Keeping Your ATV Shining
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Owners of all-terrain vehicles understand that because of the nature of the beast, their ATV is going to get dirty. Whether it is used as a utility vehicle on the farm, a recreation vehicle on the trails, or a racing vehicle on the track, dirt, or desert course, it is going to get messy. Also, probably ATV owners wouldn’t want it any other way.

However, then there are times when you want your pride and joy to look as shiny as it deserves. So you may rely on all purpose cleaners you can buy at the hardware store. Usually, these formulas fall short of achieving the best shine. No doubt you wonder why no one has come up with a substance that has been formulated to specifically improve the finish of ATVs.

Well, actually there is such a product. It is called Plastic Gloss, and it is offered by a company called Nova Fluids of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The owner of the company, James Anderson, owns an ATV, and he is passionate about it. He wants it to look good, and he has discovered that other ATV owners want their machines to look good, too.

So he came up with Plastic Gloss, a shine product. Once applied it acts like Teflon. Dirt and grime can be removed by simply spraying the ATV with water from a hose. He mixed the formula himself. The process evolved over time as he would keep improving the formula in the garage of his home and then test it on his compost --or recycling--bin. He had discovered that the material used for the outer portion of the bin is made of the same material as an ATV. “So I would come up with a formula and then test it out on my compost bin. As I improved the formula, I would test it on the bin. Eventually I had the shiniest recycling bin in the region.”

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA) has unveiled a new logo with a style and colors that show the member-based group's strong link to its sister organization, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

"This new, vibrant and dynamic ATVA logo reflects the association's mission to promote the ATV lifestyle and protect the future of the sport," said AMA/ATVA President and CEO Rob Dingman.

The ATVA's new logo is similar to the AMA's logo in type style and colors. The red, white and blue logo has a modern look with ATV in red, the final A in blue, a white outline for the letters, and the name -- All-Terrain Vehicle Association -- below the letters.

The ATVA is dedicated to increasing its members' enjoyment of riding and owning ATVs, and it is a primary source of information about recreational riding opportunities. As America's largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) organizations, the AMA and ATVA advocate for OHV rider interests with dedicated government relations offices and staff in Washington, D.C., the western U.S., and in the organizational headquarters of Pickerington, Ohio. Through clubs, promoters and partners, the two associations sanction more than 4000 recreational and racing events annually. AMA and ATVA members also receive numerous money-saving discounts from a variety of service and ATV-related suppliers.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), as part of the American Motorcyclist Association, promotes ATV riding and protects the future of ATV riding in America. The ATVA advocates for riders' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. The ATVA is an authoritative source of information about where and how to ride, products, events, racing, and safe riding practices. ATVA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of ATV-related services, gear and apparel, transport, hotel stays and more.

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To hardcore 4-wheel drive mudders, Yamaha's Wolverine seems like an underachiever.

A lot of Yamaha's focus is placed on the California track and dune segment and thus, sales of the YFZ 450 and Raptor Series are extremely strong.

So far, Yamaha's super successful 2-wheel drive dirters have overshadowed the Wolvee’s market potential.

We wonder if anyone at the Big "Y" is noticing the potential the Grizzly platform has to be morphed into a full-scale Wolverine style mud ride.

It would take few modifications to turn a 700 fuel injected Grizzly into a hardcore competitor to Can-Am’s Renegade.

Think about a Wolverine with all the 4x4 goodies the lightweight Grizzly offers - electric selectable 4WD and diff-lock, high/low range and independent rear suspension.

Throw in a bit of the horsepower from the Raptor and ditch the Wolverine's oversized bush bar in place of a lighter grab bar. Plus, maybe beef up the front suspension with say; the YFZ's kashima coated piggybacks. Add a slight restyling of the plastic fenders and this package would really start the drool running with serious trail enthusiasts.

Couldn't you just see the GYTR engineers' heads spinning with ultra-cool aftermarket accessories for a 700 FI Wolverine, too?

How about a trail specific performance exhaust that meets US Forest decibel levels or a killer big-bore kit to hammer out even more ponies, performance clutch kits, steel braided brake cables… the possibilities are endless.

Considering the fleet Yamaha already has in its stable, with a bit of attention, the Wolverine- Grizzly could make for a serious trail performer.

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