Features

Jul. 21, 2008 – ATV Digest

Yamaha Releases 2009 Rhino Early

Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. announced the early release of its 2009 Rhino 700 FI and Rhino 450. The side-by-sides became available in dealerships across the country in June, according to a Yamaha press release.
The early delivery of the UTVs was sought after by hunters, says Steve Nessl, Yamaha ATV/UTV group marketing manager.
“Traditionally, the Rhino was available later in the year due to production timing,” Nessl said in the release. “Hunting and the outdoors are a big part of our company’s focus, and we’re extremely pleased to be able to offer the ‘09 Rhino earlier this year.”
The Rhino 700 FI has an all-new engine and features, like fuel injection and four-wheel hydraulic disc braking. It comes in hunter green, Realtree AP HD camouflage and steel blue. A Ducks Unlimited version also will come in Realtree AP, and other special editions will be offered in red, black metallic, brushed silver and red midnight armor (MSRP hunter green or steel blue $10,699).
The Rhino 450 comes standard with three-position on-command in/out 4WD (2WD, 4WD and fully locked differential 4WD) and the Ultramatic automatic transmission system. It’s available in hunter green and red (MSRP $8,499) and Realtree AP HD camouflage (MSRP $9,049).

Arctic Cat Recalls About 6,000 Youth ATV Models

Arctic Cat, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has issued a voluntary recall of about 6,000 model year 2008 50cc and 90cc youth ATVs, according to the CPSC.
The cause of the recall is a defective speed controller. It could fail to return to the idle position when the throttle is released or fail to be idle at start up. This might cause loss of vehicle control, resulting in serious injury or death to the rider. No injuries have been reported.
Owners of recalled ATVs should stop using them immediately and contact their local dealer for a free repair. Registered owners have been notified about this recall by mail.
The affected models were sold in Arctic Cat dealerships nationwide from July 2007-June 2008 for between $1,800-$2,400.

Kawasaki, KYMCO Recall ATVs Due to Loss of Speed Control

Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A. and KYMCO U.S.A., in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), have each voluntarily issued recalls of a combined 8,000 ATVs because of loss of speed control, the CPSC recently reported.
Kawasaki recalled about 6,000 model year 2008 KFX 50cc and KFX 90cc ATVs, while KYMCO has recalled about 1,700 model year 2008 Mongoose 50cc, 70cc and 90cc youth ATVs.
The Kawasaki recall is because of a risk of throttle failure. The throttle might not return to the idle position when released or to be idle on start-up. This can cause loss of vehicle control and result in serious injury or death to the rider. No incidents have been reported. The Kawasaki models affected are green or white with black trim, with the model name located on either side of the handlebars.
KYMCO recalled its ATVs because of a defect in the carburetor that can cause the throttle to stick open, possibly causing loss of control and serious injury or death to the rider. No incidents have been reported. The models affected are yellow, blue, red and white and have the model name printed on either side of the fuel tank.
The affected models were sold nationwide in Kawasaki and KYMCO dealerships August 2007-June 2008 for between $1,700-$2,200.
Owners were sent direct mail notifications of both recalls.

NOHVCC to Conduct New Post-Route Workshop Series

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) recently completed the first in a series of workshops regarding implementation of the U.S. Forest Service Travel Management Rule after the initial motorized route designation process has been completed.
“We had 35 registered attendees at our first Trail Sustainability Workshop, which was held on the Ouachita National Forest in Mena, Ark., recently,” NOHVCC Executive Director Russ Ehnes said in a presss release. “Rather than ending our educational goals once a USFS OHV Route Designation is completed, we believe there is a great need to work with both the Forest Service and OHV riders to better enable them to work together for the long-term sustainability of the trails that have been designated. In addition, we show them the best ways to make improvements to the trails, and perhaps add more high-quality trails to the system in the future.”
In the past two years, the NOHVCC held 19 USFS Route Designation workshops for Forest Service personnel and OHV enthusiasts as various forests across the country began or were progressing through the route designation process.
The first day of the Arkansas workshop featured sessions designed to address volunteer programs, trail maintenance techniques, trail monitoring, trail signing and funding. The sessions are open to all who want to attend.
Funding for this workshop series has been provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America.
The NOHVCC is encouraging industry enthusiasts to inquire about holding a workshop in their states by contacting Russ Ehnes at 800/348-6487 or by e-mail at trailhead@nohvcc.org.

BlueRibbon Coalition Reacts to Eldorado Appeal Decision

The Pacific Southwest Regional Office of the U.S. Forest Service recently issued its decision on numerous appeals from the Eldorado National Forest Motorized Travel Management Plan. The decision affirmed the Travel Plan and rejected all appeals.
“This outcome was unfortunately predictable,” said Don Amador, western representative of the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national recreation advocacy organization. BlueRibbon and many of its members and pro-access partners have been closely involved in the current travel planning process.
“We continue to be displeased with the final decision and the fact that the Forest Service seems to have so easily walked away from hundreds of miles of previously maintained roads and trails that were historically open to the public,” Amador said.
The current travel plan reflects the 2005 “Travel Management Rule” that requires wheeled motorized vehicle use be managed under a system of designated roads, trails and areas.
“The appeal regulations provided little maneuvering room for the agency to reassess this decision,” said Paul Turcke, a Boise, Idaho attorney representing the BlueRibbon Coalition and other recreation groups in the lawsuit and planning process.
“Recreation interests are assessing all available options and are in this debate for the long haul, and we assume the same can be said of their preservationist counterparts,” Turcke said.

LeoVince Adds Customers Service Personnel

LeoVince USA has appointed three new staff members to its customer service team, the company said in a statement July 7. Year-to-date LeoVince sales are up nearly 50 percent over 2007. “By adding more people to our customer service team, we will be better able to handle customer requests and questions,” said Tim Calhoun, LeoVince’s U.S. manager.
The three additions include Bill Hunt, the new national sales manager. He spent eight years as parts and accessories manager at Honda of Milpitas and the last two years at LoJack as regional sales manager for Central and Northern California.
Graham Woods joins LeoVince USA as a product specialist. After six years in sales and service at Clawson Motorsports and Hollister Honda, Woods will assist dealers and consumers at LeoVince.
Cody Dolan brings experience from dealerships and working with race teams to LeoVince. As product specialist, he will be responsible for customer service to dealers and consumers.

Support Access Efforts with Unwanted Vehicles

There is a new way for enthusiasts to support the BlueRibbon Coalition’s efforts to protect recreational access. Vehicle owners can now turn their unwanted but usable vehicles into valuable contributions. Vehicles can be donated at any time, and the process is easy. The proceeds of each donation benefit the BlueRibbon Coalition.
Vehicles for Charity, a division of the Metropolitan Association for Retarded Citizens, also a 501(c)(3) organization, acts as the agent for the contribution (www.vehiclesforcharity.org).
The process is simple. Just call 866/628-2277 to speak to a representative, or visit the Web site (www.sharetrails.org/vehicle-donation-program) to learn how to begin the process online. The vehicle is usually picked up in 3-5 days at the donor’s convenience. psb

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button