ATV Sport articles from December 2004

ATV Sport archives from December 2004

A long way from Sesame Street.(EDITOR'S COLUMN)(Editorial)
December 1, 2004... I recently took my son, Shane, to a quad-only motocross event ATV Sport helped sponsor in Minnesota. The closest this little guy has ever gotten to ATVs is riding his "Pow-Pow-Power Wheels" in the back yard. And he's seen his dad bring home a...

ATV Ambassador Program.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... In partnership with American Honda Motor Corp., ATVNationals.com and the Media All-stars Racing Team created the ATV Ambassador Program. The special project provides international ATV champions and ATV industry personnel the chance to compete...

Summer Celebration.(WHAT'S UP)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... It has been nearly two years since ATVers were left wondering why Matt Bartosek was taken away from us at such a young age with boat loads of talent. Sometimes things just don't make sense. But, one thing's for sure, the Matt Bartosek Summer...

www.quadzn.com.(Web Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Quadzone is a combined effort of ATV enthusiasts and ATV performance companies. The site covers GNCC races, local hare scrambles and has amateur interviews--all with pictures. The site sponsors have their own forum boards with Q & A and GT...

www.atvoutdoors.net.(Web Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Interacting with fellow ATVers on the Internet is a great way to stay informed. At atvoutdoors.net, a message board, events to be at section, news and product reviews help you do just that. ATV Outdoors says it is a forum-based site that is...

www.rockymountainatv.com.(Web Corner)
December 1, 2004... With a redesigned look, more options and accessibility, rockymountainatv.com is now easier than ever to order parts from, any time of day, seven days a week. Rocky Mountain says it has been providing off-road products since 1985. Primarily...

www.atvnation.com.(Web Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... This site claims to be "the best ATV site on the net!" We here at ATV Sport aren't going to back that claim per se--we think every ATV site is the best on the Internet. ATVnation.com says talk is "what built this great nation of ours. It...

Rahal races into Motorsports Hall of Fame.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... Indy car champion Bobby Rahal and a class of six others were inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in July. The induction ceremony was held at the historic State Theater in Detroit. Joining Rahal as 2004 inductees were Bill France Jr., Joe...

Digger and Dozer[TM].(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... Visit www.DougGust.com for more cartoons and coloring book. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [c]2004 Eddy Graphic Design, Inc. Written by Paul Eddy ...

Atvsport.com poll results.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... Trying to understand the poll results on www.atvsport.com is like trying to put together a 1,000-piece puzzle when you only have 900 pieces in the box: difficult. In poll partakers' opinion, Tim Farr is the MX Pro of the year. And, in another...

Nmotion's new 520R.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... The ATV world was excited to see the new 450s from Yamaha and Honda. The aftermarket world is going nuts with new ways to improve speed and power from these two existing creatures. The racing crew of Nmotion, based in Wichita, Kas.,...

Laeger's sold.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2004... Laeger's, manufacturer of A-arms, swingarms, chassis and steering components, among other ATV parts since 1985, was officially sold by Mark Laeger to new co-owners Jason Touhy and Scott Taylor. The deal, which was finalized at the end of May,...

Pay-per-view trails.(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... In the October issue of ATV Sport, a letter in the Input section mentioned the "Where to Ride Guide" and offered up the Web site www.trailsource.com. Well, that letter is misleading in that the Web site is a pay-for-view site. It is not...

First race at Loretta's.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... I just wanted to say that I love your mag. Here's a picture of my son Jimmy in his first race at Loretta Lynns, GNCC this past April. He loved it! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anthony R. Williams via the Internet

More numbers, please.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... In the future it would be great if you would add the horsepower and torque numbers along with the top speeds of ATVs. Love your magazine, keep up the great work. Jonathan Thibodeaux St. Martinville, La. J-Thib, thanks for the...

Dad and Jr.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... Here's a photo that was taken a day after riding our quads at the sand pits in Middletown, N.Y. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jervone and Jervone Wells via the Internet

A good idea.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... I just bought a 200cc Blaster. It is the best four-wheeler I have ever ridden. I think you guys should have an article about it. Also, I wish you would write about places to ride around the U.S. Kyle Jutras via the Internet Kyle,...

Faster Predator.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... First of all, your magazine is great. I receive four magazines a month and ATV Sport is my favorite. Here is a picture of me getting some air on my Polaris Predator. I would like to make it faster. What mods would I benefit from the most? I...

Polaris posse.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... This is a picture-perfect moment with my friends on our Predator 500s at 611 in Ohio. Every Sunday we are there--the more the better! We love your magazine! Matt, Keith and Doug via the Internet [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Where's the ATK beef?(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2004... When can we expect to see an ATK450 in a shootout with Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha? I and many others out there feel the Cannondale/ATK450 will give the over-hyped and over-exposed YFZ450 a run for its money. m0n5t3r Miami, Fla. ...

Quad showoff.(READER FEEDBACK)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2004... This is me on my friend Dave's Honda 400EX. It's bored over to a 440. I have a 2004 300EX with a FMF Megamax exhaust and a K & N power kit. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Donndelinger via the Internet

2004 Holiday Goods.(THE GOODS)
December 1, 2004... Ah, yes, the bitterness of winter is upon us, causing sniffles and frozen tears galore. But, if you circle some quad goodies in our Holiday Goods for the gift givers to see, it might be sniffles and tears of joy when unwrapping presents,...

Moose Racing Sahara gear and XCR helmet.(PRODUCT TESTING)
December 1, 2004... There are many ways to test product. One that we do not prefer is the "crash" test. Nope, we'd rather test items right up to the crash test. Sometimes, however, it is unavoidable--unavoidable like a drop off in the dunes. It was a normal...

JB Racing TRX450R tank support bracket.(PRODUCT TESTING)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... When building race quads, the goal is to trim weight, right? Another goal is to remove bulk. If you've taken the gas tank off Honda's TRX450R, you are aware of the gigantic plastic plate between the cylinder head and the tank. Along with this...

Outerwears products.(PRODUCT TESTING)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2004... There are many nasty things out there that can play havoc with your sport quad. Dirt, sand, mud and water are all likely to destroy ATV engines and shocks. It seems the more money you spend on engine modifications and high-end shocks, the...

SoCal Racing gear.(PRODUCT TESTING)
December 1, 2004... How much is a name worth in the motocross gear market? If you are based in Illinois, apparently it is worth quite a bit. DeCal Works, based in Kingston, Ill., took a name synonymous with riding and racing sport quads and did the obvious: it...

JPMX graphic kit.(PRODUCT TESTING)
December 1, 2004... From the days of the early hot rods, flames were the graphic of choice. It is understandable--flames make anything look both fast and cool. JPMX's graphic kit [$120] is noticeable instantly. At the GNC motocross Nationals, the JPMX riders are...

Bogging Raptor.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2004... Q I bought a used Yamaha Raptor that bogs during acceleration and at low speeds. It also feels like it runs out of gas after long, wide-open throttle runs. The quad is stock with a CT pipe, aluminum airbox and a K & N filter. I'm not sure if...

Honda exhaust.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2004... Q I'm looking into buying a Honda 400EX and am wondering what pipe I should get. I will probably race cross country and ride in a place where noise is an issue. Is there a pipe that can give me a lot of power and reduce noise? Dustin...

Getting race ready.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2004... Q I own a 2003 Honda TRX90 and want to start racing. What do I need to purchase to make my four-wheeler race ready? I know I will need new tires, a tether switch and nerf bars. Is there anything else that's a must before crossing the starting...

Stripped drain plug.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2004... Q I stripped out the drain plug on my 2003 Arctic Cat and can't get it to stop leaking. I tried putting on a flat washer so it would tighten up quicker, but that didn't help. Do you have any suggestions? Anonymous via the Internet ...

Spark plug fouls.(MECHANIC TIPS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Q I have a 2001 Suzuki LT-F160 and the NGK spark plug fouls out after only about 10-15 hours of usage. Is this normal, or do the intake or exhaust valves need adjustment? I gapped the plug to .035 inches. The owner's manual suggests .031-.035,...

Cold choke.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2004... Q When I start my Suzuki Z400 and it's cooler than 50 degrees, I have to keep the choke on until the block gets warm. I'm worried, if this is going on right now, what's going to happen in the future? T. Gall Hartland, Wis. A Some...

Sprocket upgrade?(MECHANIC TIPS)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Q My cousin and I have the exact same Alba Raptor. When we drag race, whoever gets out first wins. Is there something I can do to the sprockets to make the ATV go 2 MPH faster? Bobby Thompson Bakersfield, Calif. A Yes, a little...

Mechanic tips.(WRENCH THIS)
December 1, 2004... It's been a long season and as some of the country is heading into winter, it's a good time to examine your ATV's brakes. We spoke with brake expert Larry Mills, the president of DP Brakes, to get his tips about ATV brakes. Mills says the...

Rack 'em: modern utility quads have more sport in their game.(MACHINE TEST)
December 1, 2004... We have a confession to make, and it's not that we love sport quads and racing, because you already know our infatuation with all things sporty and fast. We'd like to confess our fondness for some of the modern-day four-wheel-drive...

Back at it: restyled 2005 Honda TRX400EX adds reverse.(FIRST LOOK)(Product/Service Evaluation)
December 1, 2004... Many thought the introduction of the 450R last year spelled instant doom for the aging TRX400EX. In fact, without a significant redesign, the 400EX--the machine that helped create the modern-day four-stroke and sport-quad craze--could hear the...

We build a 450R: we are a little more bald after this project!
December 1, 2004... We wanted to do something different this year. We wanted to build our own race bike, test it, race it and report on it. Too often we come across a race quad someone else has assembled and we ride it and evaluate it. That works fine, but it was...

Super Gust: inside the mind of ATV superhero Doug Gust.(Interview)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... At the start of the 2004 ITP/ATVA MX Nationals season, few people gave "Digger" Doug Gust a chance to win the Pro-class championship. In fact, many wondered if the aging vet could even stay competitive on the modified Suzuki Z400 he was riding....

Western civilization: an 'old west' adventure in Nevada's high desert.(GOINGPLACES)
December 1, 2004... For most people, the mention of Nevada provokes thoughts of two words: Las Vegas. But the glittering lights of Sin City are a far cry from the awesome off-road opportunities in a place that's a far cry from Vegas, both geographically and...

Full house? Kymco wants to play with America's ATV elite.(MACHINE TEST)(Taiwanese all terrain vehicles maker)
December 1, 2004... For many years, seven of the top manufacturers have been sitting at the same table playing their own World Series of ATV Poker. Honda is the multi-time champion and usually owns the largest stack of chips. Yamaha and Polaris have been battling...

Asphalt craze: ATVs blast down a 1/8-mile drag strip in Texas.
December 1, 2004... Modern-day drag racing has become a critical science of speed. Twenty or more years ago, it was about building horsepower. Now, it's a little more about everything involved; creating the perfect combination of all parts. [ILLUSTRATION...

All-new Hick: Jeremy Schell's Team Alba Racing Yamaha YFZ.(Hot Wheels)
December 1, 2004... This summer, in the middle of the race season, Jeremy "The SoCal Hick" Schell found himself in an unexpected situation. He was released from his current race team contract. The shocking and surprising news left Schell, the reigning ITP...

Quad personality: Jeremy Lawson expresses himself with a CRF450 Honda.(Hot Wheels)
December 1, 2004... Jeremy Lawson is quiet off the track and off his CRF450 Honda quad. But, once he starts the engine of that bike and hits the track, quiet goes out the tailpipe and Lawson lets his personality fly. Literally. He doesn't just hit jumps, he owns...

Look for the house: Walsh Race Craft changes locations, but not character.(SHOP TALK)
December 1, 2004... Driving in the Connecticut countryside, you will pass many small houses situated along the road. Inside these houses reside many men, women, children, pets and the occasional welding jig and tube bender. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This is...

The end of the beginning: MX season finale at Loretta Lynn's ranch.(On Track)
December 1, 2004... So, this is it--the last GNC Nationals motocross race report for another banner year. The good news is the factories did well in their first year back in ATV racing. By now we all know Doug Gust and his Suzuki/Yoshimura Z450 ruled the MX roost....

You're my boy, blue: Yamaha's Hitt stakes claim to top podium spot.(On Track)
December 1, 2004... Cutting through the prairies of Kentucky on the way to Paducah, the state's pride in its Kentucky Blue Grass all but takes over. Upon arriving in Paducah, home of the Jack Meadows Memorial Race and GNC TT Round 5, focus and local admiration...

Good as gold: Gauthier takes home massive payday at Quadlympics.(On Track)
December 1, 2004... Unlike the Olympics, a gold medal isn't awarded to the top finisher at the Quadlympics Dash For Cash at Gravity Park in Chilton, Wis. Instead, the champion of the grueling 10-lap motocross race feels more like they just broke into Fort Knox and...

Lake de Vaux: rain haunts the 2004 12 hours of Pont de Vaux.(On Track)
December 1, 2004... The high-speed circuit in the French countryside hasn't changed much in more than a decade, but each year it seems a different monkeywrench is thrown into the works. Last year, thick, blinding dust was the major problem. Traveling at close to...

What can Brown do for you? Pat Brown; Picked to click.(MIND PROBE)(Interview)
December 1, 2004... If you are a fan of ATV motocross, you no doubt have heard of Pat Brown. The New Jersey native is the best ATV racer to come from the Garden State since former national champ Travis Spader. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brown moved to the Pro...