Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

Just want to disspell some bad myths that seem to be floating around from people trying to turn potential buyers away from a KingQuad, especially with regards to power. First off, this thing does 73mph stock. Second, it has a VERY meaty mid-range for any ATV, let alone a single-cylinder. The ONLY gripe on it's powerband is the low-end has a bit of a lag WHEN YOU NAIL IT. Otherwise, you'd never know it's there. However, there is a product from Velocity Devices coming out in September called the Copperhead, which will be a full-replacement ECU, as my "colleague" Toyeboy has already stated (not meaning to step on your toes Toyeboy, just figured the subject needed emphasis[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]). This is what Lyle, the man in charge at VDI, had to say about their product and what it will do for the King's performance:

"I can guarantee the lag is gone, and there will be a lot more gains to be had all the way to redline (which will be increased as well).

The lag is caused by them holding the timing to 7 degrees up to about 2000 RPM (where the advance should have been about 12 degrees according to the "specified advance".) That translates to really poor throttle reponse and low power. Even so, we can run more advance down low which should make her into a real tire smoker.

Lyle"

Did I hear some Kawasaki owners quivering a little bit[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]In short, don't be afraid to get a KingQuad because you think it won't keep up. That's a ridiculous notion as it is, but ESPECIALLY after this ECU comes out.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

The kawasaki twins will still beat it on the low end, so whats your point? That you have to buy a mod to stay with a stock?, kk

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

And you are basing that on what? Besides, the Kawasaki comment was just a bit of sarcastic playfullness. Now, for those of you that wonder why I promote Nyroc's Forum so much, case in point: konaking's comment. There is none of that on Nyroc's.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

Just stating the facts my friend, kk

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

Haha, redgoblin is right. I would hate to see sombody turned away from a great atv like the king because they hear that it is down on power. HA.funny thing to say when compared to smaller atvs like my 360 which is not a spped demon but gets me to where i want well, the king is a monster power house. The kawis twins sure make allot of power but there is plusses other than power that the king can give. Before you choose one atv over another, dont let sombody on the internet tell you other wise untill you ride either of your choices.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

Great point by alwaysride. kk

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

I have yet to see a Kawi Twin in a 650 or 700 blow my King away on low end? I actually beat the 2 I raced with my King.Even if they would be faster, it woudn't be by much.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

My point is guys, this new VDI is going to show everyone what the King is REALLY capable of and that it is indeed, I believe, the baddest single-cylinder on the market. The Kawasaki guys have had this technology for several years and everyone remembers how much it did for their machines. It's our turn now.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

The KQ has an awful lot going for it and I think the quibbles about the engine are a minor aspect about the overall picture. No, it doesn't have the raw power of a Brute Force 750 but it does everything else worlds better out of the box. I love that power plant on the BF. It's just plain sick. But the fact of the matter is the rest of the machine that wonderful engine it is mated to sucks. It has some great components in it. Good brakes, good diff, trans all that, but when brought together it just doesn't work. It handles and rides like crap. It is a crime that Kawasaki let it leave the factory like that.

Now the KQ despite it's somewhat dubious quality issues and manufacturer support is a nice machine. The engine is very strong but not to be confused with something like the BF 750 or certainly not the Outlander 800. It simply can't hang up there and that's ok. The whole machine works well together. It handles and rides better than the BF. I sure enjoy riding it through the trails and woods more. It's more enjoyable to ride. No it doesn't have the power but it has more usability. You can make a BF handle but it takes a big wad of cash for uber high dollar custom shocks, wheels and radial tires. which is great if that's your thing. More power to you. If you like building custom quads the BF is the machine for you.

I'm happy to see that finally someone is supposedly fixing the annoying lag and tuning up the KQ. However, I'll believe it when I see it. I seem to remember a couple of black box wonders that were just around the corner that were suppose to fix the KQs factory induced deficiencies that turned out to be disappointments. By the way will this also disable that silly reverse override?

Personally after finally getting riding time on the Outlander 800 it's going to take something pretty dramatic hitting the market to persuade me not to get one this fall.(it really was as good as those kool-aid drinking Bombardier guys rave about) Maybe I can persuade my friend with the KQ to get this new box to hop up his KQ though before I make the plunge though.

Thinking of Getting a King, But Afraid It's Underpowered?
 

I fully believe Lyle and the guys at VDI because they said it would be AFTER they finished the Copperhead for the Grizzly, which they did just a month or so ago. They also went out and bought a brand new Arctic Cat 700, so that would lead me to believe they're serious about it as well. Aside from those, just the fact that Lyle is working hand-in-hand with us and keeping us updated every step of the way. Yes CaptainQuint, it will have different maps with options to remove the limiters, both reverse and diff-lock. Can I persuade you away from the Bombardier because of the ridiculous front differential and single-lever braking?...........Didn't think so[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]