Hello All,

I have been looking at ATVs for just a few weeks. I have gone from a small one for my son (he is too young) to a 4x4 name brand for me to a chinese one for me. I cannot afford the full sized 500cc 4x4 utility. Someone said it best when they said they were looking for a Camp Quad. I live in ID in the Boise National Forest (just moved in last Aug). I want to explore the trails, the roads, and the camp sites so I need racks. I am not looking for speed, just some low end torque. I am also looking for an inexpensive quad as my 2nd child is incoming in T minus 17 days (girl, WOOT).

I was very interested in the Jetmoto 250cc sport for price/performance. I thought I could get a larger cog in the back to give it even more bottom end but I really need racks to fill my camping needs. I can't quite splurge, right now, for the Jetmoto 250cc Hunter so the Kazuma 150cc Dingo looks like the best fit but I have some questions about it.

Quality Question:
1] I have heard of cold start carb issues. I think I read somewhere that Raceway is now using the japanese carb. Does anyone know if this is true? I have studded snow tires on 3 of my vehilces 6 months this year! I need something that starts in the cold. =) The cold start issue really nees to be resolved before I can justify getting a Dingo. =(

Minor Questions:
2] I have heard that Bill2099 suggests new 10gr variator roller weights. I also saw Raceway sells 23, 32, and 38 teeth rear sprokets. I understand the end result is a combination of weights and rear sproket. Weights are cheaper it looks like, but heck I saw Bill2099 also mention to someone about an 8 variator instead of 4 (I think). I have seen the Dingo listed as 30mph and 45mph. I wouldn't mind trading in some of the speed for torque if it was 45mph but not sure sure I would be as interested if it was only 30mph. I also understand that some quads get updates thoughout the year. I should probably just use the Dingo 150cc to see if I need any change but I would like to better understand how to get some lower torque.

3] I have also see kevlar belts mentioned. Do they just last longer?

4] It would be nice to have some bright lights on the Dingo but the stock stator doesn't look to be able to output enough electricity to power (2) 55W headlights. I don't want to rob all of my engines power for lights that I only use some times, but are some of the aftermarket stators beefy enough to power (2) 55W headlights? I was also looking at an inexpensive winch from Harbor Freight ($50). I am sure that eats a lot of power. Does anyone have some input on what kind of power output the stock stator has?
Mini Answer: 8-Pole Stator info

5] I think the Dingo 150 uses the Honda GY-6 clone. Any idea on stock HP and how high you can soup it up to with some simple mods?

6] Did the Dingo get an update in 2007 or any coming soon?

To sum things up, I really would like to know about the cold start issue before I make a decision to buy. The other questions are just things I would like to know. =)

Thankx,
Dr. Ffreeze

 

dr.ffreeze,

I have 2 dingo's that I bought from raceway in july 06. I think for the money it was a great thing. We also are at a camp ground situation in Pa and I take mine hunting also. We are not allowed to drive fast so that was no concern. As far as the cold starting issues, i'm not positive why we had trouble with the carb but John (don't go anywhere else) at raceway sent me a mikuni carb for it and it is the best. Sometimes it sits for 2 or 3 weeks at the campground and it starts right up. I also removed the stock air box and re-placed it with a uni-pod. It is actually very similar to the stock filter except now i can clean it and put it back on in a few minutes. The stock ones take forever to get off and the screws are shady. It is a good size and has a very resonable amount of power for a 150 so I haven't up-graded the pulling power. The 150 has lots of up-grades. You have to do the usual stuff when it comes ie. change the oil, make sure everything is tight etc.
Tim

 

i also owned 2 kazuma dingos. owned them for 2 pretty much trouble free years, one had an electrical poblem right at the beginning, and one had to replace carb because of the crappy fuel we have here in az. had no cold stating issures, they were really good atv's the only problem with them is that they were 150's and didn't have much pulling and hill climbing ability. top speed per gps is 32mph stock. stock hp is 9.8, towing capacity is 400lbs which includes rider, the kazumas 150 does use the gy6 engines, the dingo hasn't changed since 04, 9-10gr rollers would help out a lot especially low end torque. i also like the kelvar belts, some people don't because when it does break it could do more damage than the stock belt, but the trade off is more reliable and laster almost forever. i paid 1500 each in 2004, had them 2 years and ended up selling them at 1000 each , they look and ran like new when i sold them, but because the were chinese i didn't have alot a reponse with my ads and the repose i did have people just about wanted them for free, something to think about when buying chinese quads, but one the other side if it were japense i would have lost more than the $500 the second i took the atv off the dealers lot

 

I had many of the same concerns as you. I'm glad I bought my Dingo (about 10 months ago). It gets ridden almost daily and has held up very well. Cold starts are a bit of a problem (45 degrees or lower). It's not such an issue since I just ride here at my farm. I've got to do a fair bit of fiddling to get it started in the cold. I finally started blowing a hair dryer into the air filter during cold weather. (Starts right up that way :-)

The hill climbing ability turned out to be a non issue. Mine pulls me (160lbs) plus a pretty good load up hills with no problem at all. My area isn't exactly mounatinous, but it sure isn't flat. Rolling hills hear in the Ozarks of Missouri. I regularly pull a a small trailer (like a garden trailer) loaded with firewood (150 to 250 lbs) up some pretty big hills without a problem.