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Show Pg Monday, April 13, 1987 Eight vehicles are really making the grade Off-roa- d off, but Sales have taken By Tina M. Mollton Chronicle staff writer If the last time choose your toy carefully a rider can find and dirt bikes. Because of recent accidents All Terrain Vehicles four-wheele- you pulled off the road was to change a flat tire, you may be interested in knowing that other people intentionally pull off the road for another reason fun and sport. vehicles were developed 17 years ago, Ever since off-roriders have entertained themselves for hours at a time climbing steep hills and conquering intimidating terrain that had formerly been considered off limits. It is just within the has gained last five or six years, however, that tremendous popularity. Since then, the sales of off-road "off-roadin- g" ad rs three-wheele- rs, that have occurred due to "rider misuse," many of the vehicles are in the process of being phased rs and dirt bikes arc out. However, the line of constantly expanding to accommodate the growing market of drivers. er In the category, vehicles start with a 70cc size machine priced at $700. From there, the children's 200cc and the 250cc for vehicles increase to the adult-size- d around $2,000, and up to a 350cc for about $3,700. In the dirt bike category, the starting size is a children's bikes, 80cc, starting at $700. Moving up to the adult-size- d the lOOcc, 200cc and up to the oOOcc, are priced between $1,200 and $2,400. d vehicles mentioned can be expensive toys The considering they are not "street legal," which means they cannot be driven on city streets. However, there is an alternative for the driver who needs a regular mode of transportation but would also like to explore some off-roterrain without the purchase of a separate vehicle. Automobile and truck manufacturers have heard the cry for an vehicle that can look good in the city, but at the same time can take the rugged hills on the weekends. such as Chevrolet, Ford, GMC Many of the old stand-by- s, and even a number of foreign manufacturers arc producing four-whe- el drive vehicles that can handle the asphalt on the as well as the sand in the desert. freeway Some of the better selling models have names that indicate they have a greater purpose in life than getting you to school and back home. For example, Suzuki offers the Samurai; Nissan manufactures the Pathfinder; AMC puts out the Jeep CJ-- 7 Renegade; Toyota sells the Landcruiscrjand Chevrolet makes the Blazer. vehicles which also function as Of course, d toys command a greater price than specialty off-rovehicles. Four-whe- el drive vehicles start around $6,000 and can reach well over $20,000, depending on the additional options desired. As few as five years ago, four-whedrive vehicles were limited much to trucks and jeeps that huge, powerful pretty came equipped with a winch. But today, a four-whedrive vehicle can come as small as the Toyota Tercel SR5 Wagon and be as inconspicuous as the Subaru XT GL Coupe. What started out as a specialty vehicle is now offered by automobile manufacturers in more than 20 different models. three-wheel- er four-wheele- four-wheel- ' off-roa- ad all-purp- all-purp- off-roa- vehicles have become higher than ever. Ron and Dick Perry, owners of Perry Brothers Honda, d vehicle that said they can outfit any rider with the Because of the weight and will suit him or her the best. maneuverability of particular vehicles, a rider should carefully consider safety features before making a purchase. vehicles tend Many of the accidents that occur with off-rocaused which be includes "rider to misuse," by operating a vehicle not properly suited for the rider. d vehicle category also known as ATVs, or In the off-roa- ad off-roa- ad el el 1 Just as the selection of vehicles is great, so is the selection ." of where to go Utah, with its many open is a and rider's delight. Many open areas, deserts, spaces such as Jericho, Utah, provide excellent sand dunes. Just south of Salt Lake County in Lark, Utah, areas have been vehicle use where signs have been designated for off-roUtah'also offers some of its forest service lands for posted. "off-roading- ad play. In the past three years, an industry-wid- e safety program has been implemented with the purpose of accident are required to pass a safety prevention. Riders aged course designed by the Safety Vehicle Institute of America before they arc authorized to ride. The riders within this age vehicle. group must carry a permit while riding an off-roBut overall, the sport is considered safe and fun when riders use common sense and safety. Across the country, more than 7 million riders have taken up the sport, both for recreation and utility. 8-- 16 ad Stability makes four-wheele- rs A Ait ATVs of choice fnpM ati II By Bryant Larsen Chronicle staff writer Several years ago, when various companies all terrain vehicle introduced a three-whe- el off-roenthusiasts (ATV), thought they had the perfect toy. There was just one drawback safety. Since their introduction, safety problems rs have plagued their involving Because of the three wheels, these popularity. machines are especially prone to tip over, spills that have caused many serious injuries. Not to be discouraged with those results, the ORV industry responded with the recent introduction of a four wheeler. The four wheel ATVs are very popular, says Ron Perry, of Perry Brothers Honda in Holladay. machines are Perry said the four-whe- el a wheelers lot better than the three selling because of their increased stability. He added that four wheelers can do most everything three-wheelcan do, although their turning is restricted. more capability The four wheelers are popular with most every age group, Perry said. People are attracted to the ATVs because beginners can learn quickly how to ride them. rs come in a variety of sizes. The Honda, for example, makes four sizes, ranging from a junior, model, perfect for kids, which retails for $995, on up to the granddaddy with four-whe- el drive and a 350cc engine, which sells for $3700. Perry said tvarious groups are finding more He recently sold uses for the Air National Utah eight machines to the Guard for use in carrying parts around the ad three-wheele- Pl'6; smm er ' I&spS (1 four-wheele- four-wheele- rs. Chronicle photo by Boone J. Chen base. He added that deer hunters are also rs helpful in their finding the four-wheele- sport. The deserts west of Salt Lake City, as well as the sand dunes near Jericho, Utah, are two of the most popular spots for four wheel recreational riding, Perry said. Although the four-wheele- rs are relatively easy to operate, manufacturers suggest that people take a safety course before riding; many companies offer classes. |