Features

Feb. 13, 2006 – ATV Digest

Polaris and Browning sign exclusive licensing agreement
Polaris Industries and firearms manufacturer Browning have signed an exclusive three-year licensing agreement to offer limited-edition Polaris/Browning ATV and RANGER models.
The limited-build Browning editions will be available this spring and summer at select Polaris ATV and Polaris RANGER dealers. Polaris said certain Sportsman ATV models and the Mossy Oak RANGER XP will carry the limited-edition design.
“Polaris is excited to offer exclusive Browning vehicles as part of our 2006 limited-edition lineup,” said Bow Crosby, product manager for the Polaris ATV Division. “Coupling Browning’s stature among sportsmen with exclusive Polaris features such as Lock & Ride, EFI and on-demand, all-wheel drive provides sportsmen with the ultimate hunting vehicles.”
Price was not available as of press time.
Clear Creek Management Area Closure Fails
The California Bureau of Land Management restricted vehicle travel in the Clear Creek Management Area in mid-January.
The ruling will restrict vehicles to designated routes and areas.This decision, as well as the courts ruling to not grant judicial imposition against travel at the CCMA, means the riding area has dodged a major bullet and remains open to OHVs.
Under the recent decision, travel in the Central California’s CCMA is limited to about 270 miles of designated trails and 480 acres of designated “barrens.”
Some groups have been trying to close the entire Clear Creek Management Area in Central California for years. In November 2004, those groups filed a federal lawsuit that sought to close the riding area and challenge the Bureau of Land Management’s operating procedures and practices for the area. Before and during the lawsuit, the Bureau of Land Management had been working on a travel management plan for the area. The lawsuit is still pending and a hearing is set for Feb. 24.
Many OHV supporters and land-access groups support the decision to keep the area open, but say the procedure and planning process could have been better. Restricted travel has proven to work at other OHV areas, but some OHV supporters say this decision eliminated too many favorable areas and thus could make the CCMA a more difficult place to ride.
Don Amador, western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, stated in a release, “Our work is far from finished at CCMA and we encourage the BLM to open a dialogue with the OHV community to discuss the areas where this management plan can be improved.”
Polaris T.R.A.I.L.S. Grant Program
In an effort to ensure the future of ATV riding in the United States, Polaris Industries has announced its new “T.R.A.I.L.S.” grant program. The program is designed to provide funds for ATV clubs, associations and grassroots groups that need financial and legal support for establishing, maintaining or protecting ATV riding areas.
T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for: Trail Development, Responsible Riding, Access, Initiatives, Lobbying and Safety.
The program has two main objectives: promote safe and responsible riding and preserve access. Polaris said funding can be used for trail development and maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying and other projects to increase or maintain land access.
“Polaris is committed to promoting safe and responsible recreational riding,” said Bennett Morgan, president and chief operating officer of Polaris. “We see the issue of trails and land access as the lifeblood of our ATV business and the T.R.A.I.L.S. grant program is one measure to ensure people always will have a place to ride.”
In April, August and November of each year, grant applications will be reviewed. The corresponding submission deadlines will be one month prior, or March 1, July 1 and Oct. 1. Organizations may apply for two grants per year and must be classified as 501c3 non-profit organizations.
Polaris explained that outside funding for projects is an important criteria for receiving the T.R.A.I.L.S. grant funding.
Progressive Suspension Gets Aggressive
Progressive Suspension held an exclusive first ride product launch of its all-new 6th Sense sport ATV suspension for members of the ATV and off-road media Feb. 9, in Oak Hills, Calif.
Suspension manufacturers don’t typically hold press launches to introduce new product, but the 6th Sense suspension has been in the works for the past two years and Progressive Suspension deemed it necessary. To coincide with the launch, Progressive Suspension also will introduce its first full factory-supported ATV racer, 2000 GNC MX National ATV Champion Travis Spader.
Off-road editors were allowed to ride a few different quads with the 6th sense installed on the new Competitive Edge Motorsports Complex in Oak Hill.
NOHVCC Redesigns Web Site
The National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Council announced it has redesigned its Web site to be more user-friendly.
Not only will the site be easier to follow and use, but it also will make it simpler for OHV activists to utilize information and tools provided by the NOHVCC.
“For 2006 we have given the Web site a complete makeover with many new easy-to-use features, access to printable versions of much of the NOHVCC library of OHV information, contacts for hundreds of OHV activists and advisors throughout the country, and a quick and simple ordering process for our most requested ‘tools’ and materials,” NOHVCC Executive Russ Ehnes said. He explained the NOHVCC site also will focus on all current land-access issues and topics.
Bosski and Fisk Distributing donate trailers to trail system
Two 1600 Utility ATV Wagon trailers will be donated to the Hatfield McCoy Trail System from Bosski and Fisk Distributing.
The ATV trailer will become the “Official Work Wagon” of the prestigious trail system. The presentation will take place in the ATV Wagon booth, No. 6305, during the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis at 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 19.
“When our trail managers saw the ATV wagons displayed during our Dirt Days event, they knew the 1600 Utility Wagon would be the perfect work tool for us,” says Jeff Lusk, executive director of the trail system.
“The heavy-duty design of the 1600 model is going to make trail maintenance a breeze for our field techs.”
With more than 500 miles of trails, Hatfield McCoy should enjoy the features of the 1600 Utility trailers. The wagon is loaded with features, including power brakes, 25” tires, tail/brake light, and a Power RAM cylinder, which dumps more than a thousand pounds. The trailer also offers all-wheel independent suspension to handle the rough stuff, plus high speed tapered wheel bearings.
“Our field guys have tried other trailers out on the trails, but none of them lasted very long on the terrain,” said Mike Pinkerton, Hatfield-McCoy’s marketing director. “The ATV Wagon trailer is built much stronger than the others we’ve tried, and I think it will prove time and again why it’s the “Official Work Wagon” of the trail system.”
A powder coated steel frame & body with a double hinged tailgate are more reasons why the 1600 Utility impressed Hatfield McCoy and hundreds as the “Most Innovative Product of the Year” at the ATV Expo.
ATV sales increase in Australia
Honda and Polaris could both claim victories in Australia’s growing all-terrain vehicle market.
Honda sold the most ATVs in Australia (5,273) in 2005 while Polaris achieved the largest growth with a 49% increase in retail sales over 2004.
Overall, a total of 17,068 ATVs were sold, an increase of 15.8% on the 2004 figures, according to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries in Australia.
Peter Alexander, Managing Director of Polaris Industries in Australia and New Zealand, said that they were very satisfied with the result.
“Farmers in particular understand that nothing rides Like a Polaris,” he said in a news release. “When you spend endless hours every day on an ATV seat — like most Australian farmers do — ride quality is paramount.
Polaris Signs Parton
Polaris Industries has confirmed a factory-sponsorship contract with former Grand National Cross Country Women’s class champion and 2005 Women’s class runner-up Stephanie Parton. Terms of the contract were not released. psb

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