ATV DIGEST
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY OFFERS OHV e-COURSE
Marshall University in West Virginia first offered a minor college degree in OHV Recreation Management in 2003. Now the four-course series is available online in a distance-learning medium.
The University says the first course will be offered on-line during the summer of 2005. The course, Introduction to Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation (PLS 450E/550E), is a 12-week course that will begin May 16, 2005, and end August 10, 2005.
As for the other three courses, Planning and Design of OHV Trail Systems (PLS 451E/551E) is to be offered in the Fall 2005 schedule as an on-line course, while Construction of OHV Trail Systems (PLS 452E/552E) and Operation and Management of OHV Trail Systems (PLS 453E/553E) may skip a few semesters before they’re ready as distance-learning courses.
This series of OHV courses was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Park Resources and Leisure Services program at Marshall University, the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute, and the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).
Individuals may enroll in the course for undergraduate credit (PLS 450E) or graduate credit (PLS 550E). Prospective students must be admitted to Marshall University to be eligible for course enrollment. Registration begins April 4, 2005. Complete admission and enrollment information is available at www.marshall.edu/muonline.
KAWASAKI RECALLS 9,500 ATVS
Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA announced a recall of approximately 9,500 units of its Brute Force 750 4x4i.
Kawasaki says the nut securing the front upper suspension arm pivot bolt could come loose during vehicle use. Continued use of the ATV could allow the nut to come off and the upper suspension A-arm pivot bolt to back partially out. This would result in a loss of steering control and possible crash.
The Brute Force is built in Lincoln, Neb. Units in question were manufactured between April 26, 2004 and September 10, 2004, and sold at Kawasaki dealers from July 2004 through early September 2004 for approximately $7,599.
Kawasaki has received 14 reports of incidents, including three minor injuries. The company says consumers should stop using the ATVs, and asks that they contact a Kawasaki dealer to schedule an appointment for a free inspection and repair.
For more information, call Kawasaki at (866/802-9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday.
CLUB CAR RECALLS 19,663 VEHICLES
Club Car, Inc. has recalled 19,663 of its 2004 and 2005 model year gasoline and electric powered Rough Terrain Vehicles, DS Golf Cars, Hospitality and Utility & Transport Vehicles sold between April 6, 2004 and October 1, 2004.
The company says microscopic cracks in the brake equalizer rods on certain vehicles may cause the rods to fatigue and fail prematurely in continuous use. Such failure could result in a loss of braking ability. Club Car, based in Augusta, Ga., received one report of a vehicle losing braking ability. No accidents, injuries or damage have been reported.
The recall notice was made public January 13. Owners are asked to contact a dealer to have the equalizer rod repaired free of charge.
Vehicles subject to this recall can be identified by the serial number located above and to the right of the accelerator pedal. Club Car’s Rough Terrain models include the XRT 900, AE 0437-432848 to 0510-486889; XRT 1200, AD 0439-442985 to 0510-486203; XRT 1200 SE, AH 0437-432899 to 0510-486199; and the Lynx Hunting Vehicle, LX 0438-436718 to 0509-484151.
SEGWAY GOES OFF-ROAD
Segway has launched three new models of its personal mobility device, the Human Transporter. Why report on it in this space? One of the new machines, the XT, has been designed as an all-terrain vehicle.
The new off-road Human Transporter isn’t the four-wheeled unit revealed late last year. Instead, the two-wheeled XT comes with fat ATV tires, a new fender design and specially tuned software. It gets about 10 miles per battery charge, depending on the terrain, riding style and payload, according to the manufacturer, and is expected to be available in April (MSRP $4,995).