Rossman, hello from a fellow cheesehead that now resides in the Black Hills of SD. I discovered the dirty butterfly problem at about 1200 miles on my first KQ and did not have a problem with blue smoke at the time, by 1600 miles the engine was toast. If you notice any increased oil consumption - that is the flashing red lite - trouble ahead!!

Suggest you put some tissue on a pencil and swab the throttle body (butterfly) and show it to your dealer ASAP (put it in zip lock bag for effect). AND get a foam filter installed immediately. Actually the dealer gave me Uni's as replacements for my Suzuki paper filters. Other than the problem with the paper filter I have about 4500 miles combined on my two KQ's and have had not other problems. I have been on 3 wheelers and 4 wheelers since 1982, and I think these KQ's are the best I have ridden.

I do have to say though, I am REALLY disappointed in Suzuki for the design problem, and even MORE disappointed they are dragging their feet in not accepting responsibility and offering a free extended warrenty, PLUS free replacement filters that work. Even Mercury Marine from good old Fond du lac was willing to do that on their Opti Max outboards.

later

 

I bought my King 5 days ago and the dealer said susuki has a filter out now that replaces the stock one,it uses a little oil on it like a k&n but they're saying not to wash,replace it after so many miles.The filters are approx. 30 bucks.

 

Corona22: Hello, always glad to talk to a fellow cheesehead! Sorry to hear your engine was wrecked due to the paper filter problem. I told my dealer here about the dirt on the butterfly and all he said was "oh they all have that, only on the others you can't see it ('cause the intake isn't straight up and down on most of them) Well I knew I wasn't getting anywhere with him. I cleaned it off with a Q-tip taped to a wooden spoon. Now I got the Twin Air on there, haven't been in much dust yet, mostly snow, now muddy trails here. Hopefully it'll take care of the problem. I haven't seen any smoke and doesn't use any oil with 3700 miles on now. Yeh, I agree, best 4-wheeler I've ridden too. I'm really dissapointed too with Suzuki and the dealers too for not standing behind their products. You would think they would want to know about problems with a first year machine (the 05 KQ) but they won't even listen to anything you tell them. (they've got your money, now your on your own) What kinda trails you got out there in the Black Hills? We're thinking about taking a trip out there this summer(if gas isn't $3 a gallon) Heard it's really nice there.

 

Rossman;

Thanks for the feedback. Riding in the Hills currently is excellent there are just endless miles of fireroads and atv trails on U.S. Forest Service land. HOWEVER, the feds are currently in the process of putting a new policy in place where we can only ride on approved trails. Jury is till out on how extensive this will be, and how long it will take them to get this in place, I have heard a couple of years.

If you are thinking about coming out check out loding and riding in the Rochford (home of the infamous Moonshine Gulch Saloon) and Deerfield areas. You are not far from Deadwood - bring money!

Later

 

..In MN & Wi they call it the DNR..around here it's called the BLM..Bureau of Land management.....local news paper, last year had photos of deep ruts where some jerks driving atv's in a "Very OFF limits" area..leaving deep ruts in the ground..well the media took that and the tree huggers jumped on the band wagon...up here near deadwood several trails were closed and shut by the BLM..they used big front end loaders and placed monster tree stumps to block the road...it just takes a few butt heads to close the trails for all of us...!! ...then there are a few ex-Viet nam vets on "Meds" that will shoot at you..I saw it first hand !!! .Many locals are sick and tired and fast , loud atv's tearing past their home in groups .I know My neighbor is !! We drive "walking speed past the cabins and Homes..never any complaint when you drive like that.I have keys to open private property steel gates, for trails that used to be open to the public..I've worked hard to earn the trust from many land owers, and a forest workers fills me in on whats coming up..even have a cabin key for one place..but its about respect for others on the trail and local home owners.!!...anyway....I hear MN and WI has some great trails..MN has spider lake area..and more...the soo line from Pierz MN to Duluth MNon an old rail road bed...I think MANY people ,in the whole midwest have never seen the Unbelievable majestic Lake Superior views......and ships from other countrys around the world !!!!! Maybe the future has a trail along the edge of the Boundy water Canoe area..now that I would come over for...!!

 

I have seen the dirt on the buterfly. We have been supplied with a wet (red in colour) filter as a genuine part. Has any one pulled the air box right off the machine and had a look at where the Rubber(bellmouth for older mechanics) joins the air box. The air box has a false bottom for the breather. If you look in from the top and look down the bellmouth on through to the injector body you can somtimes see fine dirt down on this lower floor of the air box. On a couple of these machines i have seen traces of water in this area. I now seal this intake rubber to the air box. Given the amount this motor bobs up and down on the mounts i think that under some situations a sort of a pumping action could occure. There is no clamp and the sealing surface is very small.