Recreational Vehicles Making getting there and being there more fun The technical definition of a vehicle is any means by which someone travels or moves something. It’s a meaning that lends itself to thoughts of work and effort, but when the word “recreational” is added, vehicles become fun. For many Southern Illinoisans, recreational vehicles — everything from golf carts and personal watercraft to motorcycles and travel trailers — are simply that: fun. “These vehicles are an escape, sort of a vacation in themselves,” says Jeremy Pinkston of Black Diamond HarleyDavidson in Marion. “Almost anyone can afford something, and it is an escape from the everyday routine. Whether it’s a fishing boat, a camper or a Harley-Davidson, you can use them to get away for an hour or the weekend.” In an area known for natural beauty and outdoor activities, recreational vehicles are common. Some people own a motorcycle, others have a travel trailer that they use for camping perhaps outside of the Midwest or maybe just around Southern Illinois. A few even
own campers specially designed to haul still more recreational vehicles. Others use customized golf carts for more than just golf and all-terrain vehicles are popular for both work and play. “Everybody has something different that they like to do, but they’re all about getting out and getting away,” says Bill Oglesby of Williams Hill Pass OHV Park and Campground near Harrisburg. “You go out and leave the stress of the week somewhere else.” He says getting away could mean on a quiet lake fishing or gathered around a campfire. Recreational vehicles make getting “there” and being “there” more enjoyable. “There’s real pleasure in these activities,” says Glenn Myers, owner of Myers Cycle Sales and RV Center in Percy. “Plus there’s camaraderie in getting to know other people and in doing things with the family all while getting in touch with nature. “Besides,” he says, “who wants to be cooped up inside all of the time. Get out and have fun.”
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Boating is BIG surrounded by safety rails over a series of round tubes called pontoons. Often featuring several styles of seating and canopies, the boats are popular for fishing, swimming and diving or just enjoying the water. “There are different designs in pontoon boats today to accommodate the oating is big in the entire family,” Gottschalk United States. The says. “You can get them U.S. Coast Guard with stereo systems, reported in 2009 that stainless steel grills, more than 82 million loungers, you name it.” adults participated in He adds that pontoon recreational boating boats range in size from 16 nationally on 12.7 million feet to 28 feet and in price boats. A vast majority of from $15,000 to as much those were recreational as $60,000, including a motorboats including bass motor and trailer. boats, other fishing boats, “The pontoon market pontoon boats and has really expanded,” runabouts. Vercellino explains. Per capita, the sport may “We’re now selling more even be more popular in and more performance Southern Illinois than it is pontoons, boats with three nationally. As an area pontoons and bigger known for its rivers and motors capable of doing lakes, boating is an 40 or 50 miles per hour. attractive pastime for local Pontoons used to be residents. thought of as just big, “This is a great area for slow boats, but today the boating. We have a lot of fast boats are the norm. water here, and I think You can even water ski we’re really blessed with behind them.” great lakes of all sizes,” He says the line between says Steve Vercellino, pontoon boats and co-owner of Rend Lake houseboats is blurring. Marina near Benton. “Pontoons can even “Boating is good, clean come with sinks and fun. And it’s a chance for refrigerators now,” he says. people to hang out on the “Some of the houseboat water and have all kinds of market has shrunk fun away from home.” because people are turning Bill Gottschalk of to pontoons; they’re less Harrison’s Sport Shop in expensive.” Hurst says several types of boats are popular in Fishing boats Southern Illinois. Boats designed for fishing — from fiberglass Pontoons bass boats to aluminum Pontoon boats, jon and utility boats — sometimes known as party remain a staple of the barges, feature a flat deck Southern Illinois boating
Because of the region’s lakes, moving across them in all kinds of ways is even more popular
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market. “The whole family can go fishing on fishing boats today,” Gottschalk says. “They are roomy, and you can even tube behind them if you want.” That’s because of the range of motors available for fishing boats today, from motors smaller than 10 horsepower all the way to those producing 250 horsepower. Trolling motors have advanced, too, he says. “You can now get trolling motors with builtin global positioning satellite technology,” Gottschalk says. “It is possible to set it up with tracking for spot-on fishing. You can fish the exact same spot this weekend that you did last weekend thanks to the GPS, and you don’t even have to put your foot on the motor.” He says fishing accessories such as depthfinders have also improved. “With some of them, you can actually watch the fish take the bait,” he adds. Gottschalk says fishing boats start at few thousand dollars, and, with options and accessories, “the sky’s the limit.” He adds that one benefit of fishing boats is they are not only for fishing. “With so many different lakes to choose from, there’s a variety of fish you can catch and lots of things to do,” he says. “You don’t even have to fish to enjoy these boats. The biggest thing is getting out and doing something with your family or friends.”
Recreational Vehicles Runabouts
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Boaters and swimmers relax on Kinkaid Lake north of Murphysboro. When the weather heats up, Southern Illinoisans head to the region’s lakes.
Boats designed for pure boating or towing water skiers make up a shrinking part of the local market, Vercellino says. He explains that the boats tend to me more expensive and as pontoon and fishing boats have adapted, they are a more popular choice for boaters. “If what you do on the water is just hang out and let the kids play, they’re not as comfortable as a pontoon,” he says. Regardless of the type of boat customers are looking for, Vercellino says business has already been good this year; something he attributes to the early spring. “When the weather turns warm, the people get out,” he says.
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Recreational Vehicles
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The trend is toward downsizing, but motorhomes and campers are still a top choice — for weeks or the weekend THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Fleetwood recreational vehicles line-up during an annual RV gathering at the Du Quoin State Fair grounds. Motorhomes and campers offer one of the best ways to escape.
ome away from home. That’s the appeal of motorhomes and towable campers known collectively as recreational vehicles. Ranging from simple pop-up units to motorcoaches and fifth-wheel trailers designed to be pulled with pickup trucks, these RVs, as they are commonly known, continue to be popular with those looking to get away from it all while taking some “it” with them. “The RVs have all of your amenities,” says Marvin Oetjen, owner of Kamper’s Supply in Carterville. “Everything you’d want in a kitchen, including a
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microwave, plus hot water heaters for showers and cooking, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs and even surround sound systems.” According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, campers are popular because users can travel where and when they want to, without inflexible schedules, advanced registration, luggage check-ins and airport screening. But it’s not just longdistance travelers that are looking to campers. “Many of our customers are local people who camp on the weekends,”
Page 4 Thursday, April 12, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan
explains Brad Kirk, sales manager at Rend Lake RV in Benton. “Weekend camping is a huge hobby.” Kirk and Oetjen say the trend is downsizing, with smaller travel trailers — those 24 feet long and smaller — being most popular. Tent campers, also known as pop-ups, are popular. Kirk says higher fuel prices are dictating the move toward smaller trailers. “People are driving smaller trucks, SUVs and crossovers,” he says. “They’re looking for something lighter and easier to tow.” Likewise, campers are using their trailers closer to home.
“They’re not traveling across the country like they used to,” says Glenn Myers, owner of Myers Cycle Sales and RV Center in Percy. He adds that many campgrounds have permanent camp sites, meaning people can leave their trailers on-site all of the time and camp there whenever they desire. He says there are several appeals to camping. “People camp to get away from it all,” he says. “They like to go out somewhere and get in touch with nature. The advantage to campers is that they can take the kids places, and have their own
Recreational Vehicles
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
The number of people using motorhomes and campers for vacation is growing. ‘They are realizing that motels and food costs when traveling are going up,’ says Marvin Oetjen of Kamper’s Supply in Carterville.
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campground and everyone will greet you and everybody’s friendly. It’s a whole different atmosphere.” Despite the initial cost — a 24- to 30-foot travel trailer will run up to $20,000 — many families are finding campers to be affordable. The RVIA reports more of the vehicles are owned by people between 35 and 54 than any other range group. Local dealers say area families are shopping for campers. “We’re seeing a lot more families now than we have in years past,” Oetjen says. “They are realizing that motels and food costs when traveling are going up. This way, there’s no motel bill and food is a lot less expensive. It’s a good investment.” For many families, camping is just a matter of being together and enjoying the great outdoors. “It’s great family fun,” Kirk says.
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place to cook and sleep.” He adds that many of the campers available today have queen or even larger beds as well as bunkhouse configurations, giving lots of places for family members to call their own, as well as to sleep. Many trailer manufacturers have entered the “toy hauler” market, creating campers with built-in interior cargo space for bicycles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. In essence, they are recreational vehicles with space for other recreational vehicles. Oetjen says there is just something special about camping. “The RV lifestyle is the thing,” he says. “If you go somewhere and stay in a motel, once you close that door, you don’t have many windows, and you’re in your own little room. “With an RV, you’re usually in a
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Let’s Ride! A sense of freedom — and great fuel economy — boosts motorcycle riders
erhaps no recreational vehicle is as popular as motorcycles. Every day, it seems more and more people are turning to motorcycles as a way of getting away or just for fun. From custom road bikes to those designed for off-road use, motorcycles are quenching riders’ thirst for thrills and adventure. “I think it’s the feel of being on a motorcycle, the freedom of it,” explains Jeremy Pinkston, marketing director for Black Diamond Harley-Davidson in Marion. “I can’t come up with a better word than freedom. When you’re on a bike, you’re not in a cage.” Other people like the feeling of being somewhat alone — one with the road. “You can’t really get that feeling in a car or a truck,” says Brad Young, owner of Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki of Southern Illinois in Herrin. “To me, it’s a very individual sport even though you can ride with friends. It’s a very personal feeling, and it gets into your blood.” Pinkston says he rode mini-bikes and has been hooked on motorcycles since he was a child. “I grew up on dirt bikes in the country, so, for me, a motorcycle is just a transition in something I’ve always been involved in,” he says. “When you’re young, you can’t buy a car, so you just got on your bike and had a great time. The feeling of freedom was fun.” The freedom — and fuel economy — has made motorcycling even more popular, says Lisa Wagner of Southern Illinois Motorsports in Carbondale. “Given the rising gas prices, we’re seeing a lot of new riders for everything from scooters to Gold Wings,” she explains. Pinkston reports that Black Diamond recently posted the second best month in franchise history. He says nationally, sales of Harley-Davidsons is also on the increase. He adds that there are all kinds of people turning to motorcycles. “There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ buyer in Southern Illinois anymore,” he says. “Nationally, the average buyer is a 50-year-old male; not here. In Southern Illinois, our buyers are all across the board, from 18 to 70, in every demographic, background and age group.” Pinkston says the fastest growing segment of the motorcycle market is women. “I think they’ve been on the passenger seat for so long, they’re taking the reins now and buying their own,” he says. There’s also a family aspect to riding, especially when it comes to off-road motorcycles, Wagner says. “Off-road people start young,” she says, adding that she has seen lots of customers
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THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTOS
SEE MOTORCYCLES / PAGE 8
Motorcyclists make their way down Illinois 127, one of the best riding roads in the region.
The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, April 12, 2012 Page 7
Recreational Vehicles
MOTORCYCLES: Let’s Ride! FROM PAGE 7 this spring looking for a child’s first motocross bike. “With bikes as small as 50 cubic centimeters, it’s a family oriented thing. They ride through the trails in the woods as a family, connecting with nature and with each other.” Young says the offroad market is growing. “Dirt bike riding is huge,” he says. “We have lots of dads, children and even moms riding together. There are lots of places to ride.” Wagner says there is something special about
A Kawasaki Mule sits on a lot in Carbondale.
people who ride motorcycles. “Everyone’s looking for fun, but they also are involved in lots of good things,” she says. “There are lots of riders involved in clubs and who participate in charity rides.” The area is a great one for motorcycles and motorcycling, Pinkston says. “We have great scenery and great rides,” he says. “From Garden of the Gods to the wine trail, Southern Illinois has such a great natural landscape for riding motorcycles.”
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
At work and at play, ATVs answer the call
Covering all the terrain ost wheeled vehicles are designed for the road, but when the going gets tough, some people turn to all-terrain vehicles. Whether they come with two wheels, four wheels or even more, all-terrain vehicles are extremely popular for work and for play. Motorcycles, dirt bikes, four wheelers and sideby-side utility vehicles all get the job done, whether the job is getting somewhere, hauling something or having some fun. Having fun is important, after all, these are recreational vehicles. “These vehicles give you freedom,” says Bill Oglesby, special event coordinator for Williams Hill OHV Park and Campground near Harrisburg. OHV stands
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Page 8 Thursday, April 12, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan
for “Off-Highway Vehicle,” and Oglesby says these vehicles also known as ATVs are great for relaxation and fun. “This is a nice, familyoriented sport,” he says. “It’s great get away from all of the stress of the week by riding on the trails all weekend. You get out there and your stress level is zero.” Some of the “stress level zero” even can come while working with an ATV, says Jeff Bennett, sales manager of Weeks in Benton. The term ATV includes both side-byside vehicles and fourwheelers. Side-by-side vehicles look like heavy duty golf carts and are controlled with a steering wheel and vary from traditional four-wheelers which are motorcycle-like with the rider sitting atop
of the machine and using handlebars to control the vehicle. “Side-by-sides, in the last six or seven years, have become more popular than the fourwheelers,” he says. “They’re more functional for landowners because they have steering wheels, will seat up to three and can tow up to 100 pounds.” Many of the side-bysides are seen as useful tools by landowners and farmers. They can be fitted with a variety of tools and accessories including dump beds, says Lisa Wagner, sales representative with Southern Illinois Motorsports in Carbondale. “They range from 400 cubic centimeter engines up to 1,000, so they
Recreational Vehicles really have a capacity to work,” she says. “With four wheel drive, they are perfect for getting you across the field, the farm or the construction site.” “Many people are using them in place of tractors and pickup trucks,” Bennett says. Wagner adds that even ATVs such as fourwheelers make good work vehicles. “For smaller jobs, a fourwheeler with a trailer is a great option,” she adds. Bennett says both type of vehicles are perfect for hunting, adding some of the side-by-sides can even handle up to 27 inches of sustained water. A crew model that seats six is also available. Some side-by-sides and ATVs are designed more for fun than for work. “ATVs are hot across the board,” Wagner says. “Everybody seems to love them. From the 90 cc units for the younger riders to the bigger ones, both fourwheelers and utility clubs, they are quite popular.” So much so that Wagner says even older, used models are hard to find. “People love them and once they have them, they won’t let them go,” she says. “While a lot of them are made for work, they’re designed for recreation, too.” The side-by-sides are very popular. In fact, Bennett says Weeks has sold more than 200 of them in that last year, making his dealership one of the top producers for Polaris. “Sales just keep going up,” he says.
Getting around
Golf carts aren’t only for golfing anymore
olf carts aren’t only for the links any more. Sure, many golfers appreciate the convenience and comfort of a cart while on the course, but the carts are showing up in more and more places. In many ways, they’ve become a type of recreational vehicle themselves. “There are still carts on the golf courses, but they’re also perfect for people who want to get from Point A to Point B,” explains Brad Misner, owner of B&B Golf Carts of Makanda. Misner’s company offers both traditional “stock” golf carts as well as custom designed carts with practically any luxury or amenity owners can think of. He says while the market for personally-owned golf carts is increasing, it’s not necessarily because of golf. “We do very few carts for golfing,” he says. “Most courses today offer carts for players and don’t allow privately-owned carts on the course. There are some exceptions, however.” Instead, golf carts have become popular tools for people who want to get around a campground, across their own property or even go throughout their community, explains Joe Wathen, owner of J & M Golf Carts in Marion. “Most of the carts are used for leisure activities such as camping,” he says. “We’ve seen an increase in communities that will let you put them on the street after some special modifications that make them street-ready,” Misner explains, adding that modifications include horns, turn signals and lights. He says his company has sold more than 50 carts for this use in the last year. Speaking of modifications, Misner says anything is possible
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THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
A golf cart passes through Crab Orchard Golf Club in Carterville. But, these days, golf carts aren’t only for golfing.
with golf carts, including custom wheels and elaborate stereo systems. His company has even transformed the way the carts look with one-of-a-kind paint jobs and custom body styles, including carts with roadster bodies or those that look like a ‘57 Chevy. “Everybody likes special paint jobs,” he says. “We do a lot of wild or bizarre schemes. People just want to be a little different.” Misner says the most popular carts today offer seating for four, and many include a lift kit that increases the ground clearance of the cart. Add larger-than-normal tires, and the golf cart can serve
multiple purposes. “The lifted four-seaters are probably our No. 1 seller,” he adds. “People use them for hunting because they’re quiet and can get over hilly ground or debris.” He says the carts are similar to the popular side-by-side allterrain vehicles. “You can carry the same number of passengers and get many of the same features; the only difference is the sideby-sides are four-wheel drive, whereas the carts are two-wheel drive. But carts are a costeffective option.” Prices for stock golf carts begin at about $1,400; the customized versions sell for
as much as $9,000. Misner says carts are popular with people who have medical conditions or others who don’t desire to walk great distances. He adds that people with acreages or lake properties often use them for maintenance. “People can put a box on the back and use them for outdoor and yard work,” he says. Regardless of the use — pleasure, work or simple transportation — golf carts are a reasonable alternative to cars, trucks and ATVs, Wathen says. “There are lots of reasons to have golf carts from hauling people, to working and just getting around or getting the mail,” he says.
The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, April 12, 2012 Page 9
Recreational Vehicles
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Riders on personal watercraft cruise Kinkaid Lake. ‘They are the most fun you can have with a piston,’ says Brad Young, owner of Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki of Southern Illinois in Herrin.
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personal ‘The most fun you can have with a piston’ ixing the environment and thrill of boating with the individual freedoms of motorcycling, the use of personal watercraft continues to be a popular form of recreation for people throughout Southern Illinois. Personal watercraft vehicles — more commonly known by their brand names which include WaveRunner, Jet Ski, Sea Doo and others — include vehicles designed as single-person, stand-up “water bikes” to larger three-passenger vessels with engines capable of producing 300 horsepower, says Brad Young, owner of Yamaha Suzuki Kawasaki of Southern Illinois in Herrin. Despite the size or design of the PWV, he says they all are fun. “They are the most fun you can have with a piston,” he says with a smile. “They bring together the joy of swimming, the fun of boating and the thrill of power sports all wrapped up together. In so many ways, personal watercrafting is the best thing out there.” He says riding a personal watercraft is unlike anything else. “One of the draws of the sport is that it is so unique, as soon as you get on one, you realize that you’ve never done anything like it before.” The craft first came onto the scene in the 1970s, and their popularity hit a peak in the late
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1990s, Young says. Today, the sport is still popular, influenced by recent development and technological advancements. “Recent developments have made personal watercraft safer and easier to use and enjoy,” said David Dickerson, executive director of the Personal Watercraft Industry Association. “No matter where you live, you’ll find that getting on a PWC is more accessible than ever and is an ideal way to explore local waterways and spend a day outdoors with family and friends.” Originally designed for a single user, the most popular versions today are three-person watercraft. Young says personal watercraft can be used on any lake that does not have a horsepower limit. The watercraft are popular for exploring small inlets and shallow water as well as for riding both individually and in groups. Lisa Wagner of Southern Illinois Motorsports says she is a big fan of being on the lake with a personal watercraft. “I’ve had about four or five of them myself,” she says. “It’s a lot like having a motorcycle on the water.” “You get a little bit of spray in your face and you never get muddy or sweaty,” Young says. “It’s rarely ever too hot on one of them.” Both say the crafts are very speedy, yet nimble. “You get more independence than in a boat, with all sorts of nimbleness and maneuverability. You actually lean into the corners and ‘mold’ into the watercraft. They’re a lot of fun,” she says.
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
Mossy Oak Graphics line one of the walls at The Great Outdoors Company in Carbondale.
Tricked out
Personalized graphics make a statement art of the draw of recreational vehicles is the ability to customize them. Users can “trick out” their all-terrain vehicles, their campers and even their golf carts with just the right accessories and image to suit them and their lifestyle. In fact, Mickey Stewart, owner of The Great Outdoors Co. in Carbondale, says getting a customized look is easy. “With a lot of people, the outdoors is part of their lifestyle, and they live what they enjoy,” he says. “They want to share that, so they are decorating their vehicles.” Stewart’s store offers Mossy Oak Graphics, a cast vinyl product designed to provide camouflage for vehicles and outdoor equipment including guns and bows. The vinyl is available in a variety of Mossy Oak camouflage patterns and can be applied as accents or cover entire golf carts, ATVs or even complete vehicles. “There are lots of options,” Stewart says. “The vinyl is different than anything that has been done before. It adheres better and goes around corners. It’s heavy duty, designed to weather well.” Stewart says he has seen people use the graphics to set off a particular part of their vehicle such as a rocker panel or a bumper as well as completely cover side-by-side ATVs. Special kits are also designed to cover bows and guns. “On the practical side, hunters are trying to cut down the glare on the gun they shoot or even make their boat less visible,” he says. “But secondly, in decorating their vehicles, it also is a part of telling the world who you are.” He says accent pieces are available for as little as $20. Kits for complete vehicles range up to $1,000. He adds that some individuals apply the graphics themselves, but others turn to local graphic shops for application. In addition to camouflage patterns, vinyl depictions of some wildlife, including turkeys, ducks and geese, are also available. “Basically what you can do is take an already good-looking vehicle, add some accents and make it look even better,” he says.
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The Southern Illinoisan Thursday, April 12, 2012 Page 11
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New body design #1 Selling Auto ATV All Colors Available
MSRP $6,199
Offers good on new and unregistered units purchased between 3/1/12 - 4/30/12. *On select models. See your dealer for details. **Rates as low as 3.99% for 36 months. Offers only available at participating Polaris® dealers. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. Applies to the purchase of all new ATV and RANGER models made on the Polaris Installment Program from 3/1/12 - 4/30/12. Fixed APR of 3.99%, 7.99%, or 10.99% will be assigned based on credit approval criteria. Examples of monthly payments over a 36 month term at 3.99% APR: $29.52 per $1,000 financed and at 10.99% APR: $32.73 per $1,000 financed. Warning: The Polaris RANGER and RANGER RZR are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers must be at least 12 years old and tall enough to grasp the hand holds and plant feet firmly on the floor. Drivers and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts. Always use cab nets. Be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never drive on public roads or paved surfaces. Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Check local laws before riding on trails. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. Polaris adult models are for riders 16 and older. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and be sure to take a safety training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887. You may always contact your Polaris dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. ©2012 Polaris Industries Inc.
2012 POLARIS XP 900 RZR 4 RZR 570 LIMITED PRODUCTION ONLY TRAIL CAPABLE 4 SEATER UTV ON THE MARKET! 88 HP
Extreme Performance 3 link rear trailling New Pro Star Motor arm suspension Double overhead cam
50” WIDE
WEEKS PRICE
9,999
$
Todd Williford
Tyson Samples
Ethan Bolin
Jeff Bennett
Brian Dial
Mike Wall
Warning: The Polaris RANGER and RANGER RZR are not intended for on-road use. Driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license to operate. Passengers must be at least 12 years old and tall enough to grasp the hand holds and plant feet firmly on the floor. Drivers and passengers should always wear helmets, eye protection, protective clothing, and seat belts. Always use cab nets. Be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never drive on public roads or paved surfaces. Never engage in stunt driving, and avoid excessive speeds and sharp turns. Riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. Check local laws before riding on trails. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. Polaris adult models are for riders 16 and older. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and be sure to take a safety training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887. You may always contact your Polaris dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. ©2012 Polaris Industries Inc.
Page 12 Thursday, April 12, 2012 The Southern Illinoisan