'05 Kawasaki 1200 STX-R Jet SkiWhat It Does: With its racing-inspired hull and numerous championship titles in International Jet Sports Boating Association racing, this runabout model provides the power, performance, and exhilaration that can only come from a cutting-edge Kawasaki design.
Why It's Hot: Beginning with the STX-R's stable hull design, it provides a smooth ride and more precise cornering in the most intense racing conditions. The hull includes high-performance racing-type sponsons and a racing-style pump cover to provide "grip" for more aggressive turning and quicker planing. Plus, the hull is made of hand-laid fiberglass, is gel-coated for a deep, lustrous, scratch-resistant finish, and features the molded-in Kawasaki Splash Deflector to help minimize spray on the rider. Power for the STX-R is adapted from the engine design of the championship-winning Ultra 150 watercraft. The 1,176cc, three-cylinder two-stroke engine has an intake manifold angled back 45 degrees to create a downdraft effect for the trio of high-flow 40mm constant-velocity carburetors. A variable-speed oil pump reduces oil consumption and exhaust smoke, thereby increasing both power and efficiency. The carburetors are linked to the digital Direct Current Capacitor Discharge Ignition system by the Kawasaki Throttle Responsive Ignition Control (K-TRIC) throttle-position sensor. The K-TRIC uses independent ignition timing maps for each cylinder, based on engine speed and throttle opening, to provide quick throttle response and acceleration.
Who To Contact: Kawasaki Motors, (949) 770-0400, www.kmc-usa.com
'05 Kawasaki Mule 3010 Trans4x4What It Does: Based on the popular Mule 3000 series, the new Mule 3010 Trans4x4's spacious four-passenger cab easily accommodates four adults. With a couple of quick adjustments, though, the operator can fold down the rear bench seat and extend the cargo bed farther forward to increase payload capacity. When the operator wants to transform it back to a four-passenger vehicle, the same quick adjustments are made in reverse order.
Why It's Hot: Combined with a heavy-duty DeDion/leaf-spring rear suspension system, the Mule 3010 Trans4x4 has a cargo capacity of 400 pounds in four-passenger guise and 800 pounds with the cargo bed extended forward. Plus, with an optional towing hitch, the new Trans can tow as much as 1,200 pounds. Kawasaki's legendary liquid-cooled industrial V-twin engine has a proven record for hard-working reliability and is matched to the company's highly refined continuously variable transmission for the ultimate in traction and control.
Who To Contact: Kawasaki Motors, (949) 770-0400, www.kmc-usa.com
Rhino RTV-2FS Rock CrawlerWhat It Does: The Rhino RTV-2FS is a dedicated rockcrawler built to tackle anything in its path. Fabricated from 1-1/2-inch steel tubing, this machine addresses safety first and power second. Between the 14 inches of wheeltravel, 35-inch rockcrawling tires, and a 104-inch wheelbase, this machine will carve through any trail. If one isn't there, it will make its own.
Why It's Hot: A powerful 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder Honda engine delivers a respectable 146 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque to the Ford 9-inch rear end filled with a 3.50 locking rear differential. The front axle is also a Ford 9-inch filled with a 3.50 open differential and 31-spline axles.
Who To Contact: Rhino Off-Road Industries, (702) 558-4100, www.rhinooffroad.com
Wayfinder V7000 Digital CompassWhat It Does: The Wayfinder V7000 digital compass is not only a precise digital compass, it's also an altimeter, barometer, weather forecaster, and indoor/outdoor thermometer all in one. Operating on a long-life lithium battery or power adapter (both included) insures that it will always be ready when needed.
Why It's Hot: A crisp holographic display shows direction with a compass rose, eight cardinal points, and precise 1-degree numeric digits. It also shows elevations as high as 19,990 feet (6,000 meters). To conserve the battery, the V7000 automatically turns itself on and off as needed.
Who To Contact: PNI Corporation, (888) 422-6672, www.pnicorp.com
'05 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i QuadWhat It Does: New for 2005, the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i quad is the most powerful, highest performing model in its class. The Brute Force offers superior balance for the optimum level of rider comfort and provides numerous convenience features. Built with adventure enthusiasts and sportsmen in mind, it includes new bodywork, the largest engine in its class, and is the first Kawasaki 4x4 ATV to use a fully independent rear suspension system.
Why It's Hot: Powering the Brute Force 750 4x4i is Kawasaki's revolutionary 90-degree, four-stroke V-twin engine. With a bore and stroke of 85x66mm, it displaces 749 cc and features new plated aluminum cylinders, a reverse-facing air intake, new 34mm downdraft carburetors and straight intake tracts, and four valves per cylinder. Also featured is a high-efficiency radiator mounted high in the chassis, where it's best protected from mud and debris. In four-wheel-drive mode, the Brute Force uses a limited-slip front differential, which eases steering effort under most riding conditions. The rider can also engage the Variable Front Differential Control (VFDC) to deliver torque equally to the right and left front wheels for maximum traction. The front driveshafts of the Brute Force feature new Cardan joints that help absorb torque fluctuations to the driveshaft, and its lightweight design helps reduce vibration.
Who To Contact: Kawasaki Motors, (949) 770-0400, www.kmc-usa.com
Garmin eTrex Legend CWhat It Does: The eTrex Legend C is Garmin's exciting new pocket-size handheld, which brings color, automatic routing, and longer battery life, plus a 256-color sunlight-readable display, to the design, making it easy to distinguish map details and see where you're going. The automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions with alert tones, and icon-driven menus for finding points of interest all help to navigate you safely to your destination.
Why It's Hot: Thanks to a longer battery life, there are more hours of outdoor enjoyment to be had. Also, the mini-USB port provides fast and convenient downloads of map data from Garmin's entire library of optional MapSource CDs using a PC interface. The 24 MB of internal memory provides plenty of storage for maps. The eTrex Legend C is WAAS-enabled and has had the primary controls oriented on the side of the unit, so the user can conveniently operate it with one hand. Also, an innovative rocker switch is located on the face of the unit, which enables the user to input data easily, scroll through menus, or pan the map page.
Who To Contact: Garmin International, (913) 397-8200, www.garmin.com.
Lowrance GlobalMap Baja GPS Mapping ModelsWhat It Does: This new line of GPS mapping models is offered in two versions. The GlobalMap Baja contains a 5-inch diagonal 480x480-pixel LCD screen for excellent, glare-free viewing through a high-contrast film-super-twist monochrome display, with 16-level gray-scale definition and advanced white LED backlighting. The GlobalMap Baja 480c features the new Lowrance 256-color TFT display that provides super-wide viewing angles and fluorescent cold-cathode backlighting.
Why It's Hot: Both models are capable of navigating motorists from nowhere to anywhere by delivering full 12-parallel-channel GPS+WAAS reception, provided from the ruggedized external LGC-2000 Baja receiver/antenna for super-fast satellite lock-ons and enhanced position accuracy to 3 meters. Each unit is memory-card compatible with Lowrance's FreedomMap software and MapCreate topographical software. Each unit has been ruggedized and made shock-resistant to handle the off-road abuses encountered on the roads less traveled.
Who To Contact: Lowrance Electronics, (918) 437-6881, www.lowrance.com.
The Freedom Grill Portable Gas GrillWhat It Does: The Freedom Grill provides you with all the conveniences of your home grill, anywhere you go. With 30,000 BTU stainless-steel dual burners, a 384-square-inch cooking area, and 304 stainless-steel construction, the term "tailgating" has new meaning.
Why It's Hot: Designed for any vehicle equipped with a 2-inch receiver-type hitch, the grill stand is fabricated from MIG-welded steel tubing construction and powdercoated for the ultimate in durability.
Who To Contact: Freedom Grill, (866) 964-7455, www.freedomgrill.com