I remember the day my father brought home our family’s first ATV. It was a Suzuki 350 c.c. and I was terrified of it. It had a manual transmission and I spent several frustrating hours trying to learn how to shift the gears smoothly. After I figured it out, however, I was hooked on ATVing.
A couple of years later, my father bought two personal watercraft and it didn’t take me long to develop an interest in them as well. Since then, I’ve explored trails and lakes throughout the East and West Kootenay regions of B.C. and in the province of Alberta. I have also ridden a personal watercraft in the states of Montana, Arizona and Utah. My passion for motorsports is something I am pleased to share with my husband, who is also an experienced dirt biker and motorcyclist.
As a writer for RidersWest, I get to speak with top riders in the industry, learn about new products on the market and hear great riding stories from readers.
If you have a story that you’d like to share, know of an outstanding rider who should be recognized or would just like to talk about motorsports, please email me.
With all the attention on Yamaha’s new three-seater Viking side-by-side, it’s easy to overlook the company’s Grizzly 700 FI ATV. For 2014, this much-loved machine received some significant upgrades.
by Kirsten Armleder
Last month, Can-Am lifted the covers off its new lineup for 2014 and the most exciting news is the expansion of the company’s side-by-side lineup. A four-seater has been added to the family.
by Kirsten Armleder
The 10th anniversary of the Red Bull Romaniacs in Sibiu, Romania, saw for the first time not one but two riders from Canada standing on the podium. In the Hobby Single class, Kitt Stringer rode to a third-place finish, while his friend and fellow competitor Esteban Torres Bonet claimed the top spot. Both riders are from Victoria, B.C., and this was their first attempt at the Red Bull Romaniacs.
by Kirsten ArmlederIf you like watching Sons of Anarchy, there’s a good chance you’ll like the new Warlocks Rising TV series. The series, which premieres on the U.S. cable network Discovery Channel on July 5 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, is a documentary about the Warlocks Motorcycle Club.
by Kirsten Armleder
If you’re a fan of Tucker Hibbert, you’ll probably want to be tuned in to FUEL TV and NBC in the afternoon of July 6, 2013. Why? It’s the RedBud National in Buchanan, Michigan, and that’s when Hibbert makes his first debut of the 2013 pro motocross season.
by Kirsten Armleder
Designed with the casual and urban street rider in mind, the new Shark Raw is an open face motorcycle helmet that features a detachable face mask.
by Kirsten Armleder
This team of professional sportbike freestyle riders spend hours perfecting their tricks—which include wheelies, stoppies and burnouts—and, contrary to public belief, they do it in the safety of closed lots, not on the streets.
by Kirsten Armleder
The Voss 600 Dually is a new moto-style helmet that comes with a clear external face shield as well as a smoked internal sun visor.
by Kirsten Armleder
Looking for an onboard charger to keep your marine batteries topped up while you’re out having fun on the water? As the name implies, Powermania’s eight-amp Turbo M208E battery charger restores depleted batteries back to a full charge in as little time as possible.
by Kirsten Armleder
The struggle to find the perfect set of goggles can be a tough one. Ever wonder what the pros are wearing? Well, for this season, AMA supercross stars like Ken Roczen and Chad Reed are donning their new Fox AIRSPC Goggles before they hit the track.
by Kirsten Armleder
Do you like camping with your ATV but hate sleeping in a tent on the ground? Then you’ll probably like the ATV WildBED.
by Kirsten Armleder
At Canada’s first urban endurocross—the Red Bull Rocks and Logs in Calgary, Alberta, on May 26, 2013—Team Husqvarna’s Cory Graffunder made it known that he was back home in Canada by claiming first place in the pro category. Until then, it had been four years since Graffunder made tracks on Canadian soil.
by Kirsten Armleder
Most motorcycle riders will agree that if you are planning on using your smartphone to display maps and GPS directions while cruising the open road, it is essential that you purchase a good protective case for it and a handlebar mount.
There are plenty of choices on the market—one being the Phoneshield for Apple’s iPhone 5 from High-Tech Motion. Released in May 2013, Phoneshield is a case and mount combination kit.
by Kirsten Armleder
RidersWest tests out the new SuperChocks and Rear Clamps tie-down system for ATVs and UTVs.
by Kirsten Armleder
Whether it’s doing chores, cruising the trails or just looking pretty in the back of your truck, the 2013 Arctic Cat 700 Limited ATV comes equipped for every task.
by Kirsten Armleder
A new team has been formed to help Canadian riders gain a stronger presence at the AMA Mountain Dew ATV Motocross National Championship and other prestigious events around the world.
by Kirsten Armleder