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.

New Years with the Godfather

If you missed out on the recent outing to Ocotillo Wells with Mike “the Godfather” Metzger, you’ve got a second chance…

[Read more]

3 wheelers, the beginings of ATV’s?

With ATV Magazine doing a 10 part look back at the decade of ATVing, I thought I would bring back some memories of my youth as it relates to my entry into offroading. The 3 wheeler. First off the 3 wheeler, later dubbed the ATC standing for All Terrain Cycle, is an inherently poor design choice for any motorized vehicle. A tripod is very stable standing still, but when an opposing force is applied it becomes very unstable. This quote from “Super Hunky” Rick Sieman’s Ten Worst Dirt Bikes of All Time says it all with the ATC coming in at number 2 on the list.

“2. ANY THREE-WHEELER. Yup, the All- Terrain Cycle, or ATC, was introduced by Honda to let people who didn’t have the skills to balance a regular two-wheeled bike ride in the dirt. Cute little buggers, the ATCs sold like crazy. Then savvy people started noticing that they handled like a shopping cart loaded with bowling balls with one locked front wheel going down a flight of stairs.

People started doing wonderful things like riding over their own legs and biffing over
the bars when the things got into a high- speed wobble-you know, anything over 20 mph. Suspension on these early three-wheelers? Nothing. Zip. Nada. Zero. Just three balloon tires were there to take the impacts.

As the years passed, the ATVs got more and more powerful and they gave them forks and shocks. This let the unstable triangle wallow around, as well as defy the laws of physics when trying to turn. The rest is history. Three-wheelers are no longer being made. However, be warned! They’re still out there, wiggling and lurching around the trails and sandpits of America.”

 

Alright enough bashing on the beginnings of ATVing.  Lets just chalk it all up to engineers and designers being young and stupid.  This article is about the two 3 wheelers I grew up with before I found my love of 2 wheeled motorcycles.  I will introduce each 3 wheeler and give an opinion of its performance (at the time).  Ideally I would like to ride them again to have a back to back comparison just like the magazines do with current machines. Sadly even though I still have the machines in my collection they are in badly need of a restoration, so my opinion on the performance will be one of my recollection all those years ago.

 

First up the probably the most recognized of the 3 wheelers ever made.  The US90 (or later known as the ATC90) from Honda. This little machine features a pull start horizontal type 90cc engine with a semi auto 4 speed with a hi/lo range transmission. A stamped steel 2 piece backbone type frame (similar in nature to the CT70 of the same vintage). Large 22 inch rimless balloon style tires with a tractor style tread pattern. Single rear drum brake operated by a foot peddle or hand lever. Throttle was a thumb type (never before seen at this point). Ignition is a 6V breaker point type with battery for a head light and tail/brake light. Power out put is around 7 HP through a chain drive to the rear axle. Also there is no suspension whatsoever.

 

Next up is the Montgomery Ward Terrain Cycle.  This is definitely a less memorable machine from ATVing’s past.  For a little clarification on machines of this type, distribution companies like Sears and Roebuck, Service Merchandise, J C Penny Co. all tried to get on the 3 wheeler and mini bike band wagon of the late 60’s and early 70’s introducing models like this for purchase through their catalog stores. The machines were built by 3 party metal fab job shops for sale through these companies.

The Terrain Cycle featured a traditional pull start vertical (horizontal shaft) Briggs & Stratton 10HP engine, Comet variable speed CVT style belt drive primary with a jack shaft to a chain final drive to a split (break-away) axle. The frame was a welded tubular steel frame. The seating position was more like a car and your feet were held in stirrups of sorts stretched out in front. Brakes were a band type around a drum (unlike an expanding shoe/drum brake) there two rear only, one for each wheel and separate hand controls. Tires are a 22 inch square knobbies. Throttle is a twist type. It featured a headlight and tail light powered by the ignition system. Suspension was no where to be found as well.

Both machines were designed with the ability to some what be easily disassembled for transport in the back of a station wagon or large car (of the 70’s variety).

 

Before I conduct this little comparison between the two machines it might be wise to set the stage.  Pretend its the early 70’s, an ATV is un heard of, motorcycles are primarily used as transportation/utilitarian purposes, and the lines between offroad and street models are blurred.  Also most households had only one maybe two vehicles, and of those vehicles they generally were NOT pickups.   Disposable income was not as available for “purpose” built machines thus why most Japanese dirt bikes were dual purpose as most Americans could not afford a bike that had to be hauled to the trail.  Basically motorized vehicles purely for recreation were not a large segment of the market yet.

 

Alright I will go through some basic categories to compare the two and give my conclusion on which is the best value at the time.

 
Performance:

As far as all out performance is concerned, the Terrain cycle wins by default.  Being the engine makes a few more ponies over the Honda helps, but the real value add is the fact that the CVT primary and chain final drive is virtually infinitely adjustable.  The Honda’s transmission, while conventional by todays standards, is a bit rigid and non adjustable.  Also Honda’s semi-auto transmission would baffle novices with its constant need for clutch adjustments as well as the 2 speed hi/lo shifting (which the machine needed to be stationary to switch between the 2 ranges).  The Terrain cycle on the other hand was purely start and go.  Savvy people could also switch out the various springs in the CVT pulleys to change how the power was delivered to the rear wheels.  Top speed was also in the favor of the Terrain cycle over the Honda.  These figures are purely subjective (having no way to verify at this time), the Honda probably topped out at around 30-35 mph where as the Terrain cycle in stock form probably could do about 40-45 and with gearing changes could probably get into the 50’s.  Although for pure grunt the Honda wins hands down with its super low range it would allow that little 7HP engine pull twice its weight. The Terrain cycle was not a torque monster mostly because of the CVT drive when it comes to utilitarian purposes.

Handling:

In the category of handling there is not much to say. They both handle pretty odd to say the least. The advantage in handling would narrowly go to the Terrain cycle but only because of the split axle, the ability to have a rudimentary differential to aid in turning (keeping the front end from plowing while turning) also the use of the individual wheel brakes makes for even more control, albeit a bit cumbersome. The Honda features a solid rear axle so the front end pushes slightly more, especially at low speeds. Otherwise the handling is very similar with neither being spectacular.

 

Build quality:

In this category the Honda gets the advantage for the simple fact of aesthetics.  Both machines would have looked like they belong on the moon, but the Honda pulls off the legitimacy of a quality machine if only because of the use of (fragile) fiberglass fenders/bodywork.  The Terrain cycle is largely like a go cart you build from a kit.  The frame and drive line are plenty strong but lack the visual appeal.  Although at the time some people might have questioned the strength of a thin stamped steel frame used on the Honda versus the “known” strength of welded tubular steel.  As we know today that fact that the stamped steel frame would turn out to be plenty strong even if it looks a bit odd.  Weight wise the terrain cycle tips the scales at a dismal 150 lbs while the ATC90 weighs in at a porky 228 lbs. It does carry its weight well though.  All in all both machines were built well for the intended purpose the Honda wins for being the most utilitarian.

Price:

Hands down the Terrain cycle wins here with a price of around $300 (approx. $1,663.00 in 2008) vs. $595 (approx. $3,298.28 in 2008) of the Honda ATC90. Although considering Honda is in the business of selling motorcycles and ATC’s there is a lot of R&D dollars to recoup, where as Montgomery Ward’s ATC is purely marketed similarly to that of other sporting goods, like a tennis racket or bicycles. Honda has a very targeted market so the price is pretty competitive if you think about it.

Conclusion:

It may seem like the odd, hardly memorable, short lived Montgomery Ward Terrain cycle should have been a huge success and get credit for the ATV revolution.  Ultimately the Honda is the birth of the ATC with Suzuki birthing the 4 wheeled ATV.  Its a clear case of proper marketing and product development.  The Terrain cycle was purely a toy where as the Honda put some utilitarian function into the packaging of a similar toy.  The big question is “Which machine would I have chosen if I was back in 1970?”  I think my choice would depend on my circumstances.  If I was from suburbia looking to sample off road recreation I would have  chosen the Terrain cycle and if that took I would eventually move into a newer model of a Japanese ATC.  Although being I grew up in the heartland as a farmer the Honda would have been my choice, even if it would have been hard to purchase and get parts for at the time as the dealer network was not extensive (and no INTERNET) at the time unless you lived on the coasts.

If you would like to read a 1970 article featured in Cycle World testing the Honda ATC90 and the Speary Rand Tri-cart see my other blog posting,  Take us back to where it all began…

And just for some fun here is some video of a fellow rider on a early Kawasaki KLT200

New H-Bomb Film’s just in time for Christmas!!!

Huevos 12 and Best of Crash DVD arrive just in time for the Holidays.  [Read more]

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 more]

First Sessions

For all of my life I’ve been obsessed with jumping.  I recall family videos in which I pinned my little LT50 with all that it had and railed a fallen tree as a means of getting air born.  The grin on my face said it all and it didn’t matter that I had no suspension or that I was wearing sweatpants and rubber booties.

Well I’m a little older now and I jump a little higher but the thrill is still the same.  I never dreamed I would have the opportunity to hit a real ramp but through the help and support of people like Justin Homan, Wes Miller and BC Vaught I’ve spent the last eight months doing just that.

Here are a few photos of the latest ramping sessions.  Please excuse the blur effect as dust has been a major issue.

Reality of Racing (2006) part 2

 Following up on my last post Reality of Racing part 1.   Here is the second (and final) film about the harescramble race we entered into.  After filming for these two videos we found out it was very hard to get good footage with just the two of us, and try to be competitive in a racing series.  Even though we completed the series we did not film them, so this video series only contains two “episodes”.

Reality of Racing series (2006)

A while back (2006) fellow Team MGR Racing member Chris Flodine and I decided to ride a hare scramble series and film the reality of it from our average joe racer perspective.  Granted this is no TV worthy documentary as it was just us as producers, videographers, sound, writers, and the stars of the video.  Our purpose of the video series was just to show how “real” people take on a typical local race.  As I have always said (and you can see from the video) that I nor him are anywhere near pro racer status or ability.  The fact that we are not pro and out there having a great time riding our motorcycles and ATVs is the point.  Basically at the end of the season I found out that about 50 people who entered the Novice class were better, faster, more consistent than me, and that about 100 people were  worse, slower, and less consistent than me.  I would gage my performance on the basis of if I felt that I rode as hard as I could for the duration (leaving nothing out on the track) and finished the race that I accomplished my goal, to have fun.  I hope this shows that anybody can go out and enter a race, no matter what your ability, and have fun.

Click the video below to see me (#73 on the motorcycle) and Chris Flodine (#52 on the ATV) enter into Valley Dirt Riders hare scramble series.

 

Reality of Racing series (2006)

Back in the Saddle

So I’ve taken a little siesta but now I’m back and ready to bring you the ATV Lifestyle like never before.  To tell you the truth, I’m not sure anyone new I was gone.  I don’t really know how many people read this blog and judging by the number of comments I receive, I’m guessing only a handful of people manage to stumble across my articles.  No matter, I’m going to try my hand at this again in hopes of doing a much better job this time around.

[Read more]

All-New ATVMagOnline.com

Looking for even more ATV content in a more organized, modern format? Of course you are – and that’s why we’ve unveiled the all-new ATVMagOnline.com – ATV Magazine’s brand-new web site. While the design is a big change, the real differences lie in the content organization and the integration of our blog site, photo galleries and new navigation tabs to keep things like how-to, destination, racing and event coverage all in separate, searchable categories.

Looking for information on a specific quad? You can read all of our reviews, comparison stories and even access our annual Buyer’s Guide information about any ATV on the market one of two ways:

1. Type the name of the ATV in the search bar at the top of the site. For example, type “Suzuki King Quad 750″ and you’ll see all the recent stories we’ve done on the King Quad, as well as buyer’s guide information with specs, our opinions and pricing information.
2. Mouse over the ATV tab, go to Manufaturer, choose a maker and you’ll see every story related to that brand – all the stories, product tests, build projects and the buyer’s guide specs.

The goal is to make it easier to research, buy or sell your quad, and to make it easy to find your favorite stories in the mag. [Read more]

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