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Paiute Trail | Fillmore, Utah

“Hot summer nights and my radio”… (if you guess correctly who sings it in the comments you will have my utmost respect) That was the song that was playing in my truck the day I headed down to Fillmore Utah for my annual ride on the Paiute trail. Fillmore, Utah is one of many cities that access this enormous trail system.

One of my favorite things about most of the  cities that access the Paiute is most of them offer their sidestreets to the atv riders as a path to services like gasoline, snacks, eating joints, hotels etc…

To start this adventure we start on the ride to Chalk creek road where you will cross 6-8 water crossings (depending on the amount of rain for the season). For our trip this year the water was considerably higher than I remembered from years past (no jokes about me being wet behind the ears). Being prepared for the water is sometimes deceiving to me, especially when I am used to riding in the desert; the only water I think to prepare for is what I need to drink.

Once you cross the water you are on your way to climbing at a pretty good pace. What I find interesting as I ride this trail is how quickly the terrain changes. Scrub oak, rocks, high desert terrain to all of a sudden aspens and pine trees take over. It is quite impressive and there are a couple of places that you get to stop and take in some great scenery.

Once you arrive at what seems to be the top top of the state of Utah I start imagining myself  in some great epic western movie ( I will spare you with my imaginings). Once you get to the top of this trail, signs will give you options to to some of the other areas/cities it connects to. We decided to head back down the loop using the White pine trail and did this loop easily in a half day and that includes stopping a few times for pictures a snack or drink. A few more pictures below for your viewing pleasure:

Vogtman Departs KTM North America

Chris Vogtman has left his position with KTM North America. Vogtman, a former editor with Affinity Powersports Media (owner of this blog and ATV Magazine), took a position as Marketing Product Manager at Stanley Black & Decker in Lake Forest, Calif. His last day with KTM was September 1, 2010. His first official day with Stanley Black & Decker is September 7.

Vogtman joined KTM in 2008 as a specialty vehicle product line manager, but was recently acting as art director/marketing brand manager. He described motorsports as his No. 1 passion, but called it just a hobby now and no longer a job. “After 8-plus years in the business, it was a damn difficult thing to give up,” he told me. “It’s time to moto on to a new challenge ahead. I feel lucky to be working for another company that matches my career and personal hobbies well.”

I wish my former co-worker the best in his new position. Plus, I now know who to call when I need new hand and power tools!

Pro Armor’s RZR Doors Commercial

Pro Armor has recently uploaded a commercial to YouTube that showcases its Polaris Ranger RZR aftermarket doors in a unique way. It always had a nice marketing commercial, which also is on YouTube, on its homepage, but the new “Doors” flick is funnier. Pro Armor calls it “A Day In The Life of an Off-road Enthusiast.” Check it out below, especially if you’re into huge panda heads and live in suburbia.

ATV Tech Tip: How to set-up a home-based ATV repair shop

September 1, 2010

ATVs are machines, so they’re eventually going to break down. By nature, though, ATV riders are mechanically inclined, so they’re able to perform many of the repairs. With the right tools and equipment for ATV repair, it’s much easier with a shop layout that promotes efficiency. Here are a few tips to set-up a convenient, home-based ATV repair shop.

Each home mechanic’s needs vary, so consider how advanced the repairs will be that you’re willing to tackle. Some repairs will need air tools and a compressor, specialty tools, a workbench and other equipment; this will influence your shop layout.

To make your work go more smoothly, plan the layout of this equipment in advance so the ATV, tools and workbench are within a few steps while you do the work. The bench should be the central component with a light above it so small parts are easy to see.

Since a lot of work will take place on the bench, the toolbox should be set right next to it so you can quickly grab a tool during a critical moment of repair.

Storage is another thing to consider. A steel cabinet with doors that latch is a good way to store oil jugs, spray lubricants and cleaners because the clutter will be hidden and the cabinet will provide a degree of fire protection.

Air tools are some of the handiest things to have in an ATV repair shop to supply more brut force and speed up disassembly and assembly. Keep in mind that air tools aren’t any good without a compressor that can keep up with the tool’s air volume requirements. When shopping for a compressor, make sure that its air delivery is more than the air requirements of the tools. This information is listed on the tools and compressors.

Many portable air compressors are adequate for a home mechanic’s needs. For example, a 2 hp, 30-gallon compressor will deliver in the neighborhood of of 5 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM). Since most intermittently used tools like an impact wrench use about 3.5 CFM at 90 psi, that compressor would work adequately. Tools like grinders and sanders need nearly twice as much air because they run continuously, so if you think you’ll use tools like this, shop for a compressor that pumps more air.

Belt-driven compressors are generally longer lasting and are certainly quieter than oil-less pumps. Oil-free compressors are virtually maintenance free and designed for light-duty, occasional use. They cost less, too. Another thing to consider whether the compressor sits vertically or horizontally. Vertical compressors are usually stationary and occupy less floor space. Horizontal air compressors are a better choice when portability is key because they are less likely to tip over while being transported.

Work Hard This Labor Day

Just about every state has some form of Labor Day celebration planned, from a parade to a summer concert series finale to tractor pulls. However, Labor Day weekend is also huge for our sport, too. All you have to do is type in “2010 Labor Day ATV Events” are you see dozens of options (if not more with page changes) to explore on your four-wheeled friend. From mud riding in Texas, Florida and Minnesota to trail rides in Wisconsin and Tennessee, you certainly have plenty of locations. Clearly, it’s a little late to make a mad dash to Texas (if you live in Montana), but you can probably find a local event or something in a neighboring state.

My main point of this post is to remind you to work hard at staying safe this holiday weekend. We often joke with our editor friends to “drive/ride fast and take chances” (John Prusak’s favorite line), but remember to ride with cool head. I know some of the southern mud riders enjoy bending the rules in terms of helmets and beverages… even more reasons to ride safe. Many of these events will have young rider in attendance, too, so keep that in mind. Remember the crash test dummy slogan of “You can learn a lot from a dummy”?

Another thing to remember is safe, smart riders don’t make the local news and Google News headlines. Even if you plan to have a ton o’ fun this weekend, remember to think before you act so you can enjoy many more weekends or riding this year and for years to come.

ATV Racing In Reverse – Crazy Concept That Will Never Happen

I read an online story about Britain holding its first backwards running championships. Yes, you read that correctly, backwards running. And I guess it’s growing in Europe/Britain. I’ve been running more frequently and have trouble pushing it while running forward and can’t think of how it would be to run a mile backwards. I guess the winner – an Irish reverse runner Garret Doherty (who was the previous world backward running world champion) – has it figured out. He finished a mile in 7 minutes 30 seconds to earn the title.

As entertaining as it would be to watch people run backwards (blah!), I think it would be much more entertaining to watch cars or ATVs race backwards. Riding in reverse on an ATV can be difficult enough, but to have every0ne do it in a race would be completely insane (though funny and full of crashes).

Although there have been backwards car races, I’m not sure there’s ever been an ATV race that forced riders to race in reverse gear. I can’t imagine ever wanting to race backwards, but have found plenty of use for reverse gear over the years. Whether it was a GNCC race (getting unstuck or around another rider who was stuck) or backing out of a mud hole or reversing down steep hills, I have experience reversing an ATV, but prefer to ride where I’m looking and do it as comfortably as possible. At least you’d have a way to finally use that reverse override button that some ATV manufacturers add to their 4×4 quads (clearly I know it’s good for mud and snow use, but … come on!).

I’ll think I’ll have to decline any form of backwards racing. It looks like that leaves a few other championship contests for me to explore in Great Britain or elsewhere. Maybe I’ll enter the Shin Kicking Championships or better yet, the World Gurning Championships, which is a fierce competition that asks entrants to make absurd facial expressions/distortions. Kinda of like the one I made when I discovered there was such a thing as backwards racing!

Quad FMX on Oprah?

Not exactly, BUT I recently was given and incredible opportunity to sit down as a guest on a local cable TV show called Localite back home in Oregon. Localite with Jon Compton is a talk show of sorts featuring various people from all walks of life and on September 6th they will be diving into the world of freestyle motocross.  On a recent trip back to Oregon I was able to visit the Columbia Gorge Network studios and visit with Jon about everything from my recent injury to Caleb and Colten Moore and the future of the sport.  It was an awesome opportunity and so incredibly fun!  Someone told me I have the gift of gab and when Jon sat down he just said, “Tell us about yourself and what you do.”   So I did.

The show airs live on local cable throughout the Columbia River Gorge but is also streamed live on their website.  They also feature the show in three parts on Youtube after it airs live.  I was amazed at the production quality and the overall experience, not your typical “local cable TV show.”

The episode airs Monday September 6th at 7p.m. pacific time and you can view the stream HERE.

ATV Tech Tip: How to choose new ATV tires

As an off-roader, tires are an important part of your life. Here’s a quick guide about how to read a tire sidewall and make an educated decision the next time you need to purchase new hoops for your ATV.

ATV tires are sized in inches with the format of overall diameter by width by rim size, for example: 25×10-12. When inflated to specification, this tire is 25 inches tall and 10 inches wide; it’s made for a 12-inch rim. Exact dimensions will vary slightly by manufacturer.

When replacing tires, it’s OK to install ATV tires that are slightly smaller or larger. If you go with significantly larger hoops, they might rub on the fenders unless a lift kit is installed. And since larger ATV tires put a lot of strain on the engine, CVT (automatic) transmissions will require modifications so power delivery can tuned for it.

Tall sidewalls are preferred for utility ATVs because they offer more flexibility and cushion over uneven terrain. The ATV tire sidewall also offers some grip in muddy conditions and they help protect expensive aftermarket wheels by folding over and gripping boulders. If you’re outfitting a sport quad with new tires, it will call for short sidewalls to offer stability at high speeds. The crown, or ground contact surface, should also be flatter than a utility quad tire, also to increase stability.

Another important consideration when choosing ATV tires is its construction. Most ATV tires are constructed with a bias-ply method where layers of nylon cords cross over each other from bead to bead at a 30-degree angle. Radial tires are relatively new to ATVs. Their construction generally makes them more flexible and quieter.

Ply rating affects the ATV tire’s stability and handling characteristics. Fewer plies tend to provide better ride quality and flexibility, but puncture resistance isn’t as high. Tires used to be made of multiple plies (sometimes more than six) but with newer, stronger materials the strength and durability of a 6-ply tire can now be achieved from a 3- or 4-ply tire, for example. So, keep in mind that a tire’s ply rating doesn’t necessarily refer to the number of plies it has.

When choosing a tread pattern, evaluate the terrain where you ride and buy tires that suit it. If you encounter a lot of muddy, mucky conditions with little to no hard ground, a mud tire is appropriate. They have deep lugs (three-quarters of an inch and more) with wide spacing so they clean out. Conversely, if you avoid sloppy conditions, pick an ATV tire with a less aggressive tread pattern so you can enjoy a smooth ride and not tear up the ground. Lugs on all-purpose trail tires are usually up to about three-quarters of an inch deep and are set closer together.

Rec UTVs: We Test, You Decide

After the release of Can-Am’s much-anticipated and outrageously powerful Commander 1000, the idea to test it against the fastest, coolest looking, most off-road capable UTVs on the market was a natural one. Needless to say, we were all pretty excited about it.

Our fleet of smile-inducing machines included the Yamaha Rhino 700 Sport Edition, Arctic Cat Prowler XTZ 1000, Polaris RZR 800, Polaris Ranger XP, KYMCO UXV 500, Kawasaki Teryx Sport and the Can-Am Commander 1000 XT. Regrettably, John Deere was not able to get us their new three-cylinder Gator XUV 825i in time for the test.

We assembled an eight-person crew of evaluators, varying in age, body size, UTV experience and riding style, and gathered at Minnesota’s spectacular Iron Range OHV Park, a former iron ore mine converted into a DNR-funded off-road ride park. With opaque, crimson puddles stained by iron dust, massive hills made of tailings (a sharp, rocky mining byproduct), aggressive rock crawls, deep mud bogs and high-speed trails, we had all the terrain needed for a full, thorough test.

Day 1
After three and a half hours in the trucks, we made it up to the Iron Range and unloaded our machines. We explored the park’s trails, and quickly got to work strapping 400 (and in some cases, 800) pounds of salt bags in the cargo beds for a test of suspension, stability, ease-of-use, power and traction in very uneven terrain. This was an ideal way to see how well each of these vehicles can work, and the results were very illuminating.

Some machines crashed their undercarriages brutally on rocks, while others bounded over the course like it was hauling a weightless load of feathers. That’s a nice analogy there isn’t it? Good thing this is a blog.

We also used our first day for time-consuming stuff like detail photography, figuring out the labyrinthian trails of the park and choosing testing loops that we could drive with our photographer and video guy the next day. It was fun, and crisp mid 60s temperatures gave us a nice taste of autumn. I’m ready. It’s time.

That evening we grabbed dinner at a restaurant in Gilbert, and then explored the nightlife in nearby Virginia, Minnesota – one of the largest cities on the Iron Range — population of approximately 8,500. The culture up there is thoroughly reminiscent of my childhood home in northern Wisconsin — beautiful scenery, friendly people, small towns that could use an economic boost and entertaining pubs on nearly every corner.

Day 2
Alarm clocks rang out bright and early and, indeed, it was bright and sunny outside — a beautiful day for some riding. Our full team was assembled, and we immediately got to it, gearing up, loading up and hitting the trails. Before really getting on the gas, we had to do a photo shoot for the magazine article.

Then it was time for the real fun, and seven rad UTVs and our photographer Wayne Davis on a Honda Rancher roared down the trails to the test loop we had scouted the day before. It included fast, open trails, decreasing-radius turns, lots of giant puddles to dye everyone and everything bright red, hill climbs, huge rocks, a dune-like field of maroon sand and tight trails that wound through the woods.

After making the loop, every test rider took notes, made fun of each other, swapped machines and got back on the trail. It was a pretty excellent time, I must admit, and it was one of those days that reinforces how much fun can be had riding off-road vehicles. Even more, it’s just amazing how capable and fun today’s recreational UTVs are — from the lowest-displacement (and drastically less expensive) KYMCO UXV 500 up to the barn-burning Commander and Arctic Cat Prowler XTZ 1000. These are the good old days in this market, I’m telling ya.

My Notes
I’m not giving it all away right here, but I do have a few of my own notes to share from two days of testing. Remember, I’m just one opinion out of eight.

Polaris RZR – What a delightful machine that’s bursting with personality. Sure, most RZR owners wouldn’t throw 400 pounds in the back and go rock crawling, but I swear this thing had as much fun doing it as I did.

Yamaha Rhino - It’s a very nimble rig in the trees, and the half-doors are the least-annoying side protection solution here, though not as comprehensive and reassuring as the Commander, which better protects shoulders and arms.

Polaris Ranger – By far the best machine here with weight in the back — the most stable, razor-sharp steering (Polaris really has this figured out on their machines), heroic brakes and the plushest suspension that still manages to handle weight much better than the rest.

Can-Am Commander – I never thought recreational vehicles would get this powerful and extreme.

Arctic Cat Prowler – Very respectable performance, tons of fun and it feels/drives/sounds/looks like a miniature trophy truck. This would be the one to impress your son with.

KYMCO UXV – It fits my tall body, is comfortable, easy to operate, very stable, playful and has surprising thrust for a 500-class engine. I’m excited to see what KYMCO’s got in store for future iterations of this model.

Kawasaki Teryx – The Teryx would absolutely be my choice if I was looking to do a build project with one of these. My Pimped Out Party Wagon Teryx build project really proved the potential of this platform with a little (or a lot of) investment.

The Ride Home
Power washing eight big rigs that looked like they had been dipped in red ink was no small task, and we spent a lot of time scrubbing and spraying off the dastardly crimson iron dust. You’d be amazed how easily it can stain metal, plastic, fabric and skin. My fingers and, for some reason, upper arms still look like I’ve been playing around with the spray-on tanner. I assure you I haven’t.

While we included some utility, the focus of our test was recreational riding. Now comes the tough job of making sense of eight sets of notes, seven different machines and deciding how it all shakes out for the story. No time to waste, though, as our October issue is almost ready to send to the printers. Editor John Prusak has his work cut out for him, and his latest blog post begs the question: what’s more fun, an ATV or a UTV?

As for me, I’m also working on finishing up my final stories for the issue. It’s work, and deadlines are looming, but two days of excellent riding, awesome trails and great late-summer weather really make up for a lot.

I’m trying to keep in mind what I said earlier as I type — these are the good old days. Sure, the economy sucks, times are tough and most Americans are struggling to make ends meet, but technology continues to evolve for the better, recreational products have never been better and good-old American innovation still may save the day and get this economy to grow.

Let’s hope… If you have some free time this weekend, I suggest a little localized stimulus of our own at your local riding area. I hear BP could use some customers these days…

Wear a helmet, respect the trails and ride safely!

— Tom Kaiser

DIRT BLOG: ATV or UTV? Suddenly, It’s A Tough Call!

Do you want an ATV or a UTV? That’s a question that’s been asked of four-wheeled off-roader often in the past five to seven years, and the choice is getting harder than ever.

            This week, we conducted a seven-vehicle shootout of recreational-focused UTVs. As you can read about in Tom Kaiser’s blog on this site, we gathered the top vehicles in the class and put them through a variety of tests at an off-road riding park in northern Minnesota.

            Six or seven years ago, that test would have been about as much fun as watching a PBS documentary on the history of toast. Then the Yamaha Rhino changed the UTV world forever, and now gathering a group of side-by-sides for a day of off-roading is fabulous.

          With punchy engines ranging up to nearly 1000cc, chassis and suspension built for more aggressive riding, well-thought-out ergonomics and stylish bodywork, today’s UTVs hardly even resemble the Mules and Gators that roamed the earth in the early 2000s.

          That has caused the UTV market to explode in popularity, some of which has come at the expense of the ATV market, which has floundered. Ten years ago, a person considering buying an ATV didn’t face the temptation of a Teryx, Rhino, RZR, Prowler or Commander. Now, it’s a serious consideration because of the quality of machines being built.

          Beyond that, many more areas are being opened up to UTV use, including gravel roads in various parts of the country, taking away an impediment to UTV ownership.

          For me, I’m still a bit more of an ATV guy than a UTV guy – but only when riding alone. I like being able lean in turn, shift my weight going up and down hills and generally having more bodily influence over the machine. Yep, for solo riding, I’ll generally take handlebars over a steering wheel.

        However, when riding with family members, the current crop of 2-Up ATVs aren’t even in the same ballpark as the modern UTVs, with their bucket seats, seatbelts, easy sight lines for the passenger and general comfort.

        So, I guess I need one of each. Or two of each…maybe three?

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