We may have created a monster—at least a literary one.
But hey he works for free so we’ll take him.
You see, last year we asked David Erickson to tell us his favorite five products at the 2013 Rally on the Rocks, which he did. Seems after the story was published several people contacted him to ask his opinion, tell him they liked the article, you know, that kind of stuff. We admit it turned out to be more of a popular story than we thought it would be.
On the heels of that success, we asked Erickson to again pick five products he really liked at this year’s ROTR.
For those who might not remember Erickson, he’s a supplier quality engineering manager at Autoliv automobile safety products in Ogden, UT. As we pointed out last year when Erickson chose his five favorites at the ROTR, he has been off-roading with his ATV and side-by-sides for nearly a dozen years.
In talking with Erickson about his favorite five products at this year’s ROTR, he felt he needed to take some editorial license in choosing his five. That’s what happens when you show someone the power of the pen.
He wanted to categorize his favorite choices in five categories. Okay, that’s a simple enough request. Little did we know he had some sort of ulterior motive. He wanted to find a way to slip a “helmet” (notice the quote marks) onto his list. The helmet definitely raised our eyebrows but Erickson was insistent about it. So while he was admiring himself wearing the helmet and trying to find his inner gladiator, we looked around at the other products offered by Moto Active, which are a bit more practical for side-by-sides.
We may have to rein Erickson in at next year’s ROTR.
For now though, here are Erickson’s “categories” and the company whose product he liked in each one category. Following that is the product he chose for the category/company.
- Canine Americans - Bully Dog
- Vehicle Protection - Trail Armor
- Partner Apparel - Desert Bling
- Bling/Zing - Quake LED
- Heavy Metal - Moto Active
Canine Americans - Bully Dog
www.powersports.bullydog.com
Powersports GT Gauge/Tuner
Bully Dog is an innovative company that takes improving vehicle performance very seriously. Founded in Aberdeen, ID, Michael, Phillip and Daryl Klassen are following the passion of their father Harold and continue to bring to the market specific, yet flexible performance enhancements for your vehicle. Bully Dog products allow the user to get their own desired result; everything from outrageous performance on the race track to improved fuel economy driving down the highway.
In the past 12 years, Bully Dog has been first to market with numerous vehicle-specific products and applications. In 2005, with the release of the Triple Dog Downloader and Outlook Monitor, Bully Dog revolutionized the market with the ability to adjust power, safety and economy levels on-the-fly while driving down the road.
At ROTR, I met Adrian Croot (sales/marketing) and he and his team of experts walked me through the mechanics of "man's best friend," the Powersports GT Tuner and powersports product line. The Bully Dog system can be used with your 2011-14 Polaris RZR and installation of the complete system is easy. Once installed the options are radical; monitor, download, adjust and set the levels of performance.
Croot explained that each Bully Dog product goes through an in-depth research and development process. That it is followed by a grueling development procedure carried out by the best engineers in the world. Once designed, each product is put through months of real world testing across the United States so that Bully Dog can be sure that each product works correctly and flawlessly in various elevations, weather conditions and driving situations.
In less than five minutes we covered the history, the development, the cutting edge advantages of the Powersports GT and concluded with my first attempt at setting the new range on the Bully Dog Polaris for the next day's ride. All adjustments were made after reviewing the performance capability based on the data complied up to that point.
It sure was easy.
Vehicle Protection - Trail Armor
www.trailarmor.com
Body Protection
Most everyone who rides cares about their machine and protecting it really shows your commitment and particular style of keeping it secure. Let's face it, if you take care of your machine, your machine will take care of you, especially when it comes to safety and protecting various parts of your vehicle.
Of course nothing says "I care" like unique, high-quality parts and protection accessories for major brands of side-by-side vehicles like those offered by Mississippi-based Trail Armor. What drew me to Trail Armor’s products, aside from the rugged and thorough designs of continuous underside protection were owners Aundre and Alison Turner’s dedication to the off-road industry. The Turner’s unique patented and practical doors, skid plates, A-arm guards, cool-flow windshields and other parts for the off-road riding enthusiast are a testament to that dedication.
For off-road performance, protection and style, knowing these options are proudly made in America is one more reason to check out Trail Armor.
Partner Apparel - Desert Bling
www.desertbling.com
Dirt/Desert Clothing
By definition, a mirage is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects. In contrast to a hallucination, a mirage is a real optical phenomenon that can be captured on camera or in our case at the ROTR and in person.
Simply put, think of all the times you've pulled on a factory or aftermarket race jersey. In more inclement occasions a plaid shirt or old hoodie seemed to do the trick and seemed to hold out. While throwing on whatever you have handy is fairly normal—and predictable—partner comfort and style is often overlooked, if not all together ignored.
Well, the tables have turned according to Bridget and Duane Collmar. Why not wear a comfortable stylish hoodie, shirt or tank with your own personal flare? In addition you may choose to accessorize your look with a belt, hat or handbag (for the ladies). Go all out and set the pace for style in your own area for all the others to covet.
In the OHV handbook there are no rules prohibiting the look or feel of comfort and style, regardless of what tired and worn out that style might be. How else would you explain the old fashioned notion of repeatedly wearing predictable clothing equals (at least in the wearer’s mind) that “rugged outdoor look.”
So be different and express yourself with your own look. Then all those selfies from that point on are going to actually be worth posting.
Bling/Zing - Quake LED
www.quakeled.com
Lights/Switches
Turn it on. As you walk through the ROTR vendor area, you’re inevitably drawn in like a moth to a flood lamp over to the Quake LED display.
The on-hand variety and specific length along with countless numbers of LEDs found in each of the products on display were sure to cause a reaction.
Upon closer inspection you could find a plug and play 50-inch curved 24,000lmn roof mount pre runner, along with floods, accent kits and spots. It didn't take long to catch the clever and humorous light up the darkness switches, “flux capacitor” and “co-pilot seat eject” to name two.
Gary Holley told me Quake LED can outfit your imagination with the correct size and power of lumens. He also explained differences in each selection whether it is front mount, dash mount or side, top, under or whip mount illumination. The company even had on hand the programmable rope style lighting with multiple colors and effects. This series of lights can be tailored to specific lengths, long or short or anywhere in between. When I asked about one light submerged in the fish bowl, Holley explained that it has been placed there one year ago, demonstrating its resilience to water and providing proof of its water tight construction.
Quake LED is a leading-edge LED manufacturer that offers the latest in off-road light technology at straight from the factory price. The company is owned and operated by people who off-road. They know what their customers want and have the real world experience and engineering background to make it happen.
From the serious off-road racer to the committed weekender, Quake LED has what it takes to lead the way and "light up the darkness."
Heavy Metal - MOTOACTIV
www.facebook.com/pages/MOTOACTIV/309733276360
*Helmet
(*ED—The helmet was Erickson’s choice. We were more interested in the doors, nerf bars and other more side-by-side specific parts and accessories.)
To round out this year's ROTR I was drawn to the MOTOACTIV booth where it’s all things metal, manufactured in America and just as rough and tough as they look. I visited with Freddie Sheppard of MOTOACTIV. All items in his booth possess the tough and well-built appeal MOTOACTIV is famous for, from UTV doors, billets, nerf bars, shifter handles, floor mats, bumpers, seats, harnesses, harness bars, deck lids, roofs, roof racks, skid plates and the list goes on and on. Every item and every selection enhances your look out on the trail.
However, the list really doesn't end there. In fact, it just starts up again with custom watches for men providing that masculine look in or out of your UTV. From there it comes off the rails with the outrageously creative and spot on rendition of custom metal art. This segment not only cries pick me, it infers you're ready to showboat your inner self and star spontaneously in the next campfire entertainment. I'm talkin’ about the "not so DOT approved" centurion shivery helmets of the ancient past. It’s a throw back—way back to the days of gladiators and swords. Of course I tried one on and not only did it fit nearly perfectly, it almost instantly made me feel more courageous and brave and ready to for battle—just not on the trail.
