Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/410960
The Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., 2015 Viking side-by-side is rolling off the U.S. assembly line in Newnan, Ga., just in time for fall hunting and harvest. With class-leading cab room and comfort, and superior handling and off-road capabilities, the Viking is a tough and hardworking utility-based vehicle that is also fun to drive. Yamaha's 2015 Viking is a three-person vehicle featuring a driver-directed four- wheel drive system, the industry's most durable and reliable automatic transmission and the most natural feeling electric power steering (EPS). "The 2015 Vikings are in production and rolling out to dealers across the country this fall," said Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV/SxS group marketing manager. "From the sum- mer farm shows to farmers and hunters who are starting to harvest crops and game in the field, we continue to get great feedback from current and future Yamaha Viking owners." The Viking's unique cab configuration allows for pass-through bucket seating and maximum headroom without sacrificing crit- ical ground clearance. Automotive-style con- trols engage the 686cc engine, and Yamaha's three-way On-Command system, featuring 2WD, 4WD and 4WD with differential lock, is driver-controlled with an automotive-type rotary dial selector. Yamaha's Ultramatic transmission with high, low and reverse has proven to be the industry's most durable CVT system and provides the most natural feeling all-wheel engine braking. The Viking's rear steel cargo bed was pur- pose-built for durability and convenience. Large enough to carry a fully loaded pallet, the assisted dump bed can pack up to 600 pounds of equipment and supplies, while the standard two-inch receiver hitch is rated to pull 1,500 pounds. The Viking features nearly 12 inches of ground clearance at the lowest point, a full steel-composite smooth skid plate front-to-back and side-to-side and an optimized f r a m e w i t h u p t u r n e d s i d e rails allowing for smoother transitions over obstacles. The Viking's long-travel four- wheel independent suspen- sion is perfectly balanced to provide a plush and comfort- able ride with a quality damp- ing feel in rough terrain, all while carrying either a light or full load. Standard EPS models come in Steel Blue (MSRP $12,799), Hunter Green with sun top (MSRP $12,999), Red with sun top (MSRP $12,999) and Realtree AP HD camo with sun top (MSRP $13,599). The 2015 non-EPS models start at $11,799 MSRP. A new 2015 Special Edition in Matte Sil- ver comes with a hard sun top, cast alumi- num wheels, over fenders, mud flaps and the Yamaha accessory bed rail mounting system (MSRP $14,049). Every Yamaha Viking is assembled in the U.S.A. at Yamaha's factory in Newnan, Ga., for worldwide distribution. PSB OHV trails had been closed for 11 years About 25 riders and supporters celebrated the reopening of phase one of the Rattlesnake Bay OHV Trails in Mississippi's DeSoto National Forest in September, the American Motorcy- clist Association announced. The Friends of Rattlesnake Bay off-high- way-vehicle group joined U.S. Forest Service officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 9.5 miles of trails in an area that has remained "temporarily" closed for more than 11 years. "We are elated that the Forest Service has begun the process of reopening these trails, and we want to thank the Forest Service officials and the Friends of Rattlesnake Bay member volunteers for their hard work that made this day possible," said Dale Tallman Jr., volunteer coordinator for the Friends of Rattlesnake Bay. The AMA became involved in the effort at Tallman's request. Steve Salisbury, AMA gov- ernment affairs manager for off-highway issues, assisted Tallman, Fred Pittman, Robert Rockco and other Mississippi riders in forming the Friends of Rattlesnake Bay to facilitate Forest Service negotiations with a unified voice. The initial reopening was made possible by the February approval of a recreation fee structure from the U.S. Forest Service Southern Region Recreation Resource Advi- sory Committee and cooperation between the USFS and Friends of Rattlesnake Bay. Volunteers from the OHV group helped USFS crews complete the needed repairs to the trails in late August. The trails that reopened consist of a 7.6-mile loop and a 1.9-mile loop. A second section of trail, encompassing nearly 28 miles, is in the planning stages and may open in the spring or summer of 2015. "This is, indeed, an important milestone for the individuals and clubs that ride in the Rattlesnake Bay area," Salisbury said. "And it is equally important to keep the lines of com- munication open between the riders and the Forest Service as we all work toward the goal of reopening all the closed trails in the DeSoto." The Rattlesnake Bay trail system is in the special use permit area for the Camp Shelby Military Training Site near Hattiesburg, Miss. Mississippi Tourism, a division of the Missis- sippi Development Authority, supported the reopening of the trails. Trail rules include a 1-inch maximum tire tread depth and an OHV sound limit of 96 dBA. The approved fee structure provides for the continued maintenance and operation of the trails. The fee includes a $10-a-day per person fee for trail use and a $60-a-year annual opera- tor fee, which will be valid for all OHV trails on national forests in Mississippi. The annual pass is expected to be available early in 2015. PSB 2015 Viking revealed in time for fall hunting season First phase of Mississippi's Rattlesnake Bay OHV Trails reopens 36 • October 6, 2014 • Powersports Business ATV www.PowersportsBusiness.com (Left) Riders Nathan Tallman, Justin Robinson, Robbie Robinson, Bob Silles, Fred Pittman, Thomas Gut, Bradley Bryant, Mark Langston and Dale Tallman celebrate the reopening of phase one of the Rattlesnake Bay OHV Trails in Mississippi's DeSoto National Forest. The three-person 2015 Yamaha Viking will be heading to dealerships this fall.