Powersports Business April 2025 | Page 24

24 • April 2025 • Powersports Business

ATV / UTV www. PowersportsBusiness. com

Denago introduces new models at AIMExpo

Denago Powersports recently posted a YouTube video discussing its successful AIMExpo experience. National marketing manager Steve Lawler talks with his national sales director Johnny Hayes about adding dealers and talking to prospects during this year’ s AIMExpo and how it compares to their first show two years ago.
“ Last year, it was a little different. We were the new kids on the block, and not very many people knew us,” Hayes recalls.“ But this year it’ s been kind of overwhelming. Actually the amount of dealers and prospects that have walked up and know who we are has been good.”
Denago’ s GM, David Garibyan, also speaks with Isaac and Jacob Stabler from ATV Wholesale.“ The show’ s been tremendous, a lot of great exhibitors, and we’ re excited to see Denago’ s product line,” says Isaac.“ At least speaking from the sales side, Denago, specifically in California, is what the powersports industry
Isaac Stabler from ATV Wholesale discusses Denago’ s new fuel-injected models, including the MX-3. Photo: Denago Powersports / YouTube screenshot
needs. There’ s been a void in the market for something affordable and quality with support. We need that here in California. We desperately needed green sticker certification, so Denago checked all the blocks.” Garibyan also introduced the MX−3 fuelinjected model on the AIMExpo stage, and Isaac from ATV Wholesale discussed the
The company also used the tradeshow to launch a new youth ATV, the Trailhawk 10FI boasts a 120cc 4-stroke electronic fuel injected overhead cam engine mated with a fully automatic transmission offering. The Trailhawk employs a dual A-arm independent front suspension paired with hydraulic disc brakes activated by dual handlebar mounted levers with an integrated parking brake.
new model at Denago’ s booth. Some of the models were pre-production, and they said that the production models will be available to dealers soon.

Court rules against California agency’ s off-roading ban

The California Court of Appeal ruled on March 24 that the California Coastal Commission exceeded its authority prohibiting off-road vehicles from driving through Oceano Dunes on the state’ s Central Coast, Courthouse News Services reports.
It was ultimately ruled that the commission did not have the authority to limit access to environmentally sensitive areas from off-roading vehicles. Only the San Luis Obispo County government and a coastal planning policy process called local coastal programs( LCP) have that power, the court ruled.
“ The LCP states that one of its goals is to‘ maximize public recreational opportunities’— including( off-highway vehicles) use— at Oceano Dunes,” Second Appellate District Associate Justice Hernaldo Baltodano writes.
Originally, the commission voted to restrict off-roading vehicle use at Central California’ s Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area by 2024, claiming the land was being ruined by off-roaders and air pollution.
Following the restriction, an independent group – Friends of Oceano Dunes – comprised of local citizens and business representatives sued the commission to regain access.
A judge ruled in 2023 that the commission overstepped its authority banning off-road vehicles.
It was found that the commission can only recommend local governments change its ground rules to protect the state’ s beaches, wildlife and coastal habitats and to ensure public access.
Friends of Oceano Dunes also cited a recent study that claimed dunes’ visitors from outside San Luis Obispo County generate more than $ 500 million annually.
“ Closure would devastate the south county economy for years,” Friends of Oceano Dunes says in a statement.
The LCP does its best to balance the interests of protecting the dunes with off-roaders rights by restricting where in the area vehicles can go while preventing“ significant disruptions” to environmentally sensitive habitat
Oceano Dunes’ visitors from outside San Luis Obispo County generate more than $ 500 million annually, a report claims.( Photo: courtesy of Friends of Oceano Dunes / Facebook)
areas. So, banning off-roading altogether wouldn’ t make any sense, Baltodano writes.
“ This is not to say that the commission’ s unchallenged finding that OHV use significantly disrupts ESHAs is wrong; it is just not consistent with the LCP as currently written,” Baltodano added.

RWD Racing Kawasaki with H2 supercharged engine debut at Mint 400

Kawasaki is looking to break new ground in 2025 with the announcement of RWD Racing Kawasaki, which will compete in the UTV Open Class at select UTV races. The team kicked off its season at the historic Mint 400 in Primm, Nevada on March 6−7.
Russ Wernimont Designs( RWD) and Kawasaki began working together in 2021. For 2025, RWD Racing Kawasaki is taking on the challenge of competing in the UTV Pro Open class with a purpose-built side x side powered by a supercharged engine developed by Kawasaki.
Kawasaki has been developing supercharged engines in various powersports
platforms over the last decade. Through collaboration between multiple divisions within the Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. including Powersports, Gas Turbine & Machinery, Aerospace, and Corporate Technology Divisions, Kawasaki produced the 300 + hp Kawasaki Ninja H2R motorcycle in 2015.
RWD Racing Kawasaki will be a part of Kawasaki’ s continued supercharged engine development with a new 999cc in-line 4 supercharged side-by-side engine as part of Project H2. Carson Wernimont and co-driver Brady Kelly will line up for Team Green in their new UTV Pro Open race machine in select events.
RWD Racing Kawasaki will be a part of Kawasaki’ s continued supercharged engine development with a new 999cc in-line 4 supercharged side-by-side engine as part of Project H2.( Photo courtesy of Kawasaki)
“ Kawasaki has given us a great platform to build off of as we tackle the incredible challenge of competing in the UTV Pro Open Class. Our team has built this race car from the ground up and the support from Kawasaki has been amazing. We are really looking forward to helping Kawasaki with its engine development and have fun chasing race wins,” says Russ Wernimont, team owner.