Hey,

how does a Zilla perform in the woods? i know some people talk about it's size, but is it any wider than say a Predetor? a couple of friends have Preds and they do fine in the trails we run. i know the zilla is supposed to have gobs of low end torque, but would i have issues if it's run in 1st/2nd gear all day? also, how would the suspension/handling of a Zilla compare with the Warrior i have now?

what's different about the '87, compared to the other years?

cheers,
bigmac

 

The zilla ia pretty wide. It has alot of power though. I rejet my bikes for different riding. On my 2 strokes where I am pretty much going to be riding on slower trails I lean out the carb a little more. On the 87the intake is diff and the head is diff. The 88-90 have 1 more stud added . The front A arms are also diff.

 

Hello bigmackloud, I can easily answer your questions. I have an 88 zilla and it performs like a dream in the trails. They are not much wider than the raptors that my friends use when we ride on trails. As for running it in 1st and 2nd gear all day, I found no problems what so ever, it may run a little hotter but as long as you take a few 20-40 min breaks you should be fine. Just make sure you are using the best coolant you can possible get.

 

i also agree . i run mine through trasils and woods alot . it does fine . i run custom axis shocks and handles like a dream . as for the coolant .. i use engine ice . its 17.00 a jug but well worth it . i have no overheating probs yet .

 

I rode a Zilla back in '89 and it was a monster compared to my Quadsport. It was just too wide and too long for my liking. I am quite sure that it is wider than all the current sport quads. If you have wide trails than no problem, but if you ride in thick woods than the Zilla is out of its element and overkill for that type of riding. In fact, you would probably have more fun on a current 400cc sport quad with reverse. Anyway, just my opinion. The Zilla was made for the dunes. Wide open spaces is where it and you will be happiest.

 

In the trails My Zilla runs like a wide body Porsche on tight winding roads....sweet.

When you say woods it can mean a lot of different things, high speed fire roads, snowmobile trails, dirt bike trails, dirt roads, tight narrow hiking type trails, breaking your own way thru the woods.... I have done it all with a Zilla (and trx250r's) there are endless possibilities "for the woods."

Never rode in N Carolina woods but hear it is similar to New England where I have years of woods, sand pit riding and track racing under my belt.

Stable suspension, low center of gravity and predictable steering along with great low end power make the zilla very good in the woods. If the Zilla rider has the experience and expertise to handle a high powered quad a zilla is hard to beat anywhere.

I have never had my 88 Zilla overheat. 87's have some issues that once taken care of will stop this problem

A warrior compared to an lt500 is like comparing a Ford Country Squire station wagon to Porsche Cayenne.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
I steer with the throttle and counter steer with the bars, power sliding and controlled drifting thru corners, try that with your Warrior!

If you’re thinking of a LT500, rest assured they are good in every riding condition.

Could a z400 beat a Zilla thru the tightest windy tree filled trails… rider skill with the particular quad he’s on is the key in those riding conditions.

JMHO

 

Hey,

the woods riding i do is generally in the middle part of NC, which means it has up hills to climb, some creeks to cross, so muddy embankments, some open spots, etc. not extremely twisty or tight though. the other main place i ride has wide sandy trails, generally straight with tons of whoops.

my group loves to take breaks, so stopping to let it cool off a bit wouldn't be too much of a problem. but what kind of "cooling issues" would an '87 have that needs to be fixed? i don't really have a lot of money to sink into a long term build-up, so is a Zilla going to suck me dry keeping it going and fixing all the "issues?"

also, what are the demensions of a Zilla? just trying to figure out exactly how wide/long it is.

cheers,
bigmac

 

There is really nothing you need to do for the cooling. I also use Engine Ice and it rocks, definatly get some of that. The trails that I mostly ride here in California is Forresthill and they tend to get pretty narrow and I have yet to see a trail that I can't ride. If you are riding a trail that a zilla can't fit, then you shouldn't be there. As for climbing hills, the zilla will kill them no question about it. It is wider than most sport quads but not by much at all, we are talking like inches. Talk to a dealer about the 87 and its heating issue, they tend to be really good about that. I am thinking just a new radiator but I have an 88 and its never given me problems.


Here are the dimensions, I got them from off road haven
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

 

according to ur specs the zilla isnt the widest quad. the wheel base looks to be the longest though

 

Holy Cow, No. I have a 4x4 with Vampires and spacers and it fits between trees that my stock Zilla won't. If you try to ride it in the tight woods, I'd recommend a twist throttle. I had to get one to prevent my thumb from gouging it or slipping off in hairy sitations.