It was twenty years ago when Suzuki introduced a four-wheeled ATV worthy enough for the track. It was the 1985 QuadRacer LT250R, the quad that started the ATV racing frenzy of the late eighties. In 1987 Suzuki showed just how serious they were about the future of quad racing and their QuadRacer 250’s role in it by hiring team riders Gary Denton, Jeff Watts, Jim Putnam and Rodney Gentry as the Suzuki ATV race team. Just as the quad racing scene took off and rumors of future Suzuki race quads floated around, everything was rudely interrupted. The OEMs quickly turned their backs on quad racing and focused attention on defending themselves from frivolous lawsuits. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) banned three wheelers and the exploding ATV racing scene eventually deflated. Suzuki eventually stopped production of their QuadRacer in 1992 and concentrated all their ATV efforts on the utility segment.

Now as we approach the second half of the new millennium decade, it’s obvious, with the introduction of the made for racing LT-R QuadRacer 450, Suzuki is aggressively focusing on marking their territory in the competitive sport performance segment. The QuadRacer is back some 20 years later, and from the looks of the new machine, Suzuki is serious about kicking butt on the track!

The QuadRacer’s retail price is $7299. Suzuki claims you wont need to buy too many other components to go race. If they’re correct this might be a fairly cheap price considering.

Engine
Suzuki’s new LT-R450 QuadRacer features a 450cc four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection (based on their championship-winning RM-Z450). The QuadRacer’s EFI system is highlighted by its multi-hole injector and 42mm throttle body. Suzuki says the system is more responsive and more efficient than a traditional carburetor, and lighter, too.

The QuadRacer R450 comes complete with a new dry sump system that divides the crankcase into two internal compartments, creating a lower center of gravity and shorter overall engine height which should improve handling charecteristics. Suzuki claims that the 450’s specially designed engine utilizes three oil pumps for a more compact and durable system with better shift-feel for the rider. The new sport quad boasts an all-new five-speed transmission, with gears located inboard to keep it very compact. The narrow transmission also allows the clutch to be positioned close to the centerline for optimum mass centralization.

To reduce additional weight, Suzuki plans on selling a kick starter kit, which enables the removal of the battery and electric starting components.

Chassis
The chassis was built with the motocross track in mind. Suzuki claims awesome stability and maximum durability. The frame features a high-tensile steel construction with a compact, lower profile and a lower center of gravity for inspired handling and performance. The new QuadRacer 450 is specifically made for motocross tracks as it comes stock with a wide stance and fully adjustable long-travel suspension. For the first time ever, cross country riders are left to narrow up the stocker instead of motocross riders widening it. The ultra-wide A-arms feature steel round tube construction on both upper and lower A-arms with a forged aluminum knuckle for maximum strength.

Dunlop got the nod for the LT’s tires. A set of Dunlop 20″x7″ radials are mounted to 10″x5.5″ pressed-aluminum alloy wheels in the front. In the rear a set of Dunlop 18″x10″ radials are mounted to 8″x8″ pressed-aluminum alloy wheels.

Yellow’s not doing it for you? The QuadRacer also comes in white.

 

“We were a little under powered last year with our 400 going up against the 450’s, now with the new QuadRacer, we should be back on top again next year,” said Doug Gust while on stage at Suzuki’s Dealer Meeting in Dallas, TX. They had this Doug Gust replica on display for dealers across the country to check out. Take a look at the Yoshimura aftermarket pipe – too cool!

The LTR 450 is wide and ready to take on the motocross track. Check out the slick center mounted exhaust.Other noteworthy features include a steel swingarm, a trick center mounted exhaust, T-shaped seat, titanium valves, magnesium covers, aluminum front hubs, electric start, aggressively styled radiator shrouds, stylish fuel tank covers and side panels, a maintenance-free LED taillight and liquid cooling.

As you’ll see from the photos that Suzuki sent us, the new QuadRacer is designed specifically for the race track. Suzuki (and Doug Gust, rider in most of the photos) claims you won’t need to make too many modifications before you hit the race track. Speaking of Doug Gust, the multi-time ATV MX Champion is also a member of the Yoshimura/Suzuki ATV race team. Gust spent time with the engineering and design team responsible for the new QuadRacer, visiting the headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan, and riding on the test track there with other test team members. Suzuki says that Gust’s experience as a leading motocross racer was invaluable to the project.

So there you have it, some twenty years after introducing their QuadRacer 250, Suzuki not only sits at the competitive racing/sport segment poker table – they’ve gone all in with the rebirth of their QuadRacer 450. Look for the inside scoop on the rejuvenated QuadRacer as soon as we get a chance to give it a proper ride test.

The QuadRacer R450 is tentatively scheduled to hit dealerships in March.

LT-R QuadRacer 450 Specs
Engine Type	Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve, single-cylinder
Displacement	450cc
Bore x Stroke	95.5mm x 62.8mm
Compression Ratio	11.7:1
Fuel Delivery System	Fuel injection
Ignition System	CDI
Starter System	Electric
Lubrication System	Dry sump
Transmission	Five-speed, constant mesh
Clutch	Wet multi-plate
Final Drive	Chain
Frame Design (Material)	High-tensile steel
Front Suspension	Independent, double wishbone, piggyback-reservoir shock, spring preload fully adjustable, rebound and compression damping force fully adjustable
Rear Suspension	Swing-arm, link type, piggyback-reservoir shock, spring preload fully adjustable, high-speed and low-speed compression damping force fully adjustable, rebound damping force fully adjustable
Front Brakes	Dual hydraulic discs
Rear Brakes	Hydraulic disc
Front Wheel	10×5.5AT
Rear Wheel	8×8.0AT
Front Tire	AT20x7R10, tubeless (Radial)
Rear Tire	AT18x10R8, tubeless (Radial)
Overall Length	1,845mm (72.6 in.)
Overall Width	1,245mm (49.0 in.)
Overall Height	1,085mm (42.7 in.)
Seat Height	780mm (30.7 in.)
Ground Clearance	240mm (9.4 in.)
Wheelbase	1,285mm (50.6 in.)
Fuel Tank Capacity	10.0L (2.6 gal.)
Dry Weight	368 lbs.
MSRP	$7,299

Tags:

Comments

comments