ATV WORLD Fall 2011

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW OCT 14, 15, 16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

NORTH AMERICA’S BEST ATV MAGAZINE

RZR XP 900 BUILD ARCTIC CAT GETS WILD 12 HEURES DE LA TUQUE

UTV BUYER’S GUIDE

THE THE ROAD ROAD TO TO BAJA BAJA

WHAT IT

RZR XP 900 BUILD ARCTIC CAT GETS WILD 12 HEURES DE LA TUQUE VOL 8 • NO 3 • FALL 2011 • $ 5.95

DISPLAY UNTIL JAN 31, 2012

RZR XP 900 BUILD ARCTIC CAT GETS WILD 12 HEURES DE LA TUQUE

UTV BUYER’S GUIDE

TH TH

Tri-mode Dynamic Power Steering (DPS™) to ease maneuvering with three rider-selectable levels of assist.

230-W lighting: the most in the industry.

Double A-arm front suspension with dive-control geometry.

3,000-lb (1,361 kg) WARN ∞ winch with remote control.

OUTLANDER™ 1000 XT ™

THE FACTS SAY IT’S COMFORTABLE, VERSATILE AND POWERFUL. BUT NO ONE EVER RODE FACTS ALL DAY ON A ROUGH TRAIL. New multi-purpose rack with LinQ™ quick-attach accessories system.

New 82-hp Rotax® 1000 V-Twin engine with progressive throttle for better control.

The most powerful ATV in the industry.*

Visco-Lok† QE: the industry’s only progressive auto-locking 4x4 system that engages at any speed.

Next generation chassis: An all-new chassis designed under Geometric Contact Control principles. We used geometry to control unwanted behaviors and keep all four wheels in contact with the terrain as much as possible while maintaining optimal suspension calibration for comfort.

5.7 gal (21.4 L) of rear storage: the most in the industry.

TTI: the only independent rear suspension that eliminates scrub and camber changes.

© 2011 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ®, and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. † Visco-Lok is a trademark of GKN Viscodrive GmbH. ∞ All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. In the U.S.A., the products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. BRP highly recommends that all ATV drivers take a training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or, in USA, call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. In Canada, call the Canadian Safety Council at (613) 739-1535 ext. 227. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: always wear a helmet, eye protection, and other protective clothing. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads.

Never carry passengers on any ATV not specifically designed by the manufacturer for such use. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. ATVs that are classified as Category G ATVs (General Use Models) are intended for recreational and/or utility use by an operator age 16 or older. BRP urges you to “TREAD LIGHTLY” on public and private lands. Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local laws and the rights of others when you ride. Make sure that all laws, regulations, and BRP’s warnings/ recommendations for ATV passengers are respected. Ride responsibly. *As per manufacturer’s official MY11-12 declaration to the California Air Resources Board.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

THE RIDE SAYS IT ALL.

Learn more at can-am.brp.com Scan for more information TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

THE WORLD

IS MINE Nick Nelson and Timbrey Lind taking the new RZR XP on an epic fishing adventure in the High Sierras.

Photographer: Wes Miller

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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IN THE

ZONE Brandon Brown is all business when it came to testing this custom built Grizzly.

Rider: Brandon Brown

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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COVER STORY

WHAT IT

TAKES

THE ROAD TO BAJA p.38

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

FEATURES 20

20

SCENE IT? 12 HEURES DE LA TUQUE

34

SNAPPED GOPHER DUNES ANNUAL ATV FESTIVAL

38

WHAT IT TAKES THE ROAD TO BAJA

46

RZR XP 900 BUILD THE MOST SPORT PERFORMANCE BASED UTV

56

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ARCTIC CAT TURNS 50 AND GETS THINGS WILD 24 YEARS AND COUNTING PREVIEW TO THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE, ATV AND POWERSPORTS SHOW

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34

UTV AFTERMARKET BUYER’S GUIDE

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COLUMNS 12

MUDDY WHEELS RICHARD KEHOE

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TIPS & TRICKS NICK NELSON

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MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS RANDY HALL

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HOW-TO: INSTALLING AN ATV LIFT NICK NELSON

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TRAX4 BREAST CANCER SUZY STENOFF

69

READER STORY DARIN AND DJ

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DETONATION PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS 14 23 30 68 70 73

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INDUSTRY NEWS BOGGIN’ THE WEB CRUISIN’ YOU TUBE OFATV REPORT COHV INDUSTRY WATCH ATV WORLD LISTINGS

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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atvworldmag.com

VOLUME 8 NUMBER 3 FALL 2011 FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT

1-888-661-7469 President & Publisher: Richard Kehoe Editor: Nick Nelson Managing Editor: Rick Bloye Technical Editor: Jeff Edwards Art Director: Darryl Aspin Production Manager: Tendra Crossman Photographers: Pat Bourgeois, Dan Guetter, Virgil Knapp, Nick Nelson, Wayne Davis, Adam Campbell, Kort Duce, Wes Miller, MyBajaPhoto.com, Harlen Foley Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Andrew McEwan Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 • (905) 898-8585 Mike Blakoe, Peter Derry, Kimberley Graham, Brad Stokes Contributing Writers: Nick Nelson, Pat Bourgeois, Tendra Crossman, Wayne Daub, Jo-anne Farquhar, Randy Hall, Richard Kehoe, Andrew McEwan, Chris Rademacher, Rick Sterling Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@atvworldmag.com ATV World Magazine is the Official ATV Magazine of the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show and the North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW. ATV World is published four times a year by Outback Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada by Dollco Printing. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publication Mail Agreement 40973567 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: ATV WORLD MAGAZINE, Unit #4 – 1195 Stellar Dr. Newmarket, ON Canada L3Y 7B8 EMAIL: info@atvworldmag.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE Unit #4, 1195 Stellar Drive Newmarket, ON L3Y 7B8

ph: 905-898-8585 fax: 905-898-8071 toll-free ph: 888-661-7469 toll-free fax: 888-680-7469 email: info@atvworldmag.com www.atvworldmag.com

> MUDDY WHEELS RICHARD KEHOE

GET OUT

THE RAKE e’ve just finished a fantastic summer and had some amazing rides. Who doesn’t like the changing seasons? Whenever any season changes, our whole office gets motivated to start something new. And now that the leaves have changed color and are beginning to fall, the temperature drastically changes the second the sun goes down. As fall hits us, the pace changes and we immediately switch gears. Our rides have gone from being concerned about bug bites and our stops along the way, to an all out - it doesn’t matter, other than trying to stay clear of hunting areas.

Right now we are making plans for fall

W

rides, all the riders in the office have favourite trails. We have even started talking about the winter months ahead and what mods we want done to an ATV or UTV in the shop. Thoughts of track kits, winches, installation of plows; it never gets old. This year I think I will be mounting a plow onto the tracked ARGO. Really, what could be better? The ARGO has a closed in cab, (sure it might be canvas) with a heater and a stereo. It doesn’t get much better. But the snow has to come first and hey, we have a full fall season to enjoy before we can get too excited about that.

In this issue, Nick will take you racing in La Toque, Quebec, to the famous Baja

Race that just got away from him. A lot goes into these races and you’ll read about what it takes to compete in the Baja. We also build a 900 RZR XP that would make anyone want to spin its tires and take it around the block. Pat is off in the land of the Cat; Thief River Falls, Minnesota for their 50th Birthday Party.

The columns and features such as Cruisin’ YouTube, Mud Sweat & Gears, Huckin the Web, great How-To’s and much more are all rolled up in this issue for you.

So until next time, I’ll be in my garage trying to figure out what UTV, ATV or ARGO is going to be the “Plow King.” ✪

DURHAM REGION’S #1 CAN-AM ATV AND SKI-DOO DEALER 12

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

WE’RE MAKING ROOM FOR 2012 MODELS. ACT NOW FOR GREAT SAVINGS ON 2011 ATVs! Honda *

INNOVATION ON ANY TERRAIN† Longitudinal engine mounting. Beltless automatic transmission systems. Electric Power Steering. High-tech disc brakes. Always at the leading edge of ATV innovation, chances are that if it makes your ATV perform better, last longer, and operate more safely, it probably appeared on a Honda first. Here are just a few examples of the advanced engineering and outside the box thinking that have made Honda the trusted choice of so many Canadian riders, for more than 30 years.

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Light weight doesn’t make an ATV a lightweight on the trails. It leads to better control, meaning more comfort, so you can ride the trails longer without tiring. Plus, it takes less fuel to move a light Honda ATV, letting you squeeze more fun out of every tank.

A Moving Experience

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Honda ATVs feature a range of durable manual and automatic transmissions, all highly resistant to dirt and water damage. And beltless automatic transmissions mean there are no drive belts to get wet or burn out, leaving you stranded on the trails.

A Different Way to Look at Engines Longitudinal mounting improves powertrain efficiency and divides the weight of the engine more equally over all four wheels, giving you better machine balance for improved traction, manoeuvrability, cornering and braking.

Honda *

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Visit atv.honda.ca for more great offers on 2011 ATVs. honda.ca For all offers, Honda’s Fall Excursions Event (“Offer”) applies to eligible retail purchase agreements for a limited time, while supplies last. This Offer is valid on select new (not previously registered) 2011 Honda ATVs (“Eligible Products”). For discounts, discounts (manufacturer’s and dealer’s as applicable) are deducted from MSRP before taxes, and available only at participating dealers and on select models only, and vary from $500 to $750 depending on model. “Your Price” values shown do not include Freight and PDI. Applicable fees, applicable taxes, licence, insurance, dealer administration fees (if applicable) and registration are extra. Offer valid from August 1, 2011 until November 30, 2011 inclusive (“Offer Period”). *Enter into an agreement to purchase or finance an Eligible Product during the Offer Period and Honda will provide (at no additional charge) a 12 month Honda Plus Protection Plan (extended warranty) in addition to the manufacturer’s warranty on select 2011 ATVs. See dealer for full plan details.

The Honda Plus Protection Plan (extended warranty) offer does not apply to 2011 TRX500FM Foreman, 2011 TRX420FM, 2011 TRX500FM Foreman SE, 2011 TRX420FM (Camo), and 2011 TRX420FM SE although Honda Plus Protection Plan can be purchased for these products. All TRX450R and TRX700XX models are ineligible for the no charge Honda Plus Protection Plan (extended warranty) offer specified, as well as the standard Honda Plus extended warranty. All offers valid at participating Honda ATV or Honda Authorized Big Red dealers. Dealer may sell for less. Prices/Offer subject to change or extension without notice. Dealer order or trade may be necessary. See dealer or honda.ca for full details and eligible models. Errors and omissions excepted.

NEWS EPI PERFORMANCE SEVERE DUTY BELT FOR THE POLARIS RZR XP 900

YOUTH ATV, MOTORCYCLE, AND SNOWMOBILE LEAD BAN ABOLISHED USA August 2, 2011 Congress passed bill H.R. 2715 through the House of Representatives with a vote of 421-2 and a unanimous approval from the senate. The bill written to exclude youth off-highway vehicles from CPSIA lead provision laws of 2008 was signed by president Barack Obama on August 12. 2011. For over two years the Powersports industry and its riders have been urging Congress to categorically exclude youth dirt bikes and ATV’s from the CPSIA’s lead content provisions. Our industry does not pose any lead related health risks to young riders, and Congress made it clear that it never intended the lead content restrictions and testing requirements for toys to apply to those vehicles. Nearly three years of restricted youth ATV sales has cost the manufacturers and dealers serious revenue in an already tough economy and they are all glad to see it end.

Just in time for press, EPI announced that their real world proven, exclusive Severe Duty Belt line would include the Polaris RZR XP 900. The EPI Severe Duty Belt is developed and tested to outperform any other belt you can buy.

This is accomplished with superior materials and the latest technology. Check out the new RZR XP Severe Duty Belts along with a host of other cool performance clutch products at www.epiperformance.com

YAMAHA ATV SALES UP IN 2011

Net sales of power products including ATV’s were up 0.8 % worldwide and 2% in North America for the first six month’s of 2011 compared to 2010. Marine was also up 6.5% worldwide and 11% in North America. While seeing a rise in ATV and Marine, Yamaha also reported a 3.8% worldwide and 11% North American decline in motorcycle sales for the first half of the year.

RJ ANDERSON AND WALKER EVANS RACING DOMINATE LOORS The Walker Evans Racing team has been hard at work getting the #637 RZR XP 900 Unlimited UTV to perform at the top of its game. This was more than evident at the recent rounds 9 and 10 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. RJ Anderson entered the weekend with a solid points lead and a brand new, even faster Kroyer Race Engine. RJ managed to hole-shot Saturdays race and lead it start to finish. Sunday’s race was more of the same as he led all but a few laps and came out with another win. These back to back wins were definitely a big blow to the rest of the LOORS competitors hoping for a shot at a points championship.

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

HARDEST WORKING. SMOOTHEST RIDING.®

With a NEW, more powerful high-output 850 H.O. Twin EFI engine, On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive, and a full 12" of ground clearance, the new Sportsman XP 850 H.O. is built for extreme off-road performance.

Simply put, for trail or hunt, there are none better. The legend continues.

GET THE PROOF: To see the Sportsman XP 850 H.O. take on the competition, scan this code using any QR-code reader app on your smartphone.* NEW RANGER RZR 570 ®

NEW SPORTSMAN TOURING 850 H.O. EPS ®

RANGER RZR 800

RANGER XP® 800

SEE THE COMPLETE LINE OF HARDEST WORKING, SMOOTHEST RIDING TRAIL VEHICLES AT

®

POLARIS.COM

Vehicles are shown with optional equipment. Warning: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Avoid operating Polaris ATVs or RANGERs on paved surfaces or public roads. Riders and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts (on RANGER ® vehicles). Never carry passengers unless the vehicle has been designed by the manufacturer for that purpose. Polaris adult ATV models are for riders aged 16 and older. Drivers of RANGER vehicles must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license. All ATV riders should take a safety training course. For ATV safety and training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887, see your dealer, or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. In Canada, see your local Polaris dealer about Polaris ATVs. Check your local laws before riding on trails. ©2011 Polaris Industries Inc. *Message and data rates may apply.

NEWS

CRAZY SPIDER MONKEY BUILD FROM MARSHALL MOTOART Chris Burke of Marshall Motoart has built the coolest Ranger 6X6 you will ever see. The Spider Monkey is a fully custom Ranger 6X6 with matching trailer, made from a ranger bed. The duo rolls on 10 super aggressive 32” mud tires with 14” beadlocks, with a huge lift, a ridiculous stereo, HID lighting, a tent, and a host of other cool accessories. Check out all the details at www.marshallmotoart.com .

ARCTIC CAT EXPERIENCING INCREASED SALES ACROSS THE BOARD Arctic Cat Inc. reported that snowmobile sales are on the rise, as well as a huge 36% increase in the ATV segment. Arctic Cat ATV sales including side-by-sides outperformed the industry for the first quarter and they gained market share. With the upcoming launch of their new sport side by side the Wildcat, they are expecting continued growth in 2012.

"THE ULTIMATE" TIRE CHOCKS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR ATV / UTV AND THE CAN-AM SPYDER

FOR MORE INFO VISIT

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

POLARIS INTRODUCES PS-4 EXTREME DUTY 4-CYCLE ENGINE OIL The right oil is critical to keeping Polaris ATV’s and RANGER/RZR Side-by-Sides running in peak condition. To better protect the engines in these vehicles, Polaris has expanded its 4-cycle oil line to include the PS-4 Extreme Duty oil. PS-4 Extreme Duty is engineered to provide maximum protection in hot weather conditions, increased corrosion and rust resistance, and be extremely shear stable. PS-4 Extreme Duty is a full-synthetic new formula developed for use in temperatures from 0ºf -120ºf.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

NEWS POLARIS INDUSTRIES INTRODUCES A SECOND TRAIL READY RANGER RZR The new 2012 Ranger RZR 570 is a 50 inch wide RZR with a single cylinder, DOHC, fuel injected ProStar engine. Other features will be a new transmission, true all-wheel drive, independent rear suspension and a 300 pound capacity rear cargo box. MSRP is $9,999.

AMSOIL INTRODUCES NEW BREAK-IN OIL The new AMSOIL SAE 30 Break-In Oil allows for quick and efficient piston ring seating and protection for new and rebuilt engines. Anti-wear additives protect cam lobes, lifters, and rockers during the critical breakin period. Increased film strength protects rod and main bearings from damage as well. A must have for high performance and racing engines that utilize aftermarket parts to increase horsepower and torque.

AMSOIL Break-In contains zinc and phosphorous for additional protection, preventing film breakdown and metal to metal contact.

SUZUKI ADDS QUADSPORT Z400 TO THE 2012 LINEUP

SALES AND SERVICE OF FOX POWERSPORTS SHOCKS

604-746-3350 1-888-597-2798 18

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

After a two year hiatus from production, the race inspired QuadSport Z400 is back for 2012. With its 398cc 4-squid stroke, liquid cooled engine and Suzuki fuel injection, the 2012 Quadsport Z400 is the total sport ATV package designed for a thrilling ride on the trail or the track. Unfortunately the EPA still has the shootout winning LT-R450 on hold.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW While most guys are out polishing the gel-coat on the powerboat, we’re busy preparing for the biggest Snowmobiling and Powersports show on earth.

The Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show returns October 14-16 at the Toronto International Centre.

Mark you calendars now, get a kitchen pass from the wife early, and we’ll see you there this fall. www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

SUZUKI DOLLAR$ SAVINGS TIME IS ON!

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ATV ACCE WO SS RLD

SCENE IT? 12 HEURES DE LA TUQUE

The 10th annual 12 Heures de La Tuque has become Canada’s largest ATV endurance race. This year nearly 15,000 fans showed up to see how the best Canadian racers stack up against the best racers from America, France, and Germany. The La Tuque race is formatted like France’s Pont De Veux, with three four hour motos, three man teams, and a Le Mans Style Start at the beginning of each heat.

The PY Racing/ ELKA Team was on their way to a solid Podium finish before their first engine failure knocked them out of contention.

US Quadcross champion Dustin Nelson felt right at home on the number one plated Yamaha YFZ450R.

Martin from ELKA suspension brought out German GNCC Champion Maximilian Freund to team with a local CanAm/ELKA team, and he put it down all weekend long.

The ruts started to build quickly in the first laps of each heat, course deterioration caused lap times to grow by almost 25% by the end of each heat.

The deep sand was not easy on clutches, the smoked clutches were so hot they melted through the rubber floor mats as they dropped to the ground.

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

The Motoworks/DWT team’s smooth professional pits and near flawless race weekend ensured them their dominating win.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ALL ACCESS

The smoothest, fastest straight-away, was right in the infield for everyone to watch.

The either-or lines made for some very exciting racing, especially as the course got rougher.

The motorcycles had their own 12 hour course racing simultaneously, and this super gnarly rock garden took its toll on many talented racers.

The turns rutted instantly, and the straight aways turned into deep, nasty whoops.

Can-Am/Motoworks’ Josh Frederick, hammers through them.

The G-FORCE/ELKA team finished second after a very long 12 hours of racing.

When all was said and done, the Motoworks team stood on the top of the podium with a commanding ten lap lead.

Returning champ Jean-Phillipe Leblanc pulled the first hole shot of the weekend on his #1 plated G-Force YFZR. Jeremie Warnia was the man to beat at this years 12 Huers De La Tuque, putting down numerous lightning fast, flawless laps.

American Factory Yamaha Racer Dustin Nelson teamed up with last year’s champions Jean-Philippe Leblanc and Marc-Antoine Auger on the Yamaha/G-Force/ELKA team

Starting their night session by performing an engine swap in the pits was enough to keep the returning champs to a distant second place.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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TIPS & TRICKS

BY NICK NELSON

Mark It Tight Use a paint pen or permanent marker to mark important bolts and nuts as you are assembling your machine. In this case it can be a confidence booster to look down and see that your ever-important front ball joints are still tight and safe.

Right Nut For The Job Pay special attention that you use only the correct shaped lug nuts for your wheel type. Some ATV wheels require tapered lug nuts and some require a flat flange nut. We see people screw this up all the time and it usually results in ruined wheels or crashing when the wheel falls off.

22

Underwear For Your Hands

Voltage Regulation

If you plan on really putting in some miles, try wearing glove liners under your riding gloves to avoid blisters. Glove liners such as Underwear’s should fit snugly to your skin, and you may even have to go up a size with your riding gloves to maximize comfort.

If your ATV headlight blows the bulb more than once, the voltage regulator is usually to blame. If you have a friend with the same machine you can try swapping them to verify the problem.

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

BOGGIN’ THE WEB PIT BULL TIRES

OGIO

www.pitbulltires.com

www.ogio.ca The only way you haven't heard about OGIO is if you have been living under a rock. OGIO have everything you need when it comes to equipping you with back backs and gear bags. They also have some functional ATV bags that strap on to your machine so that you have maximum storage capacity for any trip you dare to venture on.

ELKA SUSPENSION www.elkasuspension.com It is difficult to find the right suspension for your machine these days, especially with so many options. If you go to the Elka Suspension website you can find what what you need. Elka has suspensions for ATV's, Side x Sides, mountain bikes and snowmobiles.

To find suspension that fits your model visit elkasuspension.com

The right rubber is critical, it makes the difference of spinning or tracking. With tires for all disciplines and when you are ready to pick up a new set of tires for your machine or car you should support a company that supports our sport.

For more info visit pitbulltires.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com Mark your calendar October 14-16, 2011 for the official start to the sled season at the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show. This show has everything and anything you’ll need for the upcoming sled season, with a first hand look at the 2012 snowmobiles, all the new gear on the market, to the famous freestyle show. For more information on the show visit www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com or email info@snowmobileatvshow.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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23

TIPS & TRICKS

BY NICK NELSON

The Winch Goody Pack A winch is only as good as its anchor. Be sure to carry extra straps, a clevis, and snatch blocks with you at all times. Remember that properly rigged snatch blocks can double your pulling power if needed.

Recycled Pipe Spring Puller A worn out or broken screwdriver can be easily turned into a handy exhaust spring puller. Instead of throwing it away, use a die grinder to cut the proper groove, and return it to your tool box.

Monkey Butt Prevention Generously apply Baby Powder before any long ride, especially when the weather is hot or humid.

If you forget and are feeling the burn afterwards, diaper cream such as Desitin can be an unbelievably effective remedy.

Bleed Brakes Like the Pros Do Try this trick set up the next time you’re having a hard time bleeding the front brakes. Fill a clear container half way up with fresh brake fluid, and then ensure that the ends of both bleed lines are kept under the fluid level while you are bleeding. This speeds up a slow process by keeping any air from sucking back into your brake system.

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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

> MUD, SWEAT & GEARS RANDY HALL

VOICES FALLING ON

“DEAF” EARS To ensure our local ATV trail system stays strong, we usually take for granted the support of local dealers. It is imperative that we support them. A dollar spent locally is a great investment.

ecently here in North Bay, the local police, the OPP, the MTO and the MNR put on an ATV operator info session. No matter how many of these I have been to, I will always try to attend to see if anything has changed, and try and gauge the views of those in attendance on what has been happening in the various regions. Although the same topics of discussion do tend to come up at these functions, the spirit of the discussions has risen substantially over the past couple of years. The hottest topics on this particular evening included; why there was no consistent road access through the Nipissing region, the limited access to finding out which roads were legal in

R

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

each different municipality, and the fact that manufactured 2-up machines are still illegal.

This particular session found the OPP officer on the defensive, trying to justify why he does what he does while performing his duties. At one point he stated that although he agreed with the group on a couple of specific concerns, he did not make the laws. Laws are put into place through Queen’s Park, and if change was to come, it would have to come from that level of government. The officer also indicated that the manufacturers need to step up to the plate and agree amongst themselves on certain issues. It almost sounded like the OEMs didn’t want to be held accountable in any way, shape, or form for any liability that could be attributed to their equipment. Until then, he and his fellow officers would continue to try educating first, penalizing second.

During the socializing part of the evening while enjoying some “Timmies” and a vast array of goodies, the other topics that raised concern were the condition of some of the trail systems, the continual frustration over the possibility of having existing trails closed, the constant recruitment of volunteers, funding, and closures and possible future closures of dealerships within the local

These signs are popping up much too often. The loss of a small section of trail can shutdown a large portion of developed trail. We need government assistance in assuring that trails stay open. This includes ensuring those that are causing the problems are being held accountable through enforcement. area. One person said it best, “We need to make things consistent across the province, plus change as required to keep up with the times.”

So where do we go from here? Let’s break it down.

Well, there is no question that the past couple of years have been interesting for those of us living in Ontario. We have been given new municipal governments and a federal government. The loonie is higher than the U.S. greenback, (or at least it was at six o’ clock this morning when this was being typed) and we seem to be gradually recovering from the frustrations of the economic issues that haunted us previously, and on the horizon there is a provincial election looming.

We know there is force in numbers, and although we know we will never get every ATV owner to agree on what needs to be done, it is generally understood that the way things are now, the needs of the masses are not being met. And yes we are masses, or in political terms; votes! When

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS

the candidates have open forums, ask them from a tourism point of view what they intend on doing to make your part of Ontario the place for ATV riders to come and spend their hard earned dollars. I can’t say this for every place I have visited in Quebec and some U.S. states, but generally, those with strong government support and involvement have much more infrastructure, and are more focused on making sure the ATV experience is worth coming back to enjoy again and again. If you have had the chance to ride some of these areas, you know what I mean. Has the Ontario government become too complacent by relying primarily on volunteers? Are volunteers not supposed to make up for intermittent shortfalls, rather than be responsible for looking after the whole kit and kaboodle? When is enough, enough?

Tired of riding areas being closed?

Provincial government policy will ensure that local municipalities will have to follow stronger procedural litigation to change the zoning and by-laws of an area.

Unfortunately, some municipalities have shown in the past that they will not be fair when it comes to finding a concession that works for everybody. It sometimes seems that if no one on the council has

an interest in a certain subject, that interest group doesn’t have a chance.

Another strong way to get our point across is by contacting organizations like the COHV/CVHR. (Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council) The great thing about the COHV is that they not only lobby for change at the government level, they also have the ear of the larger manufacturers. This way, any concerns resulting from either side of the fence can be addressed through one strong advocate in a single voice.

The issue of local dealerships/businesses closing is a sad one, but in some cases it’s something that can be rectified. These establishments are important to our local community in so many ways. For the most part, they are bombarded 12 months of the year for sponsorships for many kids’ teams like soccer, baseball, hockey and ringette; not to mention the many other fundraisers, and opportunities created for after school, summer and full time employment. We need to return to, and support these businesses.

When was the last time one of those mega internet online motorsport stores had their name on the MVP trophy at the local minor hockey banquet? It is tempting to go across the border to purchase a new machine at a lower price, or to buy parts from a faceless

The best time to get a politician to not only listen to you, but also agree with you or your organization is when they are asking for your vote. electronic store, but at the end of the day, could the cost of this far outweigh saving a few dollars?

Over the past few minutes, various issues have been quickly discussed. You may or may not agree with them, and some topics may not be a concern in your region. The overall concern put forward is that it is an industry that is still continuing to grow, with many possible benefits to the economy. It is time for the provincial government to get caught up and get more involved. How about proactive governing instead of reactive?

With 2011 being an election year in Ontario, our voices may not be falling on “deaf” ears. ✪

NEW REGULATION

NOUVEAU RÈGLEMENT

Marine Spark-Ignition Engine, Vessel and Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Emission Regulations

Règlement sur les émissions des moteurs marins à allumage commandé, des bâtiments et des véhicules récréatifs hors route

Did you know that Canada has implemented stringent emission standards for 2012 or later model years for: t all-terrain vehicles; t utility vehicles; t snowmobiles; t off-road motorcycles; t marine engines and vessels?

If you import, distribute or manufacture these products, be informed.

Saviez-vous que le Canada a introduit des normes d’émissions strictes à partir de l’année de modèle 2012 pour les : t véhicules tout-terrain; t véhicules utilitaires; t motoneiges; t motocyclettes hors-route; t moteurs marins et bateaux?

Si vous importez, distribuez ou fabriquez ces produits, soyez informés.

819-997-2800 /1-800-668-6767 vehicleandengineinfo@ec.gc.ca / infovehiculemoteur@ec.gc.ca www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa 28

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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© Photos.com

Additional information / Renseignements supplémentaires

GREAT ATV RELATED VIDEOS WE WANT TO SHARE FROM YOU TUBE VIEW ALL THESE BY VISITING WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM AND CLICKING ON THE CRUISING YOUTUBE BANNER

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ENTHUSIASTS BUILDING THESE PRIZES: 1. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET 2. ALWAYS USE FOUR WHEELS 3. ALWAYS RIDE RESPONSIBLY 4. NEVER HAVE THE CAMERA ROLLING WHEN YOU TAKE‘ER FOR THE FIRST TEST RIDE

RIDICULOUS! It’s amazing that homemade Three Wheelers never really took off? We tried to understand their idea, but honestly, its nuts.

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

THESE ONE-OFF SPECIAL THREE WHEELER BUILDS LEFT US SHAKING OUR HEADS AND WONDERING, WHY, AND REALLY?

STAY IN SCHOOL! Why you should stay in school! Good thing they forgot to strap in the flux capacitor.

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

BIG DREAMS This is like a documentary of this guy’s dream of building a Three Wheeler. Ya he’s making it come true. Just like him, we can’t believe that he filmed this. His voice of excitement and enthusiasm can’t be matched.

SCARY?

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

Claiming to be the Scariest Three Wheeler built, and the test pilot is Mike Myers. Might as well have a Care Bear riding this vehicle… Such a good clip, this dude actually shot a sequel!

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

ADVERTISING 101 Norman wondered why is homemade Three Wheeler didn’t sell by the dozens. Here’s a little free advice when filming your commercial… Have a cameraman. Not a tripod! While Norman was showing us what it’s capable of, he drives on and off screen numerous times in high gear only to end the pain with a reverse demonstration.

TRICKED

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

VIEW AT WWW.ATVWORLDMAG.COM

This tricked out custom YT Tri Moto 125 has a fresh engine and custom miniature trucker chrome woman on the mad flaps. The proud owner gives her some neutral revs to excite the viewers.

Have a favorite ATV related YouTube video? Send us the link to submit@atvworldmag.com 30

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

Marketer Shows, OSM, ATV World Magazine, Outback Canada Publishing Inc, Richard Kehoe Productions, Inc. and its affiliates are not responsible for the content or actions of others in these

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com videos. The comments expressed and&the activities performed in these videos do not2011 reflect•the opinions and position of Marketer Shows,•OSM, ATV World Magazine, Outback Canada Publishing Inc, Richard Kehoe Productions, Inc and its affiliates and is no way an endorsement of such comments or activities. Always wear a helmet.

HOW How-To with ATV WORLD

INSTALLING AN ATV LIFT KIT

ATV mud bogging has become increasingly popular over the past few years. If romping your ATV through the deep gooey stuff is what gets you going, then oversized mud tires are a no-brainer.

Oversized tires will require additional clearance in the form of a lift kit. The most economical way to acquire this lift is with a bolt on shock relocating lift kit from High Lifters. This kit provides an ample 1-2 inches of additional clearance and is very simple to install. This kit is recommended specifically for mud boggers, and not advised for extremely aggressive trail riders.

1

2

CLEAN IT

MOUNT THE FRONT LIFT BRACKET

Make sure your quad is clean and not covered in mud from your last outing. Use a sturdy floor jack under the center of the front end, to lift the ATV until the wheels are off the ground about 3 inches. Make sure the ATV is stable and remove the front wheels. Remove the lower shock bolts from the A arm.

Mount the front lift bracket onto the A arm’s shock mount, with a long spacer inside the mount and washers on the outside to prevent crushing. Install the bottom bolt, and be sure to install the bracket in the correct direction. (As shown.) Bolt the bottom of the shock into the bracket with a small spacer on the backside and a washer on the front.

3 32

4

INSTALL SUPPORT BRACKET

TIGHTEN

Install the large support bracket to the top bolt on the front lift bracket, and then connect the other end to the two smaller support brackets. Use the supplied hardware to sandwich the rear A arm tube for an attachment point. You will probably need a small pry bar to push the bracket into the correct position, slightly compressing the shock to get it to fit. Repeat this same process on the other side.

Tighten all the bolts and replace the front wheels. With the front lug nuts tightened, lower and remove the jack. Cycle the suspension by pushing down on the front rack with all your weight, and then recheck your bracket hardware. Place the jack under the rear center skid plate and lift until all the weight is off the suspension. The tires should be just slightly touching the ground.

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

5

6

7

REMOVE SHOCK BOLTS

PLACE IT

SECURE THE BRACKET

With the quad stable on the jack, remove the top rear shock bolts. With the shocks unbolted from the top mount, use the jack to lift the ATV up, until the rear tires just lift off the ground. This should require about two more inches of lifting before the ball joints bind and the tires lift off the ground.

Place the rear lift bracket over the end of the shock and the upper shock mount.

Place a large spacer in between the mount and a small spacer between shock and the lift bracket. This is just like the front, only without the washers. Install the large support brackets and bolts, using your fingers to line up the spacers.

With the large support brackets in place, use the supplied bolts to secure the small rear support bracket. This will sandwich the frame with the large bracket and the small rear support brackets. With the top brackets loose, tighten the bottom bolts with the lock nuts and then tighten the top brackets. Repeat this process for the other side, and then lower the ATV off the jack.

8 FINISHING UP With your ATV on the ground, remove the sway bar mounting bracket bolts from one side of the quad. Insert the sway bar bracket spacer onto the frame and reattach the sway bar with the provided 8X35mm bolts and washers. With one side tight, repeat the process on the other side to install the final spacer. Double check your work and then go find a mudhole.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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33

SNAPPED GOPHER DUNES HELD THEIR 1ST ANNUAL ATV FESTIVAL THIS PAST JUNE AT THEIR VERSATILE FACILITY IN COURTLAND, ON, AND ATV WORLD MAGAZINE WAS THERE!

T

his one of a kind event attracted the most hard core of ATV and UTV riders. The Schuster family organized a successful event at a facility that has held National level events. This was their first go at a full on ATV Festival.

The Gopher dunes facility is second to none, and a custom built track was specificity designed for the ATV festival. The Festival ran events such as the: Mud-bog Racing for Youth and Adult; The Obstacross for Sport and Utility quads and UTV; ATV Motocross ran for the Pro’s, Amateur, 4x4 Utility quad, Mini quad and UTV side-by-side class.

Part of the attraction was the pit area where families camped out all weekend with their motorhomes, trailers and tents to enjoy the after hours where tales are told. Jumps get grossly over exaggerated and lap times get even shorter. The festival also had a vendor area where local dealers and sponsors would set up displays so that riders could buy parts or accessories to help them through the weekend.

The Obstacross was a fan favorite. Logs, rocks and huge tires were laid out over the course. With the riders launching from the start, banging bars and roaring to the finish, it was a treat. Two Mud Bog runs allowed for the smaller participants to get the feel for what it's like to accelerate through knee deep water and race your opponent through a muddy course.

The main attraction was by far the Mud Bog Pro race where the racers would not only race from point A to point B, they’d drift into each others lines, desperately trying to cut off their competitor slowing their momentum across the 200 foot course.

A good strategy definitely helps in this event.

The ATV Moto track is something that dreams are made of.

Cutting through the trees with enough jumps to keep anyone honest made for some great racing. Watching the racers battle it out on the side-by-sides was pretty entertaining. Some of the riders even had enough skill to launch their machines over some considerably big jumps. This event wasn’t just about racing, it was about enthusiasts spending time with friends and family.

Planning is already underway for the 2nd Annual ATV Festival at Gopher Dunes, so be sure to check out their website for updates. www.gopherdunes.com

Did we say that the Obstacross course was challenging?

dig IT Digger taking control of the situation

da

brains The brains behind Obstacross, Ladies and Gentleman, Mr. Joe Borda 34

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

Making it over these obstacles is a lot harder than it looks; those tires are two feet high

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

You can tell this guy will be on the horn searching for parts come Monday morning!

ouch!

Making it look

hot doggin’ So that’s how you’re supposed to go through that mud bog

Chuck Collins from Hully Gully takes time to read the best magazine ever

great taste!

easy

If you look close, this rider is looking directly at the camera. Focus!

This guy has more toys than anyone we know

It takes a lot of… testosterone to pin a Side-by-Side over the doubles at the Gopher Dunes ATV festival

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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35

SNAPPED

lookin good!

Royal Distributing had this cool looking Side-by-Side in the pits

high roller The man, the legend Frank Schuster

This Can–Am Commander had no problem getting over the foot high logs

See the full Line of Polaris and Kawasaki vehicles

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

weeeeeee ones The pee-wee mud bog course gave the little riders a challenging fun day

like a pro Watching the pros ride is a treat, they don't just drag race through the mud, they switch lines to block each other

This crew from www.atvparts.ca take their mud bog riding seriously

Quite a crowd showed up for the 1st annual ATV festival

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Offers ggoodd on new andd unregistered Off unregister gi t edd units it ppur purchased chased h d between bt 7/ 7/27/11–9/30/11.

277/11–9 /11 / 9/30/11. /11 *On * select *O l t models. d l See S yyour our dealer d l for f details. d t il **Ride **Ride Rid Free F ee for Fr f 6 Months: M th Subject S bjj t to t credit c edit cr dit approval appr pp ovall from frfom HSBC Retail R t il Services S i Limited Li it d on qqualifi lifiedd consumer purchases ppurchases h financedd during during i g this thi program. pprogr g am. No N payments p y t required requir q i edd until til 6 months th from frfom the th date d t off purchase. ppurchase. h No N finance charges h g ® pur p chase. Rate after the 5 months months will varyy with term and is based on the cr edit profi profile of the customer ourr dealer ffor details. Warning: Warning: g ATVs ATVs can be hazardous hazardous to operate. FFor or yyour our safety: y Av o oper oid p ating ATVs ATV ANGER s on paved p d surfaces or public p rroads. oads. Riders and anndd passengers p g shouldd always will be assessed until 5 months th from ffrom the date t of purchase. credit customer.. SSee yyour t operate.

Avoid operating ti g Polaris P ATVs or RANGER l y wear a helmet, eye y ppr otection, ppr otective t ti clothing, b lt andd always l y use cabb nets (on RANGER ® vehicles). protection, protective l thi g andd a seatt belt t (on vehicles) hi l ). Never N engage g g in i stunt driving, g and avoid id excessive exceessive speeds p and sharp turns.

Polaris adult ATV ATVV models d l are are for riders olld l . Drivers lder RANGERR vehicles vehicles must bbe att least l t 16 years years old ith a valid lid driver’s ddriver’ i ’s license. liicense. All AATV TV riders id should t id age 16 and older.

D i off RANG ld with h ld dealer,, or ca callll Polaris P l at (800) Polaris d t i Inc. i i course. FFor t andd tr ttraining take a safety training or AATV TV safety aining information, callll th the SVIA SVIA at (800) 887-2887, 887-2887, see yyour our dealer 00) 342-3764.

3422-3764. ©2011 Po laris Industries

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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37

WHAT IT

TAKES The Road to Baja

BY NICK NELSON PHOTOS BY HARLEN FOLEY AND MYBAJAPHOTO.COM

OFFROADING HAS BEEN A PASSION OF MINE FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. I GOT MY FIRST TASTE AT AGE FIVE, ON A BUDDY’S JR50, IN THE FIELD BETWEEN OUR HOUSES. THAT FIRST BITE LED TO FOURTEEN MONTHS OF BEGGING FOR MY OWN, UNTIL MOM FINALLY BUCKLED.

MY

Photo by MyBajaPhoto.com

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first motorcycle was quickly followed by bikes and ATVs for the whole family, and before we realized it, we were spending every available weekend camping in the desert and riding. This family camaraderie continued as my brother and I grew up and began racing motocross on both two and four wheels.

In November of 2000 I went down to the Baja 2000 with my friend Wes Miller to help pit for his team. At the time, I was racing the GNC National ATV MX series and hadn’t really given desert racing much of a thought.

Witnessing and participating in the countless hours of pre-race preparations made me question whether BAJA was really that cool, or if Wes had just lost his mind. Showing up in Ensenada with an extremely well prepped, brand new Raptor 660 and six of the best ATV racers in the world had me believing the competition didn’t stand a chance.

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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WHAT IT TAKES - THE ROAD TO BAJA

Watching National Champions Harold Goodman and Tim Farr put it down on the competition for the first 350 miles was pretty amazing. What was even more incredible was seeing a two hour, dominating lead evaporate while the Dream Team made major repairs to the bike at mile 351, after a swingarm pivot bolt failure. Having to work the next morning had me returning to the states after the 350 mile mark. I missed witnessing the final 2nd place outcome, but regardless, the damage was done. I was hooked and I knew it!

The first attempt could probably be compared to a serious drug addiction. You know that it’s dangerous and bad for you, yet once you have a taste, you become hooked; spending every waking second thinking about it. I too, have been fighting this addiction that is BAJA for a decade, just like Wes had been doing for the previous ten years. I have now spent the last ten years of my life trying to figure out the perfect formula to win BAJA races. More importantly, win the biggest one of all; the infamous Baja 1000. I started with a TRX250R, since that was what everyone raced at the time. My infamous blue and yellow 250R saw plenty of race

Photo by MyBajaPhoto.com

leading runs, only to have luck or lack of preparation get the best of us. Our first success came on a Roll Design Honda TRX400EX, in the point to point Baja 1000 in 2002. While it was the slowest bike I had ever raced, it was also bulletproof, and slow and steady nabbed us a solid second place finish.

Deciding that four-stroke was the way to go, 2003 brought limited success while figuring out the shortcomings of the Raptor 660. Honda brought out the TRX450R for the ‘03 Baja 1000, and one of my best friends, teammate Poncho Castro (R.I.P.) was able to ride on and win with the American Honda team that year.

From 2004 onward, the decision was made easy; Honda’s TRX450R has proven to be the bike to beat in BAJA. For its inaugural race, the TRX was good enough in near stock form to win the Baja 1000. By 2004, everybody had one and it was now necessary to perfect it to be competitive. I learned quickly that HP does not win Baja races; smooth suspension and an indestructible ATV does, however. With these findings, we

OFFER ENDS SEPTEMBER 30th, 2011

Photo by MyBajaPhoto.com

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Photo by MyBajaPhoto.com

focus on building a bike that can handle extremely rough terrain for an unthinkable amount of time, makes enough power to pull tall gearing in the straightaways, and will run forever. This, I believe is the

formula for winning, or even finishing Baja races such as the upcoming Baja 1000.

Our 2011 race bike varies very little from what we have ridden over the past few years. Instead, we try to concentrate

on refining what we believe to be the best combination in Baja. If anyone reading this is interested in building either a Baja or BITD quad, it could save them years of headaches, heartaches and money, compared to just jumping in blind. The parts we use have proven to be nearly indestructible, and they work amazingly well together.

We start by finding a fresh stock, and un-abused 04-05 TRX450R. The 06-09 models work great as well, since they

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WHAT IT TAKES - THE ROAD TO BAJA

require even less engine modifications to perform to our needs. With that said, for absolute durability requirements such as the Baja 1000, we have found the 04-05 transmission to be stronger.

A true race-worthy build should start with a complete tear down, sand blasting the frame, and welding in a frame gusset kit. Roll Design, Teixeira Tech, and LSR sell them for around a hundred bucks, and if properly installed, your frame will last through years of abuse. After reinforcing your new race chassis, be sure to have a durable powdercoat applied to keep it looking pro. We use Mountain Powder Coating for a great looking finish every time. Unless you are starting with a brand new machine, now is the time to split and inspect the bottom end. Be sure to inspect all the mesh points in the transmission and faces of the shift forks. If you are not completely comfortable with this step, then pay a professional to do it. We use the experts at CT Racing for this step, even though we are capable ourselves.

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Depending on what class you are looking to compete in, engine performance mods can be very minimal. We are trying to be competitive at the front of the Pro Class, so we have to lean on our motor a little harder than a guy racing the sportsman class, or even just looking for a solid finish in the pro class. Building your motor is expensive and needs to be done right by the right performance shop. If you want BAJA finishing performance, either leave it stock or pay for quality, reliable work and parts. We have the guys at CT Racing install 1mm over valves in our head, give it a Newen 5 angle CNC valve job, and follow up with minimal porting by hand. A somewhat mild Web Cam is used with a 13:1 piston. For the 1000, drop the compression down to around 11.25:1.

High quality LA Sleeve LAPC pistons are used, and we replace them every race.

We upgrade the stock clutch to an indestructible Hinson set up. Basket, hub, pressure plate and their OEM quality fibers, steels, and springs are all used. The Hinson

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

WHAT IT TAKES - THE ROAD TO BAJA

setup will outlast the bike, and has never let us down. The stock FCR carb from an 06-09 TRX450R performs much better than the one that comes on the 04-05, so we use the one off of the kickstart version because it includes a hotstart cable. In Baja, the pits are approximately 50 miles apart, so an IMS oversized fuel tank with Dry Break system is also a must.

Our intake is finished off with an 06-09 airbox, complete with a K&N air filter and K&N filter Power Lid. The Power Lid allows us to change lids quickly in every pit, while never removing the actual filter, or exposing the engine to the elements.

The K&N Power Lid allows us to run the entire Baja 1000 without ever changing our air filter or even shutting off the engine. All that fresh air is expelled from our Honda through a Baja proven CT sonic exhaust system.

With our bike ready to run hard for 1000 plus miles, the next thing we worry about is making it handle well. Roll Design

A Arms, coupled with ELKA shocks and long travel linkage creates the platform of choice for the majority of the pro line. The ELKA Elite shocks have provided us with stable, plush but forgiving, reliable suspension for the last five years, and we are now switching to the new lighter weight, lower friction Stage 5 setup. The Roll Design A Arms are 3 inches wider and pushed 1.7 inches forward to help with high speed stability. Roll Design also provides a +1 taller chromoly anti-vibe steering stem that is much stronger than the competition.

Fasst Company provides vibration and impact dampening Flexx handlebars and an adjustable brake clevis. The Flexx Handlebar system, coupled with a Precision RP steering damper creates a very controllable ride that will not wear on the rider over Baja’s rough terrain. The Flexx Handlebar system’s rubber elastomers soak up sharp impacts from rocks, curbs and g-outs, and the Precision

damper keeps them controllable in every situation. High performance stainless Streamline brake lines and rotors are used to keep the braking performance up to par.

Two slightly longer, Streamline clutch and throttle cables are mounted so that a back up is available, should the need arise.

Protection is also very important when prepping for Baja. For this year’s 1000 we will be running HD Ricochet skid plates and Roll Design foot pegs, heel guards and bumper. The rear swingarm skid is very important as it must clear the long travel linkage, yet provide optimum coverage, and still be there at the end of the race.

Be sure to use high quality bolts, with red Loctite to mount it, or you will leave it by the side of the course.

Our race bikes feature lifetime warranty Durablue racing axles and bearing carriers, and anti-fade lock nuts. Without a good quality axle, failure is certain under the extreme terrains that Baja has to offer.

Another place not to scrimp when racing in the desert is your tire and wheel set up.

We have relied on 6 ply Maxxis Razr tires for over ten years now. Like many other pro level desert bikes, ours features the Tire Ball inflation system. Our Razr tires are mounted on bulletproof OMF beadlocks, and each one is filled with 15 individual, inflatable Tire Ball cells. This combination has proven unstoppable, and we can often finish long races such as the Baja 1000 on one set.

The ATV World Baja bike is then finished off with a set of Laker Custom plastics, a Quad Tech Seat and a one off Dirt Factory graphics kit, featuring all of our sponsors’ logos.

If you are serious enough, this set up or one similar is what it takes to run up front.

All of the parts used are available to the public. This will cover the necessary equipment, but you will still need a handful of strong, smart, dedicated riders, and three reliable pit teams that are willing to put it on the line for you as well.

If you’re still interested, we’ll see you in November! ✪ www.score-international.com www.ctracing.com www.rolldesign.com www.elkasuspension.com www.tireballs.com www.omfperformance.com www.maxxis.com www.streamlinebrakes.com www.hinsonracing.com www.knfilters.com www.quadtech-atv.com www.durablue.com www.lakercustom.com www.imsproducts.com www.fasstco.com www.ricochetoffroad.com

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BUILD

RZR XP900

BY NICK NELSON PHOTOS BY WES MILLER

THE POLARIS RZR XP900’S RECENT RELEASE SHOCKED THE SPORT UTV WORLD. THE NEW XP900 IS BY FAR THE MOST SPORT PERFORMANCE BASED UTV TO HIT THE MARKET. WITH LONG TRAVEL SUSPENSION AND NEARLY 90 HP IN STOCK FORM, IT REALLY LEFT US ASKING ONE QUESTION: WHAT COULD REALLY BE IMPROVED BY THE AFTERMARKET?

The

RZR XP900, being the only UTV we currently have available on the west coast meant one very important thing: a build project would have to focus on versatility. Our XP project would need to be comfortable in the mountains climbing rocky trails, on a WORCS track with the pedal to floor, or cruising through the sand dunes on a holiday weekend. With tons of suspension travel and plenty of power in stock form, the RZR XP900 is definitely a great candidate for such a build.

PHOTOS BY WES MILLER

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RZR XP 900 BUILD

Given that the XP is a brand new machine, our build schedule would be dictated by the availability and development of new aftermarket parts for this machine. The first few weeks with our stocker were spent testing in the high desert, learning the strengths and weaknesses of the new XP900. In the desert, the XP quickly proved to be the best performing sport UTV available to date. The new RZR XP is also more race ready in stock form than we ever expected

from an OEM. The stock XP handles amazing and is faster than most of the modified UTVs we’ve driven in the past.

Eager to try out the new XP on the track, the first modifications we felt necessary were purely for enhanced safety. The first thing that comes to mind for safety is replacing the three point seat belts with a good set of harnesses. With the third round of the WORCS series quickly approaching, we stopped by our friends at Pro Armor to acquire a set of

their brand new five point harnesses.

While talking with Fred from Pro Armor, he mentioned that their RZR suicide doors would also fit the XP. We discussed my concerns for keeping weight to a minimum and I also explained how the stock door nets were hanging up with my hands while steering. We went back into the shop so I could sit in one of their personal RZRs with the Pro Armor doors mounted. The doors are constructed entirely of aluminum, keeping the weight down to about 30 pounds, without sacrificing strength or durability. The doors are also flared out at the top, with the most clearance near the steering wheel, where your hands need it. Sitting in the Pro Armor car with harnesses, doors and a set of Beard seats really boosted my confidence, leaving you with a more secure, protected feeling.

Needless to say, we left Pro Armor with harnesses, a set of doors, and directions to nearby Koronis Parts for a set of Beard suspension seats. Koronis Parts hooked us up with a killer looking set of Beard Super TZ suspension seats.

The Super TZ is a true suspension seat that is actually designed specifically for the cab of the Polaris RZR. The Super 48

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OCTOBER 14, 15, 16, 2011

INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

1-888-661-SHOW (7469) www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com atvworldmag.com

2012 SLEDS AND ATVS HUGE MANUFACTURER DISPLAYS AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS LIVE FREESTYLE SHOWS LIVE SNOWMOBILE AND ATV RACING VINTAGE AND CUSTOMS MUCH MORE FREE PARKING COURTESY OF

RZR XP 900 BUILD

TZ even features laser cut mounts that bolt directly to your stock seat mounting pans in a matter of minutes.

Just in time for the Cahuilla Creek WORCS race, we downsized the stock 27” mudders to a set of 26” ITP BajaCross tires, mounted on 14” T9 Pro Mod spun aluminum wheels. With the exception of a better cage, our XP was definitely race worthy with just these first few items.

Hindered by a bad start and the extra 200 pounds of my optional co-pilot, we put it to the wood for a 45 minute moto. The XP900 felt right at home on the sandy, rutted Cahuilla Creek WORCS course. With huge grins, and wishing there was still another lap, we finished a respectable 6th place out of nearly 50 race built UTVs.

With our first race a success, it was now time to add a stronger cage, even better shocks and some Glamis worthy LED lighting and accessories. Madera Brothers, out of Bakersfield, CA had already designed and released a bolt-on RZR XP cage. The MB Products cage provides a much cleaner look, with a squarer profile and lightweight aluminum roof. High quality DOM tubing and Madera’s V Bar design make for a much safer enclosure than the mild steel stocker. The MB cage fit perfect, was very easy to install, and very close in weight to the stock one. Madera Brothers cages are priced very reasonably and can be seen at www.maderabrothers.com .

While the stock shocks work great, there is always room for improvement.

Fully adjustable ELKA Stage 4 shocks were custom built for our RZR XP. We met out in the desert with Sam, who is one of ELKA’s top engineers and Doug Roll who owns and operates the ELKA’s west coast service center at Roll Design. Top ATV and UTV racer Beau Baron and I spent the entire day testing and fine tuning the Stage 4 shock, helping to develop valving specs and settings for ELKA’s future race shocks. With a full day of testing under

our belts, both Beau and I felt the Stage 4 setup was an improvement over stock in nearly trail every condition. The Stage 4 shock has external adjusters for preload, rebound, and both high and low speed

Don’t put your life on our line.

This season, prevent a senseless tragedy by steering clear of train tracks. Not only is riding an ATV on a railroad’s right of way illegal, you can’t always see or hear a train coming.

www.cn.ca

NORTH AMERICA’S RAILROAD

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compression. This wide range of adjustability will allow an educated user to fine tune their suspension for optimal performance in every situation.

While we were out testing our suspension, we also mounted a new slipon exhaust system from Bikeman Performance. The BMP exhaust was honestly the easiest exhaust I have ever installed. With a spring puller or set of vise grips, even someone with absolutely no mechanical experience could mount it in minutes. The ceramic coated exhaust

system comes with dual outlets and a very simple plug system to quiet it down when necessary. Without the quiet core, the BMP exhaust is a lot louder than stock, making the XP sound like a completely different race bred machine. With the stock exhaust, our XP would quit pulling at around 73mph; with the BMP slip-on, our

machine would hit right around 78mph before hitting the stock rev-limiter.

Installing the quiet core takes about one minute and makes the machine perform a lot like the stock set-up with a slightly louder, but manageable exhaust note. For all out performance such as at the track, we prefer the open exhaust, but if you plan

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RZR XP 900 BUILD

on talking to your co-pilot, plan on running the quiet core plug as conversation is nearly impossible without it.

With a few hundred hard miles logged on the XP, it was time for some basic maintenance. Polaris really impressed us by designing the stock air box for easy, tool free filter changes. What was less impressive is the non-serviceable paper

filter element inside it that looks like it would be right at home on your vacuum machine, or street driven automobile.

K&N filters provided us with a million mile, serviceable stock replacement filter with more surface area through deeper pleats. The K&N filter is not only serviceable, but also provides increased air flow, leading to additional HP. The

K&N replacement filter is priced less than the cost of three stock air filters, and will pay for itself with the first few services.

With the improved HP and slight weight additions made to our XP, we called on EPI Performance for a clutch kit to give our RZR XP a more electric-like power delivery. The clutch is reasonably easy to install in the XP, with the correct puller provided by EPI. With the EPI clutch kit installed, the XP feels like it has more of a direct connection from the gas pedal to the wheels and really comes alive off the bottom to midrange.

Our project XP is going to be driven in some of the nastiest, rockiest terrain such as our High Sierra back country fishing trip, and cross country Baja excursions.

Knowing this, we opted for serious chassis protection from Richochet. We had previously installed their skids on a project Grizzly and were very impressed with the fit and finish, as well as ease of mounting.

The bulletproof skids we received for the RZR were no different; they showed up the day before our High Sierra trip, and were mounted easily by one person in about 2 hours. The Ricochet skids covered the front and rear arms, the underbelly and the rocker panels with HD .250” thick aluminum protection, with a truly well thought out design.

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www.wightysrepairs.com kawasaki.ca ©2010 Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and proper riding apparel. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Protect the environment. Adhere to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. Professional rider on a closed course.

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www.osm-mag.com 1-888-661-7469

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RZR XP 900 BUILD

Although much improved, we quickly found that the stock LED lighting on the RZR XP is not enough to safely operate the XP at its full potential at night. LED is the latest evolution in off road lighting. A few years ago, HID (high intensity discharge) came on the scene with three times the light output per watt used, compared to conventional halogen lighting. HID quickly became the choice of serious off-roaders with a need for light and minimal available wattage. The new Rigid LED lighting provides equally impressive light with slightly less wattage, and more importantly, is nearly indestructible. LED lighting is currently taking over off road lighting; just like HID did a few years back.

We opted for a 20” LED light bar and two Dually 4 inch round LED pods from Rigid Industries. Rigid Industries has been at the forefront of LED performance in the off road racing scene for a few years now. The Rigid Industries LED Lights come complete with billet mounting brackets and a foolproof wiring harness. The bulletproof Rigid Industries lights put out an amazing spread of light, with great coverage and no hotspots.

With a 20 inch light bar and a pair of Dually led pod lights, our XP literally turns night into day. Another cool feature is that LEDs turn on instantaneously, whereas HID lights take a several seconds for the ballast to warm up.

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A slightly less performance-driven indulgence came from SSV Works in the form of a killer sounding iPod ready, stereo system.

The guys at SSV Works specialize in creating amazing sound systems for all of the popular UTVs. SSV offers a couple of different speaker pod options for the RZR. Since we will be utilizing the entire bed for storage, we opted for one that replaces the glove box with a sub pod, instead of placing it in the rear. Our system came with custom formed fiberglass speaker pods that fit the contours of our RZR perfectly, housing a ten inch sub woofer and two 6X9 three way speakers. The SSV system mounts an amplifier under your front hood and runs directly off your iPod. Pro Armor even supplied a billet iPod holder and mount system called “The Vault,” that houses an iPhone or iPod. This stereo actually pounds pretty hard and we ran it at night for about two hours at a time, without killing the battery.

For its virgin trip, we took our modified XP to Bishop, CA to pound out some laps on a very sandy, local MX track, and then ventured up into the High Sierras for a weekend of trail exploring and camping. The XP is amazing on whooped out trails, and a blast to jump or hammer out berm shots for the camera. Leaving the 3500 foot elevation desert floor, we climbed nearly 6500 feet up into the High Sierras, encountering nearly every type of terrain. The XP’s EFI system never skipped a beat; still running crisp at nearly 11,000 feet. The BajaCross tires proved to be exceptionally durable on the sharp rocks, but the new larger 28” models, with increased sidewall would provide a plusher ride on the trail.

Overall, the build is proving to be exceptional at anything we throw at it, and we can’t wait to mount some paddles and try it out in the dunes. Our track ready machine proved just as ready for the trail. While we haven’t needed a winch for the XP yet, we look forward to installing a Warn 3.0 for next issue’s “How-to” project.

With the announcement of the Arctic Cat Wildcat’s release, we are also counting the days until we can have the world’s first, true sport performance UTV shootout between them. ✪

ELKA Stage 4 Shocks: www.elkasuspension.com Madera Brothers: www.maderabrothers.com Pro Armor: www.proarmor.com Beard Seats: www.koronisparts.com SSV Works: www.ssvworks.com Rigid Industries: www.rigidindustries.com Bikeman Performance: www.bikemanperformance.com K&N: www.knfilters.com EPI Clutch: www.epiperformance.com ITP Tires: www.itptires.com Ricochet Skid Plates: www.ricochetoffroad.com TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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ARCTIC CAT TURNS 50 AND THINGS GET

wild

While ATV fans may not recognize the historical significance of Arctic Cat始s 50th Anniversary celebration in Thief River Falls, MN this past July, the company sent a clear message where their focus will be as they embark on the next 50, making the much anticipated Wildcat pure sport side-by-side official with a public unveil during the peak of 50th celebration activity. Likened to a massive family reunion of Arctic Cat fans, customers, dealers, employees, and racers, the event featured historical displays, factory tours, ATV and side-by-side demo rides, hometown tours aboard ATVs, live music, a fashion show, and perhaps most importantly, a gathering of who始s who when it comes to the legendary northern Minnesota brand.

The roots of the company were on full-display, as several hundred historic Arctic Cat snowmobiles were on display courtesy of Cat collectors throughout North America who brought their show pieces to Thief River Falls for the celebration.

All three product lines (ATVs, UTVs and Snowmobiles) were being manufactured while we toured the Cat factory. Women make-up a majority of the manufacturing personnel, no matter the line.

Ultimate performance and speed has always been an Arctic hallmark, and during the 1970s, Arctic Cat wrote the book on world speed records with snowmobiles like this Boss Cat III. With the introduction of the Wildcat side-by-side, it looks as if Arctic is poised to recapture that self-appointed dominance in the off-road segment.

The factory was bustling with activity and hundreds of factory tours were given to anyone who walked in the front door. The groups were kept small, and Arctic Cat employees were brimming with pride as they showed guest their workplace.

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Not one, but two arenas were brimming with vintage Arctic Cat products, from clothing to mini-bikes to lawn mowers… If Cat was involved in some way over the past 50 years, there was a good chance it was on display.

The local North Star ATV club helped Cat execute hundreds of ATV and Prowler demo rides throughout the weekend.

After an orchestrated peek-a-boo during the spring Arctic Cat dealer meeting earlier this year, Cat made it official by pulling the wraps off what appears to be the most serious pure sport entry into the blossoming sport side-by-side market. The Wildcat 1000i HO is truly inspired by hard-core off-road competition, and a glance at the spec sheets shows it has the goods to make good on its visual promise. A whopping 13inches of ground clearance; 18-inches of suspension travel thanks in part to an industry first 5-point multi-link trailing arm rear suspension; 17-position compression adjustable Walker Evans Racing shocks; a full perimeter frame; and a displacement king 1,000 cube V-twin engine with fuel injection and high flow performance exhaust. In fact, the list of hard-core performance goods found on the all-new Wildcat is likened to a build-sheet for a full-on Baja competition machine, and not something youʼd typically find rolling off an OEM factory floor. While we have yet to ride it, (Cat is telling us we will have our chance come October), the spec sheet and first impressions has us salivating in anticipation.

t of the Wildca This rear view sive tubular as m shows the ith the associated w trailing arms k rear lin 5-point multi- touts incredible at suspension th e and a nc ground cleara ches of travel.

-in 18 g in pp ho r w k style Walke ac yb gg pi e Hug ill w ks shoc Evans Racing ement. mov harness the

Arctic Cat was the only snowmobile manufacturer to ever design and manufacturer their own clothing, and every era was on display during a fashion show that featured sports wear, racing gear, and more dating as far back as the early 1960s.

Music was a centerpiece of much of the celebration and national recording artist Restless Heart showcased the event to a huge crowd of onlookers and dancers late Saturday evening.

The cockpit of the new Wildcat should have taller framed riders smiling. Ample legroom, tilt steering, and easy to open tube-frame doors with a single latch makes for easy entrance and exit. High back bucket seats with additional side-bolsters should keep drivers and riders well positioned, while a center console shifter and variable electronic power steering should make vehicle command intuitive.

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24

YEARS

AND COUNTING Join the Thousands of Powersports Enthusiasts that come from across North America for the Toronto International Centre, October 14, 15 & 16, 2011 for the 24th Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show!

NOTHING BIGGER! NOTHING BETTER! NOTHING MORE EXCITING!

If

youʼve attended in the past, thereʼs no need to remind you that this is ʻTHE BIG SHOW ' you wonʼt want to miss. The Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, October 14, 15 & 16 is the largest Snowmobile & ATV Show to-date with the best Aftermarket selection, Goods and Services, Tourism destination displays, Manufacture Exhibits from; Arctic Cat, Argo, CanAm, Ski-Doo, Polaris, Kawasaki, Yamaha, John Deere, Dodge, Honda – it has it all. Anything you need for snowmobiles or ATVs, youʼll find it at the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports show.

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24 YEARS AND COUNTING Sponsored by OSM, North Americaʼs leading snowmobile magazine, and ATV World Magazine, the 24th Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show will have entrances at both Halls 1 and 4, where youʼll enter the largest Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports show in North America. You will see manufacturer corporate displays decked out with all thatʼs new for the 2012 lineups. Only at the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show will you meet the Aftermarket Distributors with their massive displays of quality products, and a huge selection of the latest products for 2012.

Every Hall offers something new and exciting.

ROYAL Distributing will again sponsor the enormous “OUTDOORS EVENT AREA”. Ultimax Belts is on board this year sponsoring the out of control crowd pleaser, the Rockstar Energy Drink Freestyle Event, and DAYCO HP/HPX will sponsor the 120cc Snowmobile Race for the 9th consecutive year! A Crowd pleaser for the third year in a row, you can visit the Can-AM Test Track loaded with

the latest Can-Am ATVs. Dodge will also be offering test rides at the Show!

SNOWMOBILES, ATVs, PARTS, CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES! Not only will you find the best brand names in the industry; regardless of what you need, want, or canʼt live with out; be that accessories, parts or clothing, if itʼs to do with a Snowmobile or ATV, you will find it in one of the aftermarket exhibitor displays at the Show.

BOOK YOUR RIDES, PLAN YOUR TRIPS, PURCHASE YOUR PERMITS! Discover new adventures for you and your family, by visiting the many tourism booths spread throughout the Show. Pick up your Trail Maps and purchase your Snowmobile Permits right at the show!

Tourism representatives from all over will be on hand to answer questions and build your familyʼs travel plans.

Little Hawk Resort & Marina

At the crossroads of Muskoka and Haliburton.

Rediscover, Reconnect, Re-establish, Replenish “Your Northern Getaway” ~ Ontario waterfront resort & marina ~ Full service on site licensed restaurant ~ Haliburton cottage rentals ~ Lodge suites and meeting room facilities ~ ATV destination in the Highlands

~ Family vacations, romantic couples getaways ~ Fishing trips, winter snowmobiling ~ Only two hours from Toronto

705-489-2158 • www.littlehawk.ca • info@littlehawk.ca

OCTOBER 14, 15, 16

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A FAMILY ADVENTURE YOU WONʼT WANT TO MISS! Enroll your family for OFSC Driver Training courses 1-705-739-7669, check out the massive Race Haulers found in the Snowcross racing section in hall 3, and visit the Outdoors Events Area for an amazing freestyle show; all included in the cost of admission. Take in a full, on bars bashing, ATV Obstacross Race where racers will be laying it down for the fans. No matter what your age, no matter what level rider you are, come out and be a part of the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports show, thereʼs something for everyone!

THE ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK FREESTYLE SHOW! The Rockstar Energy Drink Freestyle show, sponsored by Ultimax Belts in the Outdoors Event Area - bigger then ever, once again hosting the sickest, electrifying Freestyle display in Canada! Crazy tricks, daring jumps from Heath Frisby, Justin Hoyer, Jeff Mullin, to name a few. Donʼt miss it! Show times will be posted at the Front Entrance to the show and also in the official show program, distributed at the entrance of the show. Mark your calendars now for the weekend of October 14, 15, 16, 2011!October 14, 15, 16, 2011!

Trailers

THE DAYCO HP/HPX 120cc SNOWMOBILE RACES AND MINI ATV RACES! The DAYCO HP/HPX 120 Snowmobile Race is one of the most exciting and crowd pleasing events at the show where the crowds grow and take over the grandstands, cheering on these pint-sized racers.

CUSTOM SLED VILLAGE! In the OSM Custom Sled Village, youʼll be introduced to some of the most radical custom sleds youʼll ever see, along with some of the more innovative, futuristic designs.

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC SNOWMOBILES! Visit the Antique and Classic Snowmobile Clubʼs booth to view some of the best restored antique snowmobiles in Canada.

For more information regarding the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show or for advanced ticket sales, call 1-888661-7469 or visit www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Over 25 years of building quality trailers and custom steel fabrication, backed up by our manufacturerʼs guarantee to provide worry free ownership.

Marine Cradle Shop

52 Ellisview Rd. Sutton West, ON L3P 3P2 (905) 294-3507 • sales@cradleridetrailers.com

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UTV AFTERMARKET

BUYER’S GUIDE Ricochet Offroad Armor Sticks and Stones might break your rides bones, so get it protected with Ricochet Offroad Armor. Don’t ruin your day because you forgot to invest in some protection. Get off your wallet and check out Ricochet Offroad’s Armor.

With numerous kits to choose from, you can buy the whole enchilada… or just the necessities. Trust us, the whole enchilada is a lot less than you’d expect. If you lay down a couple Benjamin’s for the entire Commander set, it includes: AArm guards and a full frame skid. Another set for the Rhino includes a few more pieces like a bash plate and floor board skids. The skid plates are manufactured of 1/4” aluminum. These skids immediately give a tough Ironman look to your UTV. Other sets are also available. These will instantly make you tougher… after installation of course.

Who should buy this? Everyone, those out there that don’t want to be fixing expensive mis-haps that could have been protected, MidEvil Time’s Knights from the movie Cable Guy, and anyone who thinks they can take on the Knight from Monty Python. www.utahsportcycle.com

Superchocks We have all had to ‘McGiver’ up something at some point to secure our UTV or ATV to our trailers. Good news, Superchocks are here so you can rid your trailer of the piece of bubble gum, the utility knife, tinfoil and old transistor radio. Your vehicles will be safely tied down properly and securely. Superchocks also have a unique tire guide built in allowing you to line your tires up with ease. Say good-bye to anyone telling you that you have an insecure load!

Who buys these? Anyone that trailers their ride, those that have had to pay a fine for not properly securing their load. www.superclamp.com

Pit Bull Growler XOR and Growler UBER XOR Tires When shopping for tires, the most common question is, “What type of riding do you do”? Most of us cover all types of riding, and require a tire that is durable and can do everything. A tire that’s going to last and look meaner and tougher is sought-after. The Growler Tires are good for mud, snow and sand, pretty much any terrain. This is key when you’re out riding, as you never know what’s over the next hill. The Growler’s are a perfect replacement for stock 25s, which is great when your stockers need replacing. These tires will toughen up your ride!

What type of individuals should own these Pit Bull’s?

Not the Clint Eastwood type from Grand Tarino but more of the bad ass, scruffy Clint of his western era. Tough guys that can back it up, and riders that never blame the equipment. www.pitbulltires.com 62

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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

EPI Severe Duty Belt

HMF Swamp Series Exhaust

Having lots of power doesn’t mean anything if it doesn’t get to the tires. EPI’s Severe Duty Belts have been developed with EPI Clutch Kits, tested by abused under performance enhancing parts. The deep double cog style of the belt helps to reduce clutch heat and maximize power.

It’s just a name… The Swamp Series exhaust pipe can be used for any application, as it’s a whole lot more than just a mudding pipe. Its unique 5 inch diameter shell gives the exhaust more surface area which shows horsepower improvements. The Swamp Series features a mechanical core that directs and controls the sound pulses that help keep the sound levels down to a mere 1 to 2 dB over stock, so it’s obnoxiously loud and will allow you to sneak up on the ‘Swamp Thing’ if you’re looking for him. The shell is made of stainless steel and the inlet is TIG welded shut for a water tight seal allowing for a deeper water escape if things don’t go as plan while sneaking up on that beast.

Who should look at this belt? Owners that have high powered vehicles and those of us who have installed performance parts. If the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt owned a side-by-side he would have one of these installed, we’d put money on it! www.epiperformance.com

Who should look at the Swamp Series? The ‘Swamp Thing’ if he rode on four wheels, backwater folk and people who want more performance with the ability to go in deeper. www.hmfracing.com

Warn XT40 Winch Ok, congratulations you bought yourself a UTV. You’re the envy of your friends and you feel like a rock star. Well don’t let reality set in, and it can quickly, if you don’t install a winch right away. Without a winch on your UTV you’re a sucker just waiting to get in a sticky situation. If you find yourself stuck on the trail in your UTV without a winch, you just went from the village hero to the village idiot. The ‘goods’ on the XT40, well other than it’s more than capable of pulling your butt up from the quagmire, there’s 50 feet of synthetic rope, a mini rocker control switch, and a wireless remote that works from 50 feet away, and plenty more.

People in line for this? UTV owners, Jaba the Hutt and others that have a lot of weight to move. www.warn.com

Yamaha Two Piece Tilt Windshield So many riders have experienced cold temperatures while driving. We’ve been smacked by branches, splashed by other riders, and hit by bugs. Here is an idea for Rhino owners… Install a windshield! This functional windshield has all the elements covered. If it’s a hot day and you want more airflow, remove the top section. If it’s warm out simply swivel the top piece. And when it’s cold, it will offer you complete protection from the elements. The windshield itself is 6mm polycarbonate which will withstand all the scratches, debris and punishment the trails can toss up.

Who’s buying this windshield? Rhino owners. People that wished they own a Rhino. www.yamaha-motor.ca

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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UTV AFTERMARKET

BUYER’S GUIDE PRO Armor RZR doors This product helps complete the RZR, just like Renee Zelwiger did in Jerry McGuire. Installation is simple, measured in minutes not hours, the door bolts in easily and there’s no need to get out the drill. These doors are available with sheet metal skins or nets and are interchangeable. The protection these doors give to both you, and your passenger is even better than before. It’s not just about the appearance of these doors that should get RZR owners excited, it’s the safety aspect they provide. Getting in and out is a breeze. Every RZR owner at some time have struggled or tripped in or out of their RZR, at least once, maybe twice. Your color options are brushed aluminum or black powder coat.

Who needs this? Owners that want a better looking and safer ride. www.proarmour.com

Beard Super TZ Performance Seats If you are looking to one up your neighbour, this will change your vehicle. Not only will your Side-by-Side look better immediately, but the ride changes as well. Beard Seats are a step in the right direction no matter what you are trying to accomplish. We think it makes your ride safer as it’s a snugger fit. Your buns feel like they’re being held and are secure. Installation is simple as the Beard Super TZ’s use stock mounting. Once installed you will ask yourself why you hadn’t done this before. Your ride was made better at any speed and your passenger will agree.

If you need more, add in a Beard 4 or 5 point harness.

You will feel like a rally racer.

Who should install this? Stock Car drivers, ATV World Editor Nick Nelson, and anyone else that wants to feel like they are one with their vehicle. www.koronisparts.com

Dayco XTX Belt This belt was specifically designed for UTVs and ATVs with engines of 800cc or greater. The XTX is specially formulated high temperature Neoprene and the highest level of Aramid fiber loading available. The design features deeper cogs on the top side of the belt and rounded cogs on the bottom allowing for better flexibility and increase belt life. What does that all mean? Well if your UTV has a larger displacement than 800cc and we bet it does, or if you have larger tires, mud tires or a track kit installed, then you should look at he XTX Belt from Dayco.

Who’s into the XTX? Boggers with big HPs, mudder tires that never want to be laughed at cause they put too much power to the tires and smoked their belt.

Swamp men from far and wide the back woods. Or the average Joe interested in a great product. www.dayco.ca

EPI Sport Utility Clutch Kit There is something to be said in having a faster and harder accelerating UTV than the other guy. You want to “Beat them out of the hole”, says Technical Editor, Jeff Edwards. Sounds like he took that line from John Force.

Some UTV owners claim that their unit is good enough the way it comes from the factory, and we agree. But like the game of Dominos, when one gets it, all the others seem to follow. EPI has numerous kits available for your model based on altitude, tire size, pipe and engine modifications. They have customized their kits to give you exactly what you’re looking for.

Type of individual that might own a clutch kit - UTV`s that look identical to yours but accelerate faster yours and the proud owner says it’s completely stock…., Jeff (All Stock) Edwards, John Force and the guy that is king of the mud holes.

Who should own an EPI kit? Those of us that are getting beat down on the trails, or anyone that cares about having a fast UTV. www.epiperformance.com 64

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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

DRD’s Dual Rhino Exhaust Dubach Racing has a great looking pipe for Rhino owners, who doesn’t like duellers rumbling out the back? This DRD unit is a dual length system which delivers optimum power and is built with their own Dr. D. Pro Packing.

Who’s buying this? Dale Doback and Brennen Huff, Rhino owners, Rhino owners and Rhino owners that are looking for better performance that makes their Rhino sound and look tougher. www.dubachracing.com

DWT Sector Wheels To make your UTV stand out from the pack you should look into some aftermarket wheels. Just like your truck, wheels are a good place to start.

DRT’s new Sector wheel is a three piece wheel that consists of two lightweight aluminum halves which bolt to a billet aluminum centre. The halves are sealed with a strong rubber ring that is seated in a precision machined groove between each half and the wheel centre.

Who shouldn’t buy these? Those out there who enjoy or own those spinning wheels or hydraulic bouncing cars.

Who Should? The tough Vin Diesel type from the Fast and the Furious, and those of us who enjoy sweet wheels. www.dwtracing.com

UPGRADE TO ELKA SUSPENSION

AND GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rigid Industries Light Bar How many times have you been out riding and wished the sun would just stay put a little longer, especially this time of year when it gets darker earlier? Gamma Sales understands and are distributing their Rigid Industries Light bar with LED lights. It also looks ultra cool and your ridding buddies will want you to lead the pack even if you aren’t the fastest rider. Some of us remember our Jeep CJ’s and YJ’s back in the day and it was a necessary add on. It separated you from the Yuppie’s. What makes this light bar different? The E Series Rigid Light Bar uses a hybrid reflector system. That means it’s damn bright.

Who should be looking at the Rigid Light Bar? Those of us still holding on to our youth, CJ and YJ owners - now turned UTV owners, Crocodile Dundee and owners that want to lighten their trails. www.gammasales.com

YOUR SUSPENSION SPECIALISTS FOR RACING ATV, SPORTS-UTILITY ATV, SIDE-BY-SIDE, MOTORCYCLE & MOUNTAIN BIKE APPLICATIONS

Phone: 1-800-557-0552 www.elkasuspension.com www.elkawebstore.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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PAINTING THE ATV TRAILS PINK 2ND ANNUAL TRAX4 BREAST CANCER EVENT RAISES OVER $8,000

idea for the TraX4 breast cancer event was created in 2010, however this past spring the first actual ATV ride in support of the cause took place. Held in conjunction with one of the largest ATV jamborees in Canada (Can-Am Spring Jam) that has taken place over the past

The

10 years in Parry Sound, the TraX4 Breast Cancer addition has brought an aspect of riding for a great cause to an already well known and successful ATV jamboree. The TraX4 breast cancer portion of the event gives riders an opportunity to join in an exclusive and extra trail ride with proceeds donated to the Kelly

Shires Breast Cancer Foundation. The charity has offered financial aid to those across Canada battling breast since its inception in 2000.

Many items related to a diagnosis and treatment are not covered by private or public healthcare giving the charity the ability to help offer financial relief so those diagnosed can focus on their recovery not financial stress.

On April 29th a small but mighty group participated in the inaugural Trax4 Breast Cancer ATV ride on an exclusive trail created just for the event. With the days of rain leading up to the weekend and the morning of the ride, everyone truly was able to test out their quads and dare we admit that some just needed an extra helping hand to get through the challenging terrain full of mud, rocks and water holes but also full of smiles and laughter. The TraX4 Breast Cancer ride is open to both male and female riders either on individual machines or as some chose, as a rider and passenger. The group hit the trails, Lead by a custom pink CanAm Outlander (generously donated by Can-Am

•Fully Amphibious•All Season•All Terrain •Up to 6 Passengers

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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Corporate and local dealer, The Cove). Top Fundraiser, Rebecca Hare from Collingwood, Ontario was treated to a special award of a custom one of a kind Can-Am ATV helmet. As an ATV enthusiast and a homecare worker for a 2 time breast cancer survivor, for Rebecca the ride offered a chance to raise some money for a great cause and have some fun. Can-Am was there in full force with their line up of ATV’s and side by sides at their phenomenal test track all weekend long. This is not your average test track either; you are actually out on physical terrain. Friday afternoon and evening “jammers” are welcomed to participate in the “poker jam”, collecting stamps at local vendors for a chance to win a cash prize. Friday evening riders participate in a “rumble ride”

throughout the town of Parry Sound past a spectacular view of Georgian Bay and up a 250 ascent to Tower Hill where they were greeted by the Can-Am Spring Jam organizing committee and treated to a BBQ. Saturday morning everyone was invited to the TraX4 Breast Cancer breakfast at the event headquarters at Folley Fairgrounds. After breakfast, Jammers were off on the trails again, where they chose a trail based on their riding ability. Riders were greeted back at the end of the day with a five star dinner at Folley Fairgrounds and offered a chance to bid on some great silent auction prizes with proceeds donated back to the TraX4 Breast Cancer Group. Over $8,500.00 was raised at this year’s event and plans are already under way for

next year. Mark your calendars for the last weekend of April 2012!

For more information please visit www.trax4bc.com

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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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67

he Provincial Partnership Committee has been diligently working hard throughout the summer to bring all of the ATV Organizations together under one umbrella. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to create a business model that works for each unique area of the province. The way things work in the North are different than the South, East, or West parts of the Province, trails and memberships are different as well.

There is no one solution that fits, every compromise, and every decision has to work for all, while maximizing the funds required to continue to develop and maintain the trail system. Undeterred, OFATV Bruce Murphy and the OFATV Executive have remained extremely positive, while keeping their "One Organization" goal at the forefront of their efforts. Good things always take a bit longer to develop and work there way to fruition. Stay tuned for further developments as they arise.

Trail conditions have seemed to be at the extremes this season thus far in Ontario. Many trails in Southern Ontario remained closed due to flooding well into the riding season, for some the mud however was just what they were looking for.

Then the pendulum swung the other way and some areas saw virtually no rain in June creating very dry, rather dusty riding

T

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conditions. As we head in to the late summer and look forward to the fall riding season, many ATVers will be planning extra trips to make up for it.

Weather has also been a factor in the planning of ATV rides and events this spring, but the fall schedule has been filling up nicely. Remember to check our province wide ATV event calendar at facebook.com/ofatv.

One event this July had many riders out from the Barrie area having fun and raising money for the Canadian Cancer Society at the 1st Annual Jan Hamerton Memorial ATV Ride. Jan had been involved with the OFATV as a board member up until she was taken by a brief battle with bone cancer. Many of her family and friends joined together with other cancer conscious riders to remember her, and support a cure.

The All-Terrain Quad Council of Canada (AQCC) has developed a new and up to date ATV safety instructor certification training and OFATV, as a partner is actively training instructors this season. This is a huge step in the plight against ATV related injuries and deaths. With four instructors already qualified and many more slated to be trained, the OFATV is confident that this step will help reduce the incident rate associated with unqualified ATV operators

and in particular youths. For more information please visit www.atvquad.ca This fall the OFATV will be offering club and trail information at the Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show. Many of the clubs will be showcasing their trail maps, photos and of course stories from the seat. This will be the last chance to pick up your OFATV raffle tickets, as the draw will be held on location the Sunday of the show, good luck to everyone. If you aren’t planning to make the show, contact your local club, or the OFATV to purchase your $5 ticket, you could win a brand new Bombardier ATV, with a trailer and riding gear.

Mark Hamerton Marketing Director Ontario Federation Of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs

OFATV 2011 Events: 2011 08 12 2011 08 13 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011

08 08 08 09 09 09 10

20 21 28 03 10 25 01

2011 10 01 2011 10 23

Central Ontario ATV Club - Ride In & Camp Baxter Severn ATV Trail Riders Scavenger and GPS Cache Ride Ottawa Valley ATV Club - Rolphton Day Trip Essex County ATV Club - Tillbury Mud Bog Nation Valley ATV Club – August Fun Run Dufferin Grey ATV Club - Kids Cancer Run Ottawa Valley ATV Club - Day Trip Central Ontario ATV Club - Annual Fall Color Tour Quad Niagara ATV Club & Haldimand Area ATV Club Expo - Mud Bog & ATV Pull Nation Valley ATV Club - Annual Fall Rally Talbot Trails ATV Club - Annual Poker Hand / Breast Cancer Ride

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

BY DARIN FRYE

READER STORY

RIDING FOR DJ

name is Darin Frye. I am a father of 3, one of which is my son Damon. When Damon was a small child at the age of 2 he was diagnosed with sever Autism. Damon is 14 years old and is around the clock care, his Autism is very profound. He has always loved to be outside in the great out doors and I made sure he had every opportunity to do so.

ATVing started for me as a small child back in the 70’s when I got my first dirt bike at the age of 5. I was hooked the first day. I learned quickly thanks to my father. I grew up in an “outdoors” household and every spring, summer and fall we were either camping, riding dirt bikes or boating, and ATVing has been a passion of mine ever since.

MY

I started riding Damon (we call him DJ) when he was 3 and half in front of me on my

quad around the yard. He loved it so much that we started riding several times per week in the back yard. This went on for a few years before I started taking him places to ride. He is not capable right now of riding his own quad. As he grew I made special quads to ride him on the back so he was safe. He loves to ride more than anything in the world, it is by far his favorite thing to do and it also provides good therapy for him and it helps with his communication barriers.

11 years later we now travel the country finding new places to ride. This has become a major part of our family. DJ is now 14 and 6 foot tall and 275 pounds. We put on anywhere from 1700 to 2200 miles per season on the quad.

I have had to make many altercations and modifications on the ATV to support his weight and to keep him safe while riding on the back. We have gone to great lengths to provide his fond memories of his child hood years. He does not speak, but we all know how much he enjoys it. We are part a couple local off road clubs and they have accepted him in with open arms.

A lot of preparations have to be done ahead of time for these trips, like lodging.

That is a biggie. He will not tent camp; DJ does not like small enclosed spaces. SO we have to find cabins wherever we go and once we get there the cabin have to be modified itself for his safety. There is a tremendous amount of prep work for this trips to ensure his safety and a good time for him.

We have an amazing friendship with a family near us and they have become part of our lives with DJ and we go riding as families all the time. We have been on many many

trips with Fronk, Zach, Tracey and Brook. DJ and Zach have become like “franks and beans “. Zach is Fronk’s 9 year old son whom DJ has really taking a liking too. He looks forward to the trips and the Fronk family has been a true blessing to be part of.

Another part of DJ’s riding life is “Pops”.

Pops is a dear friend of ours that has really made friends with DJ and myself. We ride with Pops a lot.

Some of our routine places to ride would be; Ride Royal Blue in Tenn, Allegany national forest, Majestic trails, Mines& Meadows, Southern Ohio, West Virginia, and many more.

We have a 2008 Honda Rincon 680 EFI with many mods done to it.

Here is a list of what I have done to make sure our atv is powerful enough and safe enough, because DJ loves mud! I had to go to the extreme to get the machine to go through deep stuff.

Engine Mods: Hot Cams Mud buster cam; Titanium valves, head ported & polished; K&N filter; HMF Optimizer piggy back; HMF Swamp series XL tuned pipe and muffler; BIG RED gear reduction.

Some major Mods: Stealth snorkeled dual intakes with sealed air box; Front differential locked with Detroit Gearless Locker; ELKA Stage III shocks; Gorilla axels; Gorilla radiator relocation kit; Gorilla Silver back tires 30X11X14 Rears & 30X9X14 Fronts with Moose wheel spacer +3 total; 2011 5" lift , Extreme plus; Can be adjusted from 2" to 6 " We’ve added: ITP SS212'S rims; Custom built rear rack and frame assembly for safe 2 up riding with Tamarack led extra large seat; Warn xt30 winch with Master pull synthetic rope 8900 #'s; Front Moose bumper, and more!

We just purchased a 2012 Can-Am Outlander 800 Mud-Ready edition because he grew out of the Rincon! We needed a longer wheel base to ensure our safety.

I have done all the modifications on the Rincon myself and have spent a tremendous amount to do it, but it’s well worth it!

We continue to travel the country in hopes of finding new places to ride and keep this wonderful hobby going. So many people along the way have bent over backwards to make sure all goes well with DJ on our road trips. A local place called “atvskool” has really been great with my special needs for DJ. A very special thanks to Greg, Zach and Pops. DJ will sometimes even shout out, “Ridin’ with Pops!” Or, “Ridin’ with Fronk!”

It makes you want to cry…

Well, in a nut shell this is our story. We enjoy reading ATV World and love riding the trails.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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CANADIAN OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE DISTRIBUTORS COUNCIL (COHV)

INDUSTRY WATCH

By Jo-Anne Farquhar

SIZE MATTERS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUTH AND RIDING ATVS ome positive news has come out of the USA regarding the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) “Lead Law”. The Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) learned that the US government has passed legislation that will exempt youth motorcycles and ATVs from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) “Lead Law”.

Information received in a news release distributed by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), stated that, “on Aug. 1, Reps. Mary Mack Bono (R-Calif.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) introduced H.R. 2715

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to grant the exemption.” The measure earned House approval and then earned approval in the Senate the same day.

In the AMA news release, dated August 1, 2011, Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO commented that "This is excellent news for families around the nation who enjoy responsible motorized recreation…”

"It is vital that a lead-law exemption for OHVs be signed into law not only because it will once again allow families to enjoy riding together, but also so that children aren't forced to ride adult-sized machines that they may not be able to operate safely," Dingman said.

The CPSIA was designed to ban small toys with high lead content. But because of broadly written language in the law, it has been interpreted to apply to all products for kids 12 and under, including dirt bikes, ATVs, bicycles, clothing and books.

In Canada, COHV, its member companies, distributors and dealerships applaud this move by the US government.

We know that size does matter when it comes to youth safety and riding ATVs. We also know that almost 90 percent of youth ATV-related injury incidents occur when a youth is operating an adult-sized ATV. Even with summer vacation over, kids are still looking to fill their free time with lots of activity, including riding ATVs. Parents know that adult supervision is a key element to every child's safety. So it’s important to remember that children under the age of 16 must be supervised at all times when operating an ATV and they should never be permitted to ride an adult-sized ATV. Parents literally hold the key to their children's safety. Every ATV has an ignition key, and when a parent or guardian controls the key, they control the use.

The ATV industry also recognizes that rider education, parental supervision, and appropriate government legislation are the keys to improving ATV safety for both children and adults. With this in mind,

the COHV and its member companies agreed to voluntarily comply with the ANSI/SVIA 2007 ATV standard. This standard establishes the minimum requirements for four-wheel ATVs that are offered for sale in Canada by the COHV member companies. It came into effective with the 2010 model year.

Previously, youth-model ATVs were produced in just two categories, Y-6 and Y-12 and were tied to specific engine displacement up to 90cc. These classifications and engine size limitations worked for some younger riders but were less helpful to older and bigger riders, resulting in some 14 and 15 year olds choosing to ride adult-model ATVs. The new standard provides more flexibility when producing youth-model ATVs. These models are designed for varying ages, with differing speed limitations and parental controls for the different categories that are now classified as Y-6, Y10, Y-12 and Y-14.

So, with the USA lead ban lifted, dealerships in the US can once again sell youth model ATVs, and Canadian dealership will continue to assist parents in choosing the correct size ATVs for their kids. Remember -- ATVs are NOT toys -Supervise riders younger than 16 -- Ride an ATV that's right for your age and experience and take a rider training course so you can be the best rider you can be.

To learn more about youth ATV size, check out the COHV website at www.cohv.ca.

Jo-Anne Farquhar is the Director of Communications & Public Affairs for the Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (MMIC) and the Canadian Off-Highway Vehicle Distributors Council (COHV) and can be reached at 416-491-4449 or toll-free at 877.470.2288 or by email at jfarquhar@cohv.ca or jfarquhar@mmic.ca. The COHV and its member companies: Arctic Cat, BRP (CanAm), Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha are committed to family recreation and healthy, active life styles. www.cohv.ca

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

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Algonquin Highlands, Ontario K0M 1J2 705-489-2158 www.littlehawk.ca • info@littlehawk.ca At the crossroads of Muskoka and Haliburton.

16541 Hwy 35 (between Minden & Dorset) Algonquin Highlands, ON K0M 1J1 Toll free 1-877-212-5915 www.rubyscottages.com

4660 County Rd #21, Haliburton Ont, K0M1S0 www.KashagaLodge.com 1-888-330-3746 • Email@ATVHaliburton.com HALIBURTON’S FAVOURITE ATV PACKAGE!!

• Ride from your deck • 1 to 6 bedroom cottages with kitchens • Cottages in 2 different towns • Direct access to 2 different trail systems • Custom maps and directions provided • Free Thurs night with ATVing weekend • On-site pressure washer and repair shop www.ATVHaliburton.com

Rediscover, Reconnect, Re-establish, Replenish • 2.5 hrs from Toronto in the middle of ATV country!

• road access to extensive ATV trail system at Pine Springs • gas, restaurants, LCBO close by • pressure washer on site for muddy bikes!

• clean, comfortable self-catering cottages or B&B suite on Boshkung Lake • excellent fishing for bass, lake trout and safe sandy beach • hot tubs, games room with satellite TV • visit our website for complete information

~ Ontario waterfront resort & marina ~ Full service on site licensed restaurant ~ Haliburton cottage rentals ~ Lodge suites and meeting room facilities ~ ATV destination in the Highlands ~ Family vacations, romantic couples getaways ~ Fishing trips, winter snowmobiling ~ Only two hours from Toronto

21345

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ONTARIO

ONTARIO

Muskoka/Port Severn Sunnylea Resort

Wawa Wawa Motor Inn

117 Port Severn Rd, Port Severn, Ont. L0K 1S0 PH: (705) 538-2527 • Fax: (705) 538-2577 sunnylea@csolve.net • www.sunnylearesort.on.ca

Nearby

ONTARIO

GUELPH • INNISFIL • SUDBURY • WHITBY

YOUR ONE STOP AFTERMARKET POWERSPORTS ACCESSORIES SHOP! Guelph, ONTARIO 925 Woodlawn Rd. W. • 519.822.7081 Innisfil, ONTARIO 1954 Commerce Pk Dr. • 705.431.9364 Sudbury, ONTARIO 1737 Lasalle Blvd. • 705.566.8111 Whitby, ONTARIO 900 Champlain Court • 905.619.8000

ONTARIO

241

UXBRIDGE UXBRIDGE

Durham Region's #1 Ski-Doo/Sea-Doo, Sportboat, Can Am dealer. Full line of Ski-Doo sleds, parts, clothing and accessories.Trail starts at our door.

3 Douglas Road, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1M7 (905) 852-5884 • 1-800-668-SLED uxbridgemotorsports.com

ONTARIO

Nearby

LONDON

Southern Ontario's Largest USED PARTS place is now even larger! We stock thousands of new & used parts for ATVs and sleds from 1964 to present. 20% off list of all new ATV tires and rims! Conveniently located just east of London on Hwy 2, only 8 min. off the 401. Open year round for your convenience. Summer: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-1. Winter: Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4.

CALL US FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS! WE SHIP PARTS ANYWHERE!!!

4424 Dundas St. E., RR #2, Thorndale, Ont. N0M 2P0 PH: (519) 268-3550 • Fax: (519) 268-0936 www.snowlinesports.ca ONTARIO

WHITBY

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV AND POWERSPORTS SHOW

538 ONTARIO

OCT 14, 15, 16 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

MANITOUWADGE

6 room B&B/ Lodge with home cooked meals. Complete Outfitter for ATV & Snowmobilers.

Guided or self guided tours. www.turnersnorthwoodsadventures.com

1-866-417-8687 ONTARIO

WHITBY

Full stock YAMAHA ATVs, watercraft and Triton Trailers.

New Products - New Attitude.

701 Brock St North, Whitby, Ont. L1N 8R3

701 Brock St North, Whitby, Ont. L1N 8R3

1-866-430-6360

ONTARIO

STOUFFVILLE

Turners Northwood Adventures

Full stock of CAN-AM ATVs, Ski-Doo Snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and Triton Trailers.

New Products - New Attitude.

www.bennettpowersports.com

534

THE WORLD’S LARGEST SHOW OF IT’S KIND!

Your Superior Vacation Experience featuring 50 main building rooms, 20 cozy log rooms and 18 rustic Chalets with fireplaces. All main building rooms are 100% smoke-free. Enjoy fine dining in the Fireside Dining Room and Lounge; home of the largest fireplace in the North.

Easily accessible to snow trails and ample parking.

34518

Nearby

DON’T MISS IT!

118 Mission Road, Wawa, Ontario P0S1K0 Tel: 705-856-2278 • Fax: 705-856-2171 Toll Free: 800-561-2278 Email: wawamoto@shawbiz.ca Website: www.wawamotorinn.com

Open all year long and conveniently located just 90 minutes north of Muskoka/ Georgian Bay region amidst the beauty of scenic lands, clean air and crystal clear waters of Little Lake in Port Severn. Cozy lakeside cottages with full kitchens and all the amenities & comfort of home. . Scenic ATV trails available nearby in Port Severn (Baxter ATV Riders). Go ATVing, play some golf, and enjoy some fishing (boat rentals available on site). Liquor/ groceries/ gas/ restaurant down the street. We our your perfect year round vacation spot!

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534

1-866-430-6360

www.bennettpowersports.com

5531 Main St., Stouffville, Ont. L4A 7X5

(905) 640-2212 www.atccorral.com

ADVERTISE IN THIS SPOT AND BE SEEN

BY THOUSANDS OF ATVERS 1-888-661-7469 atvworldmag.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

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73

> DETONATION PAT BOURGEOIS

SETTING SUN ON THE SHADE

TREE MECHANIC

rightly colored aluminum tubes of various shapes and sizes were scattered about the front drive, while Tom Scholz and Boston blasted from a dusty “boom-box” inside. From my vantage point across the street, I could see my neighbor Jeff, hunkered over his latest online purchase; a two-seater powerchute, propelled by a twin-cylinder Rotax and given loft by a patriotic red, white, and blue chute.

The mid-afternoon sun and the dimly lit garage made it difficult to decipher any details of the “wrench” session, but after six years in the neighborhood, I had come to expect unusual antics from across the street. From used chainsaws, (seriously?) a motorcycle-in-a-box, and model rockets, Jeff’s appetite for online bargains, either real or perceived, has kept the dull blue glow of his computer screen lit well past midnight on several occasions. More often than not, the bargains turn into long and often costly “tinker” projects, either due to their initial condition or subsequent selfinflicted damage from a “wrench” session.

It had only been about a month previous on a Sunday afternoon, when Jeff was frantically searching for a tow vehicle in order to make the 14-hour drive to Michigan to retrieve his new flying machine. After placing the winning bid just a few days earlier, he was now suddenly faced with the reality of retrieving his purchase. Hesitant to toss

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ATV WORLD MAGAZINE

him the keys to my vehicle, I offered up a few solutions that appeared to satisfy, and then shook my head and chuckled to myself as I closed the door.

To be clear, Jeff is a great neighbor. He’s always looking out for others, is ready and willing to lend a hand at a moment’s notice, keeps his property looking ship-shape, and has a heart as big as his appetite for eBay bargains. However, when it comes to spinning wrenches, he’s shade tree caliber at best.

Having never actually flown a powerchute before making the purchase, Jeff brushed away my concerns, likening the learning curve to that of riding a bike. He even offered to take me up for an aerial view of the neighborhood once he got a few flights under his belt. Needless to say, I politely declined.

As I made my way across the street and onto Jeff’s driveway, I immediately recognized the anodized aluminum tubes as those belonging to his newly acquired powerchute. Twisted and bent sections of purple and white tubing were neatly placed along the edges of the driveway, while closer to the door, the shattered remains of two carbon fiber prop blades were placed neatly in an exploded view, as if being readied for a crime scene investigation.

Inside I found Jeff, sweat dripping from his brow, as he affixed a new carbon fiber blade to the extruded aluminum housing on the gear reduction transmission.

Noticing my arrival, he gave me a sheepish smile, and without waiting for my line of questioning, launched into his maiden flight tale. It seems Jeff was right; flying a powerchute is as easy as re-learning to ride a bike.

His maiden voyage lasted nearly an hour, as he soared just over the treetops of the adjacent wildlife refuge and river bottoms.

However, landing the craft apparently has a steeper learning curve. A miscalculation of ground speed, elevation, and a rather stout high-school soccer net and frame, spoiled the conclusion of the voyage and left Jeff to toil in another “wrench” session.

Finishing his story with a tonality of lessons learned, Jeff was “eyeballing” the pitch of the fourth and final prop blade. While I often let the shade tree mechanic have it his way when it comes to a used chainsaw or a model rocket, there’s little room for error at 1,000 feet above the ground. “Ummm, I think there’s a special tool for that Jeff.” I said, trying not to sound alarmed.

A quick search online uncovered a prop pitch gauge for just such an application, and after convincing him of the “need” for such a tool, I reflected on the future of the shade tree mechanic.

There was a time not that long ago, when shade tree mechanical ability wasn’t just good, it was good enough. Even early three wheelers and ATVs were simplistic enough that a simple backyard remedy was all it took to keep your trusty Honda ATC or Yamaha Moto-4 puttering about for another couple of years. But with fuel injection, multi-dimensional ignition systems, power steering, and electronically controlled transmissions becoming the norm, shade tree mechanics could be going the way of the Dodo bird.

While there will most certainly be room for backyard repairs, no matter the level of sophistication of future ATVs and UTVs, the need for specialty tools and trained mechanics is becoming the norm. Today’s off-road vehicles are both extremely sophisticated and dependable. With an automotive level of run and build quality, most of today’s off-road vehicles require little more than fuel and routine service to last many years. What’s more, when the unexpected soccer goal is encountered, the value of a quality dealership and a trained mechanic becomes immeasurable; even if it isn’t your first time learning to ride a bike. ✪

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 14-16, 2011 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

24th ANNUAL TORONTO INTERNATIONAL

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With a fully independent double-wishbone suspension, 4-wheel drive and a convertible rear seat cargo rack on the S4 model, Gator XUV 550s can take on anything you throw at them. Hills. Rocks. A few buddies. The new Gator can handle it all for a price you won’t believe. Test-drive one this fall, exclusively at your John Deere dealer, and learn more about how these vehicles could make getting there as exciting as wherever “there” happens to be.

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