Machines

-- BVC Trikes has the right kits for your Yamaha -- Back in the 1980s Yamaha had a 250cc, 2-stroke 3-wheeler known as the Tri-Z 250. Today, BVC Trikes provides you with a way to build a modern Tri-Z 250. Their kits pictured here are for 2005 or newer YZ250 dirt bikes. BVC Trikes also has kits to turn YZ450Fs into Tri-Zs. The ones here are the newer version 450s with the backwards head design. They have the BVC machined triple clamps, custom swing arm to correct chain alignment and their custom under seat fuel tank to…

-- The amazing 550-horsepower Packard Performance YXZ -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels No matter what generation you are from, the older generation is always complaining that the next generation is being contrary. Some youth follow in their father’s footsteps, while others want to do exactly the opposite of what the family expects of them. Famed turbocharger and supercharger hop-up specialists Packard Performance did both at the same time. The Packard brothers Jace and Jedd (we sense a pattern here) are the muscle…

-- 130 Horsepower, fastest quad we've ever ridden -- Is it possible to turbocharge a 2-stroke? Yes indeed, as long as the turbo is mounted after the cones to the expansion chamber exhaust. Therefore they can still allow the exhaust waves to bounce back and forth to keep fresh intake from flowing out the exhaust port. Not only was this Banshee turbocharged, it also had a fuel-injection system installed. Is this something new for 2-strokes? No, it was 19 years ago when we tested this machine. Below you can read this "Blast…

-- Duncan Racing is at it again --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels, Photos by Pat Carrigan -- Duncan Racing International (DRI) is a company known for building great products and building up ATVs to handle the harshness of racing in all different disciplines. One well-known racing series on the West Coast is WORCS. The Grand Prix-style courses offer rough desert terrain, sand dunes, asphalt, motocross tracks and more to battle through, which means your quad must be tough to take the abuse and win. Mike…

-- Looking back at the December 2003 issue of Dirt Wheels -- The Kawasaki Mules, Polaris Rangers and John Deere Gators were tame, utility minded machines designed to help get chores done around the farm. Yamaha was the first to say, "Hey, why don't we make one of those  steering wheel machines with a more sporty attitude and able to get down the trail with the speed of a quad." After building it and testing it, they liked it and decided to sell it. For 2004 Yamaha added the Rhino to its line up and the off-road world was…

-- Still a top contender -- By the staff of Dirt Wheels Kawasaki’s Brute Force 750 has been a staple in the 4x4 ATV market for quite a while now. Revisions have been small over the years, and that is due to how well the big-bore works. Power is plenty, suspension is supple and the Brute can tackle tough jobs around the ranch and rapid-transit trails while spitting rocks or slinging mud. We picked up the 2018 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i with electronic power steering in Metallic Stardust White for a test in the…

-- Raptor, Banshee, Z400, DS650 & Cannondale 440 -- Since the first issue of Dirt Wheels back in 1980, the editors and test crew have done shootouts to see which ATV is best. We did that again in the January 2003 issue. At that time the five fastest machines were Yamaha's Raptor and Banshee, Suzuki's Z400, Bombardier's DS650 (Can-Am) and Cannondale's 440. So, how did each one rate for power, handling and suspension? Well, you can find out by reading the article below as it originally appeared.…

-- High-performance swamp monster -- In the world of high-performance 4x4 quads there are two models that stand at the top of the pecking order. One is the Scrambler made by Polaris, and the other is the Renegade made by Can-Am. The one we'll focus on here is the Can-Am version.  It is the Renegade X mr 1000 of 2018. Dalton Battenfield turned it into an extreme machine with the help of S3 Power Sports. The list of parts include a S3 Power Sports 6 inch lift kit, Fox shocks, RCV axles, XMR series rear…

-- A PROJECT UTV BUILD YOU'LL LOVE --  By the staff of Dirt Wheels. The Polaris General brought a new flavor of fun to the UTV industry. Polaris decided to further bridge the gap between the sport performance class and the utility class with a more recreationally inclined machine that offers more comfort and capability than any machine previously built for either class. We picked up a Polaris General 1000 Deluxe model and decided to build it into a more-than-trail-capable machine. We envisioned a UTV that…

-- Boss McKannick figures out what's wrong and how to fix it yourself -- From Dirt Wheels Dialed In, by Winston "Boss" McKannick. Dear Boss, I have a 2009 Kawasaki Brute Force 750i with almost 5000 miles on it. A while back it started spitting and sputtering when I hit 30 mph, and it wouldn’t go any faster than that. I sent it to the dealer, and the coils and the filter screen for the fuel pump were replaced. When I got it back, I took it riding the same day and it began spitting again at 30 mph. The longer I rode it,…

Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, supported ATV and Side-by-Side (SxS) racers are taking an early lead in 2019, kicking off a number of series with notable bLU cRU wins already this year. “There’s no secret to success other than the power, performance, and durability Yamaha provides, combined with the highest level of talent, determination, and grit these racers bring to the track each and every round,” said Donnie Luce, Yamaha's MX / ATV / Off-Road Coordinator. “This will be another exciting season for Yamaha Racing, the bLU cRU…