By Chris Officer
Associate Editor
Chad Hutchens’ dealership, Uncharted Adventures, was going through its fair share of ups and downs. Selling trailers and campers out of his small West Virginia storefront, Hutchens said a string of struggling sales months had the company preparing to file for bankruptcy.
But instead of folding up shop, Hutchens decided to make some changes. He was exclusively selling trailers and campers, but with sales still slow, he decided to take a gamble that might sound counterintuitive for a struggling business — opening a second location. But the second location would deviate from the trailer and camper business and instead focus on powersports.
He would keep his trailer and camper dealership in operation, and opened a second location inside Mercer Mall in Princeton, West Virginia.
“I had previous powersports experience working as a general manager for several years, and I thought maybe I needed to get back to my roots,” Hutchens recalls. “We opened in September 2024 with just a couple of hundred bucks left in the bank and just kind of gambled it all away. But it has really taken off for us.”
The 7,000-square-foot space was small, but sales picked up, and almost immediately the dealership started increasing sales, moving around 15 to 20 units a month. By the end of the year, that number grew to 40 units, mostly used ATVs and UTVs. Sales were strong enough to get Unchartered Adventures out of the financial quicksand.
The small operation he launched out of the West Virginia strip mall wasn’t a big move but Hutchens said it served as a steppingstone to get the business back on its feet, similar to a recovering athlete.
“You know, these professional [baseball] players, when they get hurt, they have to get sent down to Triple-A. I just needed to get my feet wet again, you know, back in the game,” he says.
Hutchens has since retired his first dealership location, now uses it as a storage garage, and recently opened his fourth location in Beckley, West Virginia. The dealership still sells trailers and campers, but he says the business has been thriving in ATV and UTV sales. Its current powersports brands include Segway, KYMCO, Aodes, and Moto Morini. But his best-selling OEM has been Massimo and, in 2025, was named the No. 1 Massimo dealer in the U.S, selling more than 200 units last year alone.
“It was a huge surprise.” Hutchens says. “It’s kind of our bread and butter with that price point, which is super hard to beat... But whenever you’re talking about a machine that you can get out and do what everybody else can do on a Kawasaki or Polaris, but getting it for a lot less — yeah, we’re doing really well with that.”
The mid-level UTVs have been Uncharted Territories’ bread and butter, Hutchens says, and a major driver of the dealership’s success. He recalls back in his general manager days, where a $40,000 to $50,000 UTV was unheard of, and now thinks about how that is kind of the norm.
“We’re affordable. I wouldn’t say cheap, but affordable. It’s because we don’t have any of the big OEMs. I think we’re where the market should always be,” he says. “But everybody has to have that luxury of heat and air conditioning and roll-down glass windows. It’s nice, but it’s not practical for a lot of hardworking people. [Our brands] like Segway and Massimo are meeting the customer halfway with the entry point of price.”
And Uncharted Territories isn’t just meeting its customers on price, but also on expectation. Hutchens emphasized the popularity of the fully enclosed side-by-side cab, but also the importance of an affordable unit. The Massimo Sentinel 570, for instance, is the best of both worlds. Hutchens says the Sentinel series has been one of his most popular machines in the last few months.
The fully enclosed, HVAC-equipped UTV comes with the luxury of some of the other more expensive units, but with a price of under $15,000. “We got in around seven Sentinels in and we sold them all except for one within two weeks. The last one sold it on Christmas Eve. So, we did well with them,” he says.
Customers will continue to be the backbone of the dealership, and retaining their business will always be a top priority. Hutchens says his dealership doesn’t necessarily carry all the big brands some are used to, and he wants to make sure his customers leave with confidence, even if there is some unfamiliarity at first with the machines they’re purchasing.
“Anytime you purchase a machine from us, we deliver free of charge. And everything utility-wise with a dump bed, we are adding a free lifetime powertrain warranty,” he says. “The reason we’re doing that is you’re taking a chance on us as a dealer. You’re taking a chance on us standing behind this machine. Whether it be a Massimo, Segway or an Aodes, brands that our customers might not have heard of. But these are great brands. And we stand behind them enough to throw in a lifetime powertrain warranty. We want to build that strong customer relationship.”
As for what’s next for Uncharted Adventures, Hutchens says he wants to continue to grow the business by, yes adding more OEMs, but also by scaling down. Currently with four locations across Virginia and West Virginia, he says he is looking to consolidate operations to better serve its customers. With only 16 full-time employees throughout its dealership network, Hutchens hopes with less physical stores, his team doesn’t have to be so spread out, and can focus on customer relationships.
“We’re building up, instead of just branching out. Being short-staffed is leading to us not giving our best because we don’t have that time to interact. Everybody wants more stores, but I think if you look to see what’s best for the longevity of the business, it’s all about the customer coming back and being happy,” Hutchens says. “I don’t know if a customer can be 100% satisfied if you’re rushed all the time to get through deals. So, I just want to get back to basics.”
American Honda confirmed it is bringing back the Talon sport side-by-side lineup for the 2026 model year, with the R range getting upgraded 30-inch tires for enhanced performance over rough terrain.
The 2026 Talon 1000 range will feature six purpose-built configurations across both two-seat and four-seat platforms. This year, the two R trim levels receive factory-equipped 30-inch tires to increase ground clearance and improve obstacle-rolling capability. The four X versions retain their 28-inch tires, optimized for agility and precision in tighter terrain.
“Whether you’re carving through technical trails or hitting top speeds across open terrain, the 2026 Talon lineup delivers confidence-inspiring performance and versatility,” says Colin Miller, manager of experiential marketing at American Honda. “Made in the USA using domestic and globally made parts, these side-by-sides feature purpose-matched tire sizing and tailored trim options, and are engineered to meet the diverse needs and preferences of off-road enthusiasts.”
Honda’s 2026 two-seat Talon 1000 side-by-sides offer configurations designed for everything from tight woods to wide-open desert terrain. The lineup comprises the agile 1000X in both standard Showa and Fox Live Valve versions, as well as the wider, longer-travel 1000R Fox Live Valve, which now comes equipped with 30-inch tires to increase ground clearance and improve obstacle-rolling capability.
Colors:
Pearl Red
Matte Forged Bronze
MSRP:
Talon 1000X: $20,599
Talon 1000X Fox Live Valve: $22,799
Talon 1000R Fox Live Valve: $23,799
For the 2026 model year, Honda’s Talon 1000 four-seat lineup is suited for both tight, technical trails and faster terrain. The range includes the Talon 1000X-4 in standard and Fox Live Valve versions, as well as the wider Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Valve, which also features 30-inch tires.
Colors:
Pearl Red
Matte Forged Bronze
MSRP:
Talon 1000X-4: $23,099
Talon 1000X-4 Fox Live Valve: $25,099
Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Valve: $26,099
Polaris is beefing up its off-road offerings with two new enclosed-cab side-by-side Rangers and an all-new RZR Pro R Ultra Edition, a limited-production model that brings race-developed suspension technology to the showroom floor.
The RZR Pro R Ultra Edition offers the first factory-integrated electronically controlled hydraulic locking sway bar links. The new system, delivered through Polaris’ Dynamix DVS suspension division, is designed to elevate ride comfort, control and handling across demanding terrain while maintaining the performance DNA of the RZR Pro R platform.
Reid Wilson, president of Polaris Off-Road Vehicles, says, “We took the industry’s most capable platform and made it even better. By applying key learnings from our race program, we’ve introduced smarter suspension that delivers maximum articulation and more control in any environment.”
The Dynamix DVS system allows each wheel to move independently for increased articulation and reduced body movement over rough terrain. Unlike traditional sway bar systems that simply lock or unlock, the active sway bar links continuously adapt using three selectable modes: semi-active, which rapidly locks and unlocks up to 200 times per second; locked, which delivers maximum stability; and unlocked, which maximizes articulation for technical rock crawling.
Polaris said the system works seamlessly with 12 suspension control channels and existing ride modes to balance comfort, stability and performance at speed or in technical conditions.
Beyond the suspension, the RZR Pro R Ultra Edition features exclusive styling and premium upgrades aimed at desert and dune riders. Highlights include an MPI Racing steering wheel inspired by professional off-road racing, 32-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires, a limited-edition Velocity Blue colorway and custom GatorStep interior accents.
The Ultra Edition also carries over core Pro R features, including a 74-inch stance, 104.5-inch wheelbase and 29 inches of usable suspension travel. New for 2026 is a 10.4-inch vertical touchscreen powered by Ride Command, which the company says is the largest in-vehicle display in powersports. Additional features include Rockford Fosgate Stage 4 audio with a 1,500-watt digital amplifier and heated and vented seats.
Production of the RZR Pro R Ultra Edition will be limited to 500 units globally, available in two-seat and four-seat configurations. The two-seat model starts at $46,999, while the four-seat version starts at $50,999.
On the utility side, the 2026 Ranger 1000 CAB and the 2027 Ranger XP 1000 CAB, two trims that expand Polaris’ all-weather UTV portfolio and deliver versatile solutions at a competitive price.
“Leveraging our expertise and adding to our breadth of cabbed side-by-sides, our new cab models offer value options for consumers who need all-season comfort to tackle work and play in a variety of weather conditions,” says Wilson.
The new Ranger 1000 CAB expands on the Premium model by adding an enclosed cab and factory-installed heat. Other features include a 4,500-pound winch with synthetic rope, auto stop, and wireless remote, a full-coverage front bumper, LED headlights, 61 hp ProStar engine, and a 1,000-lb. box and 2,500-lb. towing capacity. The new model is available in a three-seat-only configuration and comes in the following colors: Granite Gray, Mirage Beige, Rover Rust, and Polaris Pursuit Camo. Pricing starts at $21,999.
The new Ranger XP 1000 CAB is available in a three-seat or crew option, and comes equipped with a factory-installed enclosed cab with heating and air conditioning. Its signature features include an 82 hp ProStar engine, 29-inch, 8-ply Pro Armor X Terrain tires with a new innovative variable tread design that reduces perceived noise. The 8-ply rating provides puncture resistance in rugged terrain, and the 14-inch ground clearance. It also has a 1,000-lb. box and 2,500-lb. towing capacity.
Ranger XP 1000 CAB is backed by a one-year warranty and is available in Avalanche Gray. Pricing starts at $24,499.
Based on Power Products Marketing analysis, Polaris was the market leader in UTV sales in 2024 and gained UTV market share in 2025, led by the Ranger 500, which was the highest-retailing midsize side-by-side in the industry during Q4.
Now with its latest Ranger 1000 release, Polaris is offering customers a fully enclosed and HVAC-equipped model that provides all-weather performance you can’t get with the Ranger 500, but at a considerably lower price than the Ranger 1500 or Xpedition range. With this expanded vehicle lineup for 2026, Polaris is in a strong position to remain the top-selling UTV manufacturer in North America.
Kawasaki is rolling into the 2026 model year with a significantly expanded off-road vehicle lineup, adding new sport side-by-sides, updating its mid-size ATV offering and continuing to push deeper into the premium utility segment with its Ridge and Ridge Crew platforms.
At the top end of the performance spectrum, Kawasaki is introducing new color options for its supercharged Teryx 4 H2 and Teryx 5 H2 Deluxe eS models, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to high-horsepower sport side-by-sides. Both models are powered by a 999cc supercharged in-line four-cylinder engine producing a claimed 250 horsepower and feature a CVT, electronically selectable 2WD/4WD with front differential lock, adjustable power modes and long-travel suspension.
New Ice Gray colorways join the lineup for 2026. The Teryx 4 H2 carries an MSRP of $37,199, while the Teryx 5 H2 Deluxe eS is priced at $43,699, with availability expected in early 2026.
In the ATV segment, Kawasaki is returning the Brute Force 450 to its lineup with notable updates for riders seeking a versatile mid-size machine that bridges trail and utility use. New for 2026, select models receive electronic power steering (EPS), along with front and rear cargo racks compatible with Kawasaki’s KQR accessory system.
Powered by a 443cc single-cylinder engine with an electronically selectable 2WD/4WD and differential lock, the Brute Force 450 offers a towing capacity of 1,050 pounds and rack capacities of 75 pounds front and 150 pounds rear. The Brute Force 450 EPS will be offered in Grayish Blue and Firecracker Red with an MSRP of $7,999, arriving at dealerships in winter to spring 2026.
Kawasaki continues to broaden its footprint in the premium utility side-by-side category with an extensive Ridge and Ridge Crew lineup for 2026. Built around a Kawasaki-designed 999cc liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder engine, RIDGE models deliver up to 116 horsepower and 73.8 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with a CVT and on-the-fly selectable drivetrain modes.
The Ridge family spans two- and four-door configurations, with seating for up to six passengers, cargo bed capacity of 1,000 pounds and towing capacity rated at 2,500 pounds. Full-cab HVAC models, Platinum Ranch editions and camouflage variants are offered, targeting both work-focused and recreation-oriented buyers. All Ridge models are assembled in the United States and backed by Kawasaki’s three-year limited warranty.
Base Ridge models start at $21,599, while Ridge Crew models begin at $23,499. HVAC-equipped versions range from $28,799 to $31,799, with Platinum Ranch HVAC models topping out at $37,199. Availability across the Ridge lineup is expected in winter to spring 2026.
With new sport side-by-sides, refreshed ATVs and an expanding premium utility portfolio, Kawasaki’s 2026 ORV strategy positions dealers to cover a wide range of customer needs — from high-performance recreation to all-season work capability — heading into the next selling season.