By Lance Schwartz

2013 Aluma UT12 Trailer
MSRP: $3,470

Unless you’re lucky enough to own an abundance of land that helps keep your riding experience fresh, it’s likely that you’ll eventually get stuck trailering your ATV or SxS to a killer ride spot like I usually do. A dependable trailer that won’t leave me stranded along the road has been at the top of my wish list ever since my first 12-foot steel ATV trailer broke in half, thanks to a rust infested frame. That experience taught me a valuable lesson, and since I hang my hat in the heart of the Rust Belt, I vowed to never own another steel trailer again.

Aluma designs and manufactures some of the finest all-aluminum trailers on the planet. What separates Aluma from many other trailer manufacturers is the fact that everything (except the axle assembly, coupler, and jack) is constructed of aluminum. Gone are the days of replacing warped pressure-treated wood decking after a few seasons of sitting out in the weather. [ Read Full Post ]

By Lance Schwartz

2012 Polaris RZR XP900
MSRP: $15,999
Final Thoughts + 2012 Polaris RZR XP900 at a Glance

The 2012 Polaris RZR XP900 absolutely blew me away. Never have I driven a stock Side-by-Side (SxS) that possessed such incredible balance and capability.

An 88 hp Pro Star engine and transmission allows this monster to angrily claw at the ground, pouncing forward over every type of terrain. The RZR XP900 can easily reach speeds in excess of 65 mph. I drove this machine faster than any SxS I’ve ever tested, and remained in complete control over rocky, technical terrain. [ Read Full Post ]

By Mike Calabro

When photographer Philip Casey was brainstorming for a way to incorporate mud into a "Trash the Dress" photo shoot, a trend in wedding photography where the bride destroys her dress after the wedding to symbolize that she will never marry again, he thought how incredible it would be to use ATVS.

His client, Baillie, was immediately on board, even if it appeared that she had little to no experience riding a four wheeler. Casey, a passionate ATV rider, briefly showed her how to change gears and control his 2009 Yamaha Big Bear 400, and Baillie headed straight for the mud moments later. The two had a wonderful and fun photo session. [ Read Full Post ]

By Lance Schwartz

2012 Polaris Sportsman Touring 550
MSRP: $8,699
Final Thoughts + Polaris Sportsman 550 At a Glance

I recently logged approximately 150 miles aboard the Polaris Sportsman 550. I tested the unit by towing a landscape trailer around my property, meandering down tight, high-speed trails, giving it the occasional mud bath, and using the machine in the same way most owners would. The Sportsman 550, in my opinion, is a comfortable ride that delivers like the larger Sportsman 850. And it won’t hurt your wallet as much.

To the untrained eye, the Sportsman 850 and 550 look nearly identical. It’s only when the engines fire that the subtle differences emerge. The 550 has less horsepower than the 850, and is about 40 pounds lighter. However, the 550 feels heavier because it doesn’t have enough power to float the front end to avoid obstacles. Drivers can make the 850's front end feel light by stabbing the throttle.

Performance wise, 550’s Engine Braking System (EBS) performed flawlessly when I took it down steep, winding trails. The EBS felt natural, like the engine was actually doing the compression braking itself rather than relying on electronics and clutching.     [ Read Full Post ]

By Mike Calabro

Some of the rigs we profile on this blog teeter on the edge of what an ATV really is. Take for example, the Amatoya ATV from designer Liam Ferguson of Monash University. Purely in concept form right now, this 2-passenger quad might be a new way to suppress fires. It features a high-visibility cockpit and can unload 500 gallons of water from the Remotely Operated Suppression Cannon Outfit (ROSCO).

While ATVS go by many names—quad, quad bike, three- or four-wheeler—the American National Standards Institute defines it as a vehicle that travels on low-pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control. ATVs, by this definition, are intended for use by a single operator.

So is the Amatoya an ATV, UTV or something entirely different? [ Read Full Post ]

By Lance Schwartz

Tire Balls
MSRP: $200-$220 per tire
1-877-TIREBAL

The Tire Ball is one of the most innovative aftermarket products to ever hit the ATV and SxS industry. The individually inflated balls can keep a vehicle moving unscathed even when a tire becomes punctured and can no longer hold air. Originally developed to help get off-road motorcycle and ATV racers on the podium in the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) racing series, TireBalls Inc. has expanded into other incredibly important markets like the U.S. military, U.S. Forestry Service, and law enforcement. In fact, ATVs installed with Tire Balls helped the U.S. Forestry Service fight the intensive forest fires that recently ravaged the West this August. [ Read Full Post ]