Take control, adjust your controls that is

Want to make your ATV experience more enjoyable?  Want to increase your ability to go those long rides with less fatigue in your arms?  Want to do all this for free?  Of course you do!  Adjust your controls my friend.

It seems so elementary but many people fail to do this after buying their machine.  Whether it s a new machine or a used one, adjusting the controls to fit your particular body and riding style will surely help you enjoy your riding that new machine even more. Here is how to do it.

First off think about your natural riding position. Do you sit most of the time your riding or do you stand most of the time? Put both index fingers straight out to rest on the levers. Adjust the clutch (where applicable) and brake levers to make as straight of a line from your finger up through your wrist, hand and arm. If your a standing is what you do most of the time make sure your in the “attack” position.

The wrong way

The right way

Adjusting your levers is somewhat subjective but a general rule of thumb is you should never have to reach way up or way down to pull in either lever.

DIRT BLOG: New Honda ATVs Are Here, And They’re Begging For Attention

Managing Editor Tom Kaiser stuck his head in my office first thing Wednesday morning and said, “Did you see the new Hondas are in?” 

          Of course I did – how could a motorhead like me miss the new Rancher and TRX700XX sitting behind the building? I was drawn to them like metal to a magnet, Lindsay Lohan to a hallucinogenic and ESPN reporters to a Brett Favre rumor.

Two new Honda ATV showed up at our offices on Wednesday, and they're begging for attention!

          The Rancher may go home with me this weekend for some project work. And I’ve already placed my name on the TRX700XX for Labor Day weekend for my annual ATV riding and fishing trip with the inlaws to Northern Wisconsin.

           The unusually hot weather here in my part of the country in July and early August has somewhat dampened the ATV riding spirit among some people I know. Many riders I know like to ride in full protective gear, and it’s been pretty darn hot and humid to pull on long pants and boots, a long sleeve shirt, a helmet and goggles. The itch is there, but it doesn’t get scratched quite as often when the mercury is above 90 and the dewpoint is above 70.

           But the calendar reads August, and that means prime riding season up here in my neck of the woods is fast approaching. We’ve got a huge UTV shootout just weeks away, we’re planning for our annual ATV Trials testing event, Tom’s climbing on a plane next week for a ride of some new equipment in Washington, our Outlander mud bogger is back in our hands after having yet more products attached to it…

           Bottom line: Things are looking up here at the worldwide headquarters of ATV Magazine. Now I’ve just got to get away from this darned computer and get a set of handlebars in front of me!

DIRT BLOG: Trail Access Requires Your Involvement

Riding areas are the lifeblood of recreational powersports. I know people buy their ATVs for a variety of reasons, but those of us who like to trail ride or otherwise recreate on our four-wheelers must always keep in mind how fragile our infrastructure is.

            Want proof? Earlier today a co-worker posted a story to our primary web site – http://www.atvmagonline.com/ – about how riding access had been restored to an area in Montana that was under the gun due to federal lawsuits. As followers of such situations, there is always a collective “Yeah” in our office when we’re able to post such positive articles.

            But literally while that article was being posted, I was on the phone with a gentleman from northern Alabama, who called seeking advice on what to do about the closure of a big riding area in his neck of the woods. According to the caller, the area in question had been used by locals for decades for off-roading recreation. It is now scheduled to be closed off starting August 1. It seems the land, which had formerly been under state jurisdiction, had been changed over to a federal preserve in recent years. And, after initially being told they rules wouldn’t change with the switch, riders are now being told the forest and logging roads they had ridden for generations are going to be off limits starting in nine days.

Getting organized can help keep vital riding areas open.

           And there ends our celebration of the Montana victory!

            One step forward, one step back — on a national level, sometimes it sort of evens out. But the folks in northern Alabama could care less about the Montana situation – all they know is their local riding area is gone, and now if you own an ATV in the area, you’re screwed.  

    [Read more]

Riding Tip: Save a CV Boot

It seems that torn CV boots on four-wheelers are inevitable.  The damage is most often caused by brush or twigs that pierce the part when driving through brush. Grease on the outside of the boot is a sure sign it’s shot, and that means it must be replaced to prevent damage the CV joint inside.

To reduce the chance of tearing a boot,  drive only in one direction through brush — don’t backtrack. An ATV can likely be driven through standing saplings and twigs without causing damage, but if a driver turns the machine back “against the grain” to get out of the woods, the four-wheeler will be pointed CV boot-first into the laid-down twigs.

Next time, drive in a circle, with your starting point at 12 o’clock and the destination at 6 o’clock. When your work or adventure has been completed at the 6 o’clock position, continue in the same direction to complete the circle and return to 12 o’clock.

Responsibility of the trail leader

Riding season is upon us and of course we are all going to either participate in a group ride or organize a group ride ourselves.  For the latter it is important to be a responsible trail or group leader.  Leading riders into unfamiliar areas can be fun and rewarding.  What follows are some helpful tips to make the group ride a success and everybody gets back to the staging area in one piece.

1.  Communicate

Before anyone loads a single piece of gear, have a get together and talk about the 3 W’s Who, What, Where.  Who is all going with you on the ride, this is also a good time to get an idea of everyones skill level.   The skill level of the riders involved leads into the next question.  What type of terrain is the group going to be riding on?  Depending on everyones skill level will depend on the terrain you will want to take the riders on.   And lastly, Where are are the riders going to ride?  The what somewhat dictates the where.  For example, do the riders want a challenge or a leisurely ride.  As the leader you will need to respect the riders skill levels and desires, especially if they are new to the area.  Remember a trail that seems easy to you may be very difficult for others and vise-versa.

2. Bring the right gear

As the leader you need to set a good example and at least require the bare minimum of safety gear before you allow anyone on the trail.  Other than the obvious, be sure to take along extra specialty gear for the area or conditions you might face on the trail.  For example, if your riding in an area that sees frequent afternoon showers, pack extra rain ponchos.  Also even though the other riders might bring other gear, as the leader make sure you have a basic first-aid kit.  Plenty of water is always a good idea as well.

3.  Know your route

Know the area well.  Know where the parking is, how much parking and the route you will take to get to the trail head as well as the trails themselves.  Especially with new riders to the area you want to instill confidence that you know your way around.  Make sure if it is a complicated area be sure to provide maps for everyone just in case someone happens to get behind.  Be sure to discuss how to read the map.

4.  Don’t get too far ahead

This one is simple.  Keep track of your group.  Stop at every fork in the trail and make sure everyone is accounted for and that everyone can see the proper turn.  If there are difficult obstacles it might be a good idea to stop and make sure everyone clears the section before proceeding, this can also be a good time to take a break if people need it.

5.  Action plan

Have an action plan for the extreme case of someone getting lost, breaking down, or getting hurt.  A good plan is to have everyone meet at a certain well known landmark or area at the end of the day.  This way when someone comes up missing it is easier to plan your search of the trail to find that person.

Every situation will warrant different tactics.  These tips should only serve as introductory guidelines as the leader or organizer of a group ride.

MX Sponsor Launched Quad Sponsor.com

Courtesy of Quad Sponsor

MXSponsor.com is proud to introduce the launch of QuadSponsor.com, a dedicated sponsorship platform for the Quad and ATV markets. QuadSponsor incorporates the latest web technologies to offer Quad riders of any style, discipline and ability to get sponsored by their favorite companies. QuadSponsor.com was created out of the tremendous need to create a sponsorship website that was purely focused on the sport of ATV riding and racing.

[Read more]

350cc Race Quad, Will It Happen? Should It Happen?

After Mike Alessi’s exciting holeshots and moto win on KTM’s new 350SXF motocross bike, in my mind it begs the question. Should the quad world 350cc production race machines? Before you answer consider this.

I have always wondered for years now if there should be 250cc production race machines. If you want to read my complete opinion on these machines read THIS ARTICLE.  Now the biggest objection from people about 250cc machines is the (possible) lack of torque to propel a full sized race ATV effectively. My opinion is they have plenty of torque to do so.

Now that KTM has built a bike to legitimately compete in the premier (450) class that is only 350cc could the idea be translated to race ATVs as an entry level race class (ie. up to 350cc class). From the words of KTM , Stefan Everts (Europe’s Ricky Carmichael), and Mike Alessi, the idea behind

KTM’s new machine is simple; the reduction in displacement and horsepower is less fatiguing to a rider, especially in the late stages of a race. The bike is easier to manage by virtue of reduced power and weight.

It seems at this point that the idea is true, Mike Alessi was able to holeshot and win a moto on what some would call a “handicapped” machine. Mike Alessi has even said that the 450 (formerly on a Suzuki) definitely wears him out more to wards the end of the race (and he is one of the top out door riders in the class).  The concept is sound but it is yet to be seen if this will be true the whole season.

Now coming full circle.  Should the race ATV world have 350cc machines (or 250cc machines for that matter).  Would new racers want a 350cc machine?  And if so, which manufacturer would be the first to test the waters?

The Dirt: Better Times Ahead

This is from The Dirt, by John Prusak, in the May/June 2010 issue of ATV Magazine.

Congratulations seem to be in order. By the time you read this, you will have successfully made it through what, in many areas, was an unbelievably harsh winter.

At one point in February, every state in the country except for Hawaii had snow on the ground. And, let’s face it, Hawaii isn’t much of a state is it? It’s more of an island paradise than a bona fide part of the good-ol’ ATV-riding world we call the U.S. of A.
Most economists agree that you’ve also made it most of the way through one of the worst worldwide recessions our planet has ever experienced. Oh sure, unemployment is still higher than anybody wants and we’ve all taken some financial hits the past couple of years. But we’ve pretty much made it through the storm, and better times appear to be on the horizon. [Read more]

'Nail'd' ATV Video Game

I have to credit Joystiq.com for reporting a new ATV game soon to arrive for the XBox 360 and PlayStation 3 (PS3). The game, “Nail’d” by Deep Silver is associated with developer Techland, which Joystiq.com says introduced a first-person shooter success story in “Call of Juarez” and its follow-up.

After reading the brief Joystiq.com listing, I had to check out “Nail’d” for myself. I went to Deep Silver’s Web site and I liked what I saw. Cool music, nice game footage, obscene terrain challenges and a whole lot more. I never played “Pure”, so I can’t compare the two games. Either way, it looks like it’s almost time for this guy to purchase a PS3 – I know my 8-year-old would dig it.

Nail'd will let game players customize their ATVs. (Courtesy DeepSilver)

Here’s what Deep Silver says about “Nail’d”

Non-Stop Adrenaline: Constant sensation of ultimate speed is the players companion throughout the game. Lightning-fast reflexes and tactic skills are what stands between victory and defeat.

Vertical Experience: Breakneck rides on near vertical mountainsides with up to 70-degree slopes – feel your heart pumping!

Monumental Tracks: Extreme track design with breathtaking vistas – learning the inside-outs of their topography will be an advantage in the race for #1

Air Control: Steer your vehicle mid air allowing for full control over your ride. Shortening or lengthening your jumps, changing angles can make or break your lap time.

Expansive Online Competition: The online racing community of nail’d opens the road to fame and fortune, putting you in the driver’s seat to be the best in the world. With global ladders and tournaments its a global racing circus in your home!

Vehicle Customization: Assemble your own vehicles from a wide selection of parts and components. Adjust their parameters to best suit your playing style and personalize the looks, making it unique and truly your own.

Rugged terrain and a wild soundtrack will have you pinning the throttle on your virtual ATV! (Courtesy of DeepSilver)

Summary:

• Different classes compete simultaneously on the same track
• Multiplayer – up to 12 players
• Extensive Online options – leaderboards, achievements
• Own soundtrack by popular US rock-musicians
• 16 unforgettable tracks in 4 exciting locations

Deep Silver also says “Nail’d” will be available for Next Gen consoles and PC.

Also check out this game on your favorite social networks.

Deep Silver and Techland have each developed other powersports/racing related games and this joint effort looks to be a good one. (Courtesy DeepSilver)

Nail’d Facebook page

Nail’d Twitter page

Nail’d YouTube page

CONTACT:

DEEP SILVER US

Deep Silver Inc.

2615 Pacific Coast Highway #225

Hermosa Beach CA 90254-2250

GNCC ATV Racing: Borich Wins At Muddy Loretta's

Mother Nature, mud bogs and even a class of fellow Pro Class racers couldn’t prevent Yoshimura Suzuki’s Chris “Big Finish” Borich from posting his third straight Pro class victory on the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country series. In using a style that has become more his trademark and not just a game of chance, the Pennyslvania-based pro came from behind and passed late in the race to secure the win the Round 5 overall at the Acerbis Loretta Lynn’s GNCC in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. GNCC Racing said the ATV racers described the course as “wet and muddy” and said an “all-day rain pummeled” the dude ranch in the middle of Tennessee. Despite the dismal conditions and three other riders contesting him, Borich proved his resiliency and also made it clear he is the man to beat in 2010.

Chris Borich was all smiles after posting his third consecutive GNCC ATV Pro class win. (Courtesy Acorn Woods)

Borich summed up his performance in a GNCC Racing press release, by saying, “I worked back up behind McGill, and I picked a line that he looked like he was going right and then he came back the other way and we kind of came together and I was able to get around him. It’s great to get another win, and I had a lot of fun battling these guys.”

Borich has now won four of the first five races and has extended his points lead over Yamaha’s Taylor Kiser by 22 points (145 to 123).

Rounding out the Pro class podium were Adam McGill (Can-Am) and Donald Ockerman (Yamaha). McGill led for two laps and held the leave before Borich passed him late in the race. Ockerman put in his best race of the year to find a spot on the podium. Kiser salvaged a fourth-place ride to stay within striking distance of Borich for the points overall and is 30 points ahead of McGill, who sits in third.

In a GNCC Racing press release, McGill summed up his day with, “It was crazy out there. Someone would go up a hill and the mud would fill in the ruts and you couldn’t tell how deep they were, so it was kind of scary, but it was good to get out front and be in the hunt.”

Biggest Movers 1:

As long as Borich keeps passing for the win on the final lap, he’ll always deserve a spot on this list. McGill deserves credit for charging from fourth place after lap one to first place during the final lap. Despite dropping a spot to Borich, he still put in one heck of a race to earn a podium visit. Two other pros get kudos from me for their late-in-the-race efforts. The first being Ockerman, who moved from fifth on Lap 2 to third on the final trip around the soaking-wet Loretta’s course. His 32:29.656 time on Lap 3 was the fastest of the day and ensured he made the podium!

Let’s not forget about Bicknell, Indiana’s Ryan Lane, who rode his Honda to fifth place in the horrible conditions. It was Lane’s first GNCC race of the year and he moved from ninth place after the second lap to fifth by the time the checkers flew. There’s one word for that: Awesome! Johnny Gallagher also gets a thumbs up for effort as he charged to sixth on his YFZ. He moved from ninth after Lap 1 to sixth place by the end of the race, which was good enough for his best finish of the season.

Biggest Movers 2:

This spot is usually reserved for those who go the other way, sadly, in the final results. Unfortunately, Can-Am’s Chris Bithell made the list. He sat in fourth place at the end of Lap 2, but couldn’t complete the final lap and had to settle for 12th in the class and 84 overall. It was his second finish out of the top 10 this year.

After putting in finishes of seventh, seventh, fifth and six in the first four races, Jeffery Pickens was in position (third place after first lap) to post his top finish of the year, but fell three places after another lap. By the end of lap three the pro dropped to eighth place, for his worse finish of the year. However, on the flip side, the Pennsylvania race has to be relieved with an eighth place (as opposed to a DNF) in a mud race. And that fact that he’s still in the top five in the Pro class points race.

5-for-5

Six racers have posted 100 points (perfect scores) by winning all five rounds in 2010. Four riders fell off the list after the Loretta’s mudfest.

• 90 Modified (12-15) – 1 PIT 003 LEVI COEN 1 1 1 1 1 100
• 4×4 Lites – 1 CAN 233 KEVIN TRANTHAM 1 1 1 1 1 100
• U2 – 1 CAN 206 CLIFTON BEASLEY 1 1 1 1 1 100
• Utility Senior (45+) – 1 CAN 709 FORREST WHORTON 1 1 1 1 1 100
• Schoolboy (13-15) A/B – 1 HON 239 BRADEN HENTHORN 1 1 1 1 1 100
• Women Novice (15+) – 1 HON 244 CHEYANNE SHADRON 1 1 1 1 80

Super Simmons

Dave Simmons just keeps impressing me. He’s in the 50+ class and has won four straight morning overall, including this sloppy race in Tennessee. And that’s with several classes of 4x4s breathing down his neck! Round 2, didn’t register because he won the Sportsman A/B class (non-points class). However, the last three event did, as the Ohio racer beat every other a.m. participant and 50+ competitor to the finish line. Had he raced in Florida, he may be on the “100 list” above. An interesting side note: Class points leader Donnie Pruett has yet to win the class in 2010, but still has 82 points and a 22 point lead over Simmons.

Another note from this class (according to Ken “Pappy” Hill on Facebook): You can help support Super Senior (50+) competitor Glen Pritchard (West Hamlin, W.Va.), who is dealing with an illness, by buying a T-shirts. They retail for $20.00. To order: Send an e-mail to: Cre8tivedesigns1@gmail.com (Brandon Sturdivant) Include: Name, quantity, sizes and shipping information. When order is received you will receive an e-mail giving you payment information. All Proceeds will go to Glen’s medical expenses.

Loretta’s XC1 Results (According to GNCCracing.com):

1. Chris Borich (Suz)

2. Adam McGill (CAN)

3. Don Ockerman (Yam)

4. Taylor Kiser (Yam)

5. Ryan Lane (Hon)

6. Johnny Gallagher (Yam)

7. Brandon Sommers (Yam)

8. Jeffrey Pickens (Yam)

9. Sloan Jackson (Hon)

10. Todd Demaree (Suz)

XC1 Standings:

1. Chris Borich (145/4 wins)

2. Taylor Kiser (123/1 win)

3. Adam McGill (93)

4. Don Ockerman (73)

5. Jeffrey Pickens (72)

6. Bryan Cook (69)

7. Johnny Gallagher (67)

8. Chris Bithell (66)

9. Bill Ballance (58)

10. Brandon Sommers (54)

Borich rode part of the three-lap race without goggles as the muddy course made for difficult racing conditions. (Courtesy of Acorn Woods)

XC2 Results:

1. Gabe Phillips (Yam)

2. Eric Hoyland (Yam)

3. Kevin Yoho (Yam)

4. Walker Fowler (Yam)

5. Josh Kirkland (KTM)

6. Mark Notman (Yam)

7. Ian Laufersweiler (Hon)

8. Blake Kramer (Suz)

9. Nathan Beyers (Hon)

10. Michael Lancaster (Hon)

XC2 Standings:

1. Brian Wolf (110/2 wins)

2. Kevin Yoho (101)

3. Walker Fowler (95/2 wins)

4. Josh Kirkland (92)

5. Gabe Phillips (88/1 win)

6. Parker Jones (68)

7. Eric Hoyland (66)

8. Blake Kramer (63)

9. Dustin Canipe (59)

10. Mark Notman (54)

On May 8, the Yadkin Valley Stomp Racetrack, in Yadkinville, N.C., will host the Round 6 of the GNCC series. For more info, visit GNCCracing.com.

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