Yamaha Marketing Materials

REASONS FOR GROWTH - RECREATION

REASONS FOR CURRENT TRI-MOTO GROWTH - GENERAL


FUTURE OF TRI-MOTO AND MOTO-4 DEMAND


REASONS FOR GROWTH - UTILITY/SPORTMEN


  • Our study of this market shows the potential for incredible growth.
  • Every day, people are finding new uses for Tri-Motos for following reasons:

    REASONS FOR GROWTH -RACING


    DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TRI-MOTO AND MOTO-4 MARKETS





    THREE-WHEELER FOUR-WHEELER
    MARKETNot yet matured Just beginning
    Still growing Healthy growth
    Known market Unknown market
    MACHINE
    CHARACTERISTICSLighter/smaller Heavier/bigger
    Maneuverable Stable/safe/easy to ride
    Low cost More expensive
    FUN FACTORActive Conservative
    Maneuverable Stability
    Adaptable to more
    activities
    BUYERSActive people Safety minded people
    Younger Older
    Male Female
    Young kids(parents make choice)
    USAGERecreation Recreation
    Utility/Sportsmen Utility/Sportsmen
    Racing




    I. YAHAHA SALES TRAINING CAMP FILM


    Oh, it is very rugged, very rugged.

    It is very powerful.

    Three-wheelers are a lot of fun!

    They are definitely the fastest bikes out here.

    It is so versatile. They can be used anywhere by anybody.

    Wait a minute you guys. Hold on. I know what you are thinking. Oh no now they got a film about the Trimotos. Spare me. Well you are right about the movie. But some of you may have the wrong idea about the Trimoto. That's what we are going to talk about.

    As far as competing with Hondas they are not as good a lot of people say, but if you get out and ride with a Honda and I think you will find they are equally as good as a Honda, if not better.

    Sure, we have had some problems. But any new machine is going to have some bugs in it that have to be worked out. Well I am here to tell you we work them out.

    Every year that something new like this comes out there is a few bugs within them and for the Trimoto it is no more than usual.

    Some of those problems were the mechanical kind. We fixed those. Some of them well maybe they are not really problems at all. Maybe they are opportunities.

    One of the first questions that arises with the Trimoto versus the Honda model is the two cycle versus the four cycle. Many of the people don't understand what the two cycle is and are still enraged with the two cycle of years ago having to manual mix the gas and oil.

    Maybe a ten years ago the two stroke motor was an undependable motor, valves, spark plugs, things such as that. The new ones don't do that anymore. The engines live a long time. Spark plug life is phenomenal. It doesn't use a lot of gas. It doesn't smoke. Very quiet and it is a lot more dependable.

    It is just like the street bike. Just get involved with it Ride the unit yourself. Know the good points on it and stress safety.

    And another thing about the Yamaha is just the name itself. A lot of people are very Yamaha brand oriented and they want a Yamaha. They don't want to buy a different brand.

    That is why we are having this session. Yamaha Training Camp to show you how to turn those sales problems you may be having into sales opportunities. Tell you why. Let's start by taking a look at the three-wheeler market and the three-wheeler customer. You may be in for some surprises.

    Since we have the Trimotos in stock now we get a lot of new faces that come in that I haven't seen before. That seem to be interested in the three-wheeler market.

    You can have a good time with your whole family. You can all get on your three-wheelers and go trailing around. Go dunning and just have a good enjoyable time.

    We started thinking economics. We went to aah up to the dealer to see the Trimoto. I had heard that people were using them on the farm.

    I do a lot of hunting. I do a lot of riding in the woods. I do a lot of scouting now that the season is over. And without one a man couldn't get around.

    I am here to win because I race for a living and I want to ride the right bike and Yamaha is definitely the right bike.

    See, different people, different needs and some of them are going to require a different approach if you want to make a sale. But hey, there is nothing wrong with a showroom full of new faces, is there?

    Three-wheeled vehicles account for about 28% of the total off-road market in America. About 100,000 units sold in 1980 alone. It is the fastest growing segment of the motorcycle market. With a 260% increase in sales between 1976 and 1980. But is it important to remember that many three-wheeler purchasers do not consider these machines to be motorcycles. In fact, around half have never owned a bike.

    We sell quite a few of them to aah non-motorcycle riders aah they think it is a lot safer.

    Three-wheelers sales are seasonally steady with demand continuing even through the traditionally slow fall and winter months when other motorcycle sales fall off.

    And especially in December. Ho, Ho, Ho!

    We find that certain times of the year where I see bike sales are slack and fortunately the dirt bike sales, especiall the Trimoto sales pick us up and we actually have good sales during that period of time.

    We did sell 100 three-wheelers last year and aah it is the winter months that we really sell the Trimotos.

    Yep. Year round business is good business. And you know what else a lot of dealers have sold Trimotos to folks you may never have thought of.

    Recent budget cuts by the county and the parks division has necessitated looking for alternate means of transportation to provide maintenance service in our park areas. The consideration used in the selection of these vehicles was the original purchase price, availability of parts, and the economy of operation.

    We bought the three-wheelers to replace pick-up trucks because the cost of operation was getting to high on the pick- ups. We use them to set up sprinklers, pick-up trash and get around the parks with.

    I haven't had any problem with it at all.

    There are a lot of other uses for Trimotos as utility vehicles.

    The pipeline companies use them to run their pipeline and check their meters. That reason being that they are a whole lot more economical to operate and they go through a whole lot rougher terrain than four-wheel drive vehicles will.

    Hear that? It just goes to show that the Trimoto is a different kind of machine that can bring you a different kind of customer. If you know how to reach them. Oh, I know some people think there is a law that a three-wheeler has to be red. Oh, yeah. Let's ask these guys.

    A Honda (Laughter) well that is a different story there. (Laughter).

    Tell me about it.

    I had to sell it. (Laughter) Because it quit running on me (Laughter).

    Well the reason I got rid of the Honda aah one reason is it just didn't have the power that this Trimoto has got.

    First of all we went to look at a Hondas and aah I rode one of them and then we went to Yamaha and looked at the Yamahas. I rode one of them and it was just it just felt better you know it is like a camera or something else. It feels better in your hand.

    Sales potential. That is what we are talking about. Now let's get specific.

    Farm demand for three-wheelers is large and growing. In fact, currently about 20% of all three- wheelers bought are purchased by farmers.

    We purchased our Yamaha Trimotos to farm up here in this red dirt. When it gets wet, or rains, you can't drive on the dirt, you can't even hardly walk on it, but the Trimotos seem to get along real well in it.

    It has certain applications that is advantageous over a tractor. One of them being that it is much more economical. The John Deere that would work in the vineyard this year are running $22,000.

    We originally purchased these Yamaha Trimotos to irrigate off of. We were using a pick-up that ran us $200 to $250 a week for fuel. We were doing it with this Trimoto for about $20 a week.

    As long as gasoline goes up, we are going to start selling more three-wheelers.

    By day you know I work as an insurance agent and by night, early morning and weekends, aah as you see I spend a lot of time out in the vineyard. And aah I bought this three-wheeler here basically because I found it to be very useful here in the ranch. It is something small enough that my wife can ride it. She can do a lot of work for me while I am busy peddling insurance.

    We used to use our tractor here for pulling nitrogen tanks or fertilizer tanks, pipe trailers, spray rigs to spray our ditches and so forth. This Trimoto seems to work just fine and really surprised us with the pulling power.

    These are corded tires. They are not a balloon tire. Being a corded tire they don't puncture as easily. They don't puncture as easily and it sure makes the farmer happy when he goes out into the field. He doesn't have to worry about getting a flat tire.

    After the first of the year when we are pruning and tieing vines it comes in real handy. We can throw all of our vine ties, our shovels, our pruning shears and aah in the back of the trailer. Hitch up to it and we are gone. In addition, to our grape farming we do raise fryers. Aah we have one house that we raise 30,000 of them at a time and when they are just hatched, we have to feed them a very light mash. Before we got the Trimoto it was quite a job because we had to take a wheel barrel and a shovel and if you have ever pushed a wheel barrel to feed 30,000 chickens you will know that is a lot of work.

    Now there is something to remember. The Trimoto can be a tool. Low cost, low maintenance and high durability.

    When they start realizing that it is a two stroke motor, no valves, no points, no cam chain, nothing to adjust, the tune up is just a change of a spark plug and clean the air filter is about it. The farmers love it. They are able to run them longer without having to work on them and money is time with them.

    Turn on one switch. It usually starts easily on the first or second start.

    Yamaha's years of experience in two stroke engine design have resulted in machines which minimize noise and smoke. The two biggest negative images that consumers have about the two stroke engine. The design of the Trimoto incorporates all of these engineering advances while retaining the traditional two stroke advantages of power, throttle response, light weight, and mechanical simplicity.

    You can just jump on it and go. There is very little, if any, maintenance to it.

    Oil the chains once a week. Clean the air cleaners. We have had three of these now for 18 months and that is all we have done to any of them. Compared to this tractor here it probably runs in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $1,200 a month to operate.

    Are you beginning to get an idea of the real potential of this market. It is everywhere. They use them for work and then they turn around and use them for fun.

    This little jewel here plays two roles. It gives me a nice piece of farm equipment that I can use as a tax depreciated piece of equipment and it is also a heck of a lot of fun.

    Speaking of fun. Here is a look at a group of customers who are going Trimoto in a big way. They already know about Yamaha's winning tradition.

    Being first on the race track is nothing new to Yamaha. Our incomparable two stroke racing heritage as put us first across the finish line on race tracks all over the world. And now with three-wheel racing rapidly gaining in popularity, Yamaha is proving once again that it is the class of the class.

    They race everywhere. In all seasons and over all types of terrain. The more rugged the better. And at the finish even the competition has to admit that the two stroke advantage is hard to overcome.

    The two stroke motors definitely faster. They are lighter and they respond quite a bit quicker.

    With two modifications that we do aah an air cleaner change and aah exhaust system change, our bike will actually out perform the Honda.

    My 125 Yamaha is very fast. I am able to outrun the 185's and the 200's.

    I got into racing five years ago when a guy from a local -motorcycle shop told me about the racing down here and said they had three-wheelers involved. I came down here and I raced the first week and took third place. I liked it so I have been coming back ever since.

    My son runs a Trimoto and my oldest boy runs a 465 and I help the guys that come into the shop with technical advice.

    Any time I need my machine serviced or parts or need any work done, I come to my Yamaha dealer.

    Our fundamental think is racing. We raced a lot of three-wheelers in the desert, on family enduros and also at organized events. This is where you have 1,500, 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. That's where we have really done it. When they come to our store, we have the product, display, and knowledgeable salesmen that are also involved.

    We have two locations. We sell at around 600 three-wheelers. In the past year of 1980, we came out here because I like racing. I like to promote three-wheel business and I am seeing a lot of happy, very, very happy people here in the three-wheel industry.

    You know where the finish line is and where it is not, you can shut off when you hit the sign. Because we put the lights back further so you can see who won the race.

    When we put these tires on this weekend and came down to Louisiana to race in the mud for the first time. It is kind of a new experience for me down here. They run a half mile oval and get the track down and they flood it and the local people say these are trick tires to run. So we got a set and we came down here to see what we could do with them.

    It is anybody's race. Yeah. Keep going. Yamaha - the way it should be. So what did you win.

    I guess I got three trophies. I won the sand bags on the open bike and I won the mud race in the 175 class and the mud race on the open class.

    He's the best.

    I took second place, unfortunately.

    Second place hasn't even come in yet.

    You thought selling a two stroke was a disadvantage. Ha. The best power and torque in its class. The lightest engine and -the greatest throttle response. Now here is the Trimoto in a little different environment. Let me give you a hint. The logs may bite.

    The Trimoto is also at home in some of the most demanding terrain on earth. Swamp country. Local hunters and trappers use three-wheelers to reach spots which would be inaccessible to any other form of transportation.

    Depending on the machine you can go through the swamp that we have in this area here, it aah it can handle anything anywhere else.

    We have down in South Louisiana what we call muck. It is mud that has been sitting there for probably years. I don't know what the hunters did before three-wheelers came out. I wouldn't be without one in the woods.

    You have got the power when you get down in the mud and the water to spin those wheels and it will get you across. See you don't have that with the Honda.

    I like Yamaha's I chose them over the competitor because they are more dependable. It won't climb a tree but it will do just about anything else. It will swim, you can flip it, get off of it, give it a little gas and crank it right up. It has never failed, never.

    And it only takes two hands. I mean figure it out for yourself. If you have got one hand on the starter pull, one hand on the throttle, who is holding the compression release which makes a four stroke easy to start. Mr. Honda.

    On the first year that they had released the Trimoto we did have problems with them. But I see now that the '81s are corrected and aah the in the way of the shift and in the chain. We feel that aah with these improvements it should increase our sales this coming year.

    Yamaha has redesigned certain critical mechanical elements of the Trimoto to make it at its best when the going is the toughest. The shift linkage has been redesigned to make gear changes smoother and more positive. And the linkage itself less vulnerable to impact damage. The chain is enclosed to protect it against, rocks, mud and sand. While the powerful enclosed rear disc brake has been fitted with new long-wearing pads which are the industry standard.

    I have never had to change the pads. I had this thing several months now and aah it is one thing that aah a lot of people talk about and when you talk to a Honda owner about his brakes, well he veers off and changes the subject. The best thing is it really has brakes. I am not kidding either.

    The Trimoto's low end torque gets it through under incredibly difficult conditions. And the uniquely designed air intake and hot sparking CDI electronic ignition keep it going when some of the others have had to aah abandon ship.

    Damn that red turkey.

    Honda, oh well I had a Honda but I went to a Yamaha.

    When they can run down in this swamp in Louisiana, they can run anywhere.

    That Trimoto is one tough little sucker, isn't it? When you are talking about farming, racing or hunting, the Trimoto really gets the job done. But all of that is just the tip of the iceberg. Now let's take a look at the biggest market of all. Recreation. Every weekend and holiday you will find them from the desert to the woods. Everywhere in between. And they are all out there after just one thing. Fun.

    Whether a customer buys a three-wheeler for work, back country transportation, or extraordinary good times, just about every unit you sell will end up being used for recreation. Everywhere and in every way.

    It is the man that goes to the desert with his family and goes to the mountains or where ever, but they just go and have fun.

    I came out with my family. We come out here a lot. Every big weekend and stuff.

    We come just to aah raise hell.

    As far as going anywhere, I have been through water, streams, up in the mountains, down in the desert. I haven't found a place yet where I couldn't go and have a good time doing it.

    People cannot afford $5,000 recreational vehicles.

    North, South, East and West the Trimoto is synonymous with family fun.

    A family get together they are real safe and the whole family rides them from the kids on up to the wives.

    It is a complete family vehicle and often times the family will wind up buying more than one. They will buy several.

    I have got two of these. My wife rides one. My daughter rides one and if one of them is not riding one, I will ride one myself.

    Some are motorcyclists.

    I came off of aah you know dirt bikes, stuff like that.

    Well about half are not.

    You don't have such a good chance of hurting yourself because you have three wheels instead of two.

    I find a lot of women for instance who are almost afraid of a two-wheeler now. After they have ridden one three-wheeler, that is all they want to ride anymore.

    It is easier to ride than a motorcycle and they go just about as fast.

    They ride in the mud, the woods, the desert, and even in snow.

    Snow. You hear that. It explains why the Trimoto sells so well during winter. Even up north.

    During recent dry winters when snow has been scarce. Customers have found that the Trimoto works well in snow up to ten inches deep. It is the perfect vehicle for patchy snow in which snowmobile threads can be damaged.

    The parts that I use are genuine Yamaha products which is an advantage and maybe you only purchased at Yamaha dealers such as YPDI's footpeg modification, which makes the Trimoto much more rideable.

    They seem to give you much more stability and a lot better handling.

    Due to patent restrictions Yamaha cannot eguip the Trimoto with wider pegs as original equipment. But because of the large advantages they offer in terms of rider comfort. Yamaha is offering wider accessory pegs to its dealers at cost.

    We just put the footpegs on today riding up here and I noticed a big difference. Your leg is not jammed in against the side and you can get a little more slide out of your bike because you can press down.

    You can really get out on the outsides and lean into it and aah.

    Your foot doesn't have a tendency to fall off of the wider peg.

    It is a tremendous little item. I really believe that every dealer should be pushing these things quite heavily.

    There is a lot of profit to be made in any accessories and the Trimoto is no exception at all. We sell probably 20% of the bikes aah with some form of modification.

    Recreational riders don't want to spend their time working on machinery. So the Trimoto has been designed to minimize maintenance.

    I think aah you know for the average person a two cycle engine is a lot simpler. Aah as far as maintenance and upkeep are.

    After I have written everything up on a motorcycle and before I load it up in the pick-up or trailer or whatever, I go over the whole machine with them and explain to them that the chain is going to have to be adjusted and oiled that you are going to have to check your tank and make sure the oil is in the tank, that you need to clean the air filter once in a while, and I just stress upon them do small things like that and it makes the motor last a lot longer.

    If the customer has confidence and can do most of the work, he is going to purchase another one. And another one and he is going to tell his friends how easy it is to maintain a Yamaha three-wheeler. That is what we are selling simplicity.

    Sell. That is the key word. This country is full of potential Trimoto customers. You have got to sell them. Sell them on Trimoto power, toughness, and dependability. Sell them on Trimoto Yamaha racing heritage. Sell them on simplicity and fun. I mean come on you guys. We are talking about 28% of the entire off-road market. 28%. Let's get with it team.

    I found that the best method we have to sell this person is to take our own machines out there and either be seen on the machine doing something impressive, like climbing the sand hill faster than the next guy, or letting them ride them and in both cases we have had very good results.

    We had two new Trimotos arrive here at the dealership and we took them out on a trail ride and if I am not mistaken there was about 40 Hondas out and aah we rode with them and aah the next week aah a big shipment arrived and I think we sold about 20 in that week to Honda owners, 110 owners.

    After letting a few farmers ride the Trimotos in our parking lot, I realized that that was not the way to go.

    Due to the hard surface, the asphalt, it just seemed to be to stiff, it looked like it would be too much of a problem.

    So what I started doing I kept a demo around, a demonstrator around, I took it out to the different people on the farm and let them use it for a couple of days, for a weekend.

    He brought one out and considerably different. They operate very well in the sand. But I don't really know if I would have brought one if it aah if it would have been just on the parking lot experience.

    After they ride it and try it around the farm a little bit and they realize the potential that it has. They are sold.

    At least 25 to 30 of the percent of people that we have demonstrated them to easily come back and buy them.

    I also suggest that if dealers do want to get involved and want to make extra money selling three-wheelers, that three or four or five dealers get involved and put on family promotion. Whether it is learn to ride a three-wheeler or it is racing, plus anything else.

    You are only limited to your imagination on this thing because it can be used anywhere anytime.

    Yeah, that is what I am talking about, imagination. It is more than just putting a Trimoto in your store, waiting to see what happens. It is being original. Letting those old creative juices flow. Speaking of imagination I almost forgot.

    We had the 125 that we converted to a 175. We like the 175 power and I am glad Yamaha is stepping in that direction.

    It is brand new and ready to take on the country. The all new Trimoto 175. The fastest and most powerful three-wheeler in its class. With terrain leveling telescopic fork front -suspension and a powerful front brake. A skid plate to protect the engine and a tubular steel heavy duty frame with extra strong thick wall construction that leaves the pressed steel frames used by other manufacturers behind. To avoid losing momentum when shifting from first to second in deep mud, water, or sand, the new Trimoto has a rearranged shift pattern with neutral placed at the bottom. And a new throttle for easier operation.

    The YT175 also has a super strength 520 0-ring chain with sealed in lubrication for dependability and long life and a new chain adjustment system. A high set air intake will make it the driest thing in any swamp. It will pull heavier loads. Turn faster lap times. Churn through deeper mud and water and offer more overall family fun and good times than anything the competition has to offer. Best of all it is not any bigger than the YT125.

    Hey, how about that? That ought to make you guys happy and your customers too. Let's spread a little more icing on the cake. How about some genuine quality Yamaha accessories.

    We have designed front and rear carrying racks for the YT125. Both of them made of heavy duty steel that's up to the really tough jobs. Let's face it you are sitting on a gold mine fellows. The market is out there just waiting for you to grab it. And Yamaha has given you the machines to do the job. So go get them team. We are going to win this one for us. Yeah.

    Well, it is just a matter of opinion. But if they ever ride one of these Trimotos, they will never get on another Honda.



    VI. RIDING SAFELY IS UP TO ME


    This place is great dad. All right look at those Trimotos. Wow, check out that Tri-Z!

    Yeah, I guess we are not the only early birds out here this morning. He sure was excited at the Yamaha dealership the other day. But he had a right to be. He has been saving for that Trimoto for over a year now and that is pretty darn good for a kid his age.

    Hey, dad, let's get going.

    Okay, hot shot. You put these flags up on the machines while I go put up the tent.

    Hey, how you doing? We saw you come in earlier. That's a really tine 200. Is that yours?

    Yeah, I just got it last week.

    We are going the old saw mill, I was wondering.

    Ask him his name, stupid.

    Hi, I am Greg Bennett. What's your name?

    Hi, I am Scott Miller.

    Hi Scott. This is my sister, Sara. That is her friend, Beth, and that is my dad back there. As I was saying, aah I was wondering if you wanted to go to the old saw mill with us?

    Can I dad? I will be careful.

    You are not forgetting our deal, are you son?

    No, I didn't forget. We made a deal that my dad would pay for half of my Trimoto if I followed the rules and learn how to ride the right way.

    That's cool. We all have to go through that training too.

    Hi, I am Brian Miller.

    Paul Bennett. Everyone in our family had to pass the ATV course before they could ride.

    Yeah, ATVs are not as easy to ride as they look. The class taught us the basics and it was fun.

    We will come back later and maybe we will go somewhere then. Sounds like a fine idea to me provided, of course, that you pass my ATV test with flying colors. Oh, dad.

    No problem, man. We will swing back here later to see how you are doing.

    Scott, I appreciate your waiting a little. Let's put on our riding gear and get started. Hey, I will get your bike ready.

    All right.

    Continuing the pre-operation checks we started this morning, air pressure is okay, I have already checked the brakes and the oil.

    Now we have got to check out the chain and the throttle. Well everything checks out. That didn't take so long.

    It goes even quicker once you have done it a couple of times and you know it by heart. Pre-op checks make sure your machine is in good condition before every ride and where ATVs go you are not going to find a lot of service stations. Before you go on your first practice rides I want to see how well you have learned the location of these controls. So I am giving you a pop quiz. A pop quiz.

    Don't worry. Just get on the bike. Put your hands on the handlebars and close your eyes. All the way now. Okay. Where is the engine cut off switch?

    Aah right here.

    Good, now quickly where is the front brake level?

    How am I doing to far?

    So far so good. Rear brake pedal.

    Right here.

    Good, I guess you will do. Why don1t you hop off and grab those cones and we will go over to the practice area.

    Great.

    I went over all of the controls yesterday in the garage with the manual.

    Doing your homework hey. Just like your old man.

    Mom said when you were in school you hardly ever did your homework.

    Never you mind what your mother says about my school days.

    You just keep that operator's manual with you in case you want to look up something later. This place is just right for beginners, Scott. It is flat, no rocks, and lots of room.

    Yeah, look over there. There is one of those Tri-zingers like we saw in the store.

    So it is. Now that dad has got the right idea. He is using the tether to keep control while the little guy learns the ropes.

    You are not going to tie me up are you? (Laughter).

    No, I think I can trust you not to run away. When can a kid start riding Trimotos, dad?

    Oh, there are a lot of things to consider before you put anyone on an ATV. First, the rider has to fit the machine. Now that little guy over there is too small for your machine. But the one he has got is just right for him. Since riding an ATV requires the rider to shift his weight for control, he has got to be able to move his body to different positions without having to stretch to turn the handlebars or work the controls.

    How does he know the kid will be able to turn and stuff like that?

    Well, it is really up to the parents to decide if their kids have the strength and coordination to control an ATV and are grown up enough to respect the rules.

    How did you know I was coordinated?

    Well any kid who takes second in the league cross country meet is good enough for me. And you were saving up for over a year to buy your own ATV showed me you had the patience to learn to ride safely.

    Thanks, dad.

    The helmet still fits snugly even with your haircut. All right start her up.

    All right.

    All set.

    Ready to go.

    What did you forget? Okay, now you are properly outfitted for off-road riding. I want you to put it in first, lean forward, accelerate smoothly and then brake smoothly to a stop. You got it?

    Got it.

    Smooth throttle, Scott. We don't want any wheelies. Good enough. Now let's work on your turns. Okay, the important thing about riding an ATV especially when you are making turns, is to keep both feet on the footpegs at all times. If you don't, you might run over your own foot. Okay, as we approach the corner, you turn the handlebars, lean into the curve, while keeping most of the weight on the outside footpeg. All right? Now when you shift your weight to the outside of the turn, that takes some of the weight off of the inside wheel, it helps make the turn easier.

    Okay, I understand.

    Okay, here is what I would like you to do. Go down to that far marker, take a right hand turn, come back to this marker, take a right hand turn and stop. We will work on the left hand turns later.

    Okay.

    And start slow. Now everything comes easier at first if you just take it slowly. It looks like he is having trouble turning. He needs to lean forward some to put more weight on the front wheel and he's got to be easier on that throttle. Now remember to lean forward. Put more weight on the front wheel, okay? He's under control, good. The faster he goes the further he is leaning so he doesn't tip. Good. Hey, hot shot, slow down a little there. What do you say we take a break for lunch?

    Yeah, this is great. But I am sure getting thirsty.

    Okay, I'll walk, you ride.

    Did you learn all this stuff at the ATV Club, dad?

    Yeah, a lot of those exercises are the same ones I did at the off-road riders course. This is it. Pretty spot, huh? All right. The first manuever we are going to try is hill climbing. I would like you to build up some speed before you get to the hill but don't go too fast. Then you should lean uphill and remember to keep your speed up as you climb. If you do lose momentum and stop while going up hill, put on the brakes immediately or you will roll backwards. You stay here and watch me, okay? Now if you should start to roll backwards, don't jam on the brakes. If you do, you may cause the machine to flip over backwards. Just lean forward, put the front brake on, slowly put the rear brake on and come to a gradual stop. Scott, now you try to climb the hill and remember when you turn around to come back down, lean backward and brake gradually. Okay? Go ahead. Good. Now I want you to make a turn about three- quarters of the way up the hill. When you get up there, I want you to go across the hill. That is called a traverse. Now during the turn and during the traverse, you have got to lean uphill to keep your balance. All right? Okay, traverse it up to there and then come back down hill.

    Okay.

    Looking good on that traverse. He is leaning uphill okay. Definitely under control. Good, I think he is getting it. Good -going. That is about as hard a traverse you are going to find on -any of the beginners trails out here.

    Yeah, it is not so hard once you balance it right.

    Let's continue practicing on the trail. You go up ahead and I will follow. Now as you approach the bumps and ruts stay up off the seat. Keep your legs bent to absorb the shock. You got it?

    Got it.

    Okay, you go straight across the bumps. Don't take them at an angle. And most importantly ...

    I know, I know, go slow at first it is easier that way.

    Okay, okay, you got it. Ready?

    Ready.

    Not bad, son, you had just the right amount of speed back there.

    Yeah, it is fun. It is just like a little roller coaster.

    Let's go. Remember at higher speed you might have had some trouble. With practice you learn how to read the terrain. Like bumps ahead of time so you can stay away from trouble. That skill comes only with experience. That's why we started on a trail with easy terrain and why we are taking it slow and easy while you learn. One last tip before we go in. See that hill up ahead?

    Yeah.

    What do you think is on the other side of that?

    I don't know. have got to approach

    Right, and because you don't know you the crest of the hill with caution.

    Okay.

    Now when you get to the top of the hill, you go slow so you can stop quickly in case there is a steep drop or obstacle on the other side.

    Okay.

    Are you ready?

    Ready.

    In neutral.

    Neutral.

    Switch on.

    Roger. Whoa, you are a pretty good teacher, dad.

    Thanks, son. You can see there is a good reason for these lessons.

    Hello again. We are going down Big Pine Trail as a last run of the day. You two care to come along?

    Can we, dad?

    It is a beginners trail.

    I know that trail by now.

    Well, I think I am going to put my feet up for a while. But you have earned it son, go ahead.

    All right.

    Hey, remember you have got the basics but you are not a pro yet. So go slow and listen to Mr. Bennett.

    I will, dad.

    All right.

    That was fun. How do you like your new Trimoto, Scott?

    It is great. But you guys have more experience than I do so don't go too fast.

    Oh, you are doing fine. Hey, do you want to come over for a marshmallow roast tonight?

    Sure, I will be there.

    Cute guy, huh?

    Maybe we should ask him if he needs a ride. It is a pretty long walk back to camp. He is getting away, hey.

    Come on, Beth, dad would kill us if we ride double.

    Yeah, riding double on an ATV is trouble. Dad showed me how a passenger takes up the space you need to maneuver.

    Yeah, you knew that, Beth.

    No double riding on an ATV, Beth.

    Even when he is a hunk?

    Even when he is a hunk, Beth.

    You should have seen Beth, dad. She was checking out this fisherman when I told her you can't ride double on an ATV.

    You did the right thing, son. I am proud of you. And it is a good thing to check that manual after riding just like you are doing. Pick up a lot of extra points you missed the first time.

    Yep.

    Boy, he is really growing up fast. It won't be long now and I will be trying to keep up with him. I am sure glad I took the time. I know he will be too when he looks back on this trip some day. Good night off-road rider. See you in the morning.

    Good night, dad.

    Safe riding is more fun.

    Riding safely is up to me.

    This program was designed to suggest the need for a responsible approach to ATV riding and rider training. And is not intended to be a substitute for a comprehensive ATV training program. Learning proper ATV riding techniques and riding responsibly will make your off-road riding safer and more enjoyable. Yamaha recommends comprehensive training for all ATV riders prior to riding an ATV. For information concerning ATV training and qualified instruction, contact your local ATV dealer or the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America at 1-800- 447-4700.

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