Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports Group Marketing Manager joins The Revolution this week to talk about the awesome new ways Yamaha is making the outdoor experience more accessible and exciting for everyone. Two wheels, four wheels, on the water, in the snow, generators – Steve says that Yamaha’s power products can afford people the opportunity to get out, disconnect, be remote and have a good time. With an extensive lineup of vehicles, Steve says that there really is something for everyone which means there are no excuses. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, what your skill level is or if you want to carry multiple passengers; there are choices that accommodate individual needs in both the ATV and Side-by-Side lineups. Steve says it’s really about customizing your experience and your vehicle of choice to do what you like to do.
AAA projects that nearly 100 million Americans will vacation in 2019, that's about four in ten U.S. adults, many of those are families planning road trips. Yamaha vehicles provide a fun and interactive way to get out, recreate and get away from it all. Looking for ways to afford more people the opportunity to experience how fun riding ATVs and Side-by-Sides can be without even making a purchase, Steve says they have been working on some programs that are kicking off just in time for this busy vacation season. Announced just this week, Yamaha revamped and relaunched their Adventure and Travel Rental program under the new “Destination Yamaha” title. This program has endless benefits! Steve will explain in the audio below how the program works in depth. However, Destination Yamaha is essentially a network of destinations and rental locations that allow people to come, rent the Yamaha vehicle of their choice (ATV, Side-by-Side, Motorcycle, Snowmobile) and then spend their vacations adventuring - cruising through trails and backcountry letting loose. Locations like BRIMSTONE, Moab, and the Black Hills are among the Destinations available that let you experience a new part of the country in an up close and exciting way. In addition to rentals, some of these locations also have lodging and quick trail access available so you can put together an all-inclusive vacation package making it that much easier to plan a fun outdoor getaway. The Destination Yamaha program lets you experience a full-blown travel/adventure vacation experience behind the wheel of a Yamaha vehicle, without having to purchase one. This program isn’t just great for those who don’t have a Yamaha vehicle, but also current owners. If you are like me and already have a Yamaha ATV or Side-by-Side and use it all the time at home but want to experience a new part of the country without having to trailer your own this works equally as great for you. Rent the same unit you have at home, do what you love, just in a different location. There are so many great things about this program, Steve says, that feed into the outdoor lifestyle and also encourage other people to get into the outdoors. You have to check this out online at YamahaOutdoors.com, click the Adventure Travel & Rental box in the middle of the page and look through this site thoroughly there is so much info there! And as if you weren’t inspired enough already, leave it to Yamaha to make you want it even more as they say: “Make the most of your time on earth. Don't just think about it. Do it. Escape the daily grind and create your own freedom. Explore new places, set new challenges and make memories that will last a lifetime.” I feel like this is church and they are preaching directly to me! Mission: “Wind In My Beard” is on! Definitely check this out! There are opportunities from coast to coast.
Now, I think that one thing that intimidates some people and possibly holds them back from setting out on a backcountry trail riding adventure, is the fear of the unknown. Where do I go? What if I get lost? What do I do? Yamaha can also address those concerns with their Adventure Pro. This is essentially a GPS and smart tablet rolled into one that has over 115,000 pre-loaded trails and waypoints. So, whether you are going to a Destination Yamaha location or you are out on your own in another part of the country taking in the trails, the Adventure Pro will guide you. Furthermore, you get the added benefit of not having to spend hours searching for trails and planning because they are already there, preloaded and mapped out making it easy for riders to spend more time adventuring and less time planning. In addition, Steve says the Adventure Pro also doubles as a social engagement tool. You can take photos from the trail and even upload and post them. It helps you navigate the trail, but also documents your experiences along the way.
Now, when Steve stops by we usually have a hearty conversation about the utilitarian purposes of Yamaha ATVs and Side-by-Sides, after all, we rely on their grit and capability often. However, these machines aren’t all about work, they are about fun too. In stressing the benefits of a healthy outdoor lifestyle, it’s also important to note that these machines are a great way to help you de-stress. Steve says, sure, justify the expense of purchasing by using your machine for work, but then let loose and have some fun with them too. They are multi-functional. The idea of “adventure” is personal and different for everyone. Steve says the great thing is that Yamaha makes vehicles, their entire lineup, to be as accommodating as possible to every different idea of adventure. You can go where you want, do what you want, and trust in the reliability and durability of Yamaha products. They are built by proud Americans in Newnan, GA and tested rigorously, more than any of their other competitors in real world environments. There is peace of mind knowing they are built “Real-World Tough”.
The Wolverine X2 and Wolverine X4 are very similar and that has led to many people asking us, which one we think they should go with. Steve weighed in with his thoughts on the subject. It’s really hard to tell people what would be best, because purchasing is very situational. That said, if you are looking for something where you can seat more than 2 people, then you might consider the X4. However, you may be equally as pleased with two Wolverine X2’s. If you haul a lot of cargo and quick/easy offloading is important to you, then the dumping cargo box on the X2 may be a deciding factor for you. Steve says the honest truth is that they are both built around the proven 850 twin, have the Ultramatic automatic transmission, dial in 4WD and they also share a lot of other core technologies that come with Yamaha products. Everyone’s needs will vary and Steve encourages buyers to talk to their friends, dealers and people who have experience to help them make the best decision for them.
Listen in as Steve Nessl, Yamaha Motorsports Group Marketing Manager stops by to talk about getting more people outdoors and the ways that Yamaha is making outdoor adventure more accessible to everyone.
Get Outside and Get Adventurous,
Trav