Generator Use - What's a Transfer Switch?

So… how many of you have lived through an Arkansas ice storm?  I bet plenty of you have. So the next question is; how many of you enjoyed being out of power (or having very limited power) for several days at a time?  Well, we certainly didn’t.  This is maybe one of those greatest times when you are thankful for having a generator.  Have we mentioned how great Honda generators are?  Well, outside of the recreational and work applications, there lies a very important use for a generator: home power.  You can even go farther than simply owning a generator for home backup power; you can hook a generator up to your home’s main power circuits with a supply transfer switch.  This gives you the ability to switch between traditional electric power and generator power in the case of emergency, power outages, or nasty winter weather. 

When considering the purchase of a generator for home back up use, you should think about installing a transfer switch device. A professionally installed transfer switch makes using your generator easy and safe. A transfer switch is an electrical device that is installed next to your electrical panel in your home. It connects to the circuits in your electrical panel that you wish to power during an electrical outage.   This allows you to power these circuits by connecting the generator to the transfer switch, instead of having to run extension cords to various items.

The main breaker in the transfer switch switches the power source from utility to generator. The house cannot be connected to both the generator and utility power at the same time - the main breaker transfers power from one source to the other.   This prevents the generator power from back-feeding through the utility lines, as well as preventing utility power from back-feeding into the generator.

The transfer switch also contains a number of circuits. You can instruct an electrician to assign each circuit to a different load. For example, you might want to power the furnace, well pump, refrigerator, and some lights. You can assign different circuits to power each appliance or room.

You may have more items on different circuits than the generator is capable of powering at the same time. However, using a transfer switch will make it easy to switch between different loads. Just turn one circuit off, and the other on. Our Universal Transfer Switch will even do this for you. A transfer switch makes it easy to manage your power usage and maximize your generator's effectiveness.

Supercross season!!

Ahem (cough, cough), the official definition:  Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.

YAY for Supercross!! So… what does this season look like??

•January 8 - Angel Stadium - Anaheim, CA

•January 15 - Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ

•January 22 - Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

•January 29 - Oak-Alameda City Stadium - Oakland, CA

•February 5 - Angel Stadium - Anaheim, CA

•February 12 - Reliant Stadium - Houston, TX

•February 19 - Qualcomm Stadium - San Diego, CA

•February 26 - Georgia Dome - Atlanta, GA

•March 5 - Daytona Int'l Speedway - Daytona, FL*

•March 12 - Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis, IN

•March 19 - Jacksonville Municipal Stadium - Jacksonville, FL

•March 26 - Rogers Centre - Toronto, ON, Canada

•April 2 - Cowboys Stadium - Arlington/Dallas, TX

•April 9 - Edward Jones Dome - St. Louis, MO

•April 16 - Qwest Field - Seattle, WA

•April 30 - Rice-Eccles Stadium - Salt Lake City, UT

•May 7 - Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, NV

So… who’s going to win this season? Both Bubba and Villopoto are back… threats?

What’s all this about Big Red?

Maybe you’ve heard of it. Surely you’ve seen it. It’s Honda’s ultimate workhorse:  Big Red.  So what’s all the fuss about? Big Red is a multi-utility vehicle towing/hauling/dumping 4x4 machine.  It can handle all of your off-road utility needs, with front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension, three selectable drive modes, plus a tough dump bed and a receiver style hitch for all the chores or work you can imagine. 

New and improved for 2011 is a heavier cargo bed carrying capacity (1,000lbs) and an increased towing capacity (1,500lbs).  It also boasts a more contoured bench seat and new Maxxis Big Horn tires featuring a stronger sidewall and more aggressive tread pattern for increased traction. Not to mention, Big Red’s transmission isn’t just another automatic—Big Red features the Honda automatic, the industry’s only true automotive-style automatic with a heavy-duty torque converter.  Honda’s Big Red is able to call itself the leader of the pack thanks to these and many more innovations in the MUV market. 

Honda’s legendary fit and finish, innovations developed by the same company that invented the ATV, and technologies that blend Honda’s vast automobile expertise with new ideas designed to revolutionize the Side-by-Side category, all come together to reveal the only utility (and did we mention fun?) MUV: Big Red. So go out and have some fun!

Wait… Have we even mentioned accessories?



The Ultimate ATV – The All-Terrain Hunter!

Now boys, don’t get too excited… We aren’t here to tell you how to kill more (or bigger) deer (or duck, or moose, or whatever the choice game is).  We’re here to make your hunting experience as fun and easy-going as possible.  The right ATV, with the right accessories, can help take a lot of the heavy lifting and transporting work off your shoulders and onto four wheels. Of course, we can also make getting through the woods (swamp, pasture) a whole lot more fun than wandering around in your waders! Here’s a short list of some of the accessories and tools available for your Honda ATV to create the ULTIMATE hunting experience!

Racks, anyone? No, not the ones on top of the deer.  But how about a few add-ons to your ATV to ease the load?  There are so many options; you simply have to find the one that suits your hunting style. An ATV Totem can make light work of transporting gun and bow cases, tree stands, ladders, and other equipment. 

Hitch rides and collapsible rear drop racks help transport other gear, and even game!  Don’t forget luggage bags, rhino grips for armory, and maybe even a rack cooler bag (you know, for your lunch and bottled water).

The right accessories on your ATV can make your hunting season a whole lot more fun and convenient.  Whatever your sport of choice, always stay safe!

The Ultimate ATV – The All-Terrain Farmer

Whether a diehard farmer, with acres of crop and pastures of livestock to take care of—or a hobby farmer with a small plot and lots of fun things to tend to—there’s an ATV out there to make your job easier.  Not only is there an ATV, but there are LOTS of tools and accessories you can put on that ATV to make light work of many farming tasks.  Be it traversing fields to check on herd and crop, or plowing that crop and moving all the trees to make the pasture, the right Honda ATV can get the job done for you—time, after time, after time, after time… well, you get the idea.

So, what are all those tools and accessories we’re talking about? Well, here’s a little peak.  Remember, opportunities are endless; if there’s something you’ve thought of, I bet someone else has too.  Don’t hesitate to ask any of our Parts & Accessories associates what kind of options you have to make your tough job easier (and more fun, too!).

Swisher makes a great line of farming and lawn/garden attachments for ATVs and MUVs.  One of the most popular is the QuickSwitch System, which allows you to use a variety of front and rear attachments, including a dump bucket, plow blade, fork lift, box scraper, disc harrow or grader blade.  They also make tillers, mowing attachments, spreaders/sprayers, and dump trailers.

Don’t forget storage! Stay prepared for anything with front and rear luggage bags.  Ogio is a great brand; they feature internal multiple compartment storage design, dual wet/dry compartments, removable padded back rest or seat, and tool gutter easy access tool storage compartments. 

Conclusion: don’t underestimate the power of a utility ATV! Honda makes their ATVs to be just what any hard worker (or player, for that matter…) needs to keep the job as easy (and fun!) as possible.

How do I pick ATV tires?

The time comes in every ATV’s life to change their shoes. Maybe you’ve ridden your factory tires to the bone and need a shiny new set, or you’re a more specialized rider that needs the kind of tire for the terrain you most often ride.  Well, let’s talk about tires.  The most important factor when ATV tire shopping is the kind of terrain you encounter most often. Mud or sand racer? Trail rider? Get muddy on the farm a lot? Whichever it is, consider the tread that tire manufacturers make for each of these conditions.  You should also consider tire size, shape, and construction.  It is recommended to keep the tire size as close to the factory’s as possible (after all, Honda engineers spent a lot of time making sure they would complement your machine’s gearing, engine power, handling, and fuel economy best).  Shape and construction can vary with the application, so be sure to get the one that will maximize your fun and give you longer wear!

Mud tires are characterized by their inside-to-outside angled tread pattern. They are directional tires designed to work best in mud, but can also work well with other applications (except for hard-packed trails, this can shorten tread life).

Trail tires are designed to offer good, stable traction through any terrain.  The exact kind of tread varies from one manufacturer to the next, but they are good “all-terrain” tires for the average utility ATV rider.  They can offer a higher tread life (saves $$), over specialized tires, and will handle the occasional ride through just about any terrain this crazy Arkansas weather gives us.

Sand tires are very specialized, and offer a unique tread: a single rib around the front tire and great sand-scooping paddles on the back.  These are really the only kind of tires that offer any traction in sand riding, as most other tires would burn your engine up just trying to gain ground.  They are great for sand riding, and that’s about it.  Taking these tires through any other terrain can ruin the tread, and probably wouldn’t make for a very comfortable ride.

Racing tires are also very specialized, and can make ATV motocross a whole lot of fun.  Most are designed for medium to hard-packed trails, and are characterized by flat-top, knobby construction. If motocross is your gig, get some tires and have a blast!

No matter what kind of tires you need, always remember to consider the cost trade-off with safety and stability, the life of the tire, and the degree of specialization you need. Any of our guys at Heartland Honda would be glad to talk with you about what kind of tire best fits your ATV needs!

Honda generators are HOW good?

They work hard, and they play hard!  Honda generators are the most reliable and efficient workhorses you’ll find.  Whether for play, like camping, for work, or for home power backup, Honda generators will help keep you safe, comfortable, and never without power. 

All Honda Generators feature our Honda GX commercial grade engines. These four-stroke engines have long been recognized as the industry leader in providing reliable, quiet and fuel-efficient power.  Honda’s legendary four-stroke engine design runs about 30% more fuel-efficiently than comparable side-valve engines. So it’s no wonder Honda makes more engines than anyone else on earth. From the smallest to the largest generator, Honda engines provide the type of power and performance that’ll get any job done.

You can use this chart to help start determining what kind of Honda generator best suits your application, and see the features available on each.

Take a look at our line of Honda generators, and let us help you determine the most efficient model for your power needs.  For more information on Honda generators, take a look at the Honda website here.



Honda's 2011 Lineup

What’s new for 2011? A LOT!! Here’s a peak at the new line of Honda machines coming out this year!



Welcome to the ultimate cruising experience. Powered by the incomparable power and pulse of our V-twin engines, and decked out in retro, boulevard bad boy style, boasting coolly classic lines and chrome from tip to tail. Are you ready to rumble? Then saddle up, and feel the rush that only these machines can deliver.



2011 Shadow Phantom

2011 Interstate Cruiser

 

 



2011 Shadow RS

 





2011 Fury









2011 CBR1000RR



Throw your leg over one of our supersport machines just once and you'll never ride anything but red again. More than half a century of race-bred engineering, fine-tuned at the highest and most heatedly contested levels of road racing in the world, have been poured into the bikes you see here. Sleek, eye-catching and packed with our latest, highest tech from nose to tail, our sport motorcycles exist for one reason: to strike fear in the hearts of every other machine out there.

 

2011 CB1000R





2011 CBR600RR







2011 CBR250R

 

With our new lineup of scooters, getting there is all the fun and then some.



2011 Silver Wing





2011 PCX





2011 Ruckus







2011 CRF100F



Mobile phones. Laptops. Vizdeo games. Instant messenger. Email. Before your family gets lost in the virtual world, show them the real world on Honda's family of rugged, reliable CRF/Fs. Designed for riders at every level, the CRF/F series is ideal for exploring the back-country, the dunes and everything in between.







  

 



2011 CRF450R









2011 CRF250R







2011 TRX250X

 

2011 FourTrax Rincon

Sure, they're rugged and reliable, but Honda Utility ATVs are also built to make your life easier, whether you're working the back 40 or your favorite trail, and we achieve this with some of the most revolutionary technology in the industry. Like Electric Power Steering, designed with torque and speed sensors to reduce steering effort (and rider fatigue) when the going gets tough. Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) that allows both rear wheels to move independently, helping you maintain traction and control even in rough terrain.

2011 FourTrax Foreman Rubicon

And there's a transmission for every type of use. Our continuously variable, fully automatic Hondamatic™ transmission (available on the Foreman Rubicon), is the smoothest ATV transmission you'll ever experience. The three-speed Honda Automatic transmission (an automotive-style torque converter) is available on our FourTrax Rincon. And the Rancher AT has the Honda automatic dual-clutch, five-speed transmission, which features one of the slickest- and quickest-shifting gearboxes on dirt.



2011 FourTrax Foreman 4x4



And this is just for starters, as our feature-packed machines are all built with the same purpose in mind: to work and play hard so you don't have to.

2011 FourTrax Rancher



2011 FourTrax Recon




There’s a simple reason why Honda’s Big Red can tackle tough jobs that would have other MUVs yelling uncle. Big Red works the best because it’s built the best. Proof? Just check out the features and attention to detail Big Red offers. Proven Honda engine. Automotive-style Honda Automatic Transmission with hydraulic torque converter. Independent suspension, lots of rider safety features, and new for 2011:


2011 Big Red



• Cargo bed carrying capacity is increased to 1,000 lbs.
• Towing capacity is increased to 1,500 lbs.
• New contoured bench seat allows easier entry and exit, and improved comfort
• New Maxxis Big Horn tires feature a stronger sidewall and more aggressive pattern for increased traction
• Front and rear shocks feature revised suspension settings and rear shocks now feature preload adjustability

Go play in the snow!!

Bundle up, fire up your ATV or dirt bike, and go play! Winter weather doesn’t have to keep you indoors.  With the right gear, you can be comfortable and warm playing in the snow and cold on any ATV, MUV, or dirt bike.  You should consider what size and tread tires to run on your machine, and be sure the oil you’re running is optimum for the temperature. 

Some accessories to consider are hand and seat warming kits for your ATV, which keep your hands (and even trigger thumb!) warm and cozy while riding. 

 A breath box on added to your helmet can prevent fogging on your glasses, and there are also anti-fog visors for those who ride with full-face helmets. Of course, layering your clothes helps keep your body warm, so remember to wear several layers, preferably a moisture-wicking base layer, to help regulate your body temperature and keep you most comfortable.  Most of all, be safe and have fun!

Happy New Years!!

Everyone here at Heartland Honda would like to say a special Happy New Year to all our customers, fans, and friends! We had a spectacular year in 2010, and we can’t wait for an even better 2011. We would like to especially thank our loyal customers for their continued support of Heartland Honda, and we pledge to bring you the same great level of excellent service and support for many years to come.  We are here to service all of your Powersports needs, and we always enjoy hearing back from you.  We hope EVERYONE has a wonderful new year!!

Sincerely,

All of your friends at Heartland Honda

I wanna race!

For those sport bike, motard, ATV, or dirtbike racers out there, where do you go to race?  There are several great tracks around the NWA area where you can satisfy your need for speed!  Racing on a circuit, or even just on the occasional weekend, can be a great way for beginners to see if they have what it takes to race, or for experienced racers to hone their skills.  Many tracks sponsor racing schools for every level of rider, which can be beneficial not only to your track skills, but also your street riding ability.  Whatever your skill level, if racing is something you may be interested in, there are plenty of ways to get into it!

For Sportbikes!

Hallet Motor Racing Circuit is a 1.8 mile, 10 turn road racing course located in Northeastern Oklahoma (only a few hours’ drive from NWA!).  For over 30 years, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit has played host to Auto Racing, Motorcycles and High Speed Go Karts. Organizations that run at Hallett include Competition Motor sports Association (COMMA), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Central Motorcycle Riders Association (CMRA), and Local Porsche, Shelby, Alfa Romeo, Corvette, BMW, Viper and Ferrari clubs.

Motards!

Oklahoma SuperBikers is a great club of motard enthusiasts that race in Tula and Oklahoma City. Their members consist of pro and semi-pro level racers, club racers, track day participants, and motorcycle commuters.  Fees are small considering how much fun you can have racing all year long for trophies!

JRP Speedway is a ½ mile road course located conveniently in Tulsa, OK and is considered the home track for the Oklahoma SuperBikers circuit.

MacArthur Park Raceway is a nationally-recognized ½-mile paved asphalt sprint track with nine turns in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It has hosted go-kart racing since the 1970s, and became one of the tracks for the Oklahoma SuperBikers in 2006.

Dirt Bikes and ATVs!

Living in the great natural state of Arkansas typically means you can get a good woods ride on your dirt bike or ATV just outside your back door.  In case you don’t already live out in the country, here are some links to dirt tracks around the state.

Ascot MX – Dora, OK: www.ascotparkmx.com

Bowie Bottoms Motocross Park – Enola, AR: www.bowiebottomsmx.com

Pine Bluff MX – Pine Bluff, AR: www.pinebluffmx.com

Sundance MX – Branch, AR: www.sundancemotocross.com

Tony Wynn MX – Sherwood, AR: www.sherwoodmx.com

Lost Creek Park – Amity, AR: www.dirtbikemike.com/lostcreekpark.htm

NOTE: This is absolutely NOT a complete list of dirt tracks in Arkansas and nearby, just a short collection of currently operating ones!

Honda Riders Club of America presents….  Red Rider Rewards!

American Honda is pleased to announce an exciting new round of industry-leading race contingency for 2011. For the upcoming racing season, the Red Rider Rewards program is doubling the number of events eligible for payouts.  This gives Honda customers an opportunity to win money at over 700 race events.  Winnings will be issued through the HRCA Red Rider Rewards Card and can be used anywhere that Visa® is accepted.

Administered by the Honda Riders Club of America™ (HRCA®), this rewards program supports racers all across the United States during the 2011 race season. Model-year 2009 and newer machines are eligible for the program, so whether you're road racing, or competing in local motocross events, the Red Rider Rewards contingency program has something for you.