Jun. 30, 2008 – ATV Digest
U.S. Senate Committee Holds Meeting on OHV Use
The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on June 5 to receive testimony regarding off-highway vehicle (OHV) management on public lands. Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the American Motorcyclist Association, the BlueRibbon Coalition, The Wilderness Society, Trout Unlimited and the Nevada Sheriffs’ and Chiefs’ Association testified before the committee about issues related to OHV use on national forests and BLM units. Also on hand was the Americans for Responsible Recreational Access (ARRA). The Motorcycle Industry Council is a founding member of ARRA.
“We applaud the Forest Service and BLM for moving forward with travel management plans, and we will continue to work with them as they implement designated routes,” ARRA Executive Director Larry Smith said in a press release.
Witnesses at the hearing pointed to the San Bernardino National Forest in California, the Paiute Trail in Utah and the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia as examples of successfully managed OHV trail systems.
Smith thanked the committee for holding the hearing, saying, “This hearing presented a good opportunity to discuss OHV recreation and management on the record. Everyone was in agreement that OHV use is appropriate on public lands and that the use needs effective management.”
Based in Washington, D.C., Americans for Responsible Recreational Access represents the interests of millions of Americans who enjoy the outdoors and who believe public lands and waterways should remain open for recreational pursuits. Check out its Web site at www.arra-access.com.
Polaris Expands Recall of ATVs Because of Fire Hazard
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Polaris Industries recalled about 700 ATVs in addition to an estimated 95,000 that were previously recalled, according to the CPSC.
The ATVs might have defective electronic control modules that overheat, causing a fire and burn hazard to riders. Since the first recall in February, there have been four more reports of electronic control modules melting and two reports of smoke or fire contained to the electronic control module. No injuries have been reported.
The ATVs affected are the 2004 model year with the market names Scrambler 500 and Sportsman 400, 500 and 6×6. The model number is printed on a decal attached to the front side of the radiator (Sportsman) or the top of the front cab cover (Scrambler 500). The ATVs were sold nationally between July 2004 and January for $3,800-$7,900. Registered owners were sent a direct mail notification of the recall.
Trail Access Group Big Winner at 2008 Hangtown MX
A national trail access group was the beneficiary of a substantial donation at a large motorcycle racing event in Northern California.
On June 1, during the opening ceremonies at the 2008 AMA Motocross Championship at Hangtown, Calif., the BlueRibbon Coalition was presented with a $10,000 check by District 36 of the American Motorcyclist Association.
On hand to present the check was the president and the board of directors from AMA district, representatives from the American Motorcyclist Association and members of the Dirt Diggers North Motorcycle Club.
“This donation represents a strong commitment to our ongoing partnership with the BlueRibbon Coalition to promote and protect responsible OHV recreation on public lands in California and Western Nevada,”?Dave Pickett, president of AMA District 36, said in a press release.
“Our organization understands the importance of working with other groups in a collaborative manner to champion access to riding areas on Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands. This battle takes money and this check restates our district’s motto that it is time for the OHV community to put up or shut up.”
Forest Service Proposes Changes for Upper Tellico
The U.S. Forest Service released plans for North Carolina’s Upper Tellico OHV Trail System that included changes for the 39.5-mile riding area, the BlueRibbon Coalition said in a recent statement.
The proposal calls for maintaining approximately 24 miles of trails, upgrading five miles of Davis Creek Road for street-legal vehicle use, and closing and restoring 11 miles of other trails.
Under the proposal, the agency would construct about one mile of new OHV trail to preserve loop routes on existing OHV trails and correct water quality problems. In addition, the entire system would continue to be seasonally closed from Jan. 1-March 31 to prevent rutting and excessive sedimentation during winter wet and freeze-thaw periods. Temporary closures would be implemented after high rainfall events to prevent excessive erosion.
“No decisions have been made at this point, and the proposed action is just a starting point for additional dialogue among all interested parties and a beginning of the formal environmental analysis process,” said Steve Lohr, Tusquitee district ranger, on the Nantahala National Forest.
Winch Manufacturer Warn Industries Celebrates 60 Years
Warn Industries, the off-road accessories, winches and utility products manufacturer, has reached 60 years in business.
The company started in 1948 as a small, family operated business in the Pacific Northwest and has turned into a multimillion-dollar corporation with multiple factories and worldwide sales.
Warn Industries began in Seattle when Arthur Warn developed a locking hub system, allowing surplus World War II Jeeps to operate in two-wheel drive for civilian use.
In 1959, Warn developed a product that transformed the face of off-roading: the electric winch. Since its invention, Warn has become best known for its winches, and now makes winch applications for powersports vehicles, trucks, SUVs, industrial applications and utility purposes.
Although Warn is well known for its hubs and winches, the company makes a variety of products, including ATV/UTV plows, lights and more.
“We are extremely proud of Warn’s outstanding achievements throughout the last 60 years,” said John McCalla, CEO. “Warn Industries’ employees remain dedicated to delivering outstanding, innovative products to our customers around the world.”
KMS Performance Rolls Out RZR Billet Intake Kit
KMS Performance has created a billet intake for the Polaris RZR.
The Polaris RZR Billet Intake Kit enhances the OEM airbox for performance and better air filtration. The intake has been dyno-tested and adds up to 4 hp over stock. The RZR intake kit includes: CNC-machined billet intake adapter, K&N air filter, outerwear and hardware. It can be used on any stock RZR without using an electronic fuel controller.
The installation replaces the stock air box inner plastic snorkel to increase performance and eliminate engine contaminants, like dirt and sand. “Through servicing our customers’ RZRs, we realized that sand ingestion was becoming a major problem,” said Kelly McLean, KMS’ owner. “While designing a fix, we were able to enhance power. We installed it on our sponsored racing units, and they realized immediate results by winning races.”
The Polaris RZR Billet Intake Kit can be purchased directly through KMS Performance or on eBay. MSRP is $150.
Affinity Powersports Media Announces Personnel Moves
Affinity Powersports Media, a publisher of consumer and trade magazines serving the ATV, motorcycle, snowmobile, PWC, boating and RV markets, recently announced several moves within its Powersports Media division.
John Prusak, who previously oversaw the company’s ATV and snowmobile groups, will now focus strictly on the group’s ATV products, with bottom line responsibility for ATV Magazine, ATV Sport, UTV Magazine and related Web sites. As publisher/editorial director, Prusak will oversee all editorial, circulation and branding efforts of the group. He also will function directly as editor of ATV Magazine, UTV Magazine and atvmagonline.com. Prusak has been with Affinity Media (formerly Ehlert Publishing Group) since 1993.
Tim Erickson, who previously served as editor of ATV Magazine and Snow Goer, will now focus strictly on the snowmobile market as editor of Snow Goer, the Ultimate Snowmobile Buyers Guide and snowgoer.com.
Jerrod Kelley will continue to serve as editor of ATV Sport and atvsport.com. psb