http://orvcountry.com/blogger/ ORVCountrys Off Roading Adventures and the latest going on's with the team. en-us Nucleus CMS v3.24 © Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://orvcountry.com/blogger//nucleus/nucleus2.gif http://orvcountry.com/blogger/ http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=12 2008 Kawasaki Teryx Our new toy, the Kawasaki Teryx 750cc 4x4 LE. We picked this bad boy up on Sat June 23 of this year and brought her home. The wife and I wanted a Utility vehicle for around the farm but did not want to be tied down with just a utility only vehicle, we wanted a dual purpose UTV to use as we saw fit whether it was on the trails or working around the farm.The Teryx (pronounced Ter-X) allows us this possibility. At first glance the outer skin gives it the appeal and look of a ATV and not the standard work vehicle look which is what caught our attention right from the start. This was sitting beside the Mule on one side and the Rhino on the other. Both of which look fine by themselves but this one has its own appeal compared to the other 2. The Mule with its look of a rugged work vehicle but not a recreational vehicle and the Rhino of a off road vehicle but not a work vehicle, this seem to give the feel of both.

Not to be sold only by looks we test drove all 3 of them...

In our own thoughts the above held true. The Mule did not give us the feel of something we would take to the Mountains or the Dunes but more so a vehicle we could use around the farm for the needed work that is required on a daily basis. Where as the Rhino was totally opposite as when we took off it in there was the impression this is for the trails and not around the farm. Tight fit for us, everything seemed to hold you in for trail usage and the ride felt stiff, power was good though.

Then we sat down in the Teryx and oh yeah you could feel it. Plenty of room, you did not feel strapped into a cockpit. All the controls where right at hands reach, easy to move, easy to work. The acceleration was just great from the 750cc engine, I truly believe if this was just a 100lbs or so lighter it could do wheel stands easily. Mind you I am not a small man with me inside along with the wife I still feel it was really close to doing a wheel stand.

The ground clearance, suspension, engine power and looks of the vehicle all say work me, play with me. We just got this so as far as holding up to the everyday work and play that I can only say we shall see but I do not see a problem in it doing so. The frame is very well built for rugged usage with rollover bars that met and/or exceed safety standards, hauling/towing capabilities well within the normal need of everyday life on a farm. I do not at this point feel hesitant about this vehicle for any usage we may see fit in the future.

If I where to say anything bad about the Teryx it would be only that the heat output from the center console covering the engine can be felt on your inside leg and it can be a little extreme. But as we purchased the LE addition which comes with a top and windshield fitting down on the front cowling I did a slight modification to it. The windshield is molded to fit right down on the front cowl. I raised the position of the windshield up-wards about 8 inches. By doing so it solved 1 problem, now the wind does not enter the eyes nor the grass seeds from running through pastures as the windshield has built in deflector on the top of it which in the position it was in seem to deflect all the seeds right into your eyes.

This also allowed air to enter underneath the windshield which wen right to the engine cover/ center console area and pushed that hot air out of the riding area. Noticed a big difference right away. The standard models do not have the windshield so my bet is you would not ever feel the heat. I highly suggest you move the windshield up if you get a LE model if you live in moderate to high heat areas if in a colder climate well you have a built in heat source..

Standard Specs:

Engine Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin
Valve System SOHC, four valves per cylinder
Displacement 749cc
Bore x stroke 85 x 66mm
Compression Ratio 8.8:1
Carburetion Dual Keihin CVKR-D34
Ignition Digital DC-CDI
Transmission Continuously variable belt-drive transmission with high and low range, plus reverse, and Kawasaki Engine Brake Control
Final drive Selectable four-wheel drive with Variable Front Differential Control, shaft
Frame type Large diameter, thin-walled, high-tensile tubular steel
Front suspension / wheel travel Adjustable dual A-arm with gas charged shocks / 7.5 in.
Rear suspension / wheel travel Adjustable Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) with gas charged, reservoir shocks / 7.5 in.
Front tires Maxxis 26x8-12
Rear tires Maxxis 26x10-12
Front brakes Dual hydraulic discs with 2-piston calipers
Rear brake Sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
Overall length 115.4 in.
Overall width 58.7 in.
Overall height 75.0 in.
Wheelbase 76.0 in.
Ground clearance 11.3 in.
Lighting (2) 40W headlights, (2) TK W taillight, TKW stoplight
Cargo Bed Capacity 500 lbs, 44.1 W x 32.7 L x 11.2 in. H
Towing Capacity 1300 lbs.
Dry weight 1276.1 lbs.
Fuel capacity 7.9 gal.
Instruments R/N/P/4WD indicators, water temp and oil pressure lamps, digital meter
Standard Colors Sunbeam Red, Woodsman Green
Warranty 6 months base warranty
Good Times Protection Plan 12, 24,36, & 48 months
]]> General http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=12 Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:08:07 -0500 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=11
Once we got there, oh by the way if you do go do not forget to get good directions to the area as it is a bit hard to find with numerous turns and few markers, we unloaded the atvs and begun the days events. First trail took I think was the north part hooking around the lake (this trail does dead end but is well worth going on) about a mile or so long. All of us except Justin (Gator is what he is called) had 4 wheel drive atvs, he was on a Polaris Outlaw 2 wheel drive. Right of the bat Gator got in a rut of mud and got himself stuck as well as covered in mud. Gator after getting him out of the mud

There where several times throughout the day he got himself in a little bit of a mess but all in all did very well on the Polaris in the mud. Main thing is no one got hurt and that is what counts the most. He was not the only one that got their atvs stuck in the thick. We had to get Jimmie out once as well as Vicki (that was funny seeing Vicki get her pretty white and pink new quad stuck). The park had got some rain during the night which made a mud runners paradise with all the holes of water and slick spots though it would have been nice if the hill trails would not have been so slick, think we would have done more of the hills if they would have been a bit on the dry side. That only makes for another trip to the place which will happen.

At one point we came across 3 Rhinos that where in a pit, 1 on its side where it tried to go up a hill I guess and flipped good thing they had a roll gage or it might of not been a pretty sight. We stayed around there for a bit watching them (they did not want help). Once righted the guy the was driving tried to go up another hill side to all of our amazement. He got about 15 or so feet up and began to weave side to side before he backed out of it and came down. They took off 2 going around the pit and one threw the middle, yep he got himself stuck. I moved over to help but again they wanted no help instead moving back and forth until eventually making his way out. Those Rhinos where worked hard that day by them as we passed them throughout the day, they did not slow down nor did they appear to learn the limits of their machines. These guys where the type you watch out for on a trail, high on power, low on brains.

Anyway the day went well, as said no one got hurt which again is the main goal of any trip to have the maximum amount of fun possible but not get hurt. More pictures and hopefully a short video clip will be and/or is posted in the pictures/video section of the site. We have not been to a ton of atv riding areas like others may have been so I will not rate the site but will say this, IF you are fairly close to Milford Lake atv area it is well worth the visit. They do not have a track nor a lot of jumps in the area but they do have some nice trails for the average atver. If your a Dirt bike fan then you have a numerous amount of good hill climbs a lot of which end up going 90 degrees at the top so be prepared for it. If you do not like muddy conditions then do not go after a rain or after rains as it is muddy in I would bet 70% of the park. But once dry it will be a whole different ride all together for bikes as well as atvs.

Helmets are required, no flags though and there is no cost to ride here. I was told you must have a State permit (one from your state will work, Kansas permit not required) so this means you must have a titled ride. But once there I was told it is not checked (your ticket not mine) There was a Park Ranger in the staging area so take your chances if you desire to. No beer or anything of that nature allowed in the park period. The rest room has no running water to clean yourself in once you are done though the lake is nearby to wash up a bit so bring some water. If you need fuel, food or anything like that get it before you get there as the nearest place is about 10 miles away which in our case was Junction City. No camping allowed in the site area itself but is allowed a bit away from it.

I guess the best way to sum up Milford is that IF you like pure trail riding and live fairly close by (we where 3 hours away) then this place is great. If you like to ride a bit then rest or what have you then it may not work for you as there is nothing close by to occupy ones time. Oh by the way no night riding as the gates close at 8pm to the riding area. Will we go back, you bet, well worth another visit but want a dry visit next time to be able to ride where we could not this visit due to slippery mud...]]> ORVC Adventures http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=11 Sun, 25 May 2008 09:20:08 -0500 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=10
The short answer would be all did great and somewhat amazed me. I had put Kenda Executioners on the 660 Grizzly last year. Great tires for heavy mud and I would recommend them to anyone. But the one draw back is the do rob power for being so big and will cause hard steering if over sized is installed as we had. This is the wifes bike so I was hearing about how her arms hurt from low speed steering maneuver's. Time to change them for some ITP Radials all terrain and back to the original size. Amazing results. This bike was jetted, air intake converted, exhaust opened up and a few other things done to it when the Kendas where put on. So it felt like it had a lot of power then.

Well after we took the Kendas off and put on the ITP's I found out what I did not know due to the weight factor of the tires and wheels. It rocks! The power factor was un-real for a Utility bike we just did not know it because of the tires/wheels bogging it down so much, now we do. So to all that think "I want those Big Mud Tires on my bike" go for it just make sure the need is there and the power to match, you will lose power by doing so. That said the Kendas are not collecting dust, they are now on the Honda Rubicon and look very nice. The Honda not being a fast bike to begin with is perfectly suited. Plenty of low end power, shaft drive makes it a big plus factory over belt drive so they will still get used heavily and did.

Anyway we all played around, the mud pit got used pretty hard, know one even got stuck once which was great as I did not really want to start towing vehicles out. My brother-in-law brought over his X-Factor Can-Am. He has modified it with a Aaen exhaust and new CDI box as if they really needed it. Awesome bike, 0 to full heart beat in nothing flat topping out around the 70+ mark in nothing flat. My Can-Am Outlander use to be very fast but I put the bike mud tires on it (coming off soon) and slowed her down.

We had drag races most of the night, the X-factor taking all entries. The only one coming close to him I think was the Polaris Outlaw 500. I had lowered the teeth on the front gear from 14 to a 13 for more lower end even at that I got with 8 mph of his top end so this makes me think I could possible of taking him or tied with the old gearing but yeah he beat me. I might have a gear selection on hand for next time, maybe a 15 tooth for nothing but top end, slow low put once going watch out. As they have no tach nor speedo on them kind of hard to tell the gains other than the feel.

Anyway was a great night, as said no one was hurt including people and bikes. I do have a major clean up on the bikes as they are all covered in mud from top to bottom, oh well the price of fun times of which I will gladly pay. Next event if mother nature allows, Milford Lake in Kansas Memorial weekend now that is going to be some fun......]]> General http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=10 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:06:04 -0500 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=9
To the garage and time to start up the atv's, hmm which one to ride first is the only concern now but no matter all will get a chance.

Key on, engine cranking and the Polaris 500 is alive. Helmet, glasses, cloves, boots on and off we go. Man what a feeling riding now and in my own little world, oh how much I missed this. Yes I do ride during the winter but there was little snow and just a lot of cold wind that to me is not a fun riding day just hard core. A few passes with normal throttle and now to see what I have been missing, full throttle and here we go. Oh thank you Lord this is so nice, the wind whipping through my shirt, the pure feeling of power wanting unleashed. I think that there can be no greater joy than doing something you love so much after a long wait.

OK now let us see if I can still ride a wheelie! Up we go, yep still there. On 2 wheels go down the rode, I at this point think heaven has taking me into its arms as I can not see nor feel anything around me just the bike and myself. Then I realize somewhere the wife is with me, I slow and look for her. Yep there she is right behind me with a glaze in her eyes, she feels it too. Both of us in our own worlds of joy and ecstasy as we ride along in the fields.


We stop in the lower bean field to take a break and have a smoke talking about how much fun we are having and how the weather is so co-operating with us today. Thoughts of past adventures and future ones not yet come to play mix in our words. Then off we go again through the mud, the open field and the grassy hills of the lower wetland area we live close too. Dazed but aware of where we are and what we are doing, seemingly riding on a thin pocket of air just enjoying every minute of this wonderful day as possible.

After riding solid for around 3-4 hours the day is coming to a close, feeling wonderful for what we had done in work and in play we head back to the house to call it a day. Parking the quads, giving them a good night gesture and heading to the house covered in mud from head to toe we laugh at each other. Both of us know that come tomorrow we will still feel this day in a wonderful amount of pain. Yep to spend a day doing what we enjoy and then to spend another day in the pleasure of pain from doing what we enjoy now you tell me does that make any since?

As expected I a woke Sunday morning not be able to move as freely as the day before but a remedy close by, 3 Advil's, coffee and breakfast took the edge off for me. Later in the day around 10:30 or so the wife woke up with a "Ohhh, Ouchhh" and made her way to the Advil and coffee. What to do today? Same thing and off we went enjoying every minute of what this day has to offer the pain will subside in time as will this day but for now I will do what I can to live every moment possible to the max as it is so short lived these moments. To not take full advantage of them is the crime for one day you can look back and only hope to say to yourself "I did all I could" and I hope I can say that.

Enjoy each day you have doing what it is you love doing, do not let 1 day pass without saying to yourself that evening, "I did all I could" and no day will be a waste.]]> General http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=9 Sun, 6 Apr 2008 13:06:43 -0500 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=8
Well If you answered yes to any of the above then you know where I am at, I am really tired of winter now and desire nothing more than to put my bare feet on green grass. To feel the mud oozing between my toes and to be able to ride a wheelie, jump a table top or speed down the road without having to clear my watering eyes from the bitter cold air. Or to make a bee line to the garage after a short ride down the road then carefully remove my frozen limbs from the bike trying very hard not to break them as they are re formed from a clutching fist to somewhat straight again.

I enjoy winter up to Christmas after wards I truly feel it should immediately change to summer, no need to wait just change as all the family gatherings are over, we have celebrated the Saviour's birth and now it is time to have fun in the summer sun. For years I could never understand why when people got older they moved from their homes in the Midwest or further North to the tropicals of the South or the sands of the Deserts. It just never made any sense why one would leave a place so beautiful and full of trees to spend the winter where all you see is sand. Well after many years I now understand why, they too think winter is to long.

So with this thought in mind the wife and I are now looking into the purchase of a 5th wheel, a toy hauler, a second home, a place to remove ourselves from WINTER when we feel it is over or at least should be. So for all you out there that call us a wussy all I have to say to you is this. Either you are young and are wondering why the old farts go south as I did or you are young, period. Your time will come, you will see your wife/husband walking window to window. You will see them carrying a knife with a look in there eyes of Jaws ready to pounce it's next victim. You see it is not really the cold as much as it is the boredom that is the concern. Not just because I would like to be outside in the warmth but because I am scared to death of my wife when see is bored.

I become her entertainment, her break from the cold bitterness of winter time boredom. I become her slave, "Do this, Do that" "Why are you doing that", "No do not do that"!

Oh dear I have to get away from her.... ]]> Some Humor http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=8 Tue, 4 Mar 2008 20:27:33 -0600 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=7
Then the thought came to mind, why just us, why not for all to use, see and experience. So ORVCountry begins. It was started for friends and family but is now for you to enjoy and contribute too. I hope you do, I want you too. With you it will grow fast, with out your involvement it will stay as the place for friends and family remains but with your care and your contribution to-wards the content of the site it will grow and continue to do so.

Please any and all things Off Road we want to hear from you, post your thoughts, adventures, ideas, plans, tips and tricks in the forum. If your a advertiser by all means contact us with your desire and we will work with you, smoothly, efficiently and at a very fair cost.

Thank you now for what you will give to us in your time and involvement in the future.....

Mud Runner - Ben McCune - Webmaster of ORVCountry.com]]> General http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=7 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 16:10:18 -0600 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=6
Let me start by saying this is Part 1 of a 2 part article of things I have encountered, been apart of and observed while riding with my 3 closest friends, my wife Linda, my brother-in-law Jimmie his wife my sister-in-law Vicki. The second to be published in a few weeks.

Does one measure skill by time or by feats? If you have no fear of a situation verses objectiveness does this make one a better rider? If you are consistent in your abilities rather than randomize them are you a better rider? Are you a leader or do you like to follow or are you a watcher?
This adventure started for the wife and I shortly after my son’s passing with Jimmie and Vicki dropping by one day with there ATV’s. We rode all day switching back and forth so all could ride and enjoy our little place like we had never done before.

Shortly there after the wife and I purchased 3 ATV’s 2 for us and 1 for the grandkids. It has been a remarkable journey since that time helping to fill a void (but never replacing) in both of our lives with planning, riding and dreams. Meeting and talking to people we otherwise never would have met.

It also brings questions to bear along with differences between people, their abilities and riding styles. No 2 people are alike in there thoughts or styles and no one should try to be like the other as it will usually just get that person in predicaments that they do not know how to handle.

I have found as has the wife that our way of riding is different than other people’s way of riding. We both like the moderate to somewhat aggressive trails at times, that are a little more technically challenging than others may want to try. While other rider’s may like the moderate to less aggressive trails, fire roads and mud pits (we like them too). So we tend to diversify our trips.

Jimmie and I lead the pack, one time he is in the front and I in the rear, other times I am in the front just depends more so on the situation we are in. This past weekend we went to Finger Lakes Park the wife and I would rate this as moderate to advanced and they would rate it as advanced. Where the wife and I live we have a wooded area to ride everyday, a creek bottom, farmers land with water drainage hills we jump along with a small table top and mud pit I created. Plus the neighbors boy built a MX style track right up the road we ride on.

They live fairly close to a swampy area by the Missouri River they frequent. Full of bogs and flat land areas that they ride at night, not many hills nor rocky areas in it nor long expansions of creek bottoms but lots of mud, grassy areas and a old farmers road along with the dikes to ride on. They like this kind of riding which is no problem for us but it is there style not our style (though we do like it as well) as it is our style to ride the rocks and to not avoid it but to get deep into that mud pit ahead or the hills that are in front of us of a moderate nature.

We do not ride without fear nor without thinking but ride with it to control us when a giving situation arises so we may work out a solution or avoid it entirely. At all times we try to think before doing and attempt to take the appropriate action required. This is required in order to make it a safe ride for all.

You do not learn the bike but rather learn what you can and cannot do on it, what your style is and what your ability is. Do not hasting to judge others by there way of riding but rather understand that they are different. They are not crazy nor lacking in ability it is just there style.

This past trip Vicki got herself in a jam and she hurt herself (yet to go to doctor so unsure of the severity). Though nothing was said no words flung you could feel it in the air that maybe blame for the days events where trying to be placed. In the end the rider has the choice to choose to press forward or not. If they choose too press forward they alone accept responsibility.

Accidents occur problems arise events cannot be 100% contained within any given circumstance. Styles of riding differ as do people, I nor the wife are any better rider than anyone else. It boils down to what a person is use too when they begin to ride if you start out climbing that big hill or jumping or riding along the bottom lands then that becomes apart of you, your style.

ATV’s, dirt bikes, ORV vehicles are not toys as we tend to think of them, they are heavy duty motorized vehicles as are our everyday cars and trucks and can get you hurt. When you go beyond your style you must remove yourself from the tunnel you ride in and open up your perspective. If you do this then you lower the chance of getting hurt and up the level of fun you will have.

Riding can be great adventure, you can go places you would never have gone before. Test your nerve or take a long leisure ride. Do not limit the places you go or ride because you feel they are extreme or not worthy just know your limits and know when to ask for help.

Allowing yourself to question the path taken is not detrimental to you as a rider. If riding with others let them know your thoughts they will either talk you through it or help you out of trouble. Remove yourself from the tunnel you ride in, look around to see the full picture and you will lessen the chance of getting hurt plus enjoy the ride more.

Next time, “Styles Of Riders - Part 2”.]]> Some Humor http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=6 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:21:58 -0600 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=5 Below quoted from: Mitch Johnson

“Nearly anyone who knows what ATVing is also knows that the sport appeals largely to the young population but the older crowd like myself find it interesting as well. The fact that it is mostly a younger activity makes it the root of much controversy. Many people protest the use of ATVs by children under 12 and others even believe teenagers under the legal driving age should be banned from driving ATVs. Though there are rules in place they appear to be not strictly enforced in most places but not all.”

Onward with my story

It is not my intention to undermine or enhance anyone or any riding style. The rider must always wear the protective gear required when riding any off road vehicle. These thoughts are mine and mine alone.There are as many styles of riding as there are people but I have found that it boils down to just a few categories of which I place them as follows:

1) The Fearless (Large amount of airspace in the skull)
2) The Pro (Air Space has been limited by numerous head bashings)
3) The Adventurer (Does not like jumping due to danger but climbs vertical rock faces as well as descends them)
4) The Leader Of The Pack (Thinks they want to Jump and Climb but usually gets in trouble doing both ..... ME!)
5) The Follower (This is the person that always gets in trouble as they tend to follow the leader)
6) The Novice (The smartest one of us all to be explained later)

The Fearless

We all have seen this person, they are the one’s that ride with no protection and/or very little of it. The one's you set back and watch while holding your hands over your face going "Oh My God, did you see that"? We watch in udder amazement as they fly through the sky legs out, hands free from the bar and wonder not if but when they will bash their heads in. We hide our kids from watching them so they do not try to mock them. Our own mind wander’s as inside we say “I can do that” but know we cannot. These are the people that will someday if they live will become us hiding there kids faces from watching The Fearless one‘s.

The Pro

This is the Fearless that have had numerous head bashings, body fractures that now are getting a bit older and wiser. They no longer heal as fast as they did before and now find that each and every crash hurts where it did not before. They still have a huge amount of talent but have refined it down to what they know they can and cannot do. Usually you can find these people on the side somewhere telling the fearless to “Go Ahead, it is easy” while they tell the person next to them that person is crazy. They now where helmets and protective gear.

The Adventurer

Now this could be re-classified as The Lost Soul. They are the combined effort of the Fearless and the Pro. No longer do they desire to make those long table top jumps or really desire to go flat out all the time but have focused their sites more towards conquering what God himself has made. You have seen these people as well while riding through the trails. As you ride the trails you always come across that huge vertical hill with rock out cropping or tree roots right in the middle of the accent or decent that you have no idea how to get around so you bypass the trail. Later you watch in fear as the Adventurer continues onward. Be it a mud pit that is so deep one could find himself and there ATV buried to China. A mountain side steep enough that you could reach top speed coasting or a water hole that requires a floatation device to go through it the Adventure will be found there.

The Leader Of The Pack

I classify myself in this category. When out and about I am usually right in front blazing the trail. I like the jumps in smaller versions, love the mud runs, will climb and descend moderate hills and do water willies through low level bodies of water. As I am a person that does it all to a milder degree I am usually the one that gets into trouble 1st. Not usually hurting myself but my ride instead, putting it into places it was not designed to be. For this reason I think that this type of rider needs to be avoided at times and/or followed with great care as they tend to get all with them in trouble. I share this leader role with the people I generally ride with (Jimmie, Vicki as well as my wife) with Jimmie. I would venture to say both of our wife’s agree with the above as one of them are usually the one’s getting hurt. By the way our last trip to Finger Lakes I had said Vicki was hurt and awaiting the Doctors recommendations well torn ligaments of her knee, muscles bruised, nothing broken. Has to wear a leg brace for 3 months… See what I mean, I was the leader at that time.

The Follower

Oh how a pity this group, not to make light of them nor down them in anyway as they are the sweeter of us all. They put their trust into the Leader, allow them to guide and do not generally question when they maybe should. There riding skills may or may not be up to the leader but they move on the same, the fear level is moderate but it does not matter as they trust the leader’s take of the situation. May we all lower our heads for a short prayer for the Follower…

The Novice

This is the group I firmly believe has the most brain power of us all, more knowledge than all of us combined. They ride to see the land along old farm roads, fire trails, desert flat lands, dried river/creek bottoms or just use the atv for working around the homestead. No desire to jump, water wheelie, mud run, rock climb or anything the likes. You will not find them on the hard trails or riding the jumps or whoops. They will go with you but usually stay close to camp. They may have the most brain power, less scares and broken bones but do not threat they are also needed as they tend to cook the meals and buy the BEER! ALL praise the Novice, they are great people!

In closing no matter what group you belong to Off-Road riding by ATV, Truck, Dune Buggy whatever it maybe can be more fun than you could ever imagine. It is a great way to met new friends, bring a family together or to relax, yes relax after a hard week of working. There is one more group that was not added in this would be The Smart One’s. A small group as very few fit into this category but all of us should.

To be in this group takes a lot of effort on your part but the rewards are astronomical. Try it the path is easy, THINK at all times when riding. Think Of yourself, your equipment and the others with you. Just Think, Think Safe, Think Ride Safe and Think Of Others…

Well time to go for now, finished my new table top in the back going to go try it out. Afterwards I do believe I will go down to the creek and see if I can get a water wheelie longer than 50 feet just about had one last weekend before I dumped the bike sideways in the creek…]]> Some Humor http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=5 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:19:56 -0600 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=4
Along with this our neighbor has 1000 acres we have full rights to ride anywhere on we choose depending on whether crops are in or out at the time we go riding. During summer months the 1000 acres is cut in half due to crops. After harvest all is open which is what it is at this time.

In this acreage there is a wooded area of about 100 acres I with the help of the neighbors sons have cut out trails to ride. Some up pretty good hills and some along swamp bottoms. There is a creek that runs through our are that we have cut access to and run in it when the water level allows.

Then there are the crop fields, pasture and there own MX Bike track they have made for there sons as they do the racing circuits. This is where stupid starts… Every year is about the same but as one gets older a little is lost from the ability stand point, the brain says yes but the body says no!

Having waited all year for the crops to be removed so a new riding area would open for us it was pleasing to see this past week that they have been cut now. You might be wondering why all the fuss about flat crop land. Will the creek runs through this part of the land, we ride the north part during the summer as we cannot get to the south part due to some very deep holes.

The crop side entrance is in the very back of the field so we must wait until harvest to enter it. Now the south side has some wonderful runs, scenery to look at and is just 4 times better than the north so I look very forward to harvest.

Now to get to the area to enter the creek as said is all the way at the rear of the land, about 3 quarters of a mile ride through the field. This year was beans. Any farmers reading this know what is left once harvested if your not let me tell you. After beans are harvested there is about a 5 inch stalk left this stalk is about a quarter inch in diameter and sticking straight up every say 8 inches in about 2 foot rows for as far as the eye can see.

Those that have read my postings know I own a 800 Can-Am Outlander a Suzuki 400 DRZ and my brother-in-law owns a Can-Am Renegade. All of which can be very fast and very fun. The Atv’s we ride hard all the time, the dirt bike I am a little conservative on as I just cannot seem to get us to it due to age I am sure.

Beans cut, field open and time to play. First the creek so Atv’s ready we go to the creek, ride it for a few hours enjoying what we have not been able to do all summer. It’s like a present you look at all year but cannot open, you know it’s there may even no what it is but cannot touch it oh the excitement of it just tears you up inside.

After riding the creek it is now race time. My wife’s Grizzly 660 verse’s her sister’s Honda 700. 1 … 2.… 3.… Go! There off! Now the Honda is stock, the Grizzly has been so modified by me it is not even fair. The wife (the older sister) just bets her so bad it is not funny which makes them race 3 more times to be sure each the same ending. Now Jimmie (the husband) is a little upset as he really thought this new Honda would win.

So he decides to race my wife on the Honda, thinking is Vicki just did not push it hard enough. Same scenario he loses to the wife pretty badly, by about 20 feet is my guess. Now he gets his Renegade and races, well no contest as he passes her within 20 feet of the start. Top speed of the Renegade is around 89 mph, Grizzly is 60mph.

This makes me get the Outlander out and race Jimmie I know the outcome, he will win but not by much. Outlander top speed around 75mph with my fat but on it as well as the Kenda Executioners I have for tread. Full length race, bets me. Half length, again bets me. Quarter length closer but bets me. Now I am the one upset! “Be right back” I say…

Up to the garage I go, park the Atv and get on the bike. Oh yeah now I am going to control the race. The DRZ, has no speedo but I have run it with Jimmie behind me and know it will reach 100mph (yep stupid #1). So I get her started, warm her up and take off for the field all while thinking I am just going to obliterate him on his Renegade, no other thought in mind (stupid #2).

I get down to the field and begin my BS talk to him of how bad he is going to lose with statements of this Old Man is going to show you how to ride (stupid #3). So begins the race, 1... 2... 3... Go!

He pulls a wheelie and is off, I am as well riding a wheelie higher than normal. Wheels touch down and we are off….

Dust behind us, leaning forward on the bike, butt in the air to help smooth the ride. I pass him in about 20 yards but he is still on me close behind. I hit 3rd and begin to pull, 4th comes and now I am in control. 5th gear now begging to engage, full throttle I engage 5th. Warp speed now, no contest as I am clearly in the lead.

“Oh crap!” I begin to sway side to side as I hit a combine rut from the harvest. I slow as fast as I can but not fast enough. 50 year old man is going down and in the back of my mind I hear my body telling my brain “Told You So”…. There is no doubt in my mind this is going to hurt but with all I have I try to maintain control or at the least get the speed down fast, this I accomplish but control I do not.

At about 30 mph the end comes, down I go. Having had numerous tumbles over the years one more so what. Then it hits me as I reach the ground, those spikes of beans, those 1000’s of needles sticking out of the ground. I become the bean fields personal pin cushion.

I roll about 20 yards (felt like a mile) “Oh, Ouch, Oh, Crap” the words where much more profane than that. When I come to a stop I just laid there, made sure all worked before getting up, not really true I laid there because I did not want to get up thought all functions worked. The wife, Jimmie, Vicki all now perched above me looking down with the usual comment one gets. “You ok”? “Do I look OK”? I say as I can feel things stuck in me and warmth on my body.

I get up, I think all in all we pulled 15 bean steams from various parts of my body all missing anything vital but all stuck about ½ inch inside me. Could have been worse. Then it gets worse, “Told you not to, told you stupid hurts blah blah blah” the wife starts in on me.

All now ok, pain gone, wounds healed except for 1 thing. After I fell after I got up and cleaned up a bit with the knowledge all was ok I heard this. “Beat you”. Jimmie beat me in his mind as I did not finish the race. Those words, “Beat You” made all the pain go away as those words invite a re-match and next time no bean field (stupid #4)……]]> Some Humor http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=4 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:15:17 -0600 http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=3 Honda Big Red The all-terrain vehicle (ATV), also known as three and four-wheelers, was initially developed in Japan as a farm-to-town vehicle in isolated, mountainous areas. During spring thaws and rainy seasons steep mountainous roads were often impassable with conventional vehicles. The three-wheeled ATV proved to be a much better way of travel and soon became a the recreational vehicle of choice, providing transportation to areas inaccessible by other modes of transport. It was not long before the Japanese manufacturers realized that the ATV could be sold world wide.When the ATV first appeared in the United States in the early 1970's, it was promoted and sold as a recreational vehicle designed to provide "thrills" for the rider. This is still its primary use today. However sportsmen found that the ATV was a useful machine to move through areas not accessible with pick-up trucks, four-wheel drives, or other vehicles. The ATV became popular as a hunting vehicle and was used to reach remote areas and to transport game back out.

Three decades ago, the first ATV, Honda's US 90, had a single-minded purpose, off-road recreation. But as Honda's family of ATVs grew, so did their usefulness. Ironically, it was market strategy that at first drove ATV usage, but it was the owners who found and invented new and creative applications for ATVs, and helped shape their growth and design along the way.

What these hard-working owners found out was that the ATV offered a stunning versatility even Honda engineers never dreamed of. Less expensive to operate than a pickup or tractor, smaller and more maneuverable than either one, and possessed a remarkably light footprint (with their low-pressure tires) that was easy on sensitive terrain. ATVs became vital tools in such widely divergent fields as farming, ranching, industry, all types of agriculture, police work-even as a crucial means of mobility for the disabled. In some cases, ATVs did jobs no other vehicle could, making the impossible possible. 

If necessity was the mother of the first ATV, Honda engineer Osamu Takeuchi was its father. In 1967, American Honda asked Honda R&D Ltd. for a new product dealers could sell when motorcycle sales cooled off in the winter. Mr. Takeuchi was assigned to lead the project, along with a small group of engineers. This was clearly the group for the job, since Takeuchi and company had been working to develop other new recreational vehicles that never saw production. These projects gave Takeuchi the tools to develop Honda's first ATV, the US 90.

Forget the proverbial blank sheet of paper. Takeuchi started in the shop with a head full of ideas and an eclectic assortment of components. Two, three, four, five and even six-wheeled configurations were examined, but the three-wheel concept delivered the best combination for the machine's intended mission. It dealt with snow, mud and assorted slippery conditions a two-wheeler couldn't, while providing more maneuverability than other configurations.

In the early stages, a Honda ST70 motorcycle gave up its 70cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine for the cause, along with assorted chassis parts. An extended rear axle carried cultivator wheels designed to handle rough terrain. Two driving wheels in the rear worked well. Cultivator tires didn't. The biggest challenge would be finding a tire capable of getting a grip on soft, changeable terrain such as snow, sand and mud. Two wheels, three wheels, four wheels or more? Motorcycle tires weren't an option.

The design process quickened when Takeuchi received an American invention called the "Amphi-Cat¨ that rolled on six 20-inch low-pressure, high-flotation balloon tires. The light bulb went on. Revamping his ST70-based prototype to accept the new low-pressure rolling stock, he went to work on his own tire design, ending up with a 22-inch design inflated to 2.2 psi. With the tire dilemma solved, the 70cc engine lacked the muscle necessary to push a full-sized rider through snow or mud. A 90cc engine running through a special dual-range four-speed gearbox added the needed flexibility over varied terrain.

The next phase of development was optimizing the chassis to match the new engine and tires. Testing over rough roads, sand hills and slopes as steep as 35-degrees gradually established chassis dimensions effective for recreational riding as well as agricultural work. Laid out in the shape of an isosceles triangle with the foot pegs located outside the triangle to optimize control, the ATC design was unique enough to let Takeuchi patent the arrangement.

Exhaustive testing brought other lessons to light as well. Using a thumb throttle instead of the typical motorcycle twist grip let riders shift their weight for optimal vehicle maneuverability while maintaining precise throttle control. A rear differential was considered, but discarded when a live axle performed better. Though suspension is an integral part of the modern ATV, Takeuchi's original balloon tires soaked up rough terrain best by themselves. Exerting less pressure on soft or sensitive terrain than the average human foot, those tires let the vehicle go places others couldn't, leaving little or no evidence of their passing--an advantage that looms large in hundreds of modern ATV applications.

The 1970s: The World's First ATC

Officially introduced to America in 1970, the US 90 sent its 7 horsepower through a dual-range four-speed gearbox with automatic clutch, and sold for $595. It was renamed the ATC90 later that year as Honda trademarked the ATC name. Three models carried that Honda ATC monogram through the 1970s. The ATC70 gave younger riders a scaled-down version of the fat-tire experience. And by the end of the decade, requests for more power turned the original ATC90 into the ATC110 in 1979. The ATC was as evolutionary as it was revolutionary from the beginning.

Good as the original fat tires were on snow and sand, they were vulnerable to punctures from things such as stubble from harvested crops. The fact that those original tires weren't repairable compounded the problem, so a fabric carcass was added, and steel hubs replaced the first hubless wheel design in 1975. Tougher, color-impregnated plastic fenders were added in 1975 as well.

Though it was primarily a recreational vehicle through the '70s, farmers were beginning to see the ATC as a tool to make their lives easier. Engineers followed their machines into the field, gathering data to guide the machine's natural adaptation to a rapidly growing market. The ATC was as capable at labor as at leisure, and America was catching on

Moving into the '80s, the two arenas looming largest in the ATV lexicon were utility and racing. The popularity of utility usage was easy to understand. On the farm, a tractor cost exponentially more to purchase and maintain, and an ATV uses 8 percent of the fuel necessary to feed a tractor. Consequently utility usage exploded in the 1980s and ATVs became multi-purpose machines, serving both recreational and utility purposes. This multi-purpose usage grew from 30 percent of total usage in 1985 to approximately 80 percent of today's ATV market.

Introduced in 1980, the ATC185 was popular among utility users. Rolling on larger, 25-inch tires that afforded improved traction, the 185 featured a five-speed transmission and automatic clutch and a 180cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine that was considerably more powerful as well. Though designed to split its duties more or less equally between work and play, the 185 set the stage for Honda's first purpose-built utility ATV two years later.

The introduction of the ATC250R in 1981 put the rest of the world on official notice that Honda was as serious about winning on three wheels as it was on two. The first true high-performance ATC was powered by an air-cooled 248cc two-stroke, complete with an engine counter balancer to reduce vibration. Designed for experienced riders, the ATC250R won legions of loyal customers with its adjustable front and rear suspension, front disc brake-both ATC firsts-and a close-ratio five-speed manual transmission. Running unofficially in the 1980 Baja 1000 on pre-production ATC250Rs, a group of Honda associates surprised racing legend Mickey Thompson when they caught and passed him pre-running for the race. Honda's first official ATC racing participation came in the SCORE-sanctioned 1981 Parker 400 held in the Arizona desert.

Thanks to Thompson's considerable influence, an official three-wheel class was sanctioned in the 1981 Baja 1000. In 1984, Honda's ATC250Rs started just behind the motorcycles rather than from the very back of the starting order, Honda-backed ATC250Rs finished first and second in class, putting them fourth and fifth overall. Nothing on four wheels finished ahead of the ATCs. The three entries that did well were all large-displacement motorcycles including Honda's race-winning XRª. Honda raised the bar in 1985 with an all-new, liquid-cooled version of the 250R that cranked out 38 horsepower and offered nearly 10 inches of suspension travel at both ends, giving it the power to do disappearing acts ahead of other brands at race tracks across the country.

The 1982 ATC200E, a.k.a. "Big Red", had more of everything necessary to get a host of jobs done. Its 192cc engine and five-speed dual-range gearbox cranked out more power, especially low in the rev band, to make chores such as towing, spraying, seeding and fertilizing easier. An electric starter in addition to the standard recoil system made starting the day as easy as pushing a button. Dual racks and a 9.2-liter storage box made carrying tools, hay bales, fencing and other agricultural essentials easier. A new sealed rear drum brake survived the muddy fields and water crossings, and telescopic fork front suspension made a day in the saddle that much more comfortable. Big Red added a reverse gear in 1984, and its drive chain was replaced with shaft drive for extra durability and less maintenance.

Though it was never as successful in the desert as the more potent 250R, the ATC200X that debuted in '83 proved that four-strokes could run with the best of them. The 200X combined a high-performance 192cc engine, five-speed gearbox and manual, motorcycle-style clutch with long-travel suspension and sporty chassis geometry that was more at home ripping up race tracks than handling farm chores.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, building ATVs to endure the stress of utility use put Honda R&D on a steep learning curve. Approaching the mid-80s, ATVs were inspected, dissected and exhaustively scrutinized with more data acquisition equipment than any other Honda product. Machines were run hour after hour, day after day for weeks, with riders wearing 50-pound instrument packs that recorded information on every aspect of the machine's operation. As the market's swing toward utility continued, Honda's research made it clear that the next step in the ATV's evolution would be another wheel. Thus Honda's first four-wheel ATV, the TRX200, debuted in 1984.

The market responded almost immediately, making 1984 Honda's biggest sales year for ATVs. The 370,000 units delivered in 1984 remain the high water mark for Honda ATV sales, making up a full 69 percent of total ATV sales in the U.S. that year. The upswing in utility use and the introduction of the four-wheeled TRX200 were also the beginning of the end for Takeuchi's three-wheel matrix. Four-wheelers were considered more versatile tools by customers, and tools were what people wanted most.

By 1986 the smart money was all on four wheels in the ATV world. The ground-breaking Honda TRX250R made an un-matched four-wheel performance statement with a liquid-cooled 246cc two-stroke engine similar to the ATC250R's. On the utilitarian end of the spectrum, Honda unveiled the first four-wheel-drive ATV that same year. The FourTraxª 350 4x4 arrived at its coming out party in grand style-lowered from a helicopter to show all four wheels moving under their own power. Market forces were already at work to replace three wheels with four.

In 1984, skyrocketing ATV sales led to an increase in accidents, prompting an investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In 1986, CPSC statistics suggested that most ATV accidents were due to improper rider behavior that ignored the distributor's warnings. No inherent flaw was found in the three-wheel or four-wheel ATV design.

Honda's owner's manuals and product warning labels stressed the importance of proper ATV operation to its customers. Through a national industry safety campaign, there was a 33 percent decline in recorded CPSC injury statistics between 1984 and 1988.

Nevertheless, on April 28, 1988, the U.S. ATV distributors entered into an unprecedented 10-year agreement with the CPSC called the Final Consent Decree. Under the agreement, the ATV industry made a $100 million commitment to expand existing safety programs. Among the many components of this agreement, free training and training incentives were offered to owners and purchasers of new ATVs. Additionally, distributors would no longer market three-wheeled ATVs, repurchasing any unsold three-wheel models from dealer inventory.

Although three-wheel ATV sales were trailing off across the board at the time, and Honda had already introduced a line of four-wheeled ATVs, the CPSC agreement did serve to accelerate the process. On the eve of the '90s, Honda introduced the 1988 FourTrax 300 and FourTrax 300 4x4, the revolutionary pair of hard working Hondas that would ultimately become the most versatile, most popular ATVs in history. Combining an ideal balance of size, weight, power and capacity, the 300s sold more than 530,000 units over the ensuing 12 years. Powered by an 282cc air-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder engine, the FourTrax 300 sent its 20 horsepower through a five-speed transmission, automatic clutch and maintenance-free shaft drive. An ultra-low first gear helped it tow up to 850 pounds. Tough steel racks let it carry up to 66 pounds in front and 132 pounds in the rear. And if the hardest working ATV in America ended up packing tackle to your favorite bass fishing spot on Saturday morning, nobody else had to know.

From copper mines to banana plantations, golf courses to pig farms, forest reclamation projects to shopping center maintenance, nothing on wheels had ever been as versatile, reliable, efficient and affordable, on the job or on the weekend, as the ATV.

Industry observers estimate that 85 percent of ATV use in the '90s revolved around some sort of enterprise. Mr. Takeuchi's idea had grown up, gone to work and done a good job. When asked what products had the greatest impact on their farming operations since 1967, the readers of Farm Industry News ranked the Honda ATV right up there with Dekalb Biotype E Sorghum, A3127 Hybrid Soybeans and the Miller Electric Mig Welder as a landmark product of the last 25 years. That's high praise from one of the most brutally sensible groups of people on the planet.

In America, having an ATV on the job makes a host of jobs more efficient. In countries without our infrastructure, manpower and financial resources, ATV's reliability and efficiency handle jobs that simply couldn't be done before. Folks on other parts of the planet were discovering what America had discovered a decade before, and began putting ATVs to work, performing all manner of work that was either impossible, impractical or both. Whereas Honda ATVs were largely a domestic phenomenon before 1990, they're currently working in more than 35 different countries worldwide.

Acknowledgment:
American Honda Motor Co.
]]> General http://orvcountry.com/blogger/index.php?itemid=3 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:49:04 -0600