Aug 2006 ATV-Industry News

Updated 9/01/06

Archives: Jan 06, Feb 06, Mar 06, Apr 06, May 06, June 06, July 06

OHIO PONDERS ALLOWING ATVS IN PARK

ATVs may be allowed in an Ohio state park for the first time to encourage park use, according to television station WTOV news. Officials are looking at changing policy to permit ATV usage in Jefferson Lake State Park. Park Manager Doug Lyons was reported as saying they are waiting on a grant approval before a decision will be made. The television news indicated the idea stems from the park having ideal ATV terrain and the potential for use by the large ATV enthusiast community in Ohio.

The Kanawha County commissioners are seeking legislation to ban ATVs from all public roads in West Virginia, according to the Charleston Daily News. County officials are reportedly seeking to have the state toughen ATV laws due to 23 fatal ATV accidents so far this year. Existing laws ban ATVs from paved roads with center lines and require riders younger than 18 to wear helmets and take safety classes, the newspaper reports. The county commissioners reportedly enacted an ordinance banning ATVs from all public county roads, but seek the state to create a similar law to improve safety statewide and allow the county to remove their ATV ordinance. The Charleston Daily News noted 15 of the 23 deaths in 2006 were on private property, five on unpaved roads and three on paved roads.

A 50 year-old Equality, Ill., man received a minor injury after striking a piece of electric fence strung across a road often used by ATV riders, reports The Daily Register newspaper. A deputy told the newspaper the wire from the fence was stretched across the road at neck level, like a trap for anyone riding an ATV. The sheriff's office reportedly continues to investigate the incident.

Eighteen-year-old Natalie Wilmeth set the women's ATV speed record at 127.9 mph during time trials at the Madras Airport in June, according to The News-Register newspaper in McMinnville, Ore. The high school senior rode a Yamaha 700 Raptor down a quarter-mile track to create the record, which had not previously been established, the newspaper noted. The Northwest Off-Road Timing Authority reportedly recorded her speed.

American Suzuki Motor Corp. is recalling the 2006 model of their R450 QuadRacer ATVs due to the possibility that the cushion-lever mounting bracket could break, reports online news sources. If the mounting bracket breaks, there is potential for the rider to lose control and crash, notes the source. Roughly 6,300 units were sold and Suzuki indicated they've received 27 reports of the bracket breaking with one indicating a head injury. The online source noted only 2006 models with vehicle identification numbers ending with 00089 through 11626 are included in the recall. Owners should reportedly receive notes directly from Suzuki asking them to stop riding the ATV and take it to an authorized dealer for free repair.

Both Honda and Yamaha announced creation of electric power steering for ATVs, according to news sources. American Honda reportedly made their announcement two days before Yamaha, who declared the Grizzly 700 FI Automatic 4x4 is to be the first unit sold with electric power steering. Yamaha divulged their system uses an electric motor to assist the rider in turning by using input from a torque sensor in the steering shaft. Honda reportedly indicated they are working on introducing their first ATVs using electric power steering in the near future.

Minnesota, Wisconsin and West Virginia are reportedly beginning to allow UTVs on public trails. Online news sources reported Minnesota passed a bill to allow UTVs on forest roads, minimum maintenance roads and trails designated for the vehicles. Wisconsin is reportedly preparing to start a pilot program in several counties allowing the heavier vehicles on ATV trails to study the impact. West Virginia is reportedly allowing UTVs on the easiest of the popular Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails during a 90-day trial period.

Several Kentucky state laws took effect in July, including House Bill 117 requiring anyone under the age of 17 to wear a helmet at all times while riding an ATV, according to WKYT television news. Kentucky legislators reportedly introduced 1,012 bills during the 2006 legislative session and 223 became law.

ATV riders can continue to use the city streets in Grand Marais, Minn., after a proposed ordinance restricting ATV use died in city council, according to the Cook County News-Herald newspaper. City Councilor Ed Bolstad reportedly motioned for a public hearing to review his proposed ordinance that would have prohibited use of ATVs on trails and public property within the city, set limited hours of use and created a 15 mph speed limit for ATVs. The motion died due to lack of a second from the council, the newspaper reported. Bolsted was noted as saying ATV enthusiasts sought privileges “above what exists for all citizens” and the city was in “crisis” because of ATV use and parking.

After the sale of former distributor Jets Marivent, Bombardier Recreation Products Inc. (BRP) reportedly plans to establish direct commercial operations in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, United Kingdom and Ireland. According to an online news source, BRP will distribute its powersports and marine products through their own dealer network beginning in October. “Over time, we firmly believe that this decision will provide significant benefits to dealers and consumers in these markets, including increased efficiency in customer service and logistics support as well as branding, product positioning and market responsiveness,” BRP Vice President and general manager Michel Hade said.