By Mike Batcehlor
Photography by: Rick Webster and Mike Batchelor
Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo
The brochure for the 37th Annual Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis featured a license plate with the characters: 2BIG2MISS, and that about summed up the show. As the largest powersports shows in the nation, the Dealer Expo 2005 featured over 800 exhibitors, displaying everything from headlights to tail pipes, roof racks to tires, and gear for every area in between. Being the serious four-wheel drive enthusiasts, we concentrated our efforts on the utility segments of this show, and there were a lot of new wares to be seen by all.
Despite our best attempts to take in the whole show, your intrepid editors were barely able to scratch the surface in the two days we had to visit the show. We were, however, able to experience countless exciting products from companies large and small.
Here are some of the products that caught our eye.
ITP - www.itptires.com
ITP is a legend in the ATV tire market. They have produced premium ATV wheels and tires for over 22 years. Wheels and tires are all they do, so they are dedicated, to say the least. ITP claims to have released the industry's first extreme terrain RADIAL tire, the Mud Lite XTR. Another new product they showcased is their all-new 14-inch C-Series Type 7 rim. That's right; 14-inch rims for ATVs.
Polaris - www.polarisindustries.com
Polaris had a number of their Sportsman ATVs and Ranger utility vehicles on display, but the one that caught our eye was the Sportsman MV. Based on the ATV currently used by our US soldiers in Afghanistan, this industrial strength ATV is available in any color you choose, as long as it's OD green. Check out the dual winches--front and rear--and the super-stout front and rear all steel racks. The military version accommodates a fully automatic machine gun turret-sorry, not available for us civilians.
Pirelli - www.us.pirelli.com
Pirelli, maker of some of the finest high performance tires available for cars, trucks and motorcycles, has set its sights on the ATV tire market. We can't wait to find out more about their all new MudWiser and Rut Buster tires.
Four - www.fouratv.com
Someone has finally recognized that riding an ATV is very different than riding a motorcycle, and it demands specialized attire. Four has designed riding apparel specifically for ATV riders, which include pants with an exaggerated knee-bend and a patent-pending D-ring to secure kill switch lanyards. Four is also featuring new gloves--also designed solely for ATV riders-that provide a gel-padded right thumb for reducing fatigue caused by operating a thumb throttle. If you wear clothes while riding your ATV-and God we hope so-you might want to give Four a look.
Cambridge Metals & Plastics - www.cambridgemetalsandplastics.com
CMP manufactures numerous enhancements and add-ons for ATVs. They had many interesting products on display, but there were two that caught our eye: the Pro-Quad bumper plates, which were made out of high quality diamond plate, and the Pro-Quad Quick Release windshields, which featured Dzus quick-release fasteners for easy windshield removal when transporting your ATV.
Maxxis - www.maxxis.com
The award for the coolest brochure went to Maxxis, featuring a 3-D relief picture of their new iRazr tires, and two pages of very cool stickers. Most importantly, it featured fantastic photography of some of their superb products in action, including the new Mudzilla tire and their all new 4X4 ATV rims. It's also nice to see some quality, good looking rims hitting the market too.
Moose Utility Division - www.mooseutilities.com
Moose Utility produces and sells hundreds of different ATV accessories and products. They have everything from rack bags to brake pads. We were particularly interested in their plows with an integrated electric lift. Their line of Honda licensed gear also caught our eye.
CruzTools - www.cruztools.com
Have you ever broken something on the trail or needed to make a minor mechanical adjustment? If not, then you're not riding hard enough! If so, then you have probably had the misfortune of using the factory tool kit that came with your ATV. CruzTools offers alternatives with high-quality and compact tool kits that meet almost any need. They have dozens of different configurations, including electrical test and repair kits, and kits that are perfect for replacing your factory tool kit.
Warn Industries Inc. - www.warn.com
Warn is a legend in the winch market. They also produce other high-quality accessories such as plows and bumpers. Their latest products are the new Snowmobile winch and the Warn Utility Plow. This plow features an exclusive quick-disconnect system and a unique four-bar linkage system that allows the plow to be raised more than 8 inches.
Smith Optics - www.smithoptics.com
Smith optics had dozens of their high quality goggles on display. Their newest product was the Piston 199 Travis Pastrana Signature Goggle. This attractive and comfortable set of goggles features an articulating outrigger positioning system.
Progressive Suspension - www.progressivesuspension.com
Progressive Suspensions builds replacement shocks, springs, and coil-over shocks with-you guessed it-progressive rate springs. These springs are soft when initially compressed, and become progressively more firm as the level of compression increases. This provides a smooth, but controlled ride. Their 512 Series ATV Shock is designed specifically for utility ATVs. Also shown below is a cut-away of their new "6th Sense" nitrogen pressurized shock absorber for your off-road machine.
Shoei - www.shoei-helmets.com
Shoei was on hand to demonstrate their new V-Moto helmet. This premium helmet offers many improvements over its predecessor including a visor adjustment that can be accessed from the top of the helmet rather than having to reach under the visor. These lightweight helmets provide superior ventilation to help you keep your cool on the trail.
James Greene Products - www.jamesgreene.com
James Greene Products offers dozens of tank, rack and fender bags for ATVs and utility vehicles. Most are available in camouflage or black. They also sell numerous fender, seat and instrument cover kits to transform your bright red AVT or utility vehicle to a stealthy hunting machine. Many of his waterproof bags feature ultrasonically welded joints for superior durability.
Cycle Country - www.cyclecountry.com
Cycle Country manufactures a wide range of very interesting products for ATVs and utility vehicles including plows, lawn mowers, sprayers and now winches. Cycle Country is now offering a new, reasonably priced 3000 pound winch. They were also very proud to display their bed lift kits for the Yamaha Rhino. This accessory is easy to install and powered by an electro-mechanical screw lift.
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