Thinking out-loud, sport quads [Archive]

ccdhowell

11-11-2007, 08:31 PM

I've started thinking about my options for a sport quad. I want one I can race in a local cross country series that is fairly quick and reliable. I waisted about 3 hours last night on the internet looking at the latest offerings from all the major makers, I'm not terribly connected to any brand. I'm thinking 450cc is a minimum.

Last year I went and rode a new Suzuki LT450R and really liked it... and the dealer is a good one too. Only thing about the zuki is no reverse. Seems like a big deal to me, but I ride my Tecate all the time with out reverse and without problems.

The Kawasaki KFX450R is a great looking machine, has reverse, nothing to complain about, but not too ground-breaking either.

I really like the new Can-Am DS450. It seems like they have put the t in technology with this one, doesn't have any real drawbacks except its more expensive than the first two I listed. The local Can-Am dealer is an RV dealer as their primary business, Can-Am is a sideline thing. They say they have all the parts and mechanics to support the machine, but it is a question mark for me.

I looked at the pair from KTM and they appear to be race-ready machines. I like the 525 model, but for nearly $9,000 it seems too much for me to get at.

I looked at the new Honda 700 sport quad and it looks like a winner, but is kinda heavy to race with, but I want to go ride one and see how it feels.

The way I am leaning at the moment is a Polaris Outlaw 525. I like the independent rear suspension and now it is in it second year of production so I'm hoping they worked the bugs out of the first year quads. Seems like this may be the way of the future and the KTM engine is a big plus.

Are there any issues I should consider for or against any of the quads listed? I plan on continuing to research on the net and talk to folks that have these quads already, but a few of them I don't know anyone that has them so I'm relying on you guys for input. Not really considering ability to mod the quad. I'd like to race it pretty much stock. I've heard the Zuki is a racer out of the box and KTM says theirs is and I wouldn't disagree. Is the Polaris a race-ready quad in stock trim?

I'd just go buy a KFX700, but the series rules don't allow shaft drive. Or I could buy an old Tecate4 or Quadzilla and make it race-ready, but I'm thinking the reliability and parts availability wouldn't be the best on an old quad and with my little fleet of trikes I work on enough atvs as it is. The courses of this race series are from 7 to 15 miles long. Quad breaks on the back side and you'd be sitting for a while. I did set my Tecate3 up for racing in the series, trailered it out for a race about six weeks ago and the president of the series forbid me to race; said he didn't allow 3wheelers in his series. I was really bummed, had done lots of work to prepare my Tecate. Now I can't get over the fact that I really want to race cross country and this is the only local series to race in so I need a quad. Let me know what ya'll think about the quads I have listed or any others I may have overlooked.

Thanks, Chris

SYKO

11-11-2007, 08:52 PM

well doug echinner is tearing up the series right now on a polaris 525 smokinwrench here on the boards has one and I think he does XC on his, and now polaris has a 525 thats a solid axle and a 450 as well, you could however get a slightly used 525 and save some coin though

smokinwrench

11-11-2007, 11:41 PM

cody2

11-12-2007, 11:39 AM

I'll let you ride my 525 at Waynoka over Thanksgiving weekend, everyone that rides it loves it. Remove baffle, airbox lid, rejet, nerfs and your ready to race. The power and smooth ride is unreal, I'm 34 now and I rode a 1988 250R today and a 05 450R both had aftermarket frontends and I couldn't wait to get my 525 back them quads felts like I was riding a 2x4 and both were gutless compared to the 525.

Yes i agree. I rode an outlaw and i was suprised by the power. However if you want an easy win id get the zilla. Nothing will be able to compete, except possibly another zilla. There insane. The parts arnt that hard to find i had an old quadracer and i had no problems getting parts, but its up to you. The kfx is a nice bike too. The Can-Am is really 500cc and powerfull. I rode one and liked it alot, its so light and flickable. Its insane. The best handling bike i tryed. I just dont like the 525 irs on corners, because it tends to not want to drift instead it hooks up with the ground. Its annoying, get a straight axel if you can. But really its all personal preference, in the long run it must cost less to keep a zilla running.

just a warning about the quadzilla: dont get an 87 they have the five bolt heads which were later fixed in 88 and up, they tend to blow lots.

willrideanythin

11-12-2007, 08:02 PM

A moderately built Z400 will give a 450 class machine a run for the trophy. You will also save a butt load of cash and has the reverse you are looking for. Come to Maine and you can try my DVX and I your Tecate. I bet we will both grin.

The 450R the way to go if a 450 is a must. An exhaust and cherry bomb are key features that are a must. Comes with 18s on the rear right out of the box , But no reverse.

Just my .02
Luke

SpeedBump

11-12-2007, 08:53 PM

If you are mainly running tight trails and XC racing...I would NOT get the LTR. It is aimed at the MX track, not the woods. The PoohLaris is a good choice. Bit heavy, but still VERY capable in the woods. I have a new KFX450R and it is sweet, but to be race ready...couple things need some attention. The front end is a bit twitchy at high speeds and tends to wander around. $150 steering stabilizer is nearly a must have item if ya wanna race. As for power, compared to the other 450s...not gonna hang in stock trim. You really can't get much outta this bike without spending some money....power commander, pipe, filter and air snorkel will set ya back nearly $1000.00 but from what I have heard it makes a HUGE difference. If you are looking to get into it without spending a butt load of $$$$....the fella above has the right idea. You can pick up Zs all day for under $3000.00. Toss in some money for wheels/tires, nerfs, tether and skid plates....go racing.

As for the new CanAm...I've yet to ride one, but I'm sure it hauls ass. Got a buddy who races (and wins) A class MX on a Suzuki LTR and the dealership where he works got in a new KTM....he got some riding on it...his words... INSANE how fast this thing is. Couldn't get what he needed for his LTR, so had to hold off buying it till NEXT season. Big money....can't take it with you.

BigGreenMachine

11-12-2007, 09:11 PM

Mosh

11-12-2007, 09:28 PM

Well,I think,my opinion will be biased and many will not like it but here goes.

I Do not like any of the new 4-strokes.They seem to be grenades.Yeah they are fast,and yeah they will walk on a TRX 250r in most cases,but I am not impresed with the reliability of them.Especially for the 7500 dollar price tag.

If the series you want to run will allow you to go with a Trx 250r,I say buy 2 very clean ones for your 7500 bucks,and always have a spare.That is my opinion.Parts are still very very available cheap becuase of the new 4-stroke craze.

Yes you will be at a slight power disadvantage on some tracks,but for gncc or cross country racing,I like the reliability and longevity of the 250R.
Running a series is all about mass pionts accumulated thru-out the year.What good will a 450 do you if it blows in the middle of a season,and you cant afford to fix it?

I have just seen too many problems with the new 4-pokes.Both the Honda 450R and Yfz 450 have been notoriuos for dropping cranks.The first year ltr450 had a weak tranny.
In any sense, when any of that stuff goes,you are looking at 1500 bucks minimum for repairs,if you can do the work yourself.

You can go thru a whole 250r engine with new crank and cylinder for half that cost,if you can do it yourself.

I honestly think that the backwoods weekend warrior racers will be going back to the 250r shortly.
Someone who is not looking for major backing from a company.
It is just cheaper to maintain a 250R over the new quads.
And honestly,I think the right rider on a trx,can hang or smoke the avaerage good rider on a newer 450 4 stroke.

I do like the new KTM,s,but is yet to be proven.Polaris,,,,,I am all American,But honestly they suck.In all fairness I have not rode the 525,but the independent thing in the rear dont catch my eyes either.Just more crap to break if you ask me.
If your dead set on a newer 450,I would say a 2007 Yfz 450.
Second choice would be the LTR 450.

This is just my opinion,But I still like the option of owning 2 250r's for the same price as 1 450 4-stroke.
Just my 2 cents.But I am a 2 stroke freak too.;)

ccdhowell

11-12-2007, 09:32 PM

Thanks smokin' I'll take you up on that and reciprocate with my Tecate if interested, it'll leave you grinning that's for sure. I'm likein' what cody2 said about the zilla, no one could beat it. At this point I'm not worrying about them beating the machine, I'm worrying about them beating the rider. When I went out to the race with my Tecate, I know it could have beat 9 out of 10 mcahines there, this isn't the GNCC, just a bunch of local guys who don't get their jollies in the mud like most of the locals here.

I'm a big guy, 6'2" at 240lbs, I thought today about a DS650 a few years old. They are big and powerful, but have not ridden one personally, how do they handle.

I didn't know the Outlaw 525 didn't like to slide it's tail. The IRS make that much of a difference? It would be like learning to ride all over again not being able to slide the rear with ease. But does the IRS help in other ways so it would compensate in overall time on track.

If any of you guys are interested in checking out the series I'm trying to race in go to: ATVCCS (http://www.atvccs.com).

Man this is cool and confusing at the same time. I tend to over analyze things; works great for me at work, but on things like this I should just pull the trigger on a quality quad and work with it. Speaking of work, that's the cash for this purchase. I'll get a bonus in late January that will go to a new or new to me quad for racing.

Thanks for the input guys, Chris

ccdhowell

11-12-2007, 09:55 PM

Mosh, you and I were posting at the same time. I can find common ground with your post, the sound, smell and performance differences of 2strokes can become second nature and reassuring. I've rebuilt 2 and 4 stroke engines and I'd choose a 2-stroke anyday to rebuild over a 4stroke. I can appreciate what you say about the TRX250R, but I have more experience with Tecates and wouldn't hesitate to run a Tecate4 from the standpoint of the engine. I was just thinking that a newer quad with a new suspension would be much better than an older machine. I'm no spring chicken and don't want to be the old guy pushing around the old quad getting beat-up by the machine and passed by the younger guys on the newer machines. Trying to learn a new trick here. I agree that the new 4stroke engines will grenade all too easily. I was hoping to run a more or less stock engine and hope for the best. Actually the rule book for the ATVCCS lists unlimited cc's for all classes that I'd compete in so that doesn't limit me to just the 450s. I just figured that I'm used to the power of my big bore Tecate3 and really didn't want much of a step-down in power. Sprock could set me up with a Tecate4 and that may be the best route in the long run. Lots of time for the perfect quad to fall into my lap. Chris

cody2

11-12-2007, 10:31 PM

A nice Z400 KFX400 would suit you great. Pick one up, put on some skids, beefy tires, skip the nerfs since your woods racing and viola! If you feel you've saved enough coin by not buying a 450 then I'd invest in a steering stabilizer as well for those pesky rocks/roots that want to jam your thumb.

cheers!

or just buy a 507 big bore and flat out destroy the 450's. If you want to win buy a quadzilla no quad can compete.

http://www.maxpower-engines.com/big-bore-kits-ATV/kfx510-icecube.htm

it says 510 but i was told it was a 507 soo.

willrideanythin

11-12-2007, 10:34 PM

or just buy a 507 big bore and flat out destroy the 450's. If you want to win buy a quadzilla no quad can compete.

http://www.maxpower-engines.com/big-bore-kits-ATV/kfx510-icecube.htm

it says 510 but i was told it was a 507 soo.

Wait until you spit the counter balance shaft throught the base. Too big=too unreliable. If you part out let me know, The DVX could use some donnor parts.

smokinwrench

11-12-2007, 11:35 PM

OH yeah I want to ride the Tecate, I really miss my 250R at times.

Before you believe the bad stuff about the Outlaw ride it. Is hooking up instead of drifting a bad thing? If your hooked up aren't you building speed? If your drifting aren't you loosing speed?

No way would I buy the zilla. See way to many of them get towed off the dunes. Read about them you will find all kinds of reliablity issues. As for a pair of Trx's that might be good.

Predator is also a very mice machine that is dirt cheap and totally reliable. Problem is they never had much for aftermarket support and now that the name is dead so is aftermarket support as far as new parts go.

Nightbiker07

11-13-2007, 12:34 AM

i agree with the new 4 strokes being grenades.......it seems anyone that mods them has problems down he road.
my buddies raptor piped and jetted is always broke, and 2 other locals with 450's are constantly having major issues with the modded 450 motors..........their garbage.

i would get a trx250r, and get a 330 bigbore kit, and have it worked over like powervalved,ported, polished, high comp. piston and shaved head (if race gas isnt an issue). Then you will be mr. king shat, and will weigh a ton less than a new 450. and you will probably have less in it than a 450, and it will be more reliable and cheaper to fix.

400exguy

11-13-2007, 09:17 AM

If you decided to do what biggrrenmachine or speedbump mentioned with a 400cc, I have an 05 400ex Im looking to get rid of. The quad is all stock and still has the original tires with pleanty of tread. It would be a great base to start with, put a grand or two more into it in mods and your still below what a new 450 would cost or keep it the way it is and run and have fun. You cant say that the 400ex isnt realiable and it has the reverse you are looking for.

I dont know much about the 450rs but if I were to get one I would go with either the honda or suzuki, I just am partial to those two brands and are the only ones I have ever owned.

Nightbiker07

11-13-2007, 03:06 PM

yeah, get a trx250r.
heres a place where you can get some wicked mods for that baby, and it will really RUN.
http://www.ctracing.com/trx250r.htm

in the end, you will be winning, it will be reliable, fast, and handle excellently. and the light little turd will flick around like no tomorrow.

NOS_350X

11-13-2007, 07:50 PM

ive been looking at getting a new quad. But im racing flattrack so its a bit diffrent. I need some major power out of it to make it compareable to my shee and the compition. Im a honda guy big time buti love the ktm's and for $570 you can get a ktm cyl. and pison to go back and fourth from the 510 and 450. Right now im looking twards the KTM 525, and polaris mxr450 and i gota say the polaris looks mighty good for 3,000 less.

Tri-Z Pilot

11-13-2007, 09:41 PM

Yeah the polaris's and the new ktm's look to have the best reliable motor performance on the market now, (same engine builder), but DAMN $8000? I think the 2 r's for would be a better choice. Just about all the great racing chassis are modeled after the 20 some year old r's, and as for the go aspect, there really isnt anything to stop you from doing some modding to run with the new four stroke thumpers. I could say to go tec-4 or even a quad racer 250 or 500, but the reliabilty and parts avalabilty just aint there. But, in the end it all comes down to what you want to do i'm just here to help.

Nightbiker07

11-13-2007, 10:47 PM

yeap. ctracing has the mods that will make that trx ROOST.

ccdhowell

11-13-2007, 11:44 PM

Alright, so I'm sitting here talking to my wife, yes my wife, about this quad thing and buying a new one or an old one. You know boys, life at home is much better if you can bring momma in on decision. She made an interesting point. I bought my Tecate about 16 months ago and have restored it, frame up, and modded it with all the usual parts, and it is a reliable, fast trike. Wife made the point that if I add up all I've spent on my Tecate I would be suprised. All the little crap just to get it the way I want it, and more crap to change it cause I changed my mind and on and on always $$$$$$$$$$. I did some rough calculations and it was indeed more than i would care to admit. Point is that if I get an older 2stroke quad I'd do the same thing. It would become another machine to tinker with and fix/mod between races. I'm not saying that I wouldn't mod a new quad, but perhaps I wouldn't mod it as much cause it was new. I tend not to mod new vehicles right away, I wait several years then do what I want, seems funny replacing parts that you know are brand new. That's what got me on the Tecate, I had to replace everything cause it was all 22 years old. Food for thought anyways.

As it stands now, I'm gonna ride smokinwrench's Polaris Outlaw 525 over Thanksgiving weekend. Maybe I will have an epiphany when I ride it. I haven't ridden any of the newer thumper quads.

I like all ya'lls thoughts and advice, helps me, and probably others, sort through this tangled web of marketing hype we have nowadays. Every company makes the best, most reliable and fastest quad outthere...if you listen to marketing. We are cutting through the BS here and it is instructive for me and, no doubt, others.

Chris

cody2

11-14-2007, 07:09 PM

Wait until you spit the counter balance shaft throught the base. Too big=too unreliable. If you part out let me know, The DVX could use some donnor parts.

i agree, it breaks down 24/7.

what years your dvx?

willrideanythin

11-14-2007, 07:33 PM

cody2

11-29-2007, 04:18 PM

I have a 2004 and because I didnt replace the valves when I did the engine work I have to no. Shouldnt have cut corners when I built it but I couldnt afford valves too. Thats the only issue I have had with it though. I do ride it quite hard too, Well ok I ride it like im racing myself.

I highly recomend the Z400 and its clones. I ride in the pits with DS650s, Pred 500s, KFX700, LTR450s and hold my own just fine. My buddy has a close to stock Z and he does decent against them, The handling is the edge when the are in stock trim.

Luke

with the 510 and a good rider it has no problems pulling away from the predators and raptors. i don't suggest it though, its expensive and un-reliable. Its also hard to get pistons for and spark plugs. I have a 440 cc ltz motor waiting to be put in,high compression piston,stage 2 hot cam,hooked up the eldelblock, and a bunch of other stuff. shes gonna work.

badasskfx

11-29-2007, 08:20 PM

the ground clearance of the outlaw 525 in gncc style racing will give you the edge over all the other quads. the rear sway bar liks have a tendency to brake. all the 450 race quads need a top end re build evrey 50 to 100 hours. yes the will run longer but when they blow it wipes all almost the whole engine. trust me there was 2 in my area that blew up and there realy wasent anything left top to bottom and not worth repairing. all of the z400 clones are realy reliable. there are 5 in my group and no probelms from any of them ever.... this type of racing is not about power you need too work on your stamina. you say you weigh 240 so more then likely you are tall. i feel cramped on all of the new machines accept the v fource. i am 6 foot 3. good luck in your search. who knows maybe that new honda 700 is the ticket. also the raptor 700 has turned out to be decent so far as well.

cr480r

11-29-2007, 09:10 PM

Wife made the point that if I add up all I've spent on my Tecate I would be suprised. All the little crap just to get it the way I want it, and more crap to change it cause I changed my mind and on and on always $$$$$$$$$$. .Chris

Well imagine how much it cost to buy a new machine, and then make it how you want.... I have ridden most of the new 4-stroke atv's... and all I have to say is I would take the simplicity and lightweight of any 250 2-stroke over any new 4-stroke... especially in the woods... My friend has a new 525 outlaw... It runs pretty hard and the added ground clearance is nice at times, but honestly its already showing signs of being a POS... And its too heavy for my tastes... A heavy machine robs your confidence... and wears you out sooner...

ccdhowell

11-29-2007, 09:48 PM

all the 450 race quads need a top end re build evrey 50 to 100 hours. yes the will run longer but when they blow it wipes all almost the whole engine.

I would thing/hope that the KTM engine in the Outlaws, with it's smaller bore and longer stroke, isn't working as hard as the other guys engines with their super-short strokes and wouldn't need a top-end as often. I don't like the design of these new 450 race engines they are way "over-square" meaning huge bore and a really short stroke. They also have really light pistons with almost no skirt area, seems to me that they aren't supported well in the cylinder because of lack of skirt. I haven't seen a picture of the KTM piston yet, anyone have one?

you say you weigh 240 so more then likely you are tall. i feel cramped on all of the new machines accept the v fource. i am 6 foot 3. good luck in your search. who knows maybe that new honda 700 is the ticket. also the raptor 700 has turned out to be decent so far as well.

Yeah, I'm 6 foot 2. Most bikes feel small to me. My Tecate is really too small, but I have gotten used to it so I am used to riding bikes that feel too small. The v-Force is a big, powerful quad and I feel good on one, but the rules of the series won't let me run it because of the shaft drive.

badasskfx

11-29-2007, 09:50 PM

how about running th v in the ute class?

ccdhowell

11-29-2007, 10:05 PM

all I have to say is I would take the simplicity and lightweight of any 250 2-stroke over any new 4-stroke... especially in the woods...

I see your point, and really my nature leans that way, but the new quads are very tempting. That's why I started this thread, just to see what all ya'll had to say on the subject.

I rode a TRX250R last week for the first time, and I gotta that I would choose it over anything new I've ridden. I'm going Saturday to ride an old Quadracer 250, maybe to buy, hopefully it will feel close to as nice as the 250R.

Chris

ccdhowell

11-29-2007, 10:07 PM

how about running th v in the ute class?

I really didn't want to run in the ute class. And the way I read the rules of the series is that to run the ute class the quad must be 4x4.

Seems they've left the v-force out of everything.

cr480r

11-29-2007, 10:50 PM

I would thing/hope that the KTM engine in the Outlaws, with it's smaller bore and longer stroke, isn't working as hard as the other guys engines with their super-short strokes and wouldn't need a top-end as often. I don't like the design of these new 450 race engines they are way "over-square" meaning huge bore and a really short stroke. They also have really light pistons with almost no skirt area, seems to me that they aren't supported well in the cylinder because of lack of skirt. I haven't seen a picture of the KTM piston yet, anyone have one?

I doubt you will see any of them running in 20years...

I rode a TRX250R last week for the first time, and I gotta that I would choose it over anything new I've ridden. I'm going Saturday to ride an old Quadracer 250, maybe to buy, hopefully it will feel close to as nice as the 250R. Chris

IMO the Quadracers are excellent machines for the money... Decent ones can be bought dirt cheap... They dont have near the aftermarket that the 250R's do.. But with the proper mods they are very capable machines... What year is the one you are looking at?

ccdhowell

11-29-2007, 11:39 PM

What year is the one you are looking at?

'88, I think. I'll know more when I actually see it.

Tatersaladx

11-30-2007, 12:59 PM

If you can try to find a Z400 to ride. Great machine. My buddy, has one and in stock trim, it'll stay(1-2 lengths) with my dad 85 250R until the R hits shifts into 5th, at that point the Z is topped out. I have a video of it too, i let off about 100ft back so he didn't feel bad about himself. http://youtube.com/watch?v=bnwm7PtmraU
Its an awesome trail quad, pretty reliable, and has a HUGE aftermarket. Im racing him again soon on the 85 R, and hes some mild mods in it ill let you know how that turns out, if your still looking.

If you want a 250, go with the TRX250R that machine with a 330 big bore, some elkas, and a good pipe will do rly good against most of the 450s. The LT250R, is a nice quad, its alot cheaper then the TRX in most cases(i've seen some completely rebuilt on ebay go for like 1,800), but im pretty sure it has no powervalve, there's not much there for the aftermarket, and its a rather hideous looking machine. The Tecate 4, I have no clue about, never seen one, or read anything on it. It'd be interesting to see someone race on one though, and you'd be the only person on one.

Mosh

11-30-2007, 06:30 PM

Well Chris,So your rode the TRX eh.They are very good machines.
I have had some Lt 250r's,and I like them.But parts are getting hard to find and expensive,not to mention they have weak frames for a guy your size.The 91-92 Lt had stronger frames.
But just to show you,Here is a full aftermarket 250R my buddy has for sale.
Fully new motor ,needs nothing,LSR Chassis,swinger,Elkas,Coolhead,Atv 4 play stem,beed locks,LRD pipe.
3800 bucks.Not trying to get you to buy his,just showing you what you can get for half price of a new 4 stroke.
It is already set-up,bigger tires revalve the shocks to your weight and Go.He actually has 22 inch tires he would put on it for you too,if you wanted that bike.

Like I said earlier,I am biased on opinoin.I will admit that.But 7500 bucks plus tax and title for a new 450,outlaw etc,or
Get 2 prepped 250r quads for the same price as one new 4 stroke.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m40/cosmicquads/JohnsR8002.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m40/cosmicquads/johnsR800.jpg

ccdhowell

11-30-2007, 10:48 PM

The Goat

11-30-2007, 11:58 PM

700FI Grizzly...if you gotta do it...do it big.

cr480r

12-01-2007, 05:17 AM

700FI Grizzly...if you gotta do it...do it big.

Have you ever ridden an ATV?

Mosh

12-01-2007, 11:05 AM

That's a very sweet quad, what's he asking?

Yeah, the TRX250R I rode, Andrea's, rode at Little Sahara, was maybe the smoothest riding quad I've ever ridden. Light and easily manuverable. Not as much power as I'm used to, but it was totally stock.

I'm going to ride an old Qyadracer tomorrow. This quest is getting me educated on quads, that's for sure.

Chris3800 bucks.That is the rock bottom he will go.
The motor has a Trinity jug with the longrod kit.It runs very strong.I have ridden it.It has maybe 50 hours on the engine since total rebuild.Crank,resleeve,billet clutch etc.
It puts the smackdown on banshee's and runs right with his highly modded YFZ 450.

The new 450 craze has dropped the value on 250r's.That is great for the guy looking for one.He has over 10g's in that Trx250.
I truely think that 250R's will climb back up in value,when all the 450 guys figure out that the 250 is just as good of a bike and cheaper to maintain.
The only down fall is the pro-production classes wont allow that 250R to run in them anymore.
But hey,its not like we are Tim Farr,or Doug Gust or something.LOL

The Goat

12-01-2007, 02:51 PM

Have you ever ridden an ATV?

we have a new grizzly...it's a helluva lot faster than you might think. :w00t:

and for what it is, the handling isn't that bad, and the engine is downright bulletproof.

ccdhowell

12-01-2007, 10:40 PM

Well guys my search is over...I bought the 88 Quadracer I went to look at today. Got it from another board member, Lomax (Will). I didn't have my trailer so I gotta go back tomorrow to pick it up, but it's as good as mine. I liked the power of the old Suki and it has a new 38 Airstriker carb on it. The rear shock is junk, so having that rebuilt and getting a front brake master cylinder are the only real things it needs to run and maybe race at a slow pace first time out. The plastic is broken and terrible, but looks like it could be trimmed into a nice race trim job and get the job done for now and I know Maier makes plastic for it. Moshman, looks like I'll be giving the little lady a hollar, the seat could stand a redo as well. I was really happy with the engine and the weight of the bike. I looked it up when I got home; 324 pounds dry weight, that's only 50 more than my Tecate and it felt lots lighter than the new 400 and 450 quads i've ridden.

I gotta say something about Will and his shop in Atlanta, Texas. I had met Will on the boards and gone riding with him once and knew he had an atv business in east Texas. I guess I didn't really know what to expect when I got there with his shop and all, but I've gotta say that I was extremely impressed. He has a showroom just packed full of atv accessories, oil and lubes, riding gear and Kymco quads, and it is a damned good-looking showroom too, clean and well-lit. He had a whole wall of gloves. I've been looking for a good selection of kids gloves and he had it. My two youngest were with me and tried on gloves and we bought 2 pair for them. Haven't been able to find them any gloves in all the shops in Shreveport. Outback of the showroom was his shop. Large, clean and organized with a parts building attached to the back that would set most atv guys to drooling at the sight of it. Around and behind the shop is an atv junkyard full of mostly quads, but more than several trikes just waiting to be pilfered through. I took a quick walk through the boneyard and picked out five things I need for current projects and didn't even look very hard. I felt like I should have brought my camera to take pics of Will's showroom, shop and boneyard, it was just that good. I know I'm running on here like an old woman, but it isn't often you see that kind of care, thought and dedication put into an atv enterprise, I was most impressed.

So I'm buying the Quadracer 250 and will take my chances racing an old school quad. I'll keep ya'll up to date with the build and my race progress when the new season starts in January. Thanks to all the input from all ya'll. I started this thread ready to buy a new four-fitty and ended it with a 2-smoker project, well some things never change...I am very happy with the choice.

See you guys on the next lap,
Chris

Mosh

12-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Excellent.The money you saved yourself is great,and you can still be competetive on that old Zuk.I really like those bikes and, would be my third choice in a 2 stroke quad.

Banshee,Trx,then the LT.

I really wish I still had that 92 Lt250R.It was a nice machine.

Good luck with your new project.

And for the record,I would not be allowed near Lomax's place.
I am grounded from spending money on bikes she says.LOL

Sounds like he has a nice set-up out there.

RedRider_AK

12-01-2007, 11:11 PM

we have a new grizzly...it's a helluva lot faster than you might think.

I doubt it's in the same league as a 450 or a TRX250R though.

ccdhowell

12-02-2007, 12:53 AM

And for the record,I would not be allowed near Lomax's place.
I am grounded from spending money on bikes she says.LOL

Sounds like he has a nice set-up out there.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Now that's funny there, and no, Tammy wouldn't want you anywhere near that place.

cr480r

12-02-2007, 04:56 AM

I was really happy with the engine and the weight of the bike. I looked it up when I got home; 324 pounds dry weight, that's only 50 more than my Tecate and it felt lots lighter than the new 400 and 450 quads i've ridden. Chris

These bikes are very light... We put my buddys '92 on his race car scales... It weighed 348lbs with a half tank of fuel... I would really hate to see what the four stroke machines actually weigh when ready to ride... I am also curious to find the true weight of my T3 as soon as its finished...

So I'm buying the Quadracer 250 and will take my chances racing an old school quad. I'll keep ya'll up to date with the build and my race progress when the new season starts in January. Thanks to all the input from all ya'll. I started this thread ready to buy a new four-fitty and ended it with a 2-smoker project, well some things never change...I am very happy with the choice. Chris

I think you made an excellent choice... With a few well chosen mods you should have yourself a very capable budget racer.... and this way you can share fuel cans with the Tecate:)