ATV Sport articles from July 2006

ATV Sport archives from July 2006

Thoughts on trails.(SCHOOL OF THOUGHT)(Column)
July 1, 2006... It is time to get serious about trails in this country. Sure, we are plenty serious right now, but the trail issue isn't the top priority for everyone who is involved in ATVs in any form (riding, selling, manufacturing, reporting). Every...

The goods.(HOT PRODUCTS)(Buyers guide)
July 1, 2006... Houser Racing Swingarm Kit Houser Racing's long-travel swingarm, made for the Arctic Cat DVX400, Kawasaki KFX400 and Suzuki LT-Z400, features a +1.25-inch length on stock. The long-travel kit includes a swingarm, twin-row bearing carrier,...

KTM, Audi plan concept.(WHAT'S UP)
July 1, 2006... Last December, ATV Sport's sister publication Powersports Business reported that KTM CEO Stefan Pierer intended to build a vehicle that blurred the line between automobile and ATV. It seems the idea has now expanded to be a full-fledged...

Klotz GNCC contingency.(WHAT'S UP)(All terrain vehicles)
July 1, 2006... The list of Grand National Cross Country contingencies continues to grow, as Klotz Lubricants has expanded its Klotz Bucks program to include more class than ever. At each GNCC round, riders need to complete a registration form, available at...

Shane Hitt back on MX track.(WHAT'S UP)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... After a year-plus away from the motocross track, Shane Hitt entered Round 3 of the Moose Racing/ITP MX Nationals in the Pro-Am Production class. A week later, we met up with Hitt as he tackled one of the toughest, physically demanding tracks on...

Gate draw.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2006... "... But the good news is I have the rest of the day off. Let's take out the ATVs!" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

WORCS round 3 update.(WHAT'S UP)
July 1, 2006... The third round of the WORCS series had another great turnout after round two set entry records. Considering Lake Havasu's course in Arizona is the most brutal track on the WORCS circuit, it was a pleasant surprise to many in attendance. If you...

Recreational groups gain full-party status.(WHAT'S UP)
July 1, 2006... A coalition of access advocacy groups have successfully become parties in the latest round of lawsuits addressing management of Forest Service "Roadless" areas. In an order issued on March 31, 2006, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Laporte...

Judgment for Yamaha modifies Yamoto line-up.(WHAT'S UP)
July 1, 2006... Yamaha Motor Company, U.S.A., Cypress, Calif., has obtained a Consent Judgment in its lawsuit against Yamoto Motor Corporation, Union City, Calif. Yamoto has agreed to stop the import and sale of Yamoto products into the United States which...

Monster mudders.(WHAT'S UP)
July 1, 2006... The 2006 High Lifter Mud Nationals is truly a one-of-a-kind ATV event. Literally, thousands of ATV owners flock to Texas and the Mud Creek Off-road Park for this unique experience. When Team High Lifter says the Mud Nationals bring in the "most...

Races dwindling, think again.(LETTER OF THE MONTH:)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I got the May issue out of the mailbox on my way to the 3rd annual four-hour ATV only team race at Eddieville Motosports Park put on by the Over The Bars Gang. Sitting in my trailer before the race, I read the letter about the declining number...

Duning suggestion.(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... If you like riding the sand dunes, check out the Oregon Dunes. We have 10,000 acres of sand in three different areas of riding. We have from the mild to the wild and some of the most extreme climbs in the U.S. Check out Oregon Dunes National...

Cherry bombed.(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I read the "Joe Racer" article in the May issue and I am seriously considering buying the LT-R450. I was impressed to see your test rider and other riders won at the Glen Helen opener with the machine basically stock. So, I think that has...

What's missing?(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... This is a pic of the 1985 Honda 200X with all of its Hondaline goodies. If you were interested in using my three-wheeler for an article, I could hook you up. I have seen a few topics on three-wheelers in your latest issues. I did all of the...

Pleased West Coast rider.(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I just wanted to say thanks for including the ITP QuadCross opener in your May issue. There are a lot of ATV racers on the West Coast that can't make it to the ATVA Nationals because of travel costs, so it's good to see our series getting some...

Special edition Raptor.(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... In the recent article on the special edition Yamaha Raptor 700 out at the dunes ("After-Dune Delight", May), you mentioned that you had a few small gripes about the quad. I would love to know what they are so I can address them on mine if need...

An old shootout revived.(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I was just watching your TV show that featured a shootout among the Polaris Predator, the refurbished Cannondale, Honda 450R and the Yamaha YFZ450. Well, the show never said which of the quads won, or lost, or which was fastest overall and off...

Suzuki sled?(INPUT)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Here is a picture of my Suzuki Z400 with snowmobile skis. I have read online that a lot of people are looking for ideas on how to put skis on the front of their quad. So, hopefully here is an idea for everyone looking to have a set made for...

Wrench this.(MECHANIC TIPS)
July 1, 2006... Suzuki LT-Z400 Mods Q I own a 2005 Suzuki LT-Z400 and would like to add a 440 engine kit. Do you think I should add race cams with the kit or just leave the stock cams? Do you think I need an aftermarket radiator? Also, I want to widen the...

Fox Racing Dakota gear.(THE GOOD TEST)
July 1, 2006... A recent survey we conducted stated that the majority of ATV Sport readers were male. That isn't much of a surprise. Perhaps we should have asked a second question. One that aimed to find out how many of your ride with a spouse or girlfriend....

Rath racing YFZ battery box.(THE GOOD TEST)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... Anyone who races or rides aggressively on the trails knows the jarring hits landing a 350-pound ATV can cause. While the suspension soaks up most of the landings, sometimes even the best-tuned suspension can't eliminate all the hit. ...

BKT X-Driv tires.(THE GOOD TEST)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2006... While some may question our copy editing, we didn't leave off the "e" on the title of this article. The X-Driv from BKT tire is the latest tire to hit the motocross market. While the tire has benefitted by having input from former Kenda...

Lost Creek cycles YFZ harness.(THE GOOD TEST)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2006... Anyone who has worked on getting a race ATV ready for the track knows a thing or two about electrical systems. Today's ATVs have more wiring than most cars had in the 60s. OK, that is exaggerating the point a bit, but it is somewhat true. ...

Almost stock! We test Gust's race-winning LT-R450.(MACHINE TEST)(Cover story)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2006... Suzuki positions its new LT-R450 as race-ready for motocross. With a low and wide stance, fuel injection and 18-inch rear tires, it sure looks like it is. But how about for a top pro like Doug Gust? Can a three-time National MX champ actually...

3 tested tough: we ride the world's top three MX quads!(Exclusive Test!)(Product/service evaluation)
July 1, 2006... Editor's Note: We tested Travis Spader's YFZ in the May issue. We tested John Natalie's TRX in the June issue. We tested Doug Gust's LT-R in this issue. What is left to do? Have a shootout, of course! Since our test rider, Mike Young, rode...

Wake-up call: does your old 400EX need a boost? We thought so.(PERFORMANCE PROJECT)
July 1, 2006... Honda's 400EX is often credited as the sport ATV that led the way in bringing performance four-strokes into the ATV world. It is a great machine with a lot of positive attributes. But it is a machine that feels a little dated when comparing it...

Can-Am Renegade 800: Bombardier Recreational Products adds an all-new extreme terrain quad and returns to its Can-Am roots.
July 1, 2006... Editor's note--This story is as sneak peek as they come. While this issue of ATV Sport was being shipped to the printer, we held back a few pages because BRP ATV said it was making its biggest announcement ever. Not only that, but it was taking...

Unstoppable: Bill Ballance's YFZ is unreal.(Hot Wheels)
July 1, 2006... Bill Ballance is an amazing rider. Even when he loses he wins. The guy passed three riders on the last lap of the Big Buck GNCC! Most riders are lucky if they pass three riders in two hours at a GNCC race. But this man, this quiet man from...

On the up: Josh Upperman finding success with team Motosport.(Hot Wheels)
July 1, 2006... Imagine, for a minute, what it would be like if you had a multi-time national champ as your ATV racing mentor. One could learn all the hidden secrets that make the best-of-the-best tick, and win. For team Motosport/Baldwin Motorsport's Josh...

Dialing it in: Big Buck GNCC good testing for Yokley's LT-R.(Hot Wheels)
July 1, 2006... Don't tell anyone else this, but up until the Big Buck GNCC, Pro racer William Yokley had less than 10 minutes of seat time on his updated LT-R. Prior to Round 4 of the GNCC series, Yokley raced a bone-stock LT-R in Florida where the track...

Great White: Matt White lurking in Pro class field.(Hot Wheels)
July 1, 2006... With a ferocious appetite for winning, 23-year-old ATV shark, Matt White, is starting to feast on the Pro Am Production and Pro classes. As the Pro classes usher in a new wave of young riders, White is riding the tide into the top 10 aboard his...

2-up giddyap: Recreational Utility Vehicles go racing.
July 1, 2006... It was a simple equation for Chad and Brent Spooner. Back in 2004, the Lake Elsinore, Calif., brothers took possession of a new Yamaha Rhino Recreational Utility Vehicle. "We got one, drove one and rolled one all within five minutes," Chad...

Understanding EFI: electronic fuel injection basics & tuning tips.(TECHNICALLY)
July 1, 2006... Since 1990, the automotive industry has used some form of electronic fuel injection as standard equipment to help control emissions and improve performance. EFI made its debut in the ATV industry with the release of the Cannondale FX400. Then...

Tips of the trade: we talk to eight GNCC pros to help you go faster.
July 1, 2006... To race in a GNCC race, you have to be confident and knowledgeable. No matter the class, being smart and knowing what will hit you when you take to the course, will help make you a champion. Most who make it to the GNCC national have honed...

Star rider: Polaris' Matt Smiley is after more GNCC success.(MIND PROBE)(Interview)
July 1, 2006... Matt Smiley is a model of consistency. After entering his first Grand National Cross Country race in 1993, he has found plenty of success with a horde of top-5 season finishes. While the opening three GNCC rounds haven't exactly gone the way he...

The real story: the good, the bad and the disqualified.(On Track)
July 1, 2006... While most magazines and Web sites will tell you that this year's Score/Tecate San Felipe 250 was an exciting and tough off-road race, most will leave out the true details. You may read that Wayne Matlock and Chad Prull (the race winners) took...

The perfect storm: Houston takes one wild GNCC at Big Buck.(On Track)
July 1, 2006... Union, S.C., is a town that loves GNCC racing. Every year, since 1996, the town of Union and the surrounding community show up for the race and cheer on the riders. This year, Mother Nature decided she was going to throw the fans and racers a...

Veterans' day: three familiar faces garner top podium honors.
July 1, 2006... It was just another Sunday drive on 1-75 north to Atlanta from Macon, Ga. Two Sunday pro ATV motos had just completed with John Natalie notching his first victory of the season. And, suddenly, traffic came to snarling stop. Red brake lights...

Holeshot hot spot: Pro class controversy unfolds in Yamaha ITP QuadCross at Racetown 395 track.(On Track)
July 1, 2006... Eighteen Pro class riders made the trip to the Racetown 395 motocross track in Adelanto, Calif., for the second round of the Yamaha ITP QuadCross series. The nearly full gate meant in order to reach the main motos, racers had to qualify in heat...

Can't let go.(Exhaust)(Brief article)(Photograph)
July 1, 2006... Jesse Sheaffer (311) of Landisburg, Pa., had to avoid a tumbling Patton Thompson in the first Pro Am Production moto at Round 4 at Echeconnee in Lizella, Ga. Thompson remounted his quad shortly after Denton Boyer (left) swerved to avoid him....