Rain, mud and water - What a Jol on a quad!

This weekend's rain brought a tear to my eyes as I started thinking of all the mud.

For the average 4 stroke there's nothing better!!

We managed to take the camera with this time (And managed not to get it wet), and got some nice shots.

I was quite impressed by how well the rustler's behaved in the mud.

Just pop it in low range, and go for it.

Read more and see pictures

Our rustler quad bikes

Here are two pics of our quads.

The red one is my fiance's rustler.

Honda FourTrax Recon TRX250TM5 specs

There are 5 of these FourTrax's on the farm that can be hired to ride the track

ENGINE

• Engine Type: 229cc air-cooled OHV longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke
• Bore and Stroke: 68.5mm x 62.2mm
• Carburetion: 22.0mm
• Ignition: CD with electronic advance
• Starter: Electric with auxiliary recoil

DRIVE TRAIN

• Clutch: Automatic
• Transmission: Five-speed with reverse
• Driveline: Direct rear drive-shaft

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES

• Front Suspension: Independent double-wishbone; 5.1-inch travel
• Rear Suspension: Swingarm with single shock; 4.9-inch travel
• Front Brakes: Dual-sealed hydraulic drum
• Rear Brake: Sealed mechanical drum
• Front Tires: 22 x 7-11
• Rear Tires: 22 x 10-9

DIMENSIONS

• Length: 75.0 inches
• Width: 40.7 inches
• Height: 42.1 inches
• Wheelbase: 44.5 inches
• Seat Height: 31.2 inches
• Ground Clearance: 6.0 inches
• Turning Radius: 8.5 feet
• Dry Weight: 418 pounds
• Fuel Capacity: 2.4 gallons, including 0.6-gallon reserve

OTHER

• Available Colors: Olive, Red, Yellow
• Model ID: TRX250TM
  

FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION

6 months Transferable, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

Suzuki Ozark 250 LTF250K specs

My uncle recently bought two of these.

I will be testing them extensively in about a months time *evil grin*

• Engine: 246cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, SOHC, 2-valve, TSCC®
• Bore Stroke: 66.0 x 72mm
• Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
• Fuel System: Mikuni BS29
• Lubrication: Wet sump
• Ignition: Digital/transistorized
• Transmission: 5-speed with reverse, automatic clutch, 2WD
• Final Drive: Shaft
• Overall Length: 1800mm (70.9 in.)
• Overall Width: 1045mm (41.9 in.)
• Overall Height: 1070mm (42.1 in.)
• Seat Height: 785mm (30.9 in.)
• Ground Clearance: 210mm (8.3 in.)
• Wheelbase: 1140mm (44.9 in.)
• Dry Weight: 183kg (403 lbs.)
• Suspension Front: Independent, double A-arm, oil-damped, 5.5 inches of travel
• Suspension Rear: Swingarm-type, oil-damped, 5.5 inches of travel
• Brakes Front: Dual hydraulic discs
• Brakes Rear: Mechanical Drum
• Tires Front: AT 22 x 7-11
• Tires Rear: AT 22 x 10-9
• Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.6 liter (2.80 gallon)
• Color: Green, Red, Black

Yamaha Grizzly 660 4x4 2006 specs

Below are some specifications of the Grizzly 660 4x4 ATV also known as the YFM660

Engine

• Type: 660cc, 4-Stroke Single, Liquid Cooled w/ Fan, 5-Valve SOHC
• Bore x Stroke: 100mm x 84mm
• Compression Ratio: 9.1:1 Carburetion Mikuni 42mm BSR
• Ignition: DC – CDI
• Starting System: Electric w/ Auxiliary pull
• Transmission: Yamaha Ultramatic® V-Belt with Hi,Lo,Neut.,Rev.,Park
• Engine Braking: All Wheel
• Drive Train: Yamaha On-Command® push button 3-way locking differential, 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; Shaft

Chassis

• Suspension/Front: Independent Double Wishbone, 7.1” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment
• Suspension/Rear: Independent Double Wishbone, 9.5” w/ 5-way Preload Adjustment
• Brakes/Front: Dual Hydraulic Discs
• Brakes/Rear: Hydraulic Disc, Four Piston, Shaft Mounted
• Tires/Front: AT25 x 8-12 w/ Aluminum Wheels
• Tires/Rear: AT25 x 10-12 w/ Aluminum Wheels

Dimensions

• L x W x H: 82.1” x 45.3” x 47.6”
• Seat Height: 34.6”
• Wheelbase: 50.2”
• Turning Radius: 126”
• Ground Clearance: 11.8”
• Fuel Capacity: 5.3 Gallons
• Dry Weight: 600 Lbs.
• Rack Capacity: 99 Lbs.Fr. / 187 Lbs.Rr.
• Towing Capacity: 1,212 Lbs.

Other

• Instrumentation: Digital LCD Multi-function display. Speedo, Odometer, Dual Trip, Hour, Clock, Fuel, & Gear Position
• Lighting: Dual 30W Krypton Multi-reflector Headlights & 21/5W Brake light
• DC Outlet: Standard
• Warranty: 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty)

Dust and Rain equals all-terrain heaven!

With the BIG storm we had this weekend, our quads got a proper workout.

The normal centurion spot that we ride turned into an all-terrain heaven this weekend as the rain created deep mud and water threnches and slides to play in.

I dont think my rustler will ever be clean again!

After 3 hours of playing in the mud, even our black helmets where brown.

Unfortunately the large amount of water meant that we could not take the camera with, so I cant post any pictures.

Your quad is NOT roadworthy

OFF-ROAD ONLY: Be warned - adding indicators and a hooter to this quad will not make it roadworthy.


Quad sales in South Africa have grown over the past few years to the point where they currently make up nearly 50 percent of the motorcycle market.

There is now a tendency for the public to ride these little four-wheelers on public roads, albeit usually only quiet suburbia or residential estates.

I've yet to see one on a freeway in rush hour – but I'm sure it's coming.

The National Road Traffic Act requires every vehicle to be registered on the Natis system, even if used exclusively for off-road. Naturally, if a vehicle is required to be registered, a licence must be paid (this is, after all, South Africa), once again irrespective of whether the vehicle is to be used on or off the road.

Thus licence discs are being automatically issued to new quad owners since the Natis national registration system does not recognise the concept of registering a vehicle for off-road use only.

After that it's relatively easy to fit lights, speedo, indicators and mirrors in compliance with the Road Traffic Act, get a roadworthy certificate and voila! You have a street-legal quad, right?

Wrong.

When the South Afrcan Bureau of Standards, which represents the department of transport in approving new vehicle models for registration on the Natis system, discovered that quads were being used on the road they approached the Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors.

As a result of this meeting the regulations for such vehicles – which are actually in place but not enforced – will in future be more strictly applied.

Quads are designed and built for off-road use only; they don't have the correct equipment to render them roadworthy. Not only that, quad suspension is seldom set up for use on tar surfaces.

Although most will quite happily run at 60 or even 80km/h, their handlebar steering is extremely direct and at that speed on tar they become difficult – and dangerous - to control.

SABS 047, which describes the specifications for roadworthy vehicles, also says that "no vehicle shall be issued with a certificate of roadworthiness unless the driving axle is fitted with a differential".

Since most quads have a solid, one-piece rear axle, it shouldn't be possible to get them through roadworthy anyway, new or second-hand.

Only a very few 4x4 quads have a differentials on the rear axles and these are even less suitable for road use than the normal rear-wheel drive machines.

So be careful, warns Amid's Arnold Olivier, when buying a quad, new or used, under the pretext that it can be certified roadworthy.

Amid is currently negotiating with the department of transport to create a different licence class for off-road vehicles, even the bureaucrats recognise the unfairness of the present system.

That takes time, however, so for now the licencing situation will stay the same.

Olivier also warns that a quad is regarded as a motorcycle in terms of the National Road Traffic Act. So to ride one on the road (roadworthy considerations notwithstanding) you need to have the appropriate motorcycle rider's licence.

You'll need to be 16 years old and hold a class A1 rider's licence for quads of less than 125cc, or 18 with a class A licence for anything bigger.

Peugeot Quad - Now that’s a quad bike!

I found this interesting article on T3 a UK web mag.

Peugeot reveals the Quark – the cutting-edge quad bike with a difference…



Unless you’re a new-wave shepherd or Ozzy Osbourne chances are you don’t go bombing around on quad bikes that often. But it’s about time we stole the beloved quad bike away from the countryside and gung-ho metal legends. Since witnessing Peugeot’s new eco-friendly Quark quad bike at the Paris Motor Show, we’ve decided that it’s not fair for such a city slicker to be stuck out in the sticks. More robust than any scooter, and friend to Mother Earth, the Quark could pave the way for a quad bike revolution with its cool commuter appeal.

The Quark runs off four independent electric motors, powering each of its four chunky alloy wheels. This new technology means that it comes equipped with ABS, cornering assistance and a host of other driver-friendly gizmos to improve the quality of your ride. Plus when you hit the brakes it uses the force generated to recuperate energy.

Along with its snappy styling the Quark boasts a truckload of other enticing features, like its Removable Communications Interface. This tidy gadget includes an antitheft device, sat nav, MP3 reader and Bluetooth telephone. Viva la revolution!

More quads than bikes sold in August

I found this interesting article on motoring.co.za.

I wonder wat this years figures would look like.

Quads sales made up 55.4 percent of the South African motorcycle market during August 2004, according to the latest figures released by Association of Motorcycle Importers and Distributors (Amid) director Arnold Olivier.

It would appear that the weekend warriors are gearing up for the summer ahead, with total retail sales for the month of 2382 units, 56 percent better than August 2003's 1526.

The overall market for the year to date now stands at 17 815, up 60 percent on the first eight months of last year (11 134 units).

This growth, given the continued stability of economic indicators like inflation, interest rates and exchange rates, put the industry on track for the best sales year since 1985 - when a record total of 24 509 bikes were sold in South Africa.

Yamaha's 200cc Blaster has finally been dethroned from the top of the sales charts, with the Suzuki LTZ250 having sold 653 units in the year to date compared to the Blaster's 649. The venerable Honda CGL125 is once again the only two-wheeler in the top ten, with 349 sales so far this year.

Top 10 sales – all classes:

1. Suzuki LTZ250 (653)
2. Yamaha Blaster 200 (649)
3. Yamaha YZF450 (437)
4. Suzuki LTZ400 (428)
5. Dinli DL603 – 100 (425)
6. Suzuki LTF160K (390)
7. Honda TRX300EX (369)
8. Honda CGL125 (349)
9. Suzuki LTF250K (315)
10. Linhai Rustler XL260 (313)

Motorcycles

The two-wheeled segment of the market is up 33 percent on 2003, with total sales since January of 8942 units, compared to 6 698 in 2003

Off-road bikes (motocross and enduro machines) lead the way with a retail growth of 90.7 percent.

superbike sales have improved 43.4 percent,
cruisers 38.5 percent and
dual-purpose bikes 25.5 percent

which illustrates the perception that most motorcycles are bought as leisure toys.

Top 10 sales – motorcycles above 500cc:

1. BMW F650 GS (2004-spec) (302)
2. Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade (253)
3. Yamaha YZF-R1 (218)
4. Kawasaki ZX-10R (135)
5. Suzuki GSX-R1000 (127)
6. Kawasaki KLR650 (137)
7. Honda CBR600RR (126)
8. BMW R1200 GS (150)
9. Honda XL650V Transalp (102)
10. BMW R1150 GS (102)
11. BMW K1200 GT (86)

Although 125cc, scooter, commercial and agribike sales have grown by only 12.5 percent, small bikes are making a comeback in the second half of the year, especially entry-level scooter and traditional 125cc schoolboy models.

This seems to be due to competitive pricing, and continued high fuel prices.

Top 10 sales – motorcycles below 500cc:

1. Honda CGL125 (349)
2. Honda NXR125 (255)
3. Yamaha TW200 (228)
4. Honda CRF230 (175)
5. Yamaha XTZ125 (168)
6. SYM Jet 100 (154)
7. Yamaha BW100 (146)
8. Suzuki GN250 (140)
9. Kawasaki KDX 200 (106)
10. Honda XLR125 (113)
11. Honda SCV100 (113)

Quads:

Quad sales for January to August are double what they were in the same period last year – 8873 units compared to 4436 in 2003.

However the growth curve is finally beginning to flatten out as the sales for this year begin to compete against the strong figures recorded in the second half of last year.

Olivier predicts that the final figures for 2004 will reflect a growth of about 58 percent over sales during 2003.

Top five quads - recreational:

1. Suzuki LTZ250 (653)
2. Yamaha Blaster 200 (649)
3. Yamaha YZF450 (437)
4. Suzuki LTZ400 (428)
5. Honda TRX300EX (369)

Top five quads - utility:

1. Suzuki LTF160K (390)
2. Suzuki LTF250K (315)
3. Linhai Rustler XL260 (313)
4. Cobra Overland 180 (178)
5. Yamaha Grizzly 660 (114)

Top five quads - speciality:

1. Dinli DL603 – 100 (425)
2. Dinli 100 (299)
3. Dinli DL501 – 50 (260)
4. Cobra Revo 100 (220)
5. Cobra Mini-Kolt 50 (218)

4x4 Quad Bike In Water.

Now this is how a quad bike should be used in deep water!!

I wonder how much damage (If any is done to the engine in these kinds of situations)



Original source

Specs of the Rustler.

Engine

• Engine Type: 4-stroke
• Displacement: 257 cc
• Carburator: 30 mm CVK
• Cooling: Liquid-cooled
• Starter : Electric

Drivetrain

• Final Drive: Shaft
• Transmission: High Range / Low Range / Neutral / Reverse
• Drive System: Automatic CVT

Suspension

• Front Suspension: Macferson struts
• Rear Suspension: Unknown

Brakes and Tyres

• Front Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Rear Brakes: Hydraulic disc
• Front Tires: 24 x 8-12 Excavators
• Rear Tires: 24 x 11-10 Excavators

Dimensions and Capacity

• Length/Width: 209.6 cm / 117 cm
• Wheelbase: 126.5 cm
• Turning Radius: 327.7 cm
• Ground Clearance: 18.3 cm
• Dry Weight: 280 kg
• Fuel Capacity: 14.2 Litres

Features

• Gauge Type: Instrument Panel
• Warning Lights: High temperature.
• High Beam Indicator: Standard
• Fuel gauge: Mechanical (Optional)
• Front and Rear carry racks
• Front Bull Bar

Some pictures showing some of colours of the rustler 260 XL

RUSTLER 260 XL Specs

I found this article on Speedworld, Jetski and Motorcycles

Its a small writeup (With Specifications) on the Rustler:

Colour : Red, Blue, Silver, Green or Yellow
Features :

• 4 stroke liquid cooled motor
• disc brakes front and back
• large front and rear carrier rack
• mounting for tow bar
• fully automatic with reverse gear
• high and low range (4x2).

This quad is beginning to attract many people who are looking for a utility bike that does not cost an arm and a leg.

Priced at only R 26 000 (Price changed to what I got it for) it is extremely attractive to those that are looking for some sort of utility bike that can assist in the daily running of many businesses.

It is ideal for farm life and which could also be used for recreational purposes.

Even though it is not a 4 x 4 you will be surprised by the amount of power the quad produces once the low range gear has been engaged.

With a top speed of around 55km/h it has not been designed for the track.

Why not attach a mini fridge to the carrier rack and go for a scenic game drive. The quad has already stimulated a lot of interest.