Oct. 15, 2007 – ATV Report

Yamaha Releases More Powerful Rhino
Yamaha’s popular Rhino side-by-side was slightly freshened for 2008 and will receive a larger 686cc fuel-injected engine from the company’s Grizzly and Raptor ATVs.
In all, the new Rhino will feature eight significant changes, but the engine is the biggest news.
With a new four-valve head with 9.2:1 compression, Yamaha says the 686cc will improve power, efficiency and will eliminate cold starting issues.
Also new are rotomolded doors to keep mud, water and dirt on the trail and out of the passenger cabin. Four-wheel disc brakes are also new and provide better power, along with a redesigned, more convenient parking brake mechanism.
Other changes include a different steering wheel, two new cup holders, a tool-free air filter, CV joint protectors and passenger grab handles.
The 2008 Rhino FI starts at $10,499 and goes on sale this month.
Powersports Business also has learned of a free dealer-installed door offer for all 2004-2007 Rhino owners.
Arctic Cat Reaches Production Milestone
Arctic Cat recently produced its 500,000th ATV at its factory in Thief River Falls, Minn. The half-millionth ATV model was the company’s 2008 Diesel 700, which is capable of running on six forms of diesel fuel, including biodiesel.
“We are very excited about our hard working employees hitting this build number, which is actually much higher if you included our Prowler line,”?Arctic Cat CEO Chris Twomey stated in a press release.
Ole Tweet, Arctic Cat’s ATV general manager, said, “Producing our 500,000th ATV is something to be proud of. Not only have we advanced our product line in those 13 years, but this ATV has advanced the industry. Our alternatively fueled 2008 Diesel 700 is something no other OEM is producing.”
Arctic Cat began producing ATVs in 1996, entering the market with at the time the largest bore in the industry, the Bearcat 454.
Polaris Defense Delivers New Military ATVs
Polaris Industries completed first production and received orders from the U.S. Department of Defense for its newest military vehicle, the MV800 4×4 ATV, according to a company press release.
The MV800 is the first military machine by Polaris to feature a Patriot Engine with Electronic Direct Fuel Injection. It has a 760cc, 40hp spark ignition engine, which is powered by JP8, the U.S. military’s standard fuel.
Mark McCormick, managing director of Polaris Defense, says U.S. troops need top-of-the-line equipment due to the harsh conditions in which they can serve.
“We are committed to providing them with vehicles that can make their job easier and increase their mission effectiveness,” McCormick said in the release. “The MV800 is built to do just that.”
Polaris Sportsman X2 Helps Fight Fires in Greece
A highly modified Polaris Sportsman X2 ATV is helping in the effort to control this year’s widespread wildfires in Greece.
A Danish company created the Sportsman X2 Wildfire, converting the ATV into a fire-fighting vehicle. According to Polaris, the vehicle is the first of its kind.
Norwegian Company To Unveil European Street Quad
Norway’s Haro Streettools will be releasing its new street quad, the Haro Bullster 500 i.e., Nov. 6 at EICMA in Milan, Italy.
The company said it’s the first “full-focused” street quad and was designed to evoke the same passion “that’s the core of every committed petrol head.”
According to the press release, it’s powered by a 497cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine, has fully adjustable shocks and a CVT transmission.
GoForItGraphics.com Becomes G4-Graphics.com
Massachusetts-based ATV and dirt bike graphics designers, GoForItGraphics.com, recently changed its name to G4-Graphics.com.
“We wanted to come up with something a little cleaner and shorter,” said Justin Glaze, G4’s powersports products manager.
The name change came after the decision was made to branch into other categories of the powersports market.
“We thought that this was the right time to make the change, before we start to establish ourselves in other markets,” he said.
Currently, G4-Graphics is known for its pit bike and ATV graphics and racing number plates. New projects include creating graphics for different models of dirt bikes and newly designed graphics for pre-existing products. The company is also entering the street bike market.
Route Designation Workshop Planned in Colorado
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), in cooperation with the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, is conducting a Motorized Route Designation Workshop in November for agency personnel and other stakeholders.
The event will be held Nov. 15-18 in Grand Junction, Colo.
The purpose of this workshop is to assist the Forest Service and other stakeholders in effective implementation of the forest service’s Travel Management Rule in their state.
While the sessions on Thursday and Friday are designed primarily for Forest Service personnel and the sessions on Saturday and Sunday are designed primarily for the public, the sessions are open to all who want to attend, and there is no charge.
Registration is required. Go online to www.nohvcc.org and click on the “Forest Service OHV Route Designation Workshops and Database” link to register.
The registration deadline is Nov. 8. For questions about registration contact Ann Vance at 888-458-0131 or e-mail avance@nohvcc.org . psb