ATV Sport articles from December 2006

ATV Sport archives from December 2006

Oh, to be young again.(Column)
December 1, 2006... I usually don't complain about my age, but recently something happened that made me feel old. While I'm at it, I may as well say I felt slow, too. Old and slow go together just like sick and tired, unless you're ageless champion Doug Gust....

Keeping the Blaster.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... I read your article in ATV Sport. I never really thought relatively well known people would be into MySpace. I just joined because I was bored one day, but now I'm hooked on it. That article about the Tecate 4 was brilliant. Few mags of any...

Not racing yet.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2006... ATV Sport magazine is the best! Nothing out there can top it and the quad industry is great. The parts today are amazing and so are the bikes. I'm not racing right now, but I plan to when I'm 16. I'll use the time until then to practice instead...

How's JJ?(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Hi Jerrod, my name is Alan and I was wondering if you have heard anything more about how Jeremiah Jones is doing? I heard about his crash at Unadilla. I was at the race at Walnut, Ill., and then I went to Loretta Lynn's. I'm going to end here...

New subscriber.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... I just started subscribing to ATV Sport and I enjoy it very much. I look forward to it each issue and love reading about the amazing new machines coming out. I'm personally a Polaris rider and own a Scrambler, but your articles and shootouts...

Wannabe hater.(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... What is wrong with people? I don't know if you have noticed or not, but [Tim] Farr actually has two copycat people on MySpace. One that I noticed hasn't logged on in a while and doesn't look legit to begin with. The other one who is on my...

MySpace as a tool.(READER FEEDBACK)
December 1, 2006... I read your article in ATV Sport magazine recently and decided to check out your [myspace.com] account. I don't actually have a sport quad yet, but I do have a Kodiak 450. I enjoy reading the magazine because I plan on getting a sport quad when...

KTM: ATV to appear in 2007.(KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG to introduce all terrain vehicle)
December 1, 2006... KTM North America plans to offer a 525cc sport ATV in 8 to 10 months as a late-release 2007 model. KTM dealers from the United States and Canada heard the news during the company's annual business meeting, held in Portland Aug. 30-Sep. 1....

Gate draw.(WHAT'S UP)(Cartoon)
December 1, 2006... "Unfortunately, he's always dreaming about more than he can handle." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Honda updates TRX300EX, fixes reverse.(Honda Motor Company Ltd.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Honda released information on the significantly updated 2007 TRX300EX sport quad at its annual dealer convention held in Las Vegas in September, finally addressing concerns that the previous model's reverse gear was difficult to engage. ...

31st Annual I.C.E. series schedule released.(International Championship Events increases prize money)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... All indicators are pointing toward a record breaking 31st Annual World Championship I.C.E. Racing Series. The added interest the new Manufacturers World Cup Bikes have brought to the series has allowed I.C.E. to increase its prize money by 30...

National Vendors Presentation draws a crowd.
December 1, 2006... Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties held their National Vendors Presentation and Showcase August 23rd-28th in Madison, Wis. The event featured nearly 200 of the industry's leading vendors displaying their latest products and training with...

Polaris gives $125,000 to ATV clubs.(WHAT'S UP)
December 1, 2006... Polaris Industries announced its second round of T.R.A.I.L.S. grant recipients, for a year-to-date total of $395,138 given to national, state and local ATV clubs. In the second round, Polaris issued grants to 13 organizations in 12 states. ...

End the slippery thumb throttle.(Mechanic Tip)
December 1, 2006... During a muddy ride or race, it can be difficult to keep your thumb on the throttle and controls. A wet thumb throttle can be slippery when you add in the mud collected on gloves and hands. To end that frustration, we came across a simple tip...

400EX pipe.(use of airbox lid in a Honda 400EX)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... I just bought a new Honda 400EX. It has a K & N airfilter with Outerwears. Can I run it without the airbox lid or should I keep it on? I was gonna buy a new pipe and was thinking about the T-4 Pro Circuit, SuperTrapp or the Big Gun Exo. I live...

Seat cover frustration.(Yamaha YFZ450)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... I just bought a graphic kit and seat cover for my Yamaha YFZ450. It was my first attempt at installing both on a quad. I didn't have many issues with the graphic kit, but I did when it came to installing the seat cover. It was a difficult...

Jetting issue.(Yamaha YFZ450 )(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... I have a 2006 Yamaha YFZ450 with a GYT-R air intake. I got the jets needed for the job, but I don't have the instructions on how to jet the carburetor. Can you please help me out? I need to know how many turns I need for each jet. Moa...

Tires for mud riding.(MECHANIC TIPS)
December 1, 2006... I love racing and riding my Kawasaki Prairie and I even entered a local hare scramble aboard it. The race was really muddy, though, and the stock tires didn't hook up like I wanted them to. Do you have any tire recommendations for me? Since you...

HD USA i5500 kit.(PRODUCT TESTING)
December 1, 2006... One of the most effective and noticeable modifications riders make to their ATVs is a complete front suspension. By doing so, one can completely change the look and feel of an ATV Front suspension modifications are one of the most common...

ITP Trac Star tires.(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2006... If your ATV's tires are getting so thin that the outer carcass looks like an inner tube rather than a knobby tire, it's probably time to replace those things. But what aftermarket tire should you choose? Most tires on the market are...

Holiday gift guide.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2006... "A day planner. Gosh, how nice. That will be so useful." Sure it will. Forget fake gratitude. There are plenty of riding-themed gifts, from stocking stuffers to the big ones, which should be on your list. You might not get them all, but,...

Way cool juniors; Youth quad buyer's guide: 43 models.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2006... With literally hundreds of youth models to choose from, parents can find the task of purchasing an ATV for their child quite daunting. The next step is to buy the correct quad for your son or daughter based on their age, body size and riding...

KFX kids: Kawasaki's new youth quads.
December 1, 2006... IN A 2006 ATV SPORT READER SURVEY, 26 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS SAID THEIR MOST RECENT QUAD PURCHASE WAS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. Dealerships always have kids quads on display, and competitive non-traditional brands are placing kids quads with varying...

Wildflower LT-Z440: move over men, this female mechanic will school you.(Laura Lutz remodels Suzuki LT-Z400 )(Cover story)
December 1, 2006... Want to be an ATV mechanic? You've seen those hokey ads plastered throughout magazines advertising ATV repair school and probably have thought it over. We all know how frustrating it can be bringing that precious quad into the shop to diagnose...

Raw, cold power: Max Power's Honda 522R Ice Cube.(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2006... Max Power's Will Bredeson couldn't contain his excitement when he called to alert us about his newest pet project: a 2006 Honda 522R Ice Cube. And, we'll admit, we were pretty wired when we learned he wanted us to meet him at his Madison, Wis.,...

The Revolt: Redline Holding announces a 75-horsepower extreme four-wheeler.(Scot Taylor )(Interview)
December 1, 2006... The Revolt made its official public debut at the SoCal Dirt & Expo in August. Redline Holding said the off-road show wasn't overly huge, but its all-new off-road vehicle was the star of the weekend. Redline Holding's Marketing and Sales...

Butler's pantry: Matt Butler's Honda 450R loaded to the hilt.(Honda Motor Company Ltd. )
December 1, 2006... Think of this racer's Honda 450R as a rolling pantry. Only this Butler's pantry isn't full of tarts, wines and tea. Instead, it's loaded with custom parts, horsepower and high-flyin' skills, all of which have led to positive results on the...

Red Rocket: D.J. Spurling's ridiculously fast Suzuki 90.(Hot Wheels)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Throw out those red-head jokes. The red-haired Duane Lee Spurling Jr. doesn't go by "carrot top," "Rhode Island Red," or only "Red." His nickname on the track, "Red Rocket," is much cooler and is a perfect fit for an ATV racer. Spurling is...

Blazin' yellow beast: an Epic Outlander 800.(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2006... Ryan Wheeler, owner of Epic Racing Products, estimates this custom desert racing Can-Am Outlander 800 H.O. EFI is worth around $40,000. That's about the same amount of money it costs to buy a brand new Ford F150 SuperCrew Cab FX4 Flareside 4x4...

Let it snow! Tips and tricks to keep riding this winter.(TECHNICALLY)
December 1, 2006... A CHILLY FALL MORNING is a gentle reminder for many riders that winter will be here soon. Aside from ice racing and snowmobiles, we really could do without winter. We'd rather have a full riding season like our brothers and sisters in Southern...

Mr. consistency: Yamaha's Bill Ballance closes in on record-tying seventh title.(MIND PROBE)(Interview)
December 1, 2006... Heading into The Stomp in Yadkinville, N.C., Grand National Cross Country racer Bill Ballance was holding on to a tight lead over new-found rival Chris Borich. Ballance's slim points margin made it tough to rest easy over the two-month summer...

Title town: ageless Doug Gust, Daryl Rath sew up WPSA championships at Englishtown.(World Power Sports Association)
December 1, 2006... To the uninformed spectator driving by Old Bridge Township Raceway Park something looked out of place. On a track normally reserved for some of the best two-wheel motocross racing in the Northeast, something was amiss. There were banners and TV...

Victoire Historique; 20th annual Pont de Vaux: mud, four-strokes and Belgium overall.
December 1, 2006... Fifteen years ago I covered my first 12 Hours of Pont de Vaux and described it as one of the fastest and most exciting ATV racing events of the year. This year's event marked the 20th anniversary of the French race and PDV remains frighteningly...

Field of dreams: Joe Byrd finally wins the big one.
December 1, 2006... It has been 12 years since Joe Byrd of Union City, Tenn., began competing at the pro level of ATV motocross. And through 11 years, he continued to fall short of earning a National title. The most recent quest was in 2003, when he lost his...

Extra crispy.(all terrain vehicle racing accident)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... Not only did the several hundred riders at the Yadkinville, N.C., GNCC have to deal with angry swarms of bees, but one rider also had this impromptu bonfire! Ed Atwell's Yamaha YFZ450 ignited during the afternoon session and ended his chance at...

A decade of change.(Editor's Letter)
December 15, 2006... A decade has literally raced by since we started ATV Sport magazine. During that time, this magazine has taken a different look over the years, but has never "officially" been redesigned. That is, until now. Like many ATV manufacturers, we felt...

Ballance wins record-tying seventh GNCC title.(WHAT'S UP)(Brief article)
December 15, 2006... Using consistency to his benefit, Yamaha's Bill Ballance rode his YFZ450 into the record books by locking up the 2006 Suzuki Grand National Cross Country ATV title. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] His seventh victory puts Ballance equal to...

Team Suzuki/Yoshimura.(Racing)
December 15, 2006... Team Suzuki/Yoshimura rider Doug Gust enjoys riding snowmobiles and personal watercraft, skiing, water-skiing, remote-control trucks and country line dancing when he's not defending his motocross championships. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Suzuki returning to WPSA in 2007.(Racing)(Brief article)
December 15, 2006... Defending SuperQuad Pro 450 Manufacturers' Champion Suzuki said it will again sponsor the WPSA PowerSports ATV Tour in 2007. "We're pleased to again partner with American Suzuki on the PowerSports ATV Tour," said PowerSports Entertainment,...

Jeremiah Jones returning to racing world.(Racing)
December 15, 2006... Jeremiah Jones will once again take an active role in ATV racing community, working as a race team coordinator for Team Suzuki/Yoshimura in the 2007 season. The former No. 2 rider will be coaching riders, helping in chassis setup and...

Racer interview.(Racing)(Interview)
December 15, 2006... Caleb Moore, 19, is an A class motocross competitor and freestyle rider from Krum, Texas. Have you pulled off a back flip? Do you plan on doing one? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yes, I have pulled the back flip around but into a foam...

KTM investing big in North America.(Industry)
December 15, 2006... With the upcoming introduction of two sport quads, a 525 and a 450, KTM North America has been busy. Continued growth of the company's motorcycle division has added to the pressure and KTM is considering spinning off a separate division...

Numbers.(Industry)
December 15, 2006... 1 2006 was Joe Byrd's first National title victory in 12 years of professional competition. 7 The number of consecutive victories won by Bill Ballance and Barry Hawk--the only two riders to win a GNCC championship in the last 14 years. ...

NOHVCC working to save OHV access.(Conservation)
December 15, 2006... The National Off-Highway vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is hosting a series of regional workshops aimed at ensuring that the new Forest Service OHV Route Designation Rule results in quality OHV trail systems and preserved access for...

Carpe Diem 3.
December 15, 2006... Just released last November, Premis Industries' Carpe Diem 3 is a 60-minute DVD packed with the insane racing, riding coverage, crazy antics and behind-the-scenes footage you've come to expect from the Carpe Diem series. [ILLUSTRATION...

'Fisher's ATV world'.
December 15, 2006... Saddle up with Brian and the rest of the Fisher crew as they explore the wonders of the world from the seat of an ATV. "Fisher's ATV World" is a widely distributed television show available in most states on various local, national and...

ATV Offroad Fury 4.
December 15, 2006... Just released, ATV Offroad Fury 4 for Playstation 2 allows players to ride MX bikes, trucks, buggies and ATVs. There are more than 30 different vehicles and 72 tracks on six different continents. A story mode allows players to progress...

Techspec's ATV Gripster Tank Grips.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... Improve your riding technique with the ATV Gripster Tank Grips. They adhere to the sides and rear fender of the quad and allow riders to maintain a more effective riding position. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PRICE: $35. CONTACT:...

Banshee stock tank.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... Looking to trick out your Banshee? Get on it before aftermarket mods are gone. This low-profile replica tank allows the use of dual petcocks and provides a more consistent and larger volume of fuel to the carburetors. Includes a gas cap. ...

Diamond J Customs A-arm widening kit.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... Adding width and stability with new, wider A-arms can be an expensive proposition. Instead of replacing the A-arms, this kit relocates where they mount to the frame. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PRICE: $220. CONTACT: Diamond J Customs;...

Great Neck Saw Manufacturers flame tools.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... You spend your time tricking out your toys, but what about the tools? This line of tools includes a six-piece metric combination wrench set, a six-piece standard SAE combination wrench set and a 6-in-1 screwdriver with flame handle. ...

Thor Hero MX Goggle.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... With innovative features like a drilled frame, molded outrigger positioning system, silicone-backed strap and mirrored smoke Lexan lenses, the Thor Hero MX Goggles are designed for optimum airflow and rider comfort. Each pair comes with an...

Thor ride off-road Jacket.(Industry's Hottest)
December 15, 2006... Thor's top-of-the-line Ride Jacket is stylish, 100-percent waterproof and has plenty of ventilation flaps to prevent overheating. For durability's sake, there are ballistic nylon panels in high wear areas for abrasion resistance. Other features...

Alpinestars Tech 10.(The Dirt)
December 15, 2006... Verdict: Designed as a successor to the highly popular Tech 8 boots and influenced by Astars' Supertech road-race boot, the new Tech 10 is loaded with features and benefits. The integrated protection of the outer shell would make "RoboCop"...

Shift Assault youth gear.(The Dirt)
December 15, 2006... Verdict: Somebody a lot smarter than us once said, "In order to be fast, you have to look fast." The theory? Sometimes you can intimidate your opponents by being somebody who has his equipment all together and looking good. Well, if that's the...

What about ATK?(INBOX)(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... I ride a 2003 Cannondale 440 and I was wondering why you guys didn't have the ATK 450 quad in "7th inning Stretch" (November 2006)? Furthermore, I just wanted to say that I like your magazine and keep up the good work. I hope to see more ATK...

Renthal rebuttal.(INBOX)(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... Thank you for including Renthal in your magazine's recent article entitled "Bar Shopping" by Bill Lanphier with input from Mike Walsh. Overall, it is a good article and provides your readers with quality information; however, I would like to...

New track.(INBOX)(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... Your November issue referred Eric Wood to several TT tracks in the Mid-South area. I do not believe Bullet Speedway holds races, except the annual National. One track that most people do not know about is a new track in Pine Bluff, Ark., named...

YFZ mods.(INBOX)(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... I have a 2006 Yamaha YFZ450. I was reading ATV Sport and thought I'd request a MySpace add from you. I'm looking to get a Vortex twist throttle, exhaust (but not sure which brand), intake and then rejet. I'll probably do a cam mod this weekend...

450 shootout.(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... I agree with Nancy in the November issue. You had a good list of 450s, but I think the [Polaris] Predator is the closest thing Polaris has, or maybe even the Outlaw, to being in the 450 shootout. I think that it would be nice to see how it...

I want a 493!(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... I'm just another fan with a passion for quads. I have been riding all my life and my whole family is into them. We love riding together. I have an LT-R450 and love it. I read about that Trinity-built LT-R493 and, oh my God, I have to do that to...

Myspace, too.(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... Don't feel bad about your MySpace account. I'm 33 and have one as well. Mine started off to keep in contact with our kids six states away, then it kind of turned to promote my ATV Web site (www.insaneatvs.com). My true focus still is to talk to...

Toilet humor.(INBOX)(Letter to the editor)
December 15, 2006... Look closely now that's a great ad! This [ad] was [on the bathrooms] at the finals of the ATV World Off-road Championships in Pismo Beach, Calif. Brandon Ciptak, via the Internet

Ask Jason.(INBOX)
December 15, 2006... Q. I ride a 2005 Yamaha YFZ450 LE and within 10-15 seconds after start up, the exhaust pipe turns cherry red and stays cherry red. What causes this and how do I fix it? Stan Kasprick, Racine, Wis. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A. Yes, Stan...

Can do: Can-Am's entry-level 2007 DS 250.(RIDDEN & RATED)(Product/service evaluation)
December 15, 2006... Do you remember the excitement of turning 16, receiving your driver's license in the mail and stepping into the first car you ever owned and turning the key? I do. My first car was a hand-me-down from my parents I was fortunate to get at a...

26 reasons to own; 2007 Buyer's Guide: models, specs, pricing, rankings & photos.(Buyers guide)
December 15, 2006... WARNING Not everything used is good. For example, used underwear is disgusting, and oh so not good. There are some things that are far better when you buy them new. ATVs fall into that category. There's something memorable about firing up...

The intimidator: this skull-creep Outlaw screams mean.
December 15, 2006... To some aftermarket companies, the Polaris Outlaw is much like the National Hockey League, it exists but nobody wants to pay any attention to it. We quickly learned that lesson when searching through a horde of Web sites on our quest to give...

Rhino riot.
December 15, 2006... When Brad Ball, co-owner of Idaho's Rexburg Motorsports (RMS), showed up to our photo shoot with a seriously modified Yamaha Rhino, our crew collectively asked, why? "Because everyone's buying 'em," was his short response. Fair enough. ...

Finishing touch: KYMCO invites journalists to race a GNCC on a Mongoose 300.
December 15, 2006... Of course I know what the acronym KYMCO stands for. It represents Kwang Yang Motor Company, the Taiwanese based ATV manufacturer and my host for a weekend of ATV racing. However, as I laid awake in my hotel bed the night before The Stomp GNCC,...

My postcards from Brittany.
December 15, 2006... Photos by Bill "WBGO" Lanphier

Magic Carpet ride: Josh Creamer is on the rise.(Wicked Rides)
December 15, 2006... RIDER: Josh Creamer AGE: 21 CLASS: Pro Motocross It's not an easy task entering into the ultra-skilled Pro class and having a successful rookie campaign. But Josh Creamer proved it can be done on his Creamer Carpet's Honda 450R that's...

Whoa black betty! A YFZ obsession creates betty the black widow duner.(Wicked Rides)(Yamaha YFZ450 from Yamaha Motor Company Ltd. )
December 15, 2006... RIDER: Dave Johnson AGE: 28 CLASS: Dune rider Twenty-eight-year-old Dave Johnson loves building extreme custom four-strokes and lives within a stone's throw of dune paradise--dangerous combination. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

12 hour shadow: hour-by-hour report.(Duncan Racing International)(Cover story)
December 15, 2006... Going to a world-class ATV event with full press credentials is always a blast for me. And, it's nice that the winningest rider at France's 12 Hours of Pont de Vaux, Doug Eichner, is a likeable fellow American and I often spend time snooping...

Final-mile mania: how many things can go wrong in 5,200 feet? Plenty, at a GNCC.(Grand National Cross Country race)
December 15, 2006... As the afternoon Pro class approached the finish line at The Stomp in Yadkinville, N.C., an excited announcer scrambled to described the action unfolding in the woods to a tense crowd overflowing at the finish line. For a brief moment, the...

Performance parts directory.(Directory)
December 15, 2006... A 4-Play Racing 847/759-9583 E-mail: playracing@4-playracing.com Web: www.4-playracing.com A & R Trading Co., Inc. 800/582-1858 Fax: 864/595-9571 E-mail: Artrade@att.net Web: www.artrade.us A. D. Boivin...

Young and the restless.(Parting Shot)(Brief article)
December 15, 2006... At first I was reluctant to shoot this picture. Why? One reason was these little flagger dudes kept screaming for me to take their picture. Another reason was they were ignoring the racing action that was happening around them. After I told...