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56 • October 3, 2016 • Powersports Business ATV/UTV www.PowersportsBusiness.com 2017 lineup launched at dealer meeting BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR All day dealers sat through training, wonder- ing what units were covered up in the center of the ODES dealer meeting in Irving, Texas. When the 2017 ATVs and side-by-sides were revealed, they swarmed to the vehicles, quick to closely examine the UTVs that will soon arrive in their showrooms. In early September, ODES unveiled a new 500cc unit, the Comrade, as well as a 7-inch touchscreen LCD display that appears on seven of the 2017 models. COMRADE DEBUTS The Comrade is the first 500cc side-by-side offered by ODES. The company added the $7,799 unit due to dealer demand. "It's just an inexpensive, price point, 50-inch model for the trail width and a good little farm vehicle, so it kind of hit three things at once. A lot of dealers wanted that instead of just the high-end stuff," said ODES CEO Mike Smith. Despite being a value-priced model, the Comrade is loaded with accessories, as is ODES' signature. The Comrade comes stock with a 2,500-pound winch, hard doors, an ABS molded roof, a tilt dump bed, a plexiglass wind- shield, an oversized cargo box and more. EPS is optional. The Comrade is offered in flat sage green, silver metallic, or shiny red, and it comes with a two-year warranty. After it was unveiled, dealers hurried to check it out, opening the hood and sitting inside. David Sick of Sick Brothers in Dansville, New York, said he'll have his first Comrade sold by the time it's in his dealership. A customer of his has been looking for a 500cc unit, after his friends purchased similar side-by-sides from other brands. "He wants an ODES in a smaller unit, but I haven't been able to find one until now," Sick said. "He's been in the shop like four times looking for it." Steve Brucher of Northern Powersports of Mio in Mio, Michigan — ODES' number one dealer by volume for four years in a row — said, "We'll sell the daylights out of them." LCD SCREEN ADDED Though dealers were excited about the Com- rade, they were equally happy to see the new 7-inch Zeus Touch touchscreen on the dash of seven 2017 models. The Zeus Touch is a collaboration between ODES and Enovation Controls, a Tulsa, Okla- homa, company. "It's just going to take everything to the next level, and we want to be the next level," Smith said. Using the Zeus Touch, riders can harness GPS technology to map routes and track their own waypoints and use Bluetooth technology to see incoming call and text notifications. They can also view all gauges and indicator lights. When an Enovation-designed ICE ste- reo system is installed, riders can also control AM/FM or Bluetooth music from the touch- screen, which can be synced with a Wet Sounds speaker. The full-color screen works in all con- ditions, even in direct sunlight. "We use a technology called optical bond- ing, where the LCD and the glass are bonded together with gel, and it stops the refraction of light," John Shea, manager of vehicle system sales for Enovation Controls, told dealers. The Zeus Touch is also waterproof. "I'm thrilled to death," Sick said. "My cus- tomers back at home are just going to be blown away when they see this. It's pretty cool." Jay Deakin, who works in customer service at Austin Boats & Motors in Lakeway, Texas, was impressed with the GPS feature, as well as the add-on stereo. "It's going to be really good because almost every customer that we've sold wants a radio, and that ICE thing will be great for that. It'll be a good add-on, a quick add-on, too," he said. The Zeus Touch LCD is standard equip- ment on the Assailant 800cc ATV and the Dominator X2, Raider and Dominator X4 1000cc UTVs. It's optional on the Dominator ODES introduces 500cc UTV, LCD touchscreen See Odes, Page 60 Above: ODES introduced its 2017 Comrade 500cc UTV at its dealer meeting near Dallas, Texas, in September. Right: Dealers take a close look at the ODES Comrade 500cc side-by-side. RZR Turbo, new Wildcat X unveiled Polaris recently introduced its 2017 RZR XP Turbo models, and Arctic Cat revealed its sec- ond wave of 2017 side-by-sides and ATVs. The following are the news releases from both OEMs. POLARIS RZR TURBO Polaris RZR sets another new standard in razor- sharp performance with the introduction of the RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS. Featuring a new ProStar Turbo H.O. engine that unleashes 168 horsepower — the most power ever offered on a factory side-by-side — the vehicles offer 15 percent more power than last year's models and 9 percent more than anything else on the market. To match the horsepower upgrade — and significantly improve on 2016 models — the 2017 RZR XP Turbo models feature new, high- capacity cooling and a stronger driveline to get that power to the ground. The high-capacity cooling includes a new, more powerful, vari- able-speed, brushless fan coupled with a new, 40-percent larger, high-flow front grill and a 20-percent larger engine radiator. The new cooling ensures the engine can breathe for maximum power delivery. The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS boast the most premium suspen- sion, with exclusive FOX Podium Internal Bypass Shocks that deliver the plushest ride and best handling found on a side-by-side. The shocks generate progressive damping force that gives the vehicles a smooth ride with all the bottom-out resistance expected from ultra- performance off-road vehicles. Large-diameter shock bodies (3-in./7.6-cm rear, 2.5-in./6.4- cm front), adjustable remote reservoirs and increased fluid capacity provide dramatic improvements in heat dissipation, fade resis- tance and durability. By using five compression zones to provide progressive damping as the shock gently absorbs bumps and stiff- ens to prevent bottoming, the Internal Bypass Shocks feel like five shocks in one. Combine that with three zones of rebound damping to minimize pitch- ing, plus harsh top out, for an ultra- plush ride and better handling over a wider range of terrain at any speed. For ultimate agility, the vehicles fea- ture front and re-tuned rear stabilizer bars to virtually eliminate body roll for flatter cornering. For quicker steer- ing, both vehicles have a new 1.5-turn steering rack, paired with standard electronic power steering (EPS). The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS' industry-leading brak- ing performance ensures precision stopping. The brakes feature large, triple-piston front calipers, dual- piston rear calipers, stainless-steel rotors and large 248mm ventilated discs on all four corners, for power- ful stopping performance. The RZR XP Turbo EPS and RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS will be available in late 2016 in Titanium Matte Metal- lic and Cruiser Black. The two-seat model will retail for $24,999 U.S. and the four-seat for $27,499 U.S. Both models come with an extended two-year factory war- ranty when purchased before Dec. 31. For customers looking for high perfor- mance at value pricing, the 2016 RZR XP Turbo is now available for $19,999 U.S. and the 2016 RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS is $22,499 U.S. ARCTIC CAT WILDCAT X Arctic Cat continued its foot-on-the-gas approach to new ROV and ATV model intro- ductions by releasing its second wave of new- for-2017 models, including the new Wildcat X and Wildcat 4X models, featuring the all-new RG PRO rear suspension, as well as the re- designed value-priced Alterra 300 ATV. Three new Wildcat side-by-sides head- line the latest 2017 model releases: the two- occupant Wildcat X EPS and Wildcat X Limited EPS, plus the four-occupant Wildcat 4X EPS. All three models feature an entirely new RG PRO rear suspension package that was designed in partnership with racing legend Robby Gordon and aimed at professional-level riders who demand the ultimate big bump off- road performance. The innovative X models also feature a new race-inspired ROPS cage, KING alu- minum gas shocks, custom cast-aluminum KMC wheels and a host of chassis improve- ments for pro-level performance. The results deliver the most capable off-road machines available, with custom features and pricing that exceed previous standards. High value and low price are the hallmarks of the new Alterra 300 ATV, a redesigned machine that blends full-sized features, durable engine performance and rugged Alterra styling. These four machines join the six new mod- els introduced in June for yet another unprec- edented rollout of new models in a single season. Arctic Cat now offers 30 class-leading machines for all categories of off-road work and play. "We've expanded our 2017 line of Arctic Cat dirt products to provide the most innova- tive technology, maximum performance and class-leading value," said Greg Williamson, Arctic Cat chief marketing officer, "And we're not done yet! These models and subsequent machines will continue to deliver the ultimate off-road experience to every enthusiast." PSB Polaris, Arctic Cat release new models Polaris' new RZR XP Turbo EPS models feature a 168-horsepower ProStar Turbo H.O. engine. Arctic Cat's new Wildcat X features all-new RG PRO rear suspension.