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There is no question that wearing some sort of upper body protection while riding an ATV is a good idea. When we are doing our hard-core testing, we never leave ours behind. One question you might have, however is; are they all the same? For the most part, each clothing manufacture offers a product that proudly displays that company’s logo. These injection molded plastic products are very similar and do offer good protection. No matter what, any properly fitting chest protector is better than no protection at all.…

It doesn’t take a hired mechanic to install the Z-Start, but with all of these parts the installer needs to be careful. Take your time. It took us three hours.We have been talking about the Rekluse auto-clutch conversion for a few months now. We tested one on the FST Honda TRX500 cross-country machine, and the Rox people had one installed on the their project TRX we featured in December.Our articles talked about how well they work, focusing on the advantages, but we have yet to install one for ourselves. To see what all is…

We had our Dirt Wheels logo inserted into one of IMS/Roll’s classic series front bumpers. For an additional fee, they will customize a bumper for you.Have you ever wished you could advertise your own custom logo on the front of your quad for the whole world to see? If so, the kind folks over at IMS Roll designs have come up with a product for you. Their line of customizable front bumpers is the latest trick pony to stride up to the forefront of ATV technology. These striking front bumpers are available with over 25 different…

For 2006, Polaris has more ATV models than any other single company. The most unique machine in their lineup is the brand new Hawkeye 300. What makes this machine so special is that it is categorized as a smaller mid size ATV but has features only previously found on more expensive full size models. The most notable of those features is true independent rear suspension. Sure, older Suzuki models had versions of IRS, but those machines handled poorly and were very slow.The Hawkeye has a peppy 299cc, two-valve, SOHC,…

From time to time we take our ATVs into harsh riding conditions. The staffers here at Dirt Wheels as well as the countless ATV enthusiasts out there like to ride with protective gear, but want to avoid wearing heavy jackets when it’s hot and humid. We have been looking for something that would replace all the useless add-on weight of packing for a ride, as well as stepping away from the zip-up microwave oven. We have found it! The Terraderma Flakk Jakket allows you to leave the sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets at…

Some 20 years ago, Suzuki first introduced the QuadRacer LT250R. It helped create the high-performance four wheeled sport quad market way back in 1985.  With the introduction of the 2006 LT-R450 Quad­Racer, Suzuki has returned to its legendary QuadRacer roots.The company already had a winner in their proven LTZ400, of which various versions have been modified to race the GNC and GNCC circuits. Most notably was Doug Gust’s 2004 GNC MX championship-winning machine. This vehicle was based on a highly modified version of  the…

As a race machine, the Polaris Predator is somewhat limited. Its portly 416-pound weight keeps it from being a great motocrosser, and its 500cc displacement keeps it from most production classes. However, that same 500cc engine makes the Predator one of the fastest production quads on the planet in stock trim. Being equipped with Fox reservoir shocks front and rear, the Predator has nearly perfect suspension right out of the box. From time to time we choose to race the Predator over the more popular 450cc machines. Those…

 On the ATVA Grand National Motocross circuit, there are two premier classes to choose from; Pro and Pro Production. For the last five years or so the Pro class has been full of one-off fully custom built quads costing upwards of twenty five thousand dollars. Although the number of entries at national events has been growing for the last couple of seasons, the ATVA wanted to develop a new class to help cut down the cost of racing and also attract series support from the manufacturers.   The new class that was developed is…

The three national organizations that work the hardest to create new ride areas and keep all of our current trails open all agree on one thing?the biggest problem facing our sport today is that of excessive sound. The new generation of high-performance four-stroke ATVs have certainly generated a lot excitement in the OHV world. The trouble is, some of them are just too dang noisy. Especially if they happen to be sporting a loud aftermarket pipe. The sound many of these modified four-stroke quads emit doesn't go over very…

The second Arapeen ATV Jamboree went off without a hitch and was even better than the first, held in 2003, and boasted quadruple attendance. Everyone who attended and rode the trails was of the opinion that the trails on the Arapeen Trail System offer something for everyone. There are trails for beginners and trails for the very experienced riders. Whether a person rides for the thrills or to prove his endurance, these trails please everyone. Most are both thrill and endurance rated. Mark H. Williams, president of the…

For 2005, both Honda and Suzuki made significant changes to their popular 400cc trail quads. Honda’s most noticeable change to the 400EX was with the front-end bodywork. They gave the seven-year-old EX the same front nosepiece and light assembly as their 450R race quad. For 2005, the 400EX is available in red or yellow. As far as mechanical improvements, the Honda got a much-needed feature; reverse, and they also changed the transmission gear ratios of the forward moving gears and final drive sprockets. Up front the…