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By: Ray Larez
2nd Annual So Cal Dirt
and Sand Expo
New to the UTV market were large 2”
bodies for the Yamaha Rhino from Work
Performance. |
A Rhino just for the Ladies to cruise
the dunes. |
This year’s event had more
exhibitors with a wide variety of products and
wears. We spoke to Andy Meyers, the promoter,
about the growth of the event and asked what
their future plans were. He told me that they
had reserved a new venue and were planning on a
different weekend next year. They will be moving
to the Pomona fairgrounds. The event is
currently held at the Ontario Convention Center;
and as Andy stated, it is a great facility.
However, there is much more potential for growth
at the new venue. The larger facility will
accommodate more exhibitors. The Pomona facility
is the site for the Los Angeles County Fair. So
it is quite large and very accommodating for an
Expo like this. One other change noted was they
will be changing the weekend that it is on,
mainly because the X-games are here in the
intermediate area and may have drawn some of our
potential spectators to that event. I mean the
show is catering to the Off Road enthusiast; and
with the X-games adding events such as Moto-X,
Supermoto, and Freestyle Motorcycles, it’s a
good possibility it directly competed for
spectators.
R.I.S. Designs had a tricked out stunt
QUAD. I asked for a demonstration, but
they declined, and said next time they
are at an outdoor show they will be
happy to give us a show. |
Triumph Motosports Booth w/ their
custom ATV and Rhino |
On to the show! This Expo was all off-road
products, be it a truck, buggy, ATV, UTV, or
even tricked-out golf cart, it was here!! The
newest craze has been the UTV’s and the tons of
aftermarket products that are flooding the
market. Like custom bumpers to roll cages it was
all here, some of the vehicles had really nice
custom paint jobs that were worth a look. These
paint jobs were so nice I would be afraid to go
out and ride these vehicles, well, at any kind
of rough speed. Hey! I might scratch it! Other
new items we spotted were Works Performance New
large body shocks for the Yamaha Rhino and the
Polaris Ranger RZR (Razor). Their new 2” body
has a massive 5/8” chrome hardened shaft and has
a larger reservoir than their ATV shocks. R.I.S.
Designs had some new billet accessories for the
Suzuki LT-R 450 and the new Kawasaki
KFX450--such as side cover, foot pegs, and
shifters. Triumph Motorsports had some new items
like their Dual ATV Steering Damper and some
really nice Rhino Accessories.
Custom Paint jobs that you can drool
over |
There were display bikes everywhere!
This drag Banshee was stretched and
ready for battle. |
One of the unique parts of these shows is the
discounts. If you attend a show like this,
usually the exhibitors offer some sort of show
discount. Make sure to ask them if they offer
such a discount; it can save you big bucks. Like
one of the exhibitors, a trailer manufacturer,
had a 10% show discount. Also, some of the
exhibitors go there to blow out end-of-the-year
items like Golden West Cycle. They had great
deals on everything from riding gear to hard
parts. So keep an eye out for deals at any expo
you attend.
A Rhino just for the Ladies to cruise
the dunes. |
Then there was the Rhino for the guys to
go out and RACE!!! |
Well, over all, it was cool
show. I had to miss the X-games, but thank God
for DVR’s. Plus, I saved a few dollars and
picked up a set of paddles for myself for the
dunes season that’s approaching fast. I was able
to see some new products that were coming out
and saw some really cool toys. So, if you get a
chance, get out and attend an expo. Trust me!
You will enjoy it.
DSC_0203 R.I.S. Designs had a tricked out stunt
QUAD. I asked for a demonstration, but they
declined, and said next time they are at an
outdoor show they will be happy to give us a
show.
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