2017 Wrap Up

Happy New Year! We hope you had a happy holiday season. It was nice to have a white Christmas for the first time in a few years and we know a lot of you took advantage of trails being open. While the first few days of January tend to be a time for looking ahead, we wanted to talk about a few of our favorite moments from 2017.

We got lucky enough to have our annual Snowmobile Demo ride a few weeks late in February. We ran it right out of our back door. People loved seeing our service shop and trying out the 2017 Polaris line-up. There was a good camaraderie and it was nice and toasty over the grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.

In June, we had an ORV demo ride at KB Moto. It was a muddy, sunny day. We got to ride with customers, show off some of the cool Polaris side by sides and ATVs, and even took some videos of trail riding.

The end of July brought our annual Blast on the Beach. This year it was a really windy affair. We still had a full slate of riders and a ton of fun. Our workers managed to get a little color during the day and a lot of laughs with our customers and beach goers.

We’re looking forward to making more memories with you all in 2018. It doesn’t look like we have to do much of a snow dance for our upcoming Snowmobile Demo Ride, but we’ll knock on wood and turn around three times any way, just in case. Happy Holidays from the Appolson’s Team!

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Spring ATV Picnic

This past Saturday, Appolson’s staff took to the tails at KB Moto to do what we love – ride! We hosted a Customer Appreciation picnic at the ATV Park to thank those that have visited us, whether it was buying a vehicle, buying oil, or visiting us online. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. It was sunny, warm, breezy – and no rain!

We brought some of our favorite Polaris ATVs and Side by Sides to the park and rode the massive trail system in the morning with a group. At lunch time, we gave everyone a free lunch and took some people out on demo runs in our vehicles – the RZR S 1000 was the favorite! After lunch, the group went out on runs again. We even had an area set aside for our younger customers to ride a Sportsman 110! Everyone came back muddy, tired, and, most importantly, happy.

We took a lot of video and photos on Saturday that we are editing together to get up on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Calling All New York State ORV Enthusiasts

If you own a Ranger, RZR, or other side by side in New York, you know that with 1 or 2 exceptions, these vehicles cannot be registered in New York State. There is a bill in Albany right now that would increase the weight limit to 1500 lbs. making registration of all side by sides legal.

The original ATV statute was put into law in 1987 and limited the weight to 800 lbs. It was then amended in 1997 and increased the weight limit to 1000 lbs. where it has remained for 20 years. When it was increased to 1000 lbs. many of the models we now carry weren’t even on the market. Technology and design has advanced since 1997 and vehicles now include roll cages, seat belts, and doors which not only make them significantly safer but also increase the weight of the machines.

At this point you might be wondering what good it is to the riders and the owners of these machines if they have to spend more money to register them each year. The bill also includes language to use the registration fees from registration fees to help fund state-wide trail development, maintenance, and safety. If you are also a snowmobiler, you know how awesome a state-wide trail system is for those who want to ride, as well as for the economies that get a bump from tourism by riders.

This week, the Assembly Transportation Committee is meeting where Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi will poll the board members to see if they have had any feedback from their local constituents. Polaris has been working on their end to support the bill this far, but this bill needs the support of all riders – no matter your brand loyalty. If you would like to reach out to your local Assemblyman, please go to http://nyassembly.gov/mem/search today to look them up. Tell them you support A.4412.

The All New Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS

Over the company’s history, Polaris has established itself as an industry leader in bigger, badder machines. That legacy continues with the all-new 2017 Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS.

The newest addition to the RZR line-up packs a whopping 168HP ProStar Turbo H.O. Engine. This is the most powerful engine available from the factory. In addition, there’s an incredible 95% of torque available from 5,000 to 8,000 RPM. This makes the RZR work for all types of riders – the rock crawlers, trails, desert, and dunes. We have even had customers in the past purchase tracks for their RZRs for year round fun.

The RZR XP Turbo EPS is all about the best of the best, with Premium FOX Internal Bypass Shocks, a front stabilizer bar, and a race-inspired steering rack that gives you the ultimate control. The side-by-side comes standard with High Performance True On-Demand All-Wheel-Drive and Electronic Power Steering for even better handling.

With 1.6 million ways to customize your RZR, it’s ready to work for you and help you find The Power of Fun.

Join our Social Media Scavenger Hunt!

Welcome bones and ghouls! We are really getting into the Halloween spirit this year and will be celebrating by hosting our very first Social Media Scavenger Hunt! This fun and family-friendly event will take place from October 24^th to October 29^th on our three main social media channels Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The first five participants to complete all six clues will win a $50 gift certificate to Appolson’s Performance Center!

It’s as easy as 1-2-3 to participate!

1. Follow us on our social media @Appolsons.
2. Complete each day’s clue.
3. Be one of the first five participants to complete all six clues and win!

We ask that if you post pictures during your scavenger hunt fun that you use the hashtag #APCHalloweenHunt and tag us so we can see them!

The full rules and entry are posted here: http://bit.ly/APCHalloweenHunt.

Finally, there’s going to be lots of yummy Halloween treats in the showroom to enjoy on Saturday, October 29^th while shoppers check out the final weekend of Polaris FAC! So we hope you all participate and come see us soon!

Winter ATV Maintenance

We’ve been having one of the mildest winters I can remember as a lifelong New York State resident. Where we’re usually deep in the middle of snowmobile season, we were fortunate to have enough snow to get our demo riders out at the Genesee Forestry a few weeks ago. With all that in mind, you may be putting your ATV to good use this winter. Of course the more you use a machine, the better and more frequent maintenance is needed. Though these are some general tips, please check your machine’s owner’s manual for specific maintenance needs.

If you ride through snow and ice, be sure to clean off as much snow and ice from the radiator while riding and again off of the whole machine before storing the ATV post-ride. Otherwise, this water can re-freeze and make using your ATV the next time a pain. Additionally, make sure you don’t force any plastic pieces that are frozen. Plastic can break off in cold temperatures.

Winter fuel in New York means that sometimes gas line anti-freeze is already added to it at the pumps. For that reason, be cautious when adding any more. One of the best things you can do is to keep the fuel level up in your ATV to avoid condensation forming in your fuel tank and water getting in the fuel. If your machine is an EFI system, you’re going to have a much easier time getting it started when you’re ready for the cold air ride. If you have a carburetor, you may need to bring your ATV in to our Appolson’s service department so we can jet your carburetor for you. The jetting process finds the right combustible combination of fuel and air for your machine to run at its best.

When performing an oil change, whether it is in the winter or summer, you should always change the oil filter. In the winter, an oil change should include paying attention to the viscosity and temperature range on your oil. Always check your ATV’s particular owner’s manual for the best oil for your machine, or check with our Parts Manager Josh when stopping into the store.

If you follow these tips and tricks or stop in and talk to our knowledgeable staff, you should be able to enjoy this extra riding time. Make sure you give your ATV a little longer to warm up, and don’t forget to add an extra layer of clothing to your body to keep yourself warm. Let us know your favorite riding spots this winter and send us any cool pictures of your ride!

ATV Safety: Part III

We are wrapping up our ATV riding tips this week with some great general tips for all riders to keep in mind. Check out our other blog posts in the series by clicking here and here.

There is a great safety course that you can take for ATV riding. It’s only a half day class, but it’s great for new riders (or even experienced ones) to get the general lay of the land. If you are under 16 years old, you must be supervised by an adult. The adults in charge should make sure the little ones are on an appropriately sized ATV. You can ensure this by reading the manufacturer’s minimum age warning label on the machine, and then from there use your best judgment on the actual size, strength, and maturity before letting them ride.

Make sure to ride only on trails or on property you’re approved to ride on. Never ride on public roads because the cars and trucks might not see you. There are approved trails within driving distance of Western New York. If you are riding in fields, make sure you’ve received approval from the owner.

Always check out the condition of your machine before heading out for a ride. Check the air pressure of your tires and make sure there is no damage to the tire or wheel to ensure you won’t be stranded on your ride. Test your hand controls to see if they are in good working order. If you will be riding in low light, be sure to check the lights on your ATV before heading out. Keeping on a proper maintenance schedule can alleviate many common issues, such as low oil, improper chain lubrication, loose nuts and bolts, or dead spark plugs. If you’re going for a long ride, fill your gas tank up before heading out so you’re not ending your fun early as the needle points closer to E.

ATVs require a sort of rider action, such as leaning your weight forward and toward the inside of turns. If you are a passenger on a two-up vehicle, your weight shift should always mirror the driver’s weight shift. For other driving tips, check your owner’s manual. The book is designed specifically for your machine and can tell you how to park, brake, shift, and more. IT will also give you the proper maintenance schedule.

In last week’s blog entry, we spoke about the proper clothing for going out in both cold and hot weather. This week, we’re going to talk about safety equipment.

If you’re on an ATV like the Polaris Sportsman, there’s no seatbelts, roll cage, doors, or safety nets. If you flip this machine over, you’re going to be on the ground. To keep safe, you should wear a DOT-approved helmet. When purchasing a helmet, utilize the knowledge of a salesperson on checking if the fit is right for you. There is a multi-step process they can help you go through. If you purchase or wear an open-faced helmet, make sure you also wear goggles to keep your eyes safe from dirt, debris, and low-hanging sticks.

Wearing appropriate sport gloves and boots will save you from brush burn, as well as keeping any little bugs from attaching themselves to your skin. For younger riders, things like chest protectors can help protect their young bones from injury.

Finally, try not to ride alone. You’re safer and it’s more fun to ride with company. Either way, keep a fully-charged cell phone on you or with your group at all times. If you’re going to be riding through mud or water, keep it in a water-tight bag.

Fall ATV Riding Tips: What to Wear

With chilly, dark mornings, sunny, colorful afternoons and weekends, and pumpkin spice everything, Fall in full swing here in Western New York! It is a great time to go riding on the trails on your ATV or side by side. However, you should be aware of a few tips to make riding safe and enjoyable for all. This is going to be a multi-part series over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes out for these posts!

Firstly, we all know how changeable the weather can be here in WNY, with the memories of the 2006 October Storm and last year’s November Snowpocalypse still fresh in everyone’s minds. Look up the weather forecast before you head out on the trail and dress appropriately. If it’s going to be cold, dress in layers appropriate to the activity. If you’re riding out to hunt, you’re not going to be generating much body heat and need more layers to insulate against losing your body heat. If you are riding out to go hiking, you’ll likely need to take some of the layers off so you don’t get over heated. Keep a bag or backpack handy to put the layers in after removal. Regardless of your activity, gloves, thick socks, and a hat are important. Now, you should be wearing a helmet but we’ll get to that later. If you still find your fingers and toes getting chilly, most places have those one-time use warmer packs by the check-out stand.

On the flip side, if it’s going to be warm and sunny, make sure you wear sunscreen, drink some water, wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing, and be aware of the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. If you or your ride partners start feeling any of these symptoms, get in the shade immediately and get some water in you. If someone passes out, use your cell phone to call for emergency help – either the park staff or 911. Just like with hypothermia, speed is of the essence.

Recently local Western New York volunteer firefighters were recognized nationally by Polaris for their efforts during the November Snowstorm in Buffalo, NY! From Polaris: “These Hardest Working Heroes from the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company helped those in need during the massive snowfall in Buffalo, NY last month. THANK YOU for all that you do!”

Read their incredible story here: http://orv.to/OPeRcC