Suzuki introduced an all-new, race-ready 2006
QuadRacer R450 at its dealer meeting in Dallas
in early October.
Multi-time
motocross champ and Suzuki factory pilot Doug
Gust helped develop the new machine, which he
and teammate Jeremiah Jones will use in the
motocross wars during the 2006 season.
Gust
(right, sitting on quad) 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.
"The
LTR is race-ready, and ready to win," says
Glenn Hansen, American Suzuki Motor Corporation's
advertising and press relations manager.
The
QuadRacer R450 is named after the original QuadRacer
LT250R that was introduced 20 years ago as the
first high-performance sport quad on the market.
The
motor is derived from Suzuki's RM-Z450 motocross
machine. The 450cc liquid-cooled engine has
a compact design and features and advanced fuel-injection
system.
The
QuadRacer R450 comes 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 for improved
handling.
The
new sport quad boasts an all-new five-speed
transmission, center-mounted exhaust system,
and a steel chassis built with the motocross
track in mind.
The
front suspension involves an independent double
wishbone system with long wheel travel and a
low center of gravity. 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.
The
front wheels are 10 x 5.5 inches shod with Dunlop
radial tires designed specifically for the R450.
The special Dunlop tires are also mounted at
the rear on 8 x 8 pressed-aluminum wheels.
Other
features include a T-shaped seat, sharply styled
fenders, a new multi-reflector headlight, aggressively
styled radiator shrouds, stylish fuel tank covers
and side panels, and a maintenance-free LED
taillight.
Dry
weight: $368 pounds. Suggested retail: $7,299.
For
more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com.
