens. They can be used in all conditions and perform the primary function of goggles—protection. As conditions vary, and can potentially hinder vision, different lenses can be used to compensate

Unusual Mud Protection: 6 Quick Tips

If you had plans to go riding or racing and the weather snuck up on you (although I can’t quite fathom in this day and age how that could happen), then try these tips to help your sport quad survive the slop.

1-gallon Milk Jugs

These make for quick-fix handguards if you failed to install or pack yours. We’ve seen a few racers install these makeshift protectors. The larger jugs work best because they are more flexible and easier to custom fit to your quad’s bars. Talk about recycling!

Scratch Pads

Some racers I know add kitchen scouring pads to act as a makeshift glove cleaner. In a really muddy race, your gloves will get wet and muddy, but by adding a pad like this to the top or upper rear section of your helmet, you could keep riding instead of stopping for new gloves.

Extra Lens

Many GNCC racers tape an old goggle lens on to their visor to improve its length and mud protection. Roost is one of the biggest culprits of slowing you down. Another rider can roost you with mud, which always finds a way of hitting you in the face, goggles and hands. This longer custom visor can help you, but it can also get super heavy if too much mud comes your way.

Duct Tape

I know it can be used for practically everything, including clothes, automotive repairs and wallpaper, but I’m talking about covering parts of your ATV. I’ve seen several racers run duct tape on their front bumper to the plastic and then coat it with PAM cooking spray to act as both a radiator guard and anti mud shield.

Paper Towels

Believe it or not, if you keep a few extra (and dry) paper towels in your waterproof jacket (if you wear one), you can also improve your hand grip – at least temporarily – by using the paper towels as grip covers. I’ve seen several of the top ATV racers go through their pits and grab two paper towels for the final lap instead of stopping to clean their grips or get new gloves.

Garbage Bag

Yes, this one is for you more than your quad, but any heavy-duty yard waste bag will work as a rain poncho during a long race. The downside? Someone may call you trashy or toss you to the side of the curb. Oh, and it gets really warm under one of these plastic sacks.

These are just some of the basic off-road racing/riding tricks I’ve learned over the years. Although some of them are quite simple and rather obvious, many riders can forget to pack parts and accessories and need fast fixes. Do you have any tips of your own to improve your sport quad’s mudding abilities? How about something you wear during a muddy event?

Aftermarket Companies Practicing Grassroots Marketing-Customer Relations

FASST Co. announced The Flexx Handlebar Experience Tour recently. It will be at Glen Helen this weekend (March 5-7) for the second round of the Big 6 series. This program gives racers the opportunity to install the high-end, comfortable handlebars on their machine and try them. If you’re planning to race at Glen Helen, stop by, say hello and tell them we sent you.

I love it when companies do this sort of grassroots marketing and customer interaction. I’ve seen this done by ITP tires at Brimstone Recreation last year as trail riders could install a tire-and-wheel kit on their ATV and then take the kit for a trail ride. Now that’s firsthand experience. The best part is it’s on your machine, not someone else’s.

I also know that other companies like Hinson Racing, Triumph Motorsports, Duncan Racing and others. In fact, Hinson Racing has been going to local Southern California motocross tracks for the last few years to interact with its racers and other riders, and even assisting them in some cases.

Clearly, more companies should — if they’re not already — create their own track-side support program or at least visit a local motocross, desert or cross-country series once in a while to remind riders of what they do, the product they offer and, most importantly, that they support the sport and the riders. I applaud the companies (and those that do similar programs I failed to mention) for their initiative.

Growing Up Empty? Kids Without Quads

It is really a shame that my son and daughter, 7 and 6 respectively, can’t learn to love the sport that paid my bills that last decade, developed life-long friendships and given me a career others call the greatest job in the world. I’ve traveled the world and ridden OHV trails in almost every state and love to interact with nature in this manner. I’ve shared a tiny bit (two small backyard rides on an older loaner vehicle) of the ATV experience with my two young kids and loved every minute of it. Seeing them smile and learn to ride was an experience I’ll never forget. It’s also one I’ll have a hard time every reliving since the CPSIA legislation went into affect. I can’t even get the appropriate sized (50cc) youth quad for them to ride. This also means I can’t test the machine for publication (online or in a magazine). The restrictions also prevent me from aiding the industry and its manufacturers (and ultimately the consumer) by showcasing the machines and each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses.

I’ll never let them ride a larger displacement ATV because they are too little, have too little experience and it is unsafe and irresponsible. This CPSIA lead ban needs to be reworded or rewritten to exclude ATVs and other small displacement OHVs. I can understand protecting my eighth-month-old son from ingesting lead-coated baby toys, but to eliminate family interaction and joy in both my life and my kids’ is unfair and unsafe.

That’s why I’ve taken the step to contact member of Congress and let them know why they need to alter this legislation. I signed the petition at the Indianapolis Dealer Expo, but don’t want it to stop there. I’ve also contacted members of Congress on my own. I no longer want my kids to miss out in the sport I love.

Here’s are some key points the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) said we nee to point out to our members of Congress:

Excerpt from Russ Ehnes’ article in the NOHVCC newsletter:

“Enthusiasts and other stakeholders should reinforce three key reasons why youth ATVs and motorcycles should be excluded from the CPSIA’s lead content provisions:

1. The lead content poses no risk to kids. Experts estimate that the lead intake from kids’ interaction with metal parts is less than the lead intake from drinking a glass of water.
2. The key to keeping youth safe is having them ride the right size vehicle. Kids are now at risk because the availability of youth ATVs and motorcycles is limited due to the lead ban.
3. The lead ban hurts the economy for no good reason when everyone is trying to grow the economy and create jobs. MIC estimates that a complete ban on youth model vehicles would result in about $1 billion in lost economic value in the retail marketplace every year.”

You can also check out this info from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). Here’s how you can let your voice be heard. Visit Stop The Lead Ban and do your part.

Fan of GNCC Racing? Off-RoadFantasy is Your Answer

GNCCracing.com let its visitors know of a cool Web site where ATV and off-road fans can play their friends and foes in a “fantasy league.” Off-RoadFantasy.com presented by SCOTT USA lets you choose 10 riders and score (earn) points based upon their finishes. The site says you can modify your “roster” (race team) for each race and it encourages you to “Compete against your friends, family and other fans for cash and prizes awarded each week.”

I’ve signed up, but have not played YET. There’s a $20 sign-up fee for each series (bike or ATV) or $40 for both. Regardless of the fees, this is a cool way to connect with your pals and bench race from the confines of your humble abode.

Let me know if you’re playing and maybe I’ll see If I can beat you.

ATV Trails: Knott County, Kentucky

My good buddy Bill Reed, who I met roughly five years ago while visiting the Hatfield McCoy Trail System and has been an ATV Sport test rider, was manning the Knott County, Kentucky, booth at the 2010 Indianapolis Dealer Expo. Seeing the West Virginian in a booth that represented the state of Kentucky drove me to ask him a few questions. The first and most obvious question was “Why are representing Kentucky?” Another, “Are you moving from West Virginia?”

Reed’s answers explained everything and stated that he decided to sell his little motel in Gilbert, W.Va., and move the entire family to Kentucky to assist with the creation of OHV trails in the southeastern Kentucky county, which is known as “The Elk Capital of the East.”

The Knott County OHV system is scheduled to open (tentative) this fall. Of the four riding areas, only No. 1 Mine Made Paradise Park — which features a training center — is slated to open this year. The remaining three trailheads (No. 2 Fire Trail, No. 3 Brushee Fork Trail and No. 4 Red Fox Trail) are slated to open in 2012.

Mine Made Paradise Park has literally hundreds of miles of trails for ATVs, side-by-sides and dirt bikes on only a small portion of the 43,000 acres of privately owned land. The trails are professional designed and marked. In order to appeal to a wide variety of users, the system will also feature campgrounds and cabins (to open soon). The on-site Training Center is dedicated for closed-course ATV and motorcycle training and is the lone facility in the Appalachian region, according to Knott County.  For more info on the Training Center, visit www.kcrtc.com or call (606) 233-0080.

Knott County, Kentucky, is slated to open in the fall of 2010.
Mulit-Use Trails

Not only will the Knott County trails cater to ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes, but they also will be open to equestrian, with more than 100 miles of trails dedicated to horseback riding. The Knott County brochure says the Annual Trail Rides (May 7-9 and Oct. 1-3, 2010) are expected to attract more than 10,000 riders from 12 states.

For More Detailed Info, download the PDF here:

http://www.wmthcorp.com/knott co document.pdf

Area Attractions

With more than 10,000 Elk in the area, visitors can take a break from riding and participate see all the horned animals with Saddle Up Elk Tours. The area also has a Sportsplex, Carr Creek Lake & State Park,  Artisan Center, skate park and museum and settlement school.

Lodging:

For lodging in the Knott County, Kentucky, area click Hotels/Motels/Other.

CONTACT:

(270) 792-5300; (800) 532-1622

www.knottcountyadventure.com

Related Links:

http://www.wmthcorp.com/

http://www.trailsrus.com/

http://www.knottcountytrailriders.com/

On the Road with the Bomb Squad

The ATV Lifestyle keeps getting better and better!

[Read more]

ATV Super Stars to Attend Winter X Games

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 more]

Video killed the magazine star?

Action sports videos are all the rage these days (specifically in our sport). It seems that the segment of the video market has boomed in just the last 5 or 10 years. I attributed it to the drastically lower prices on consumer based video production equipment compared to years ago. DV, MiniDV, hard drive, flash media versus 8mm and 16mm Cellulose acetate film or Polyester Film, gone are the days of film splicers, Moviola’s, and dark rooms. Now all you need is a inexpensive DV camera and PC with the correct hardware to produce a DVD worthy video. Oh and not to mention some sort of creative talents.

With the drastic cut in start up and post production costs for an aspiring action sports film maker, the industry is literally flooded with video releases (all at $15-$30 retail I might add) how does the armchair ATV or motorcycle junkie pick a video from the sea of videos in Motorcycle parts catalogs, on-line stores, and dealership shelves?

First it might be informative to introduce some of the pioneers in what is now the action sports genre.  The two most prominent names that come to my mind are, Warren Miller and Bruce Brown. Warren Miller known for Ski Films releasing one feature length documentary style ski film a year since 1949, and has developed an intense following among the winter action sports segment. Bruce Brown first claim to fame with feature length surfing films starting in 1958 with “Slippery when wet” and his most popular break out film “Endless Summer”. But the film most of us offroaders identify him with is 1971’s “On Any Sunday”. More on this later.

With video entertainment media such as this, everything is very subjective and everybody has their preferred style and or wants from an action sports video. I will break them down into 3 categories of (self described) genres. Keep in mind I personally lean toward documentary, lifestyle or educational videos of these type.

Action/Freestyle

This genre is basically wild stunts, some racing footage, and epic locations with professional riders set to popular heavy metal or alternative music of the day. The videography is usually very stunning and some are almost like a travelogue of popular destinations around the world. The downside of this genre is the whole movie is just a bunch of short segments (about the length of the song used in the back round) filled with jump cuts and fast edits. There is usually no cohesive “plot” or storyline to keep the viewer engaged. These types of movies appeal best to the enthusiast and are best watched in a group in the garage bench racing with your buddies and some cold ones. Non riders or casual viewers will find these movies boring after probably the first 5 minutes. Typically these movies are not feature length lasting only around 40-50 minutes (with some exceptions). Biggest take away is these types of movies are not very timeless and are not generally that memorable. I love the Crusty Demons and H-Bomb series but I cannot say there is one memorable movie or segment that stands out from all the rest.

Best picks from this genre

Fleshwound Films (Dana Nicholson and Cami Freeman) Crusty Demons of Dirt series (currently 14 films to choose from)

H-Bomb Films (Wes Miller) Huevos series (currently 12 films to choose from)

 

 

Race Documentary

These movies narrowly focus on either one race or series of races. Typically these movies mix a small amount of “back story” on the riders or race and lead into the current race or series they are documenting. Filmed somewhat in a reality show style, they follow the top riders in the race or series highlighting the ups and downs and any other drama to build the characters and storyline to culminate to the finish of the race or finally of the series. These films are fairly niche based requiring a bit of knowledge of the race, racers, or series history to fully appreciate the videography and drama of the characters. These films will mildly appeal to the casual viewer as most do a good job of bringing the viewer into the drama and suspense of “whats going to happen next” although to fully appreciate the movie some riding experience is necessary. These movies do stand the times a bit better as they are more like a time capsule and are fun to watch from a historical aspect years later.  Typically these films are feature length.

Best picks from this genre

The Great Outdoors video series (2002-present), documenting the National motocross circuit

Enduro at Erzberg (2005-present) documenting the Erzberg Enduro

Motorsports Documentary

There are very few  films in this category.  These films take a general overall look at motorsports as a whole and condense it down to a feature length film.  The good ones that stand out do a good job of explaining each motorsport discipline in layman’s terms while highlighting the achievements to the exceptional riders from each sport.  These movies tend to be more palatable to non riders and casual viewers as they teach as well as entertain, trying to answer the universal question of why. An example of this is with the movie On And Sunday I can show this movie to nearly any non rider or casual viewer and they stay almost glued to the tv and come away with a sense of “wow, I understand why you love the sport so much”. Its a film that has aged gracefully and I consider it required viewing before even buying a machine.

Best picks from this genre

On Any Sunday (1971, Bruce Brown) updates: OAS Revisited, OAS Motocross, Malcom, and More

Dust to Glory (2005 Dana Brown)

Honorable mention:

Dirt (1979 Eric Karson) A rare gem not seen by most motorsport fans, features lots of 4 wheel racing.

Well there you have it!  My take on the whole action sports video genre as it applies to my favorite sports.  Every body has an opinion on their favorite film or film series, so let us hear about yours! Leave a comment below or visit the ATV Magazine forum. Also to watch some of my own videos follow the link to my Youtube page.

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