Never let it be said that Polaris isn’t willing to every niche available. The Minnesota-based manufacturer has just released a special edition version of its Sportsman 400 built just for the southern customer – the Polaris Sportsman 400 H.O. South Edition.

Available in limited quantities within an 11-state region, the Sportsman 400 H.O. Southern Edition features durable steel/LOCK&RIDE front and rear racks with multiple tie-down locations and is highlighted by a new 31.5” seat height and a tighter turning radius than the standard Sportsman 400 H.O. The standard Sportsman 400 H.O., which we reviewed here, has a 33.8″ seat height.

American Honda, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has issued a recall of 2012 Honda FourTrax Rancher models.

According to the recall notice, a weld on the ATV’s front right and left upper suspension arms can separate, which can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle. About 19,500 units are involved in the recall. Honda is aware of 10 incidents of suspension arm weld failures, including one in which a rider suffered a sprained wrist.

Thirty years after introducing the industry’s first four-wheeled ATV, Suzuki has unveiled its 2013 KingQuad ATV lineup. The only thing that differentiates the 2013 lineup from the 2009 through 2012 lineups is a new True Timber XD3 Camo option and new commemorative 30th Anniversary badges and Metallic Matte Royal Red bodywork on two special edition KingQuad models.

“We are proud to be a true innovator in developing the modern ATV,” says American Suzuki Senior Communications Manager Steve Bortolamedi. “Suzuki redefined off-roading in 1983, becoming ‘First on 4-Wheels’ and we want to celebrate three decades of class-leading Suzuki ATVs with these limited edition 30th Anniversary KingQuad models.”

The two machines getting the 30th anniversary special edition treatment are the KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering and KingQuad 500AXi Power Steering. These models join Suzuki’s full lineup of 2013 KingQuad ATVs. The KingQuad 750AXi and KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering are Suzuki’s flagship utility ATV models. Each features fully independent A-arm front suspension and I-beam rear suspension, adjustable shocks, locking front differential, high/low-selectable subtransmission and a 4-stroke, liquid-cooled powerplant with Suzuki fuel injection.

A wild, customized ATV or UTV is one of our favorite things to see when we visit riding areas or off-road shows. It never fails to amaze us what creative and mechanical minds can come up with. The latest project from Marshall Motoart will be difficult to top.

Dubbed 2011 Project X “Spider Monkey,” this project transforms the Polaris Ranger 6×6 into an off-road tamer to be behold. It comes outfitted with a wagon (making the 6×6 a 10×6!), as well as a turbo engine, air suspension, lights galore, extra fuel containers, a booming sound system and a tent.

If you want to see how the “Spider Monkey” was put together, you can check out the Destination Polaris Show on the Outdoor Channel every Monday through August 1, 2011. Click here to view the first episode. 

Team Gorilla Axle / Can-Am had another good showing in the ITP Championship Mud Racing (CMR) series held at Southern Ridge ATV Park in Dozier Ridge, Ala. Three riders piloted their Can-Am vehicles to five total podiums, including second overall in the highly competitive Pro A division.

Steve Hittle has led the way aboard his Can-Am Outlander in the Pro A class in 2011 with five heat wins and an overall. The Team Gorilla Axle / Can-Am racer won round two and then finished second at round three to take over the class points lead. Hittle leads Can-Am-mounted racer Ethan LaFontaine by 10 points heading into round four. Hittle also is a major contender in the RUV class with his Can-Am Commander 1000 X. He’s currently No. 2 in that class and in the Super Modified (Open) division.

“Team Gorilla / Can-Am riders continue to challenge for the CMR title in their respective classes on ATVs and behind the wheel of the Commander side-by-side,” says Jimmie O’Dell, Can-Am race manager. “Steve had another good run in the Pro A class, finishing second and maintaining his points lead.”