Goons in the Dunes - Fourth Annual Yamaha Sport ATV Event

Yamaha held their fourth annual Sport ATV press event, (aka Goons in the Dunes) in early January. Although they unveiled their yellow 50th Anniversary editions at the final GNCC of 2005, this was the first official "ride event" under the Anniversary celebration.

We (members of the media) were excited to ride the new special edition Raptor 700R, but were a little sad to see the final year for the Banshee, also in Anniversary yellow. Steve Nessl, Yamaha's ATV PR Manager says, "It may not be a typical press release, but people look forward to it. I start getting calls months before the event, asking for specific dates. Some guys even plan around it, not to miss it. We enjoy the sand for what it is, just like everyone else."

As far as commenting on the end of the Banshee, Nessl says they slowly saw it coming. "There won't ever be a replacement for the screaming Banshee. It was the only hi performance model available for a long time, but we're seeing the changes people are making to their YFZ's and Raptors to get more power out of them."

Yamaha supplied us media types with the limited edition models as well as with a couple of GYTR models, one YFZ and Raptor. The hopped up Raptor was a favorite for several of us, me included.

After long days of dune riding and picture taking, we ended each day with dinner and a camp fire. The "goon" event was a great combination of "getting it done, while being a little more relaxed," Nessl said.