Dec. 25, 2006 – ATV Report
GPS trail mapping DVD now available
Designed to be a tool to help riders and land managers save their favorite Forest Service trails, a new Instructional GPS Trail Mapping DVD provides OHV enthusiasts and professionals with detailed information on how to gather OHV route information using GPS technology, and how to provide that information to the United States Forest Service in a format that will be usable by the government in an upcoming route designation process.
The DVD is divided into eight chapters. Chapter topics include an introduction to the USFS Route Designation process, GPS hardware, preparing for your trip, collecting data, DNR Garmin, Garmin Mapsource, Fugawi Global Navigator and providing data to the agency.
Emphasis is placed on GPS tools and technology that are available to OHV enthusiasts, and software that can be used to manage, catalog and format GPS data.
The DVD was developed jointly by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC), the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, and the Motorcycle Industry Council with input from the USDA Forest Service, BlueRibbon Coalition, Americans for Responsible Recreational Access, American Motorcyclist Association, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America and the United Four-Wheel Drive Association.
The DVD is available through the NOHVCC. One sample DVD is free for the asking, but the NOHVCC has to charge shipping and handling for multiple orders. To order, call 800/348-6487 or e-mail trailhead@nohvcc.org.
Douglas Wheel changes its name to DWT
Douglas Wheel Technology has changed its Douglas Wheel brand name to DWT, which stands for Douglas Wheel Technology.
The Vista, Calif.-based manufacturer makes wheels for the utility and high-performance markets for the ATV market.
A new company Web site, which launches in early February, will accompany the new brand name.
Tank Sports Plans for 2007
Tank Sports, Inc., a developer and marketer of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and go-karts sourced from manufacturers in China, plans to release five new ATV models in 2007.
Jingjing Long, president of Tank Sports, shared that news along with numerous other initiatives for the coming year during a recent press conference in the City of Industry, Calif.
Long said the five new ATVs will make a complete line of seven ATV models ranging from 110cc to 400cc. The company’s target is to sell 6,000 ATVs and generate more than $5 million in revenue in 2007.
Other initiatives she mentioned:
Long said Tank Sports has already sold more than 22,000 units of motorcycles and ATVs under its proprietary brand name since 2001.
She said the company achieved $7.53 million in revenue for the fiscal year ended Feb. 28, 2006, and had net earnings of $275,406 for the first two fiscal quarters that ended Aug. 31.
Rath Racing celebrates its Grand Opening
Hutchinson, Minn.-based Rath Racing celebrated its new 10,000-square-foot facility with a grand opening event in December.
Rath Racing, co-owned by ATV racer Daryl Rath, is a manufacturer of aftermarket ATV parts and accessories.
The company’s new facility includes space for manufacturing, retail and research and development.
“We will have a complete line of youth gear, too,” Jennifer Rath said. “Many people have said it’s hard to find a shop that offers youth gear and aftermarket accessories for youth machines in one place. We have made a big push to include a full youth department.”
Rath Racing distributes its product through Parts Unlimited, Tucker Rocky and Western Power Sports.
Although the company’s mailing address has changed, Rath Racing says it will continue to use the same phone number and e-mail address.
Kubota Introduces New UTVs
Kubota Tractor Corp. has added two purpose-built models to its line of RTV900 utility vehicles.
The new Turf Utility and Worksite Utility units join Kubota’s other four RTV900 models — the Standard, Worksite, Recreation and Turf.
All six units feature selectable four-wheel drive, Kubota’s exclusive three-range variable hydrostatic transmission and a Kubota three-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine rated for 21.6 horsepower.
All models also were recently further enhanced with an Easy Range Shift Assist Mechanism; a 17 percent boost in reverse speed reduction ratio for increased torque; a new seat with deeper cushioning and a revised backrest shape; retractable seatbelts; a speedometer and a sturdier, smoother-operating latching mechanism for the tailgate.
The new Turf Utility and Worksite Utility also receive Kubota’s 5gpm-capacity hydraulic utility valve, which has the power to drive such tools as a salt and sand spreader, sprayer, concrete cutter, chainsaw and posthole digger. Also exclusive to the Turf Utility and Worksite Utility models is a hand throttle that allows the operator to increase engine rpm while operating tools.
A host of new accessories are available for the RTV900 line, including clear or tinted windshields, 3,000- and 4,000-pound winches, a heavy-duty hydraulic blade, storage box with gun and tool rack, and orange or camouflage thermoformed hard cabs.
With U.S. headquarters in Torrance, Calif., Kubota markets a complete line of tractors and implements, utility vehicles, construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment and commercial turf products.
New Hampshire Planning New ATV Park
Officials are planning for a new state-controlled riding park at Jericho Lake in northern New Hampshire.
Current plans call for 136 miles of trails for ATVs and more than four miles of paths for four-wheel-drive vehicles, according to the Associated Press.
The park will be the first of its kind in New England and will use existing logging roads and 10 miles of existing trails in the newly purchased 7,500-acre property.
Officials proposed developing the park in several phases over five years at a cost of about $6.6 million.
Officials are expecting the park to draw about 670 ATV riders at the season’s peak.
More information is available at www.nhtrails.org.
ATVs Continue to Outnumber Snowmobiles in Wisconsin
New ATV registrations in Wisconsin have surpassed snowmobile registrations for the third straight year in Wisconsin — a trend attributed to a recent lack of significant snow and continued growth of ATV sales.
There are more than 300,000 registered ATVs in the state compared with about 280,000 snowmobiles, according to the Appleton Post-Crescent.“Snowmobile registration have just flatlined,” said Dennis Catlin, sales manager at Appleton Powersports. “Snowmobile registrations in Wisconsin have always dominated in numbers until two years ago when ATV registrations finally caught up with snowmobiles. In the two years since, ATVs now outnumber snowmobiles by 80,000.”
ATVs are generally not allowed on snowmobile trails in Wisconsin. psb
