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02-18-2002, 02:06 PM
For verification, the one known as "Quadzilla" is the Suzuki LT500, right? What is the main differences between this and the LT 250 (other than cc's)? I found a 500 for sale for a reasonable price (i think), but what im worried about is finding parts and the price of these parts. If anyone has any info whatsoever please fill me in. Also any sites, sources, etc. on these machines would be great too.

02-18-2002, 04:08 PM
Ok folks, ive been researching this, and i feel stupid.Mainly what im wondering now is, how easy is it to find parts (and where?) and how expensive are they to hop-up/ maintain? Also what is the easiest way to tell the year on the Suzuki's, if this guy is not sure what year it is?

TrengaBlaster3
02-19-2002, 09:15 AM
the "quadzilla" is the 500 and the "quad racer" is the 250.

Juggalo
02-19-2002, 03:16 PM
actually their both quad racers. parts can be found for them but not as easy as say a 250r

Leo
02-19-2002, 04:32 PM
The LT500 is physically much larger..

If memory serves they were pretty good machines, but they had occasional headgasket problems..

Oh yea, they are quite fast :D

Leo

PaRoostR
02-19-2002, 05:53 PM
Here are some specs on the lt500 and lt250






Quadzilla Details & Specifications



The Suzuki LT500R "QuadRacer" is more commonly known as "Quadzilla" in the ATV community. It is the big brother to the smaller LT250R "QuadRacer". Both QuadRacer models share similar design features adapted to high-performance racing conditions and they each sport the same yellow and blue color scheme, but share very few components which are not interchangeable. The easiest way to differentiate these two models from a far is by identifying each QuadRacer's blue, radiator grille. The LT500R's grille features a single vertical vane through the center, while the LT250R's grille features two vanes that are oriented horizontally.

The Quadzilla was offered only during the 1987 through 1990 model years. This fact makes it difficult to acquire a Quadzilla from the used market, and very difficult to find one in new condition. The 1987 Quadzilla product was known as the "H" model, 1988 was "J", 1989 was "K", and in 1990 it was "L". For example, sometimes you will see a 1989 Quadzilla identified as an LT500RK. The 1987 "H" model appears
to have been sold in greater quantities than each following model year. This observation is ironic due to the fact that the 1987 model had a different powerplant than all of the following years. The 1988 "J" model featured the second-generation Quadzilla powerplant. This new engine appears to follow the same general specifications as its predecessor, however proof that it is different lies in the fact that components are not
interchangeable and transmission gear ratios are different. In 1989, the "K" model received some chassis refinements. These refinements' presence can be easily identified by white-colored A-arm front suspension, replacing the former silver-colored A-arms of previous years. In 1990, the "L" model received even fewer changes. I suspect the changes in 1990 were in response to manufacturing cost considerations.

The rear shock (damper) is manufactured to Suzuki specifications by Showa. This Showa damper used in the Quadzilla was found on Suzuki's RM line of MX bikes in as early as 1984. While the rear damper is rebuildable, the front dampers are not. Although the front dampers are not rebuildable, it is still possible to modify them to perform differently.

The Quadzilla remains, to this day, Suzuki's largest-displacement and greatest-powered ATV. A new Suzuki ATV model, not to be confused with the Quadzilla, was introduced in 1997. It is identified as the "LT-F500". This new ATV is not a member of the QuadRacer family, has a smaller engine displacement figure, and far less horsepower than the Quadzilla does.

Standard LT500R features include:

High-performance, liquid-cooled, reed-valve, two-stroke engine
Suzuki Automatic Exhaust Control (SAEC) power valve for more power at all RPMs
Rugged manual clutch and 5-speed, close-ratio, transmission
Responsive flat-slide Mikuni carburetor
Gear-driven counterbalancer for smooth engine operation
Strong, lightweight aluminum rims
"T-type" seat for added support when cornering
Large, bright 60/55-watt halogen headlight with high and low beams
Front shocks feature progressive-rate springs with adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping adjustment
"Full-Floater" rising rate rear suspension with box-type aluminum swing arm, remote gas-charged damper, and adjustable preload, 21-way compression, and 26-way rebound adjustments
Aerodynamic fenders
Optional LT500R features include:

Extra-wide front bumper
Lightweight, fiberglass skid plate

Suzuki Motor Corporation released the following specifications for the LT500R. As of this writing, only the wheelbase is confirmed slightly
different across model years.

Displacement: 499.5cc
Bore & Stroke: 86mm & 86mm
Compression: 7.2:1 (corrected 6.3:1)
Carburetor: Mikuni TM38SS, flat slide (stock #350 main)
Lubrication: Oil premix
Ignition: Suzuki PEI (CDI-type), 4° @ 1,000rpm, 12° @9,000rpm
Starter: Primary kick
Transmission: 5-speed, manual clutch, no reverse
Transmission ratios: primary 2.142 (60/28), 5th 0.909 (20/22), 4th 1.100 (22/20), 3rd 1.333 (24/18), 2nd 1.733 (26/15), 1st 2.416
(29/12), final 3.076 (40/13)
Final Drive: #520 chain, O-ring sealed
Overall Length: 1,920mm (75.6")
Overall Width: 1,205mm (47.4")
Overall Height: 1,110mm (43.7")
Seat Height: 790mm (31.1")
Wheelbase: 1,345mm (53.0")
Ground Clearance: 110mm (4.3"), at rear axle
Dry Weight: 178kg (392 lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13 liter (3.4 gal) including reserve
Front Wheels: AT21x7-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 4 on 166mm bolt pattern
Rear Wheels: AT20x11-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 5 on 130mm bolt pattern
Brakes: triple hydraulic disk, single piston caliper designs
Front Suspension Travel: 9.1", double A-arm with adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping
Rear Suspension Travel: 9.1", "Full Floater" linkage, adjustable preload, 21-way compression, and 26-way rebound (SLR 2.11:1)
Caster: 10°
Camber:
Trail: 42mm (1.7")
Toe-in: 11-19mm (0.4-0.7")
Turning Radius: 2.8m (9.2')
Turning angles: 32° inside, 25° outside (±3°)
Fuel: 85 octane pump fuel (R+M)/2
Warranty: three-month





Suzuki LT250R Details & Specifications

In the middle 1980s, Suzuki had different ideas of what an ATV should be. Other motorcycle manufacturers had already produced ATVs in the form of three wheelers for a number of years and now had progressed to a point where high-performance two-stroke ATVs were popular. In defiance to the ATV trend of that time, Suzuki's first high-performance ATV was produced having four wheels, instead of only three. The Suzuki QuadRacer marked the beginning of the high-performance Quad era.

The Suzuki LT250R "QuadRacer" is the little brother to the larger LT500R "QuadRacer". Both QuadRacer models share similar design features adapted to high-performance racing conditions and they each sport the same yellow and blue color scheme, but share very few components which are not interchangeable. The easiest way to differentiate these two models from a far is by identifying each QuadRacer's blue, radiator grille. The LT250R's grille features two vanes that are oriented horizontally, while the LT500R's grille features a single vertical vane through the center.

The LT250R was offered only during the 1985 through 1992 model years. The earliest generation of LT250Rs (1985-86) can be identified by their dark-looking aluminum engines. Starting with 1987, LT250Rs were manufactured with their engines painted blue and were equipped, for the first time, with gear-driven counter balance shafts and SAEC power valve designs. The last few model years of the LT250R can be identified by their new rear suspension linkage. While earlier LT250Rs has the "push rod and see-saw"-styled Full Floater suspension, the latest ones had a compact linkage nestled in the swingarm, similar to all modern Suzuki Full Floater designs.

Standard features for the 1988 LT250R include:

High-performance, liquid-cooled, reed-valve, two-stroke engine
Suzuki Automatic Exhaust Control (SAEC) power valve for more power at all RPMs
Rugged manual clutch and 6-speed, close-ratio, transmission
Responsive flat-slide Mikuni carburetor
Gear-driven counterbalancer for smooth engine operation
Strong, lightweight aluminum rims
"T-type" seat for added support when cornering
Large, bright 60/55-watt halogen headlight with high and low beams
Front shocks feature progressive-rate springs with adjustable 5-way preload and 4-way rebound damping adjustment
"Full Floater" rear suspension with box-type aluminum swing arm, remote gas-charged damper, and adjustable preload, 4-way compression, and 4-way rebound adjustments
Aerodynamic fenders

Suzuki Motor Corporation released the following specifications for the 1988 LT250R.

Displacement: 246.0cc

Bore & Stroke: 67mm & 70mm

Compression: 8.0:1

Carburetor: Mikuni TM34SS, flat slide

Lubrication: Oil premix

Ignition: Suzuki PEI (CDI-type)

Starter: Primary kick

Transmission: 6-speed, manual clutch, no reverse

Final Drive: #520 chain, O-ring sealed

Overall Length: 1,830mm (72.0")

Overall Width: 1,135mm (44.7")

Overall Height: 1,125mm (44.3")

Seat Height: 780mm (30.7")

Wheelbase: 1,280mm (50.4")

Ground Clearance: 125mm (4.9"), at rear axle

Dry Weight: 147kg (324 lbs)

Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.5 liter (3.0 gal) including reserve

Front Wheels: AT21x7-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 4 on 166mm bolt pattern

Rear Wheels: AT21x10-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 5 on 130mm bolt pattern

Brakes: triple hydraulic disk, single piston caliper designs

Front Suspension Travel: 8.7", double A-arm with adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping

Rear Suspension Travel: 8.7", "Full Floater" linkage with fully adjustable preload

Caster: 9°

Trail: 40mm

Toe-in: 11mm to 19mm, with 165 LB rider aboard

Turning Radius: 3.0m (9.8')

Rear shock leverage ratio:

Fuel: gasoline, pump fuel

Warranty: three-month

"BLAHH"300!!
02-19-2002, 10:07 PM
reading all that put me too sleep:D ,...
nah . good post man.....
"LEO"...that little bit might not be for the "EX" but wouldn't it look good in the "BEST OF" forum..

Warrioreater400ex
02-22-2002, 11:11 AM
i would eat it alllllll up, i hear that they are difficult to find, and they are FAST, VERY FAST, you would love slaying banshee after banshee after banshee in a drag race!!!:D

4punksdad
02-22-2002, 05:33 PM
Originally posted by EX-CITING 300
reading all that put me too sleep:D ,...
nah . good post man.....
"LEO"...that little bit might not be for the "EX" but wouldn't it look good in the "BEST OF" forum..

I agree...........thats a "best of" reply!

03-02-2002, 10:54 AM
i just picked up a 92. lt.250r for 625$
yes, it does run
:D

James70214
03-02-2002, 12:41 PM
I think that is everthing I have ever wanted to know about themand more. Thanks for all the info.

03-05-2002, 08:54 PM
iv watched a few of those quadzillas race before, and they killed those nice shees out ther, those lt250rs r sweet to. suziki needs to bring em back for 2 more years, wit refinements, along wit honda = 250r, and kawi = tecate and yamaha, put tri-z motor in a 250r like frame.

yamahater101
02-20-2006, 12:02 PM
hey,
there is a big difference between the 250 and 500. i do like the 250 because of its light weight and speed, but i love my 500. as for parts you can find them all over on ebay. if you wait you can find good parts for cheep. i buy and sell parts all the time. if the quad you are looking at is in good condition and is cheep i would go for it.

LTandRaptorider
02-20-2006, 04:09 PM
Originally posted by yamahater101
hey,
there is a big difference between the 250 and 500. i do like the 250 because of its light weight and speed, but i love my 500. as for parts you can find them all over on ebay. if you wait you can find good parts for cheep. i buy and sell parts all the time. if the quad you are looking at is in good condition and is cheep i would go for it.

Holy old threads, Batman!!! :eek: :eek2:

I would say since this thread you revived was created 4 years ago, he probably decided Looong ago what to get! ;)

btw... Welcome to the site :cool:

FarminLT250R
02-24-2006, 02:32 PM
Since when does the 250 have a 6-spd?? Later years? ...or am I just missing one? :rolleyes:

LTandRaptorider
02-24-2006, 03:36 PM
Originally posted by FarminLT250R
Since when does the 250 have a 6-spd?? Later years? ...or am I just missing one? :rolleyes:

The LT250R 1987-92 have a 6-speed tranny. If you have an 85-6 then you are indeed missing one gear! :eek: :p

FarminLT250R
02-26-2006, 06:49 PM
^^ Damn, I did miss out. I never realized they were 6-spds. A bit off topic, but is an 87-92 engine a direct swap onto an 86 frame?? :devious:

FarminLT250R
02-28-2006, 06:54 PM
Bump for my question above. If I acquired an 87 or later 250 quadracer engine, would it fit directly onto my '86 frame? If not, how hard would it be? Is the 6-speed just closer gear ratios or does it have a higher top speed? Sorry for all the questions!

bdboy53
03-08-2006, 06:26 PM
I am on my third Quadzilla, my first was a leftover 87 in 1988, my second was 10 years ago and the latest is a 1987 zilla. When it comes to 4 wheelers IT RULES!!! The only year they had any head gaket problems was in 1987(supposedly) I am rebuilding the one I just bought, and the head is off .002 inch so I am making her flat again to avoid the problem. 1988 and up they added one more head bolt to help . You can still get parts for them, but some stuff isnt easy. Just be carefull if you do get it when you buy parts....the 87 is a little different in a lot of the parts. I paid $1900.00 for it and I am rebuilding it as a project for my motorsports perfomance class. I have about another 500 in the motor, but think about it.....where else can you get the FASTEST quad EVER built for that price? Good luck... ED

snakeman52646
03-24-2006, 06:09 AM
my 87 zilla!!:D

yamadjs08
03-25-2006, 12:22 PM
Originally posted by snakeman52646
my 87 zilla!!:D
Wow, great looking zilla, would love to pick one up as a project.

Also, where are you at in Iowa? Im in Vinton and never see too many zillas at public riding areas.

snakeman52646
03-25-2006, 12:40 PM
Thanks,I live in Burlington,Iowa. I also have it's little brother the LT250R. They both run excellent!
Billie

wilkin250r
03-27-2006, 04:47 PM
I love that quadzilla. I'd be willing to strike a deal if I could figure out a way around the geographical problems.

snakeman52646
03-27-2006, 05:30 PM
UUMM?? what kind of deal??:confused: I would go around the world if the deal was right!!
Billie

wilkin250r
03-28-2006, 10:03 AM
Unfortunately, I don't think I have the "right deal". I have this 250X and the 350X crate motor, and an old beat-up LT80.

I could see some cosmetic upgrades, or shipping, but I couldn't see both. And, honestly, it's not worth YOU paying shipping to trade a nice really nice LT500 for a not-so-nice 250X.