Well I just got back from the Powerline Park GNCC race in Ohio. It was a grat day for racing, cool and dry. I and a guy from ATV Sport were the only 2 there with a KQ. He was doing a full write up for ATV Sport on how the KQ does. I guess you will have to wait for his report, but this is mine.

I entered in the Utility Stock class since I was stock. The only thing I was putting on was Bighorn radials. Well I get to the Maxxis truck, no Bighorns. They said they didn't bring any. I was PO'ed. I knew I could not get a full feel of the KQ with stock tires. The only thing they had was All-Trac's, however these are only 2ply too, but they were better then stock. But still had to much sidewall flex for hard riding. Well I get all 4 tires on about 5min befor the start of the race, then head for the starting line. The other KQ was also in the stock class and he had the ITP ATR's on. Well we get the flag and off we go and I was able to get 4th before the woods out of 10 of us. What holds the KQ back from better starts is, you can't have any throttle before you start it. So I had to wait until started before I could give it gas. But I was able to get a lot of that back before the woods. Well I'm in the woods right behind Penland, another Prarie and a Rincon. I was right on there butt for a few miles, then we got to a lot of off camber trails. This is where I saw that the suspension is to soft for off camber racing. Even on the stiffest setting, it would dive big time, and made my underware a little dark. I actully put it on it side twice, but no damage. However this was what most of the woods part of the course was, off camber. This held me back from being more aggressive then I wanted. Then half way through my 1st lap, I over shot a corner that goes to the woods. I put it reverse and the rev limiter held me back. By the time I got my senses, most of my class past me. I finally got it back on the trail, and pushed it to where I was back in 6th at the end of the 2nd lap. I cought up to the fithth place guy who was on a Griz, and was following him for the next lap and a half. Then on the final lap we got to a open section and I was able to over take the Grizz. So at the end of the race, I came in 5th with my first race on the KQ. I got a lot of people coming up to me asking how I liked it and what I thought it needed. In fact Suzuki is getting a team together for the 12hr race, and one of the guys who is racing it asked me tons of questions about it. In fact the winner of the stock class, Ken Robey will have a KQ factory ride for next season. He will be going for Penlands title. These are my findings on my KQ.

Starting from a dead stop, the KQ is a little doggish. It hesitates a bit before it goes. But once going, the mid range is great. Very good throotle response once moving. Another thing, when I put it on it's side, it stalled. I got it upright and it would not start. So I thought maybe it need to re-set itself being a EFI. I shut the key off, then turned it back. Started right up. Also going fast through a ruff section it would like skip a bit, or hesitate. Like the bouncing would effect the fuel input. It didn't slow me down much, but you felt it. Now onto the suspension. On flat going, it would corner great on small to medium corners. Once you get to sharp or off camber corners, the shocks are just to soft. It would dive big time. Had a couple of scary times on some corners. So if you want to race the KQ, new front shocks will be a must. I was told Elka is allready making these for the KQ. Also tires will make a big difference too. A good 6 ply tire will help the tire roll. I think with more practice and better suspension, the KQ will be in the fight for Utility titles next year.

 

Was Ken Robey driving a KQ in Ohio this week-end? Elka will surely improve your ride and be made for your style of driving. And, thickening the anti-sway bars would surely also help diving into theses hard curves.

 

His KQ was the one that the guy from ATV Sport was riding. So he ran his Kawi. I did get to talked to Ken for awhile about my report on the KQ, and he should be ready for the Ironman race in 2 weeks.

What do you meen about tha sway bar?

 

Hey George...... Thought you were getting to old, and was wanting to start putt... putting. On it's side does not sound like putt....putt. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Good job man, and nice to see you again. Good luck getting it dialed in.

 

LOL! Well seeing older guys like you[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] racing is what keeps me coming back, LOL!. I figured running a utility won't get me into to much trouble[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Look forward to seeing you next season.

 

wow sounds like some good fun, if i got into racing i would def. get into that utilty class, wow right there with penland? would have been great to pass him, sounds like you had fun good luck w/ the rest of the season.

 

Congrats...Hey did you hear GNCC is starting or trying out youth ATV class next GNCC in Indiana..Might be time to start brining the kids[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]...

 

Last week-end, I spent sometime with the guys of Elka, and we were talking about the Brute Force and King Quad racing with IRS. They told me that their suspension set-up will bring an incredible improvement making it even more comfortable riding over ruff terrain and taking corners at high speed, but thicker anti-sway bars would be needed in order to further limit the body roll from the IRS.

 

What classes do they have at these races? is there like a 250 clas sor sumthin i could run my recon in? just curious, other wise its the grizz for next season ( i hope).

 

My question remains unanswered: Can the King be powerslid? If so, does it take a ridiculous amount of effort?