Xtreme Typhoon 125cc High Performance Youth Quad

Most people are purchasing affordable and readily available Taiwanese quads for their kids, while others are dropping nearly eight grand on Cobra’s new pure race ECX70. Unfortunately there hasn’t been much available for the rider wanting something between the two, but perhaps things are about to change.

Recently we received a call from Ken Vaughn, Owner of K-Fab Race Product Fabrication. Ken told us that he has been working on a machine in conjunction with Layne Smith, President of Xtreme Motor Co., a subsidiary of Dealers Distributing Inc. Ken told us that he was originally contacted by Mr. Smith in hopes that he would look over some ideas Xtreme was working on to build a machine that could bridge the gap between the entry level machines currently being offered and the super expensive race-ready machines. Ken definitely had our attention, so we immediately started asking questions to find out more about this potentially exciting new machine.

ATV Scene: When did you originally meet with Layne Smith from Xtreme and what came of the meeting?
Vaughn: I went to meet with Layne back in November of 2004. After looking over his ideas, I proposed that he allow me to build them a prototype machine that would meet their expectations and include the features that Xtreme wanted to see included in the design.

ATV Scene: Why did Layne decide that it was better to hire you to build the machine as opposed to building it in house?
Vaughn: Layne believed that with my extensive fabricating skills that I would do a better job of producing the original design. He wanted me to incorporate some of his design features and my suspension geometry. We gathered our ideas of design, performance and production into the final concept. He thought that his production facilities in China would do a better job with a properly designed and finished prototype to replicate, and I would already have the more exotic chassis parts available for race applications.

ATV Scene: We were already aware that you give a helping hand to Keith Little’s race program, but what other background and experiences do you have that qualify you to design a completely new machine from the ground up?
Vaughn: I have had years of automobile and ATV racing experience. I have raced both sprint and Indy cars and actually built my first race car from the ground up when I was 12 years old. Since then, I have had years of fabricating experience with both race cars and ATVs, so I guess you could say I know my way around this business pretty well.

ATV Scene: What goals did Xtreme have in mind for their new machine?
Vaughn: Layne said he was serious about having a machine that could bridge the gap between the super simple lower performance machines and Cobra’s new ultra expensive high performance mini. So we set out to build a machine that delivered all around performance right out of the box for sport riders and casual racers, and also provides a good platform for kids that run the nationals to build upon.

ATV Scene: If you are going to build a machine that is suitable for an aggressive sport racer or even a casual racer in the 90cc class, it will have to be considerably better handling than most minis. What can you tell us about the chassis and suspension setup?
Vaughn: The machine features a dual A-arm setup up front, with 12 inch preload adjustable remote reservoir equipped shocks. Front end wheel travel is right around 8 1/2 inches of travel. Out back is a linkageless mono shock swingarm, with a 12 inch preload adjustable remote reservoir equipped shock and 8 inches of wheel travel. While the shocks will not perform quite as well as Elkas, they are far superior to anything I’ve seen coming out of Taiwan or China and should be good enough for everything but the most aggressive racers. The machine is 42 inches wide and 43 inches long, so stability shouldn’t’t be an issue. The machine even comes with an anti-vibe stem stock!

ATV Scene: This all sounds promising, but what kind of engine setup are we talking about?
Vaughn: With the demise of 2 strokes right around the corner, we decided to go with a 125cc 2 valve four stroke for power. Other sizes will be available for the recreational users. Since we want this machine to be legal for the ATVA 90cc production class when it is released, we went with an auto clutch manual transmission. Xtreme is already busy working with the aftermarket to make sure that high performance engines are available from“Billy Holt”. High Performance Chassis components from K-Fab and Xtreme will be available around the time the machine is released.

ATV Scene: If this is a machine built for speed, what type of brakes will be used to slow it down?
Vaughn: The brake system is similar to what you would find on a 400 EX, although they are not Honda parts. The machine will feature hydraulic brakes all the way around that will be operated by a right hand lever for the front and foot pedal for the rear. This brakes are far superior to what’s being used on most mini quads today.

ATV Scene: Looking at the pictures we have, it doesn’t’t look as though the lower frame rails curve up and cradle the back of the engine. What’s up with the rear frame design?
Vaughn: Instead of having a complete front chassis, the design is more of a front sub frame. As opposed to having two upper frame rails, this machine has a single tube that runs from the steering stem over and down behind the engine.

ATV Scene: This sounds very unconventional, but lightweight. Are you confident that it will hold up under the additional stress that a four-wheeled ATV demands?
Vaughn: Don’t let the unconventional design scare you, The engine and chassis are designed in such a way so that the stress loads are spread out throughout the chassis and not just focused into one particular area. Having the engine as a stressed member of the chassis, allows us to keep the machine strong while saving weight.

ATV Scene: When is production set to begin and when can we expect to see them on dealer showroom floors?
Vaughn: Production will begin between February and March and we expect to see the first shipment in showroom floors by May of 2006

ATV Scene: Has the retail price been decided on?
Vaughn: Retail price is not yet been decided, but rest assured, the asking price will be very attractive.

Thanks for sharing the scoop on this good looking mini with us.
Thanks for the opportunity. We are counting on ATV Scene’s help in spread the word about this machine. You guys are high on the list of media outlets to receive a test unit as soon as they become available. We’ll keep you posted.

XTREME Typhoon Youth Sport ATV SPECS
Model: TY70, TY90, TY125
Engine: SOHC 2-valve, 4-stroke, Air Cooled with Optional oil cooler available.

Displacement Bore x Stroke
TY70 = 69cc 47.0 x 41.4
TY90 = 86cc 47.0 x 49.5
TY125 = 124cc 52.4 x 57.5

Transmission:
TY70- 2 Speed Auto-Clutch (Converts to 4 speed with simple modification)
TY90- 3 Speed Auto-Clutch (Converts to 4 speed with simple modification)
TY125 Heavy Duty Dual Auto-Clutch 4 Speed
Final Drive: 2WD Rear wheel live axle driven by 428 HD chain. 14-43 X 428 Chain

Suspension:
Front suspension: 7.0” travel
Double Wishbone Independent
Rear Suspension: 6.5” travel
Swing axle, Single Shock Uses Pit Pro Geometry

Tire/Wheel
Front: 19-6.00 x 10 Aluminum
Rear: 18-6.50 x 8 Aluminum

Brakes:
Dual Piston Hydraulic Discs, Front
Single Hydraulic Disc, Rear

Fuel Capacity: 3 Liters (.8 us Gal.)
Overall Length: 61.25”
Wheelbase: 41.5”
Seat Height: 26.2”
Maximum Height 36.5” @ Handlebar.
Maximum Width: 41.25
Wet Weight: 261 lbs
Starting System: Electric start TY70, TY90 & TY125
Colors: Orange, Blue, Red (varies by Model)
Nerf Bars and HD Front Bumper Standard

Suggested retail price $2299
Later 125s have oil cooler.

MODS USED
FMF COMPLETE EXHAUST $299
FOX MXR rear shock $299
DC Motorsports (501) 679 5780 A-arms $430
AC Pro Pegs $269.95
AC front bumper $109.95

 

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