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.

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Choosing Your WaveRunner

After the last two summers of hot weather lasting long into the fall, you want to get out on the water and feel the spray of our local lakes as you speed across them. You may need to upgrade your current watercraft or get your very first and you’re not sure what the best choice is. The Yamaha WaveRunner line up just turned the big 3-0 last year and it’s still as strong as ever. Whether you just want to cruise or take the family tubing, there’s a machine for every activity and every budget.

The EX Series is brand new for Yamaha this year. It’s tailored for the more budget conscious purchaser, as well as the first time buyer. These crafts still pack a fun and playful watercraft experience into their lightweight SMC hull. You can have up to three people on the craft and there’s even a tow hook on the back. The EX, EX Sport, and EX Deluxe all retail for less than $9,000.

Taking a step up, the VX Series is consistently our best sellers, year in and year out. The high-end style and technology at a reasonable price makes them hard to resist. The VX and VX Deluxe are great machines for those who are still price conscious but want a little more luxury. The VX Cruiser offers a stadium style seat that gives everyone their own space. The VX Limited is the best bang for your buck – literally. It includes all the accessories you need to have for a fun summer with the family and friends. Need a little more power? The VX Cruiser HO puts you there faster.

The FX Series offers impressive performance and luxury features while also being the longest and most stable personal watercraft in the industry. The FX HO and Cruiser HO offer the same size engine while the Cruiser gives you that stadium style seating. Looking for even more power? Step on up to the FX SVHO and Cruiser SVHO! These PWCs offer a supercharged experience for those who like to push the speed limit. New this season, is the FX Limited SVHO. It has the same power as the FX SVHO with the same outrageous number of accessories as the VX Limited to give you a complete WaveRunner experience.

Back this year for the first time in over a decade is the GP series. Last seen in 2003, the GP was a powerhouse on the race circuit but was left behind as manufacturers moved from a two-stroke to a four-stroke engine. The GP1800 has been winning races around the world since it was released this model year. Sharp turning, a supercharged SVHO engine, and an extra light NanoXcel2 hull put this craft head and shoulders above the rest.

Rounding out the performance race crafts are the VXR and SuperJet. The VXR combines fun and race styling for a day on the water that’ll leave you with a smile. The SuperJet is the only stand up watercraft in the Yamaha line up and for closed course competition only.

No matter what WaveRunner you choose, your summer is certain to be full of laughs and good times. The spectacular Western New York waterways are waiting for you to join us out in the waves!

Summerizing Your Watercraft

With just one week until Memorial Day, it’s getting to be the time of year that most of the country considers summer. Even though it’s been a chilly and wet May so far, we were blessed to have a long, hot, and dry riding season last year and we’re hoping for the same this season! While we provide summerization at our service shop, we understand some people like to take the wrench to their own machines too.

When you’re getting ready to ride your machine for the first time in over six months, the first thing you want to do is check your battery. If you remember from our winterize blog, we recommend having your battery on a battery tender over the winter. Check out the voltage, the charge, the state of health of the battery, and the battery fluid level. If your battery doesn’t check out well in these categories, it’s probably for the best to purchase a new one. The start of the season is also a good time to check out the condition of your spark plugs and replace any that are black or oil fouled. These are a couple easy things to do to ensure a fun and uninterrupted start to the riding season.

Check your water separator if one is installed. Then put your battery back in the craft and hook the craft up to a water hose. Run it for about 5-10 minutes. Give the machine a good look over for any loose clamps or hardware. Inspect the steering nozzle and prop for any damage. Wash your machine to get the dust off and put your cover on to keep it clean for your next ride!

We also perform a trailer inspection when we do our summerizations here at our service shop. If you’re doing this yourself, make sure to check all lights are working. You may need an assistant to help out on this one for brake and signal lights especially. Check the tire condition and pressure. If they’ve lost a little air, inflate to the correct PSI and keep an eye on any leaks in the tires. Finally, make sure the lug nuts are properly torqued and grease the wheel hubs. Be sure to check the wheel bearings for smooth operation.

You’re ready to rock and roll for the season out on our beautiful waterways! If you need to do an in-season oil change, we can help you out in our service department or parts department with our full stock of oil and filters. Remember to follow all local laws, marine warnings, and make sure you and your passengers always wear a proper fitting life vest. Have fun on the water and make sure to see us if you need anything this summer.

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.

Snowmobile Demo Ride Rescheduled

Due to a lack of snow, rainy weather, and warm temperatures, we will be rescheduling our snowmobile demo ride for Saturday, February 4^th at Chestnut Ridge Park. This event will not be in partnership with the Erie County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, who is in the process of rescheduling their event as well.

We will have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, pop, water, coffee, and hot chocolate available for our riders. We will still offer the kids’ demo ride track and all adult riders will be entered to win a Polaris jacket and bibs!

You can sign up online at http://bit.ly/2017SnowDemo, by phone at 716-649-1090, or in our showroom. We’re taking sign-ups through Thursday, February 2^nd at noon.

2017 Snowmobile Demo Ride

For the last few years, we have partnered with the Erie County Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to bring the latest and greatest Polaris Snowmobile line up out for a day of FREE demo rides at their annual ride-in event. We are excited to once again participate in this great event in 2017!

The demo ride will take place on January 22^nd at the Genesee Road Forestry in East Concord. Ride slots will run from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. Riders will get a brief orientation with their sled and then go out for about a 20 minute run and circle back to the trailer. Riders must be at least 18 to drive, otherwise they must be a passenger or the younger folks can take part in our youth demo track and ride an Indy 120. Additionally, all of our adult riders will be entered to win a new Polaris jacket and bibs!

This is one of our team’s favorite events of the year. It allows us to get to know our customers better and do what we love to do – ride! We hope to see you out there on Sunday, January 22^nd.

You can sign up online at http://bit.ly/2017SnowDemo, by phone at 716-649-1090, or in our showroom. We’re taking sign-ups through Thursday, January 19^th at noon.

Thank You to Our Veterans

Veterans Day was first honored on November 11, 1919 on the first anniversary of the ending of World War 1. Nearly 100 years later, we are still paying tribute to all American veterans. We want to give thanks on this day, and all days, to those brave folks who have served their country.

There’s a great program in Erie County called the “Thank a Vet” Discount Program. This program is a complementary photo ID certified by the Erie County Clerk and is available to any veteran who is an Erie County resident and honorably discharged from any branch of service of the United States Armed Forces. There are directions for signing up here. The discount card can be used at any of the participating local businesses, including Appolson’s Performance Center. It’s a wonderful program that we are proud to be a part of.

We thank all of you for your service and look forward to thanking some of you in person very soon.

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.

Winterizing Your Watercraft

With Halloween on Monday, it’s getting to be the time of year that people decide to put their watercraft to bed. We were blessed to have a long, hot, and dry riding season this year and our machines need some TLC before they get to take that long winter’s nap. While we provide winterization at our service shop, we understand some people like to take the wrench to their own machines too. Here are some tips to ensure the long life of your watercraft.

We recommend storing your craft with gas in the tank (the fuller the better) in order to reduce the risk of condensation forming. You should add fuel stabilizer to the tank. If you have a four stroke, add fuel injector cleaner. On a two stroke, check the water/fuel separator and note if there is any water.

If you have a four stroke, lightly fog the motor through the intake track. If you have a Sea Doo, you will need to check to see if it requires antifreeze to cooling loop.

If you have a fuel valve, turn the fuel valve to the off position. After 5-10 minutes, remove the air box cover and spray fogging oil into the carburetors with the engine running. Then you should test multiple throttle positions, from idle to half throttle or until it stalls, meaning the fuel is out of the carburetors. Shut off the motor and reinstall the air box cover. If you have a Sea Doo, you will need to check to see if it requires antifreeze to cooling loop.

Start the craft, turn on water, and let the craft run for 5-10 minutes. After you’re done, it is crucial to turn the water off before you turn the engine off.

All crafts will need to have their battery removed, detaching the negative terminal first. Store your batter in a non-freezing environment. We recommend partially charging your battery a few times throughout winter to keep from prematurely killing your battery.

Next you’ll need to clean your watercraft thoroughly. This will get harmful algae and dirt off before it can do serious damage to your hull. Degrease and steam clean the interior of the craft, while washing the outside of your craft with warm water and soap. Thoroughly rinse and dry your craft. Ensure that your remove all water from the interior of the craft. Spray the interior with a silicone-based spray and lube the steering cable, choke, and throttle. Make sure you’ve reinstalled all bolts or other parts that you removed. Nothing is worse than getting a job done and seeing a mystery part sitting on the bench!

Finally, cover your watercraft to keep unwanted pests out and keep it clean. If you lack a space for storage, we do have space we rent out at our storage facility. You will need to do separate maintenance when you get ready to ride in the spring. We can help you out with that or check this blog for tips!

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!