i want to start this topic to (hopefully) open a discussion on how we can coax the major manufacturers to begin producing a closed-course race ATV.
what can we do?.. i know we've screamed about getting such machines for years, but maybe now is the time for a concerted effort to get the wheels turning in this direction....

the EPA has proposed rules which will severly limit 2-stroke motorcycles in the US starting in 2006, however they have stated that 2-stroke machines designated as 'closed-course race vehicles' would still be allowed.
theier definition of this is:

1- having 10" of travel at the wheels or more
2- no lights
3- no spark arrester

i fully believe that such an ATV can exist, produced directly from a major manufacturer. we just have to convince them that there is a market for such a machine.

the other major obstacle to overcome is the fact that most ATV makers fear building such a machine due to liability(especially here in the US) lawsuits

any ideas on how to go about this???

rules for races that give incentive to manufacturers to produce such machines is a great start....as is media coverage.

 

Hmmm... I have wanted to post about this before but never got around to it. I think someone(not me, 15 year olds get no respect on this type of subject, or at all!) should call up some of the "head hanchos" at Honda, Suzuki, and Kawasaki and suggest that they "hear us out" on this matter. Maybe we could get them to at least prove there is a market by making a petition and seeing how many people would be interested in this type of quad. We would also need someone with some legal expertise to get around the liability issue, maybe by making all buyers to sign a contract of some sort so they couldn't be sued. Also, post in more then just sport quads, you will get more responses!

 

the greatest problem with the liability waiver, as you describe it, is that those that buy it from the dealer are the only ones that will sign such a waiver. what if the one that gets on it and gets hurt didn't sign it?... this would be and is the case.
although 90-95% of atv accidents are due to user indescretion; many times it does get blamed on the manufacturer... much like coffee being hot and a person sueing McDonalds for not warning them about that.

however, i believe that the manufacturers would be released from some liability if they added a warning to the fender(along with all the others) stating that 'such a vehicle is intended for closed-coure racing use only, such activity is dangerous, and the manufacturer can't be held liable for it's use.'... in so many words. note that current warnings are embossed into and rivetted to the fenders to prevent removal.

getting manufacturers involved in the race scene is the best way to get them to build good race machines... it means they are there, getting input from racers(that know what they are talking about) as to what racers wants and needs are. proposed rule changes by the ATVA and other sanctioning organizations may help push manufacturers along the road, but we as consumers need to show them that we recognize thier efforts when and if they do help out the race scene.... by buying thier product if they do.
personally i applaud cannondale(MX, TT) & bombardier(desert) for thier efforts and support, they are the ones who really started the ball rolling for manufacturers on the race side. i can't say that i've bought thier products yet (mainly b/c i can't afford them at this time) but i'm definitely putting them on my 'more approved' list, and others are watching & buying, especially racers on the up & up.... I.E. Nac's/Cannondale, and rumor says Suzuki will join in too with the new LTZ in GNC MX.

 

I never thought about the warnings on the fenders, thats a good idea! What we really need to do is get some signatures, and like you said, get some Pro's to help promote the idea of a closed course 2 stroke. Maybe someone who goes to all the GNC or GNCC events could make up some sort of flyer or something to get the word out, then maybe some of the top guys from GNC and GNCC would hear about it, and want to help. I also think we need to get ahold of the manufacturers and show them the letters DirtWheels recieves every month on this matter, along with those DUMBA$$ age "recommendations"

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img] well the main reason that there isnt one now, is that the market for a closed course quad isnt as large as the new quads we are seeing now, i just read an article in Dirt Wheels in which they asked this same question to Honda it was either Jan. 02 or Feb. 02 issue and they stated that, we'd all like to see a closed course production race quad however i think to get a race quad we are going to have to build our own, because the manufacturers dont want to invest millions in the development of a "niche" market quad they will hopefully continue to invest millions in the development of new quads whatever they may be, they were asleep for several years until honda woke the sleeping giant in 98 and now look at all the new sport quads on the market, personally i cant think of a better time to be in the sport, not that i want to stir any pots i just dont think that its gonna happen, but what the hell we can dream right