By Lance Schwartz

2012 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI Auto 4x4 EPS
MSRP: $9,499 – Hunter Green; $9,749 – Steel Blue; and $9,949 – Real Tree HD Camo

Back in the summer of 2006, I was one of the first people in the world to ride the completely redesigned 2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI Auto 4x4 EPS. I logged several hundred miles in the mountains of Montana aboard that Grizzly and instantly fell in love with it. At that point, Yamaha was the first manufacturer to successfully integrate electric power steering (EPS) into an ATV, and it elevated the Grizzly into a category all by itself. Over the next few years, the rest of the manufacturers eventually caught up, incorporating their own version of EPS. [ Read Full Post ]

By Lance Schwartz

The only things hotter than this summer’s weather are the new Kymco products I got to ride on the property of Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC last week. Kymco, a Taiwanese ATV manufacturer, is a relative newcomer to the UTV and SxS market in comparison to larger manufacturers like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Can Am. However, in recent years, Kymco has shown they are serious about wanting a piece of the North American off-road market. In fact, several manufacturers, including some high-end European motorcycle manufacturers, have been selling rebadged Kymco’s as their own brand for years.   

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By Chad Love

Should wildlife officers have the power to write tickets for state motor vehicle violations when they find someone illegally riding an ATV on state lands? Everyone knows that if you get caught riding an ATV in a non-motorized area that you'll get fined for it.

Problem is, those fines don't seem to be much of a deterrent for some. So the state of Pennsylvania is set to give its wildlife officers the power to issue tickets not only for riding in an unauthorized area, but also for state motor vehicle violations.

From this story in the Pocono Record:
In a matter of hours Saturday, a wildlife conservation officer patrolling state game lands in Shohola issued tickets to seven ATV riders. All-terrain vehicles are not allowed on any state game lands. But the threat of a fine of between $100 and $200 does not deter riders from tearing up trails in popular no-ride-zones like at the top of Camelback Mountain in Monroe County.
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By Lance Schwartz

Hitching your tow rig to an ATV trailer, or any trailer for that matter, seems like a simple task. To be honest, it absolutely is. However, one tiny mistake can exponentially magnify the possibility of creating a potentially fatal situation. Here are a few small steps to keep your trailer towing escapades uneventful.

Backing up to the trailer:
It’s not a race. This process is infinitely easier if your truck has a backup camera. If not, getting out of the truck to check how close it is to the trailer will definitely help prevent any damage to your bumper. It might take a few tries, but the extra time invested will be worth it. If a spotter is available, have him or her guide you in.

Lowering the trailer onto the ball:
With the hitch ball located directly under the trailer coupler, lower the trailer onto the ball by turning the trailer jack handle. With the coupler firmly seated on the ball, engage the safety latch on the trailer coupler. It may take a little muscle to get the trailer coupler seated just right on the ball. Don’t forget to put the pin back in the coupler to prevent it... [ Read Full Post ]

By Mike Calabro

The ATVescape mobile app version 3 has been released, and it is pretty good.

The app is crowdsourced and needs more submissions from the public for it to be fully fleshed out. I was impressed by the number of ORV trails in my area that I didn’t know existed. [ Read Full Post ]

By Mike Calabro

What do Jesus and this 700 Yamaha Raptor have in common? They both can walk on water.
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