ATV Insider

1-17-2007 NEW POLARIS RZR
Here's the new Polaris Ranger RZR (pronounced Razor). We recently tested this 4 wheel drive, 800cc buggie in the deserts north of Phoenix, Arizona. We were really impressed! This is no UTV (Utility Vehicle) so I guess borrowing Yamaha's term SXS (Side by Side) is the best description we have. Buggies have always been my favorite passion and I have longed for an ATV-sized, 4wd, great-handling buggie! Well, the wait is over, well almost, I still await the actual arrival of our test unit.
Our test is coming soon!

1-22-2007 KAWASAKI ANNOUNCES 2007 ATV RACING TEAM
Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team will use the 2008 KFX®450R racing ATV and three experienced riders in hopes of bringing home a championship in 2007. William Yokley will compete in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, while Jason Luburgh and Josh Creamer will compete in the World PowerSports Association (WPSA) Series and select All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) AMA Pro Series races. William Yokley, 29, will lead Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in its quest for the first-ever pro title with the all-new KFX450R. Yokley will be joined by teammate and three-time ATVA Pro Am Champion Jason Luburgh. Luburgh, 24, comes from a family of ATV racers and competed in his first race at the age of 16. Rounding out the team is 21-year-old Josh Creamer. Born and raised in Connecticut, Creamer has been racing ATVs for over five years and was the 2005 ATVA Pro Am Champion. Based on the championship-winning KX™450F, the 2008 KFX450R features an all-aluminum frame, race-oriented chassis, and a low center of gravity. It is also the only model in its class with a reverse gear. This feature will allow quick exits in situations that formerly caused riders to retire from races before crossing the finish line.

3-2007 BOMBARDIER BUILDs A NEW 3-WHEELER!
Recently, we got a sneak peek at the newest Can-Am vehicle and it's not an ATV, UTV, or even a motorcycle. The Spyder is powered by a 990cc Rotax DOHC 106 horsepower V-Twin. Although the exact details are still not published, we do know that this new 3-wheeler will be offered with a choice of two transmission options: a sequential manual 5-speed (SM5) and sequential electronic 5-speed (SE5) transmission, both of which include a reverse gear. In 2007, BRP will deploy the first phase of its go-to-market strategy: 12 select American states and four Canadian provinces will offer Can-Am Spyder roadsters through BRP's existing dealer network, followed by France and Spain in early 2008. If you are a BRP dealer in one of the areas slated for roll-out, the base price will be $14,999 in the United States.
— I can't wait to see Can Am's idea of what a side by side should be!

3-2007 MOTORRAD GG STREET QUAD!
The street-legal (although it is still questionable in the United States though) Formula Car GG Quad features a billet aluminum chassis, a BMW 1150cc flat twin engine, and a 6-speed transmission with reverse. The 95 horsepower, 880 pound quad has a claimed top speed of 115 MPH and reaches 60 MPH in less than 5-secs. With a total of six disc brake calipers the stopping distance from 60 MPH is claimed to be under 110 feet. Also claimed is a lateral grip of over 1G! This unique quad will be available soon in the United States for a suggested retail price of $49,500.00!
— But can we get one with a lift kit, all terrain tires and a rack?

2-15-2007 ITP SHOWS ALL NEW LINE OF PRODUCTS AT INDY DEALER SHOW:
The ITP booth at the Indianapolis Dealer Show in February was brimming with new products including their line of SS wheels and the T7 line of 12" and 14" beadlocks for ATVs and UTVs. The new T7 beadlock's come with interchangeable outer rings in a variety of colors. There is also a new version of the ATR, the HS ATR, specifically designed for high performance UTVs! On the sport side were the new Holeshot Radials in 20" and 21" sizes and the new soft-compound Quad Cross MX tires.
— Leave it to ITP to keep bringing us the latest and greatest in wheel and tire performance designs!

5-11-07 WE RIDE THE GG QUAD!
Thanks to Keith Smith, the North American importer for the exotic GG Quad we got to spend some time playing on some of our favorite blacktop twisties on one of the most incredible street machines I've ever been on. At around 60 grand for the machine we tested, I thought it kind of expensive — then I saw how it was built and I realized that the price seemed reasonable. After riding it, our editor, Ray commented, "It's a good thing it costs a lot or we'd be getting into a heap of trouble with this thing!" Amen to that Ray! Our interview with Keith and video of our ride is coming in show #16.
Better start saving your spare change :-)

6-5-07 OUR MODIFIED RZR IS COMING!
Scott Wright (IMS) is hard at work gathering up the people and the parts to build up 3 separate RZRs - one modified for recreational trail use, one for sport and sand dune riding, and one full-on racer. On the left is Big Gun's latest RZR mechanical exhaust - no packing and only 94 decibels! What, more HP!?!

6-12-07 KAWASAKI SET TO ENTER SIDE BY SIDE MARKET
Although Kawasaki has yet to release a date for when the new Teryx 750 will be available at the dealerships, they just released some preliminary pictures and specifications on what we can expect from them as they prepare their entry into the ultra-competitive SxS marketplace. Looking surprisingly like a Rhino, the Kawasaki is powered by the potent 750 V-Twin from the Brute Force that appears to be mounted a little lower and more rearward giving the Teryx not only an abundant amount of power but perhaps more stable handling as well. We're sure the sound will be awesome! Here's all the pictures and specifications they released. We'll give you more when we get it.
MORE KAWASAKI TERYX 750 4x4 INFORMATION

7-27-07 TIRE TESTING ON OUR RZR !
We just got started on some of the planned modifications to our RZR when we got a call from ITP asking us to test some of their new "Offset" wheels for the RZR. The new SS112's widen it beyond the 50" ATV Trail limit but make it far more stable at high speeds and racing without spacers.
HERE'S MORE INFO & PICS

9-7-07 STAGE ONE OF PROJECT RHINO COMPLETE!
We just completed the filming of the first stage of our Project Rhino. Most of the items you've seen on our Product Review Segments. We started with the ITP 14" Beadlock wheels with Terra Cross radials, our favorite SxS tire. Then we added a set of Elka Shocks, the Yamaha Multi-Mount winch system, and a whole slew of J. Strong products including their doors, the top complete with lights and stereo, console, cup holders, and the battery isolator. Next we added better headlights from PIAA along with an additional set of front lights, rear backup lights, and even a spotlight. So far we've only added one performance item, the CDI box from ProCraft that removes the top speed and reverse limiters and increases the revs to 7800rpms. We'll have a link to pictures real soon. We got side-tracked! SEE ABOVE!

9-7-07 INSTRUMENTS AND TESTING RHINO EXHAUSTS!
Our plan was to gather an assortment of exhaust systems for the Rhino and find out if there were any that could produce a noticeable amount of power without an unbearable amount of noise. We planned to put each on a dyno and then ride each for a better "feel of the pants" measurement. But then we discovered instruments! We gathered up a decibel meter, a radar gun, a GPS, a stopwatch, and most notably, an accelerometer. We installed each system, keeping track of the quality of the design and materials, as well as the ease of installation. Next we headed out to our test area and measured each system's sound (at idle, full power, and vanishing rate) and performance (in 0-10, 20, 30, 40 increments as well as top speed). We were amazed at what worked and what did not. And now we have reems of charts, graphs and spread sheets being prepared so you too can be amazed and even overwhelmed!