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The Situation:

Springtime riding has arrived. What was piles of snow a few weeks ago is likely now piles of mud. Those April showers bringing on the May flowers have caused streams to swell, puddles to become swamps and turned trails into endless ribbons of muck.

Is This a Bad Thing?

Absolutely not. So long as you don’t mind getting good and dirty. We here at ATV Connection often have to return ATVs to the dealership when we get done with them and quads that look more like statues than modern machinery are generally frowned upon in the situation. We also hear there are riders out there who simply like to keep their ATVs clean and sparkly. Either way we discovered a detailing product that delivers the goods.

Bike Clean?

Enter Formula 1 High Performance Bike Clean Motorcycle Cleaner- yes we realize that nowhere in this product’s title will you find the terms ATV or UTV; take comfort in knowing that many of the same materials that comprise the modern street bike can be found on your quad or side-by-side.

The Process:

Shake it up a little bit, point the 16-oz bottle toward your machine and pull the trigger. Formula 1 Bike Clean is a liquid in the bottle but it foams up as it traverses the air between the nozzle and your ATV. Let its frothy goodness settle on the surface of your machine then wipe it off with a clean rag. That’s it, no water or hosing required.

Performance:

Just because the words High Performance are found within its title, we don’t just assume it means we’ll be dazzled by its performance. Fortunately, it’s not just hyperbole in the case of the Formula 1 Bike Clean. The stuff flat out works. Because it’s formulated to target stuff like road tar and splattered bugs, rest assured that it loosens up caked on dirt, grime and grit without any presoaking or scrubbing.

What’s really nice is that foamy liquid has a tendency to work its way into all of your machine’s many cracks and crevices; into those spots where no rag and fingers can possibly go. Surprisingly, we’ve had great success in using the product to eliminate that unwanted layer of surface dust and waterspots after a good hosing with the pressure washer. Because the stuff adds a nice deep shine to plastic, it works as a detailer as well as a cleaner.

Any Complaints?

No, not really. We usually pick the stuff up at our local Autozone for about $8 a bottle and it lasts us anywhere between three to a dozen+ cleanings (depending on how crudded up the machine in question happens to be). The spray & wipe formula is really nice if you happen to be camping, away from civilization or out on the dunes. There are times when caked on mud is going to have to be sprayed off before using Bike Clean but by and large, it cuts through most of the stuff you could possibly pick up in your travels. A light misting and a quick wipe down not only restore factory luster to plastics, it may actually surpass it with reflectivity. It doesn’t fill in scratches but it does make the surface shiny enough for them to be quite unnoticeable.

Contact:

Hit up www.formula1wax.com for more information.

When it comes to engine break-in, rumors, rituals and horror stories abound. There is no denying that this is a particularly critical moment in the life-cycle of any engine on account of the fact that wear rates are at their absolute highest.

Years ago when machining processes weren’t quite as refined as they are today and oil formulas didn’t offer the type of protection of today’s blends, damage to engine internals during improper break-in were quite common.

We here at ATV Connection aren’t big on instilling a false sense of security when it comes to such matters, but we have undoubtedly witnessed massive improvements in terms of engine break-in troubles throughout the years.

Further aiding this positive trend along, we recently had an opportunity to sample a product from AMSOIL specifically designed to make that break-in period even more painless while providing priceless peace of mind.

Called AMSOIL Break-In Oil SAE 30, we picked up a few bottles of the viscous red fluid from our local dealer at a very reasonable $7 per quart.

So what makes Break-In Oil different from standard synth oil you ask? The answer is high levels of zinc and phosphorus, which are proven to provide additional anti-wear properties.

Piston-ring sealing/ seating is another major benefit to running the break-in formulation as well as increased film strength to coat and protect the rod and main bearings.

If all of this sounds like nothing but marketing hyperbole, think of it like this: A freshly homed cylinder may look smooth to the naked eye but it in fact contains countless peaks and valleys. A strong film of no-friction modifier heavy oil levels it all out, providing the piston/ rings a perfect surface to slide upon. Additionally, providing the rings a tighter seal actually increases horsepower.

We’d love to tell you that we dissected our freshly rebuilt Raptor 660 engine to verify the molecular miracles taking place here but alas, we have to take the AMSOIL engineers’ collective word for it. What we can state with certainty is that the Break-In Oil cost roughly the same as the synthetic we usually run and the break-in on our freshly rebuilt high-performance engine went without hitch. This is cheap insurance!

More info can be found at AMSOIL’s site: www.amsoil.com

Let’s face it; most of us simply need more tire than those that come on our new ATV or UTV when it rolls off the showroom floor. We are always keeping our eyes open for a good tire to tackle whatever the trail throws at us, and being able to depend on it to get us through. The choices are plentiful in recent years with more tires always being released. ITP has been making tires for thirty years, and is known for making great tires and wheels. Earlier this year, ITP released its new version of its Black Water ATV tire, renaming it the Black Water Evolution. We brought the news to our readers as soon as we received the press release on those tires, and secretly had a crush on them from the moment we got a glimpse of the photo. We saw the 8-ply rating and unique tread pattern with a gleam in our eye and drool on the floor. We wanted a set of these tires.

After a call to ITP, followed by some shameless begging, ITP sent us a set of 27x9R-14 and 27x11R-14 Black Water Evolutions on SS216 ITP wheels. We literally counted the days until they arrived. We love testing tires though I can’t say exactly why, and from the moment the Black Water Evolutions arrived we knew these tires were going to be a great all-terrain. We were headed off to Taylor Park, CO two days after they arrived, which offered an opportunity to put many miles on them in a matter of a few days over terrain perfect for testing tires. Taylor Park, CO is extremely rocky in places, making for a rough ride with plenty of opportunities to puncture a tire. Taylor Park also has a little mud, lots of water crossings with smooth rocks, and several places with serious hill climbs on loose soil. Taylor Park might be the “perfect storm” for testing all-terrain tires. We mounted the Black Water Evolutions on our 2012 Polaris Sportsman X2 demo, loaded it on the trailer the following day, and headed off into the sunset towards the Rocky Mountains.

Traction

The Black Water Evolution is truly one of the best all-terrain tires we have ever tested on an ATV (and soon we will test them on a UTV). They perform exceptionally well on a variety of terrain from hard-pack trail, rocks, loose dirt, sand, and the added bonus of mud and snow though not specifically designed for that terrain. We tested the Black Water Evolutions on our Polaris Sportsman X2 550 right alongside a Polaris Sportsman Touring 550 with the original tires, making the only real differences between the machines the tires and power steering. The difference in traction was staggering. The Black Water Evolutions hook-up quickly and effortlessly on rocks with no fuss. They seem to reach out and grab whatever you take them over. A little gas and off you go. The tread pattern is nothing exactly like we have seen, but it looks good and better yet it works very well. Generally speaking, all-terrains should work well over most terrain even snow and mud. We have found in our experience most all-terrain tires do well on the trail and do “ok” in mud and snow. There seem to be some tire manufacturers making tires now that do great on most terrain and pretty darn well in mud and snow. ITP and the Black Water Evolutions fall into this latter category. On many of our adventures with all-terrains, we avoid any serious mud or snow, since we want to get back to camp without being knee deep in mud. The Black Water Evolutions allow us not to really worry about that. They are not MUD BOG TIRES, but they do exceptionally well in the mud and snow for all-terrain tires. It is nice to hit the trail and know you can tackle almost any terrain without worry. Couple this with the fact it is a tough tire, and you can have confidence you will make it back to camp without any problems.

The Ride

First placing the Black Water Evolution tires onto our ATV, we noticed immediately how “solid” these 8-ply radial tires are. They have almost no flex at all when you have 8 or 10 pounds of pressure in them. This was extremely noticeable on our utility ATV, and in our opinion would be much less noticeable on a UTV (we will be able to form a better opinion on this in the near future). The ride was rough, not because of the tread design, but because of a lack of flex. Though the handling down the trails was spot on, the ride was rough. So the only thing to do was to get these tires to flex! We set off to discover at what P.S.I the ride would smooth out. It turns out that 2 -2.5 pounds of pressure is where we get some flex and pooch in the sidewalls. From that point on the ride became much smoother. The Black Water Evolutions are still an 8-ply tire even at 2 pounds, but the ride is smoother over the rocks, bumps, and corners. The Black Water Evolutions corner well and predictably at higher speeds. On a UTV, the P.S.I should be increased, and being that application is what these tires are really designed for, the ride should be exactly what you would want and expect.

On an ATV equipped with electronic power steering, you will not notice the added weight of the Black Water Evolutions compared to stock tires, but on machines without power steering you will. There is no way around this no matter what tires you have once you get to 6 and 8-ply compared to stock tires, since most stock tires are 2 to 3-ply. Our Polaris Sportsman X2 550 didn’t have power steering, so when moving the front wheels standing still, it took some effort. Once we were moving, it was not really noticeable.

You might wonder about what we thought of the SS216 wheels. The SS216s look great, perform well, and come with a lifetime structural warranty. They come in two sizes 12×7 and 14×7, and are made of lightweight aluminum. We like the way the wheels have a machined finish with black accents in the spoke. The SS216s catch peoples’ attention, and add that custom look to your ATV.

Summary

We absolutely love these Black Water Evolution tires, and will be using them on many a machine and many adventures. They are dependable from a traction standpoint and a puncture resistance standpoint. We would recommend these tires without any hesitation as a solid all-terrain that is as good as you can find in the market today……. and better than most. The more we use these tires the more we appreciate the traction they offer including in mud and snow. The Black Water Evolutions grab the terrain with a vengeance taking you up and over what is in front of you. That is what makes a great all-terrain tire.

High Points

• Extremely durable and puncture resistant
• Excellent traction
• Designed for large ATVs and UTVs
• Links
• ITP Black Water Evolution Tires-
• ITP SS 216 Wheels
• Specs
• Black Water Evolution
• Sizing: 25x9R-12, 25x11R-12, 26x9R-12, 26x11R-12, 27x9R-12, 27x11R-12, 27x9R-14 and 27x11R-14.
• 8-ply-rated radial design
• Non-directional tread design provides awesome traction while maintaining a smooth ride and precise, balanced handling.
• All-new “Tough Tread” rubber compound offers exceptional wear and abrasion resistance for extended tire life.
• Exclusive “Sidewall Armor™” protects the vulnerable shoulder area from penetration, greatly increasing reliability.
• Engineered and manufactured in the U.S.A.
• SS216 Wheels
• Sizing: 12×7, 14×7.
• The lightweight, one-piece aluminum SS216 is as aggressive as it looks.
• All-new Rock Armor reinforced inner wheel lip design makes an already high-endurance wheel even more bulletproof.
• ITP’s SS Alloy wheels have come standard with a lifetime structural warranty for years-an industry first, as a matter of fact-and that applies to the SS216 as well
• 1000-lb. load rating
• Bright machined finish with black accents, topped with a durable clear coat
• Matching SS™ center cap is included with every wheel.

 

When it comes to our ATVs, time is always against us. Every single component is designed to function for a certain amount of time before inevitably failing: Some of these components have an accelerated lifespan due to use (think about your quad’s piston or shock seals) while others break down even while your machine rests peacefully in the garage (batteries, tire compound and fluids for example).

Fortunately ATVs, like most mechanical devices, are designed with parts to be maintained, rebuilt and often times replaced. This is important because we live in a world where disposable is becoming the norm… When your microwave oven, vacuum cleaner or flat screen TV crap the bed, it’s sayonara.

All of this brings us to the topic of the hour meter and what it can do for you.

Why Works Connection?

We use hour meters here at ATV Connection as they are invaluable for product testing and have come to really appreciate many of the features Works Connection packs into their pint-size powerhouse. For starters the unit requires no batteries of its own and doesn’t even need to run off your machine’s battery. Instead, you simply wrap its wire around your ATV’s spark plug wire (it works on both carbureted and fuel injected models). Next peel off the included double-sided tape and stick the unit (which is only 2” by 1”) to a frame spar of choice. That’s it. Installation can’t be simpler.

We typically mount ours to the frame near the radiator/ radiator guard as its tucked neatly away and well protected from the environment/ roost.

All told the complete unit goes for $37.95 and includes everything you need to get underway. Should you not trust the double-sided tape or (like us) transfer your hour meter among multiple vehicles, Works Connection also offers a bolt-on aluminum bracket for an additional $14.95.

In Action

Sure it’s not as sexy as say bolting on a new pipe or fresh plastic, but the Works Connection hour meter begins working its low key magic immediately after installation. If you mounted it somewhere where you can glance at its screen during vehicle operation, the meter also functions as a digital tachometer. Otherwise, it just silently clicks away the minutes the engine happens to be running (including idle).

The tach not only displays real-time RPM but it stores peak RPM achieved for those of us who swear we’re bouncing off the rev-limiter and want proof.

Real Benefit

Think of the tachometer feature as a bonus benefit to the Works Connection Hour Meter formula, the real beauty of this device is it provides precise information on how many hours you have on your ATV and its specific components. It’s invaluable for keeping track of intervals between oil changes, air filter lubrication, top-end life and so on. And don’t be surprised to notice, especially initially, that the hours pile up a lot quicker than our generally-optimistic estimations!

More Info/ Order

Head over to Works Connection’s official site by clicking here.

Admittedly, your ATV Connection editors are in no way affiliated with the fashion police. After all, we voluntarily wear brightly colored pajama wannabe outfits out in public each and every week.

However ATV/ UTV operators in general are known as a rough and tumble lot. We don’t panic when there’s work to be done on the farm, in the woods, around the yard or in the garage. As surprising as it is to us, sometimes the sweatpants you like to wear to watch Sunday football aren’t good enough for the job.

Enter Duluth Trading Co. These guys have been around since 1991 and have established a well-earned reputation for quality; after all, they began life as a manufacturer of fabric based tool transportation when a pair of tradesmen realized there had to be a better way. Throughout the course of the ensuing 20+ years, they’ve maintained that no-nonsense attitude and rep for durability. Their guarantee says it best: “If you are not 100% satisfied with any item you purchase from Duluth Trading, return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price. Simple, unconditional, no nonsense, NO BULL.” –Tough to argue with that!

We picked up a pair of their Men’s Flex Fire Hose Work Pants (#45507) in desert khaki color for $69.50 and set about throwing a few long days of riding, trail working, and downed limb removal at them. Would we flush out a weakness? Before we get to the results, let’s take a look at the feature set of this particular pair of pants:

· All the features of our regular Fire Hose Work Pants
· 8-oz. Fire Hose cotton canvas is 30% lighter than the originals, just as abrasion-resistant
· 3% spandex provides incredible flex as you work
· Prewashed, broken-in feel right out of the box
· Treated to resist stains and water
· Hidden crotch gusset for extra ease
· Mid-leg utility pockets and back pockets with tuckable pocket flaps
· Triple-stitched seams

Let’s begin by discussing fit- these pants are surprisingly comfortable right out of the box. Unlike casual khakis though, don’t expect a real relaxed feel, especially from the knee down. The Flex Fire Hose feel initially a lot like a good pair of cargo jeans, slimming and form fitting. However, the real charm of this configuration isn’t revealed until you crouch, squat or bend over. That 3% spandex all but eliminates that restriction/ fabric bunching so often associated with quality work gear.

In the field, the pants proved even more impressive. The design of the pockets, loops and flaps certainly speaks on behalf of this company’s heritage. Whether hanging a tool belt from the waistband or dropping a hammer into the side loop, it’s tough to find a single complaint about the storage solutions presented.

Additionally, don’t let the relatively light color we selected shake you, these babies are resistant to stains and water – and if you somehow manage to supercede the fabric’s natural repellent qualities, the pants are machine washable and tumble dry. No special regimens required and after a washing, there is no evidence we’ve ever worn the pants to report (much less did field work in a very swamped out NY during the fall in them for two day straight). We did experience a small degree of post watch shrinkage that quickly dissipated once we put the pants back on.

We’re also quite impressed with their ability to resist rips, tears and abrasions, even in those real high stress areas (like the knees and seat of the pants). Again even after much heavy use, ours look like they were never even worn.

Finally, and this may not be as important to everyone as it is to us, the pants have style! No we don’t mean “style for workpants”, we mean they look good enough to wear for casual use. In fact, a favorite trick of ours is to finish up on the trails, change jackets, and go straight to the restaurant to refuel after.

In all, it’s pretty tough to find a single complaint about the Men’s Flex Fire Hose Work Pants, they simply did everything as advertised and more and that’s not even including what is perhaps the most impressive guarantee the industry has to offer. This is money well spent!

For more information on these pants or all of Duluth’s product line, click here.