Look, the bent valves was my fault because when I was timing the motor it turned over slightly and I didn't catch it untill it was too late. Everyone makes mistakes once and a while so quit being a frickin jerk! And the reason my quad has had quite a few problems is because of the owner BEFORE me neglected it so I was stuck with fixing what was worn or broke. So now that I did take care of the problems it's been great otherwise it would have already been sold. And it's not always easy for a 16 year old to purchase expensive parts when need be, because of lack of money which should be obvious. Plus the DS650 parts cost 2-3 times more than ANY jap quad and if you don't believe me look some of the parts up. A balljoint is $60 and you wont find a piston for under $300 for the DS650, and this goes for the rest of the quad. Everything is expensive on it. And I DIDN'T say my DS650 WAS very reliable, but I AM saying a Quadzilla ISN'T. There is no need to argue over this but you gotta think of the practicality of a 16 year old kid buying a Quadzilla.... There is no need to draw a picture here, but if he does buy a Quadzilla, he was warned by ME, (which doesn't seem to matter at all anyway) but you make it sound like the perfect quad for him.... Again, I warned him, and goodluck cuz he'll need it.....

 

So, the only thing that could change my mind about buying one would be the starting. Would I be or not able to start it? I don't mind cranking days before being able, I did it with my old quadsport and I was 100 LBS. Nobody else was able to start it. I don'T know why, was almost impossible to crank. The first week, I cranked about 30 minutes to start it each time.

So should I forget about it or not?

Thanks

 

If it's anything like my banshee you won't have a problem. A properly tuned two stroke is easier to start than a properly tuned thumper.

 

Gotmuddy - Be careful, that vibration might be because the crank bearing are shot. Zillas are notorious for this.

Roosthrower - Banshees are the only quads I've seen that start so easily they can be kickstarted while sitting down. I think that's why the kickstarter is so short. Kickstarting a 500cc single is a different story.

 

Gotmuddy, excessive vibration in mine was caused by the counter-balancer being installed wrong.

There's a trick to kicking it over. I try to keep my kick-starter down near the bottom of the kick. Don't try to kick this motor over with flip-flops.

P.S. Drinkin' **** can keep those stupid opinions to herself.

 

Heeeeeeeeere we go![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

You can start it - its all in the technique. I routinely start my Zilla while sitting down (after its warmed up a bit). Might help that I owned my first one in 1989.

Stock ported Zilla's with the crank bearing boss's fixed are as reliable as any other popular two stroke. Yes, some routine maintenance is required. Clean the air filter, change the case oil, a fresh sparkplug every now and then, clean, lube and adust the chain, inspect the reeds about twice a season. There ain't much else.


Problem with buying a Zilla today is they are aged, it does take some money to fix worn bearings, bushings, brakes, etc.. if the previous owner neglected them. I went thru this on my current one. But, I've rode it hard for 2 years now with NO failures..


Pushin - does your dad know you are as smart as he is?

 

Thanks for the info guys.Maybe I should keep these engine cases I have. How much vibration is to be expected?

 

No problem with that maintenance. With my little thumper, I clean the air filter each ride and check the oil, adjust and lube the chain, change the oil about once a month. Adjust the valves now and then

 

gotmuddy, it shouldn't vibrate that much, you may need to do a leakdown test to check for a crank leak through the seals. It essentially pressure tests the engine with iy entirely assembled to insure there are no airleaks. If the vibration is due to worn bearings, the bike will most certainly have a dangerous airleak which should be fixed before riding it. This is possibly an easy and inexpensive fix depending on the location of the leak. You got a good deal. You could part out that bad boy on Ebay for more than $800 but if it doesn't need much but TLC I'd keep it. Besides some expensive equipment and mods are done already.


P.S. Thanks for the positive and helpful comments pushinthelimit! Most of us here try to offer unbiased helpful advice whether pro or con. Bashing ANY quad is pretty much a waste of everyone's time. Maybe you were drunk when you posted previously, or maybe just pissed! The point were making here is that the Zilla DOES have some issues, but their fixable for less than a grand and the old dinosaur will still beat most bikes in several categories (no MX is not one of them). We admit it is an old bike but it is a GREAT all around playbike for many riders, so DEAL WITH IT!