If you were to guess the year based on style alone, you may think it was 1989 but you'd be wrong. Thanks to an unlikely collaboration, your kids may be sporting the newest old Team Honda gear:

https://atvconnection.com/articles/a...facts-know-43/

 

Maybe Hammer pants will make a comeback too, and not just as a costume. You never know.

 

Hahahaa...

 

In the realm of off-roading, we often view things as a rider vs. government mentality but, surprisingly, there are some very impressive riding areas and free resources to get you there thanks to Uncle Sam:

https://atvconnection.com/articles/a...facts-know-44/

 

We are lucky in Colorado to have lots of dirt bike, ATVs (50"), and Jeep off roading trails. Almost all of it is on government land. OHV stickers are required; $26 each year. The government provides maps, signage, and limited trail maintenance. The trails are very scenic and challenging. Trail head parking and the trails themselves are crowded on weekends. The trails get used a lot around here.

BUT! I wish our elected representatives would see the huge advantage in legalizing ATVs and UTVs for use on secondary roads here in Colorado. Riding opportunities would go from a few hundred miles of trails to thousands of miles of scenic forest service roads and secondary county roads. Some of us like to take the wife or other family members for a picnic lunch in the backcountry. We don't want a rocky, washout, highly technical trail ride. I should have purchased a dirt bike with turn signals, because then I could get a street legal license and ride these back roads. Jeeps can too. The back roads are safer than rugged off road trails. About 23 states have some sort of street legal opportunities for ATVs, many of these states are quite limited in riding opportunities. Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho have good ATV street legal opportunities. Let's follow their lead and make Colorado as good as Utah for a ATV vacation.

I might add, we ATV enthusiasts must respect the rules and the land when riding on public trails. We must report bad behavior such as riding off trail, stunt riding, leaving campfires burning, shooting firearms, chasing animals and all the other bad stuff a very few idiots consider fun. The government can close a trail just like that. It happened in Minnesota with damage to wetlands close to the trail.

David

 

ORV permits used to be $16.25 a year until a few years ago. Now there are 2 stickers. One is an ORV license that costs $26.25, plus you need a $10 trail permit to ride the trails. They've been using the money for trail maintenance and adding more trails. Where to ride in Michigan, from the DNR website.

An ORV is a vehicle built primarily for off-road recreation. There are different types of ORVs and each has its own handling characteristics, including motorcycles, ATVs and route vehicles.

​Riders can enjoy Michigan's ORV trail / route system and frozen surface of public waters. ​Throughout the northern Lower Peninula and Upper Peninsula, state forest roads are open unless posted closed to ORVs. ​See maps of forest roads recently opened to ORVs in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Beginning in January 2019, additional forest roads in the southern Lower Peninsula will be available for riders. Get involved with the Road Inventory Project.

Free ORV Weekends - 2018 dates will be announced soon
Residents and nonresidents can ride DNR-designated routes and trails during two Free ORV Weekends each year. Off-road enthusiasts will not need to purchase an ORV license or trail permit on these two days, saving riders up to $36.25. This opportunity is a great way for ORV enthusiasts to explore Michigan's 3,660 miles of trails and and think about purchasing an ORV license or trail permit for the season. Funds generated are reinvested back into the ORV system.

Michigan’s ORV trail system has three designated types of trails, including:

Motorcycle-only trails maintained at a 28” width
ATV trails maintained at a 50” width
ORV routes maintained at a minimum 72” width or greater
Note: Some ORV routes have a restriction to 65” width or high ground clearance see trail maps for locations.

State parks and Rustic Campgrounds
ORVs are generally prohibited in state game areas or state parks and recreation areas, however, there are a handful of ORV-friendly state parks and rustic campgrounds open to riders across the state.

National Forests
In all national forests, motor vehicles can be used only on roads, trails or areas that are designated as open. For more information, contact the local national forest headquarters.

Public roads
Roads, streets and highways maintained for year-round automobile travel (including the shoulder and the right-of-way) are closed to ORV operation unless designated open to ORV use by local ordinance. ORV operators should check with that county’s sheriff, road commission or clerk for local ordinances. It is illegal to operate ORVs on state and federal highways, including the shoulders and rights of way.

Private land
Private land is closed to ORV operation except by the landowner and the landowner's invited guests.

 

The 1000cc side-by-side class is on fire right now. The latest super beast to enter the fray will be coming from a smaller company. Though it looks to us like it arrived from the future:


https://atvconnection.com/articles/a...facts-know-45/

 

Have to admit it is sharp looking.Probably will see cars that look like this zipping down the roads in the future.Spyder is the closest thing to it now I guess.

 

It really needs a cargo box on the rear. It looks like something is missing, like a pickup truck I saw today with no box, just a cab.

P.S. If you told me it was a Can-Am I would have believed it when I saw the front end.

 

These guys know how to stop some of the fastest machines in the world! Their new high tech facility is going to be like something out of a scifi movie:

https://atvconnection.com/articles/a...facts-know-46/