A Look at the 2009 Arctic Cat ATV Line Up

Got a need for a specialized ATV or UTV? Arctic Cat is trying to fill it with its dynamic 2009 model lineup that was unveiled at its hometown 2009 dealer meeting in Thief River Falls, Minn., in early June.

The company has several new models featuring more power, and some featuring less power.

Most of its machines ride a little bit lower for 2009, though one purpose-built mud machine rides a lot higher.

Cat engineers built more machines for two-passenger riding, and at the same time expanded options for younger riders. They rolled out a new Prowler UTV that's going to bring sheer joy to performance junkies, and another new working-class Prowler that screams "utility."

Cat's got a new engine of its own, a 545cc liquid single, that is found in an H1 model, a 2-up TRV and a Prowler, and expanded the Thundercat engine. It also introduced new 150- and 300-class engines shared with KYMCO that are placed in a machine aimed at a new "transitional" market and a new sport quad, respectively.

All totaled, Arctic Cat eliminated 9 machines for 2009, including the 700 Diesel, 400 4x4, two DVX models (400 & 250) and two TRVs (650 & 500), while creating 13 new models. New machines include:

o Two new Prowlers, headlined by the Prowler XTZ 1000, featuring the 951cc liquid-cooled twin introduced in last year's Thundercat, plus a Prowler 550 flatbed, featuring the new 545cc single and a flatbed rear.

o Three new TRV (Two Rider Vehicle) models, including a full-featured TRV 1000 Cruiser, plus a TRV 550 and TRV 400.

o An exciting, custom-made-for-mudding 700 MudPro, featuring huge tires, a snorkel and 14 inches of ground clearance.

o The scaled down Arctic Cat 150 - the first in an emerging class of quads aimed at teenagers 14 years and older.

o Three sporty new DVX models, including a DVX 300, plus new kids DVX 90 and 50 models.

o Two other new kids quads, 50cc and 90cc utility machines.

Plus, all full-sized Cats except the MudPro get new ergos and ride height this year, taking advantage of the suspension sit-in and lower seat that made the Thundercat ergos so popular in its debut last year. So sit down, Barack, because Arctic Cat appears to have cornered the market on change.

Not For Mr. Lonely

In these tough times in the ATV market, only one segment is experiencing growth: multi-passenger vehicles. Whether the seating is front-and-back or side-by-side, ATVs and UTVs that allow drivers to share the experience with a passenger are hot, and Arctic Cat is aiming to capitalize.

For traditional ATV riders, Cat is expanding its TRV Cruiser line while tweaking the engine options on the standard TRVs.

"We're one of only three manufacturers offering 2-ups, and now we're offering the best of the best," explained Ole Tweet, general manager of Cat's ATV division and VP of new product development.

There are two Cruiser models - a TRV 1000 H2 EFI Cruiser featuring the Thundercat's big 90-degree twin, and the TRV 700 H1 EFI Cruiser featuring Cat's 700-class fuel injected single - and both are glorious. They have a long list of standard features that includes a tall windshield connected to a new 2-piece fairing; mirrors; a cup holder; a comfortable 2-up seat with heated hand grips and a comfy backrest for the passenger; heated handlebars; a huge, lockable touring/storage case in back; and classy looking, 12-inch machined aluminum wheels. The 700 even comes standard with a winch.

We only had a brief chance to ride the Cruisers on a small test track set up for the demos, so our evaluation is far from complete. But, from what we saw, our now one-issue-old 2008 ATV Of The Year - the Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI Touring - already has stiff competition.

The other two 2-up ATVs are the TRV 550, featuring Cat's new engine, and a TRV 400, featuring a 366 air-cooled single. On the new 550, Cat is claiming the top horsepower in its class, though they were unaware of the new Yamaha and Polaris mills being released when they made that claim. We'll be sure to run them off and name a winner for you. The standard TRVs don't have quite as long of a list of standard features as the Cruisers, but still make nice 2-up buggies, thanks to an expanded wheelbase and a nice seating setup.

On The Prowl

Like the TRVs, the side-by-side Prowler UTVs benefit from two of Cat's newest powerplants - the 1000 and the 550.

The Prowler XTZ 1000 truly delivers ecstasy when you plant the gas pedal to the floor - it accelerates harder than any UTV on the market, bar none.

Driving over consecutive bumps, we were able to get this big dog to wheelie, but that's not to say that it's unstable.

Cat engineers redesigned the suspension systems on the Prowler 1000, lowering the ride height. With it, ground clearance dropped from 12.5 inches to a still respectable 10 inches, but it also stabilized the machine. Dual A-arm front and rear suspensions each offer 10 inches of travel.

As fun as the XTZ is to drive, it's also easy on the eyes. It gets "sunset orange" paint with flame graphics. A hood scoop in front is all aesthetic - it connects to nothing - but it creates a real boss look. Foot rails, box rails, a custom-looking steering wheel, high-end shocks and a wide rear-view mirror all come standard.

The popular Prowler XTX 700 H1 EFI and Prowler XT 600 HI return largely unchanged. Features like aluminum wheels, tilt steering and a turf-saver setting come on the 700, and both have 12.5 inches of ground clearance and 10 inches of travel.

New for 2009 is a Prowler 550 H1 EFI Flatbed. As the name implies, it gets the new 550-class single from Cat, plus a flatbed in the back instead of a box. It was described by Cat officials as the work/utility-oriented "price buster" in the Prowler lineup.

Custom Build For Muddy Bob

Literally moments after the first wave of dealers saw the new 700 H1 EFI MudPro, message boards on mudder sites were going wild with buzz over the most ready-for-action mud machine ever built by any manufacturer.

The MudPro is far more than a name and cool graphics. It's got multiple features that make it ready for the soupiest, sloppiest sink holes around. Starting from the ground up, it rides on giant, 28-inch High Lifter Outlaw MST tires mounted on 12-inch machined aluminum wheels. They attach to a raked suspension that features 14 inches of ground clearance.

Most notable at a glance, however, is a high-water snorkel that sucks in air higher than the handlebars. It also comes standard with front and rear bumpers, wide fenders and a 3000-pound winch "for pulling the other guys out," a Cat official quipped.

The clutching and 4.0 gearing on the machine are specifically set up for mudding, Cat officials said. We didn't get a chance to go bogging on it yet, but even taking it for a test drive on the small dealer demo course, the MudPro felt very tall, strong and competition-ready.

A New Class For Emerging Riders

Cat's other class-breaker is the all-new 150 2x4. For years, riders and some factory officials have complained that there aren't any machines for teenagers who are too big for a 90 but not old enough for a full-sized utility quad - in fact, all factory warning stickers tell owners that their full-sized quads are for ages 16 and up only. But sticking a 180-pound 15-year-old on a 90 is ridiculous.

Finally, after the manufacturers worked with the Specialty Vehicle Industry Association, a class was created for these "tweeners" or, as Cat called them, "transitional riders." The first model released for them is Cat's 150.

It features a smallish chassis, smaller than the 200s and 250s on the market, yet notably larger than the 90s. Its 149cc KYMCO-built engine is twice-governed through the CVT transmission. In stock form, it'll top out at about 20 mph. Remove one spacer, and it'll reach up to 30 mph. Remove both spacers, and the climbing belt will allow the machine to max out at 38 mph.

The machine comes with twin headlights and taillights, digital instrumentation and forward and reverse gears, and it weighs in at a claimed 334 pounds.

The 150 is fun. We took it for about 15 laps around the demo course and didn't want to get off - it's like a mid-sized go-cart. We tortured it over bumps and jumps and rollers, and it kept asking for more, and we could envision our own kids transitioning from their little quads to this machine in the future.

What Else Is New?

The DVX lineup changed significantly. Cat officials dumped both the Suzuki-based DVX 400 and the KYMCO-based DVX 250 and settled on a DVX 300. It's closer in substance to the 250, featuring a dual overhead cam 270cc that's got the same bore as last year's 250, but with a longer stroke and two additional valves (now 4).

At 44.7 inches, it's 3 inches wider than last year's 250 but an inch narrower than the 400. A dual A-arm front suspension and swingarm in the rear handle the moguls, with new shock calibrations and adjustable preload up front. Power is put through a CVT tranny.

Like the 150 2x4, it feels like a transitional model more than anything. It won't be confused with a race quad, but it's fun and sporty nonetheless. Cat also expanded its kids quad lineup. The 90cc sport and utility machines are governed through the CVT to allow them to be certified for a Y10 category (ages 10 and older), with two settings - 15 mph and 30 mph. That eliminated the need for a 70, so Cat launched utility and sport quads. The 90s feature reverse gear - a rare feature for kids quads.

- John Prusak

Dirt Bike Safety

Whether you are a veteran rider or a beginner, it is imperative that you take extreme safety precautions while riding high-speed motorcycles like dirt bikes since accident risks are higher with these powerful machines.

The most important thing to remember before riding a dirt bike is to get formal training and instructions. It is said that 90%-95% of motorcycle riders involved in accidents did not go through formal training. So to make your dirt bike riding experience safer, get yourself a formal training from a professional or a training school.

Protective gears like helmets, gloves, boots and jackets not only guard you from injuries sustained from crashes, they also provide comfort and shield you from conditions such as poor weather, the sun and other elements that may come in your way while riding. It is also advisable to wear bright-colored clothing so that other riders will see you better to avoid crashes.

Before mounting your dirt bike, always conduct a careful inspection of the parts like the wheels, bearings, brakes etc to make sure that they are in good condition. Repair or replace any faulty components because mechanical failure can also be one of the potential safety threats to dirt bike riding.

Decrease your speed while riding in bad weather conditions like rain or fog. Remember to turn on the headlights if your dirt bike is equipped with one. Bad weather conditions can be great safety threats so it's best if you do not ride during these conditions.

Riding in groups can be real fun but if not coordinated properly, it can also be very dangerous and may lead to multiple collisions. The ride leader should preferably be a professional with a lot of experience and be able to maintain effective communication within the group while riding.

Dangers of Scuba Diving

Scuba diving takes you to an entirely different world. To enter this world one needs to take the necessary training, without which the diver life could be in jeopardy. Like in all other adventure sport scuba diving is not free from danger. Necessary precautions need to be taken to ensure a smooth and happy diving journey. The dangers of scuba diving can be classified into two categories. The first danger lies within the ocean and second in the individual itself.

Scuba divers should keep themselves updated about the marine life around that region and the risk involved there. This will help them to avoid animals that turn aggressive on being approached. The weather forecast and the current beneath and the water conditions of on the date of the dive also need to be kept in mind. There is a possibility that the diver may get too engrossed in viewing the beauty at the bottom of the sea and swimming against the current may make it difficult for him to reach his destination.

Getting trained through certified classes of scuba diving will help the diver to encounter the dangers. Divers should make sure that all their equipments are in good condition and working properly. The scuba diver needs to show a certain level of responsibility too.

The diver needs to remember his lessons well while venturing in the sea. Taking things for granted and forgetting his lesson could go against him and is a foremost danger of scuba diving. Diving with an accomplice having more experience could reduce the danger of scuba diving.

A good presence of mind and the ability to handle a dangerous situation without panicking can get you over the dangers of scuba diving.

Avoid diving while suffering from cold, allergies and infections, as intake of some of the medications could make you lethargic and somnolent.

A common problem that scuba divers experience is ear pain is mainly caused due to pressure changes. The medical terminology for this is squeeze. Barotrauma can also be caused due to scuba diving. When parts of the body that contains air for example the lungs, the stomach, the chest, the intestines and cavity get affected deep underwater due to excessive pressure causes barotrauma. The other problems related to scuba diving are bruises, scrapes and cuts which normally occur due to shipwrecks and coral and reefs.

Diving too fast also causes serious consequences and over expansion and contraction of lungs could result in serious disabilities. So remember not to be reckless and hasty while scuba diving.

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Curacao Review

Curacao is a small southern Caribbean island slightly north of Venezuela. It is found in close proximity to Aruba and Bonaire. The trio of islands are often referred to as the ABC islands where A=Aruba, B=Bonaire, and C= Curacao. Because the islands are so far south, they are generally considered to be out of the hurricane belt. As such they are frequented even during the fall months. This is in contrast to other Caribbean vacation destinations which are sometimes avoided due to hurricane season. Late summer to early winter is generally considered the time in which most hurricanes occur.

Lion's Dive Resort is a well known destination in Curacao. It is a moderate hotel, both in size and price, with decent accommodations, and a generally very friendly and helpful staff. The two main restaurants are Nemo's and Hemingway's. Hemingway's is open for all 3 meals, and is known for their wonderful cheeseburgers, pizzas, and sandwiches for lunch. Nemo's frequently serves dinner with a wide variety of island cuisine. The food here is quite a bit more expensive than Hemingway's, but every morsel was excellent. The food here was well worth the price if you have the money to spend. The Resort is Beachfront, and adjacent to many other shops and eateries. A beach side bar, and several other food shops are easily within walking distance for those who wish to wander away from the resort and experience other local cuisine. Also, if you're traveling on a budget, consider the local grocery store which is just a couple miles away. Store prices were more reasonable than expected on a small island. Each resort room has a small refrigerator to store your purchased items.

Lion's Dive is attached to the island's marine park. Although not large, you will see a wide variety of sea life here. You can experience up close and personal interactions with both dolphins and sea lions. Nurse sharks are another popular attraction. At certain times visitors may touch and even feed the animals with the assist of the park's staff. Upon entry the visitors are given a schedule of the park's daily events, and you can plan your day accordingly. One of the advantages to staying at Lion's dive is that admission to the marine park is free throughout your whole stay. All one needs is their key card to their hotel room, and unlimited access is allowed.

Lion's Dive has a reputable dive shop on site. The dive shop, Ocean Encounters, is a well equipped facility with spacious dive boats. The entire staff was very accommodating to the changing needs of our group. The divemasters were quite personable, and did a nice job of keeping all divers safe and with the group. The office staff were there to answer questions readily and politely. Be prepared to ask lots of questions upon your arrival, however, as there is no formal meeting or introduction to the facilities. This was in stark contrast to multiple previous experiences on the island of Bonaire. For seasoned divers, this may not be an issue. Novice divers, however, may find the lack of orientation a bit more disconcerting.Two dives highly recommended are the open ocean Dolphin Dive, and the Mushroom Forest dive. On the Dolphin Dive, divers are taken out to open ocean along the coastline to begin a dive. Ten minutes or so into the dive a dolphin or two from the marine park arrive with their trainer. There are only 8 divers allowed per experience and all are extensively briefed as to what to expect and how to behave during the dive. On the dive, you observe the dolphins in their natural habitat doing the things dolphins normally do. Also, the trainer frequently brings them in for a close and personal encounter with the divers. Each diver was able to touch or interact with the dolphin on four or five occasions. It was a fantastic experience, and no one seemed to complain about the $200 fee for the dive. The dive was captured by a videographer from the marine park, and the videos could be purchased as a trip souvenir.

The second dive no one should miss is the 'Mushroom Forest'. The beauty of that site cannot be underscored enough. It was pristine. The dive site was mushroom after mushroom of healthy coral reef with an abundance of marine life therein. This dive costs $40 extra to cover fuel and food costs. The site is about an hour's boat ride each way, with lunch being provided. The trip is worth every extra penny, and the extra travel time. It also had one of the most fun surface intervals one can have on a boat dive. During the interval, divers snorkeled to the edge of the rocky shore, dove down, and came up in a cave with an air pocket where they could see and breathe above the water. It is great for those who love to explore underwater caverns.

For those who prefer a land based trip, there were many fun things to do on the island, itself. One can rent a car right there at the resort. Walk outside the front desk, and there's your vehicle. The front desk provides island maps which are of some assistance. Beware, however. One of the most difficult things about navigating the island is that even though the map is full of street names, the actual street signs are often poorly marked or absent, making getting around somewhat challenging at first. With a little help from the front desk staff, however, the difficulties can be easily overcome. Give yourself a little extra time to explore and you will be rewarded.

Particular areas of interest include the Hato Caves. Although small in comparison to others, the Hato Caves are significant to the history of the island. The tour guides give a very thorough and entertaining rendition of this history. As with most facilities on the island, staff are multilingual, and English is frequently spoken. Language is never a barrier. One important thing to note regarding the caves are that there are many flights of stone steps up to the entrance. One must be physically able to ascend and descend sometimes uneven stairs without much difficulty. The price for entry is nominal, $6.50 for adults and $5 for children. Gratuity is appreciated. It's a nice way to spend an afternoon. For the avid hikers, not far from the caves are trails which allow you to enjoy a walk seaside where you can observe natural bridges and ocean views.

The Aloe Vera Farm also provides a brief but interesting visit. There you'll see row after row of Aloe Vera plant. Inside the facility is a store where Aloe Vera items are for purchase. Items here are 90% pure aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is known for its healing properties. A wide variety of products from palatable juice, to gels to soaps can be purchased here.

The Ostrich Farm is directly next door to the Aloe Vera Farm. Here for $10 you can take the tour, and learn everything you ever wanted to know about an ostrich! A large World War II vehicle has been refitted with benches for the guests. The vehicle takes you around the farm where you learn facts about the ostrich. There are a couple stops on the tour. On the first one, the visitors actually can feed the ostrich. With a big bowl of ostrich food in hand, everyone takes turns backing up to the fence, and multiple long ostrich necks stretch around and peck everything they can from the food bowl. It's quite entertaining (for the adventurous sort!). Later you exit the vehicle one more time where you learn about baby ostrich and the eggs from which they come. The tourists get to hold a 3 day old chick, and stand on an ostrich egg which can hold up to 400 pounds! There is also a souvenir shop and a restaurant on site. The restaurant serves ostrich meat, if one so desires.

Finally, the quaint little downtown provides much opportunity for shopping. The brightly colored buildings and architecture are reflective of the Dutch heritage. Even small alley ways exhibit artists' rendition of flowers, butterflies etc, to spruce up the environment. There is a beautiful church here that has only sand floors which is a site you shouldn't miss. There is a floating market where you can observe vendors selling their wares after they traverse the ocean from Venezuela. There is a bridge which allows you to cross the big downtown waterway by foot, or a ferry which will shuttle you across when the bridge is opened to allow large passenger ships to cruise through. Here you can find the uniqueness of Curacao, but some of the comforts of home, as well. Pizza Hut and Subway are easily accessible if you're missing a taste of home. An old fort is a point of interest, as well as the beautiful carvings which can be found in the trees along the city streets. The island also has good night life for those who enjoy a good party in the evenings. This is in stark contrast to Bonaire, where the evening activities are quite limited.

All in all, Curacao is a reasonably priced vacation with something for everyone. It's a beautiful island with much to see and do. Whether you choose to lay on the beach and read a book, explore the island, or spend your time under the water, the island will not disappoint. So grab your swimsuit, your sunscreen and your passport. Your island paradise awaits.

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"Little Corn Island" Matthewnicole08's photos around Little Corn Island, Nicaragua (corn islands)

Preview of Matthewnicole08's blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: www.travelpod.com This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Entry from: Little Corn Island, Nicaragua Entry Title: "Little Corn Island" Entry: "Ahh... that crystal blue Caribbean water, a Flor de Caña ron and a hammock can cure anything (except sea sickness). After another uneventful night in Managua we were off to the Corn Islands, some of the last untouched Caribbean islands left in the world. We awoke bright and early at 4 for our 6:30 flight out to the islands on what turned out to be a tiny and not quite safe looking prop-plane. Good thing the flight to Big Corn was short and sweet. We quickly made our way to the docks to sit and wait for the panga, a small but powerful fiberglass and wood boat used for shuttling people and some cargo to Little Corn Island about a 1/2 hour away. This boat ride is fun! A choppy midmorning water made for a stomach bouncing ride. Who needs a to be at the Ex when for $6 you can get a awesome ride; without a line! Upon our arrival to Little Corn we were greeted by Darren, an ex-pro baseball player. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers and their AAA team in Vancouver at one point in time. After a motorcycle accident ruined his career (yes Moms, I know you told us motorcycles are dangerous) and after a few years of school he returned to the island to help out the kids by upgrading the school and running sport teams for the ...

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Walk around the Barcelo Maya resort and take in the architectural details in the villas, courtyards and the grounds...beautiful. But the resort is also great for families with kids water parks, table tennis or ping-pong, basketball, pool tables, chess and more...one week is not enough. Music: Game by Alexandr Filippov creativecommons.org

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