Why was the lt500r "quadzilla" built? Was it supposed to be an MX quad? Was it supposed to be a drag quad? Or what it supposed to be an all around "decent-at-everything-quad"

 

I dont know really what it was built for.I just imagine it was like everything else.For example someone builds a car then someone else haves to build one that is bigger and faster.The 500 was probably suzuki's answer to the banshee.And I'm not trying to start any trouble with the banshee guys.

 

That is a good question. I think Suzuki was trying to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd and was looking for that high performance edge. The funny thing is that back then, Honda, Kawie, and Yammie all had 500 class mx bikes, but Suzuki didn't. Maybe they were looking to start a 500cc quad class like the bikes ran?

 

once they got you hooked, they know your going to come back for some more! think of all that money you could spend$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$







they got me hooked?

 

If you were from that period in time you would know that oval flat track racing was really big back then. Now can you see what they were built for. The very first article I saw on one was in Dirt Wheels Mag. Right on the front of the mag I n big Bold letters It stated 99mph In the front straight away.

During the mid 80's Flat track was king in the middle of the counrty. About 5 minutes from my house is a place called Steer Place. It was an indoor rodeo arena. On Friday nights they raced flat track oval Quads and on Saturday and Sunday they held rodeos.

Look at the build of a 500 it was probably 50-75lbs heaver that any other quad out there and lower to the ground, it was meant to go fast and slide. DO any of you remember the tires that it came out with. They were call Dunlop Tri tracks, completely flat with big tri-angles for traction. They were expressly made for oval racing.

 

YOU SUMMED IT UP PERFECTLY!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Thank you and case closed

 

The 500 actually came with two different tires depending on where it was sold. Some had the Dunlops, but some had Bridgestones. I have two mint bone stock 88 zilla's, one with each type. In the midwest, most all had the Dunlops from what I've seen. Mine with the Bridgestones originally came from the west coast.

The 500 was also used for MX racing quite a bit. Most of the pro racers didn't like it as much as the 250's because of it's size, but they were mostly very small riders also. Larger guys tend to like the 500 better on the track. I know I do. I'm 6'4" and the 500 just "fits" me better, and I have no problem throwing it around.

I don't think Suzuki supported the 500 in MX very long simply because it was only allowed to race against itself. Why put up money to zilla riders only to beat other zillas? Had Honda or Yamaha, or Kawi made a 500 to compete with it, I think it may have stayed around a bit longer.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember the 500 actually turning better lap times than the 250's a lot of time on MX tracks back in the old magazines. Is this just my imagination?

 

I do remember them having a 500 class in MX and I think the lap times were comparable. The MX racing was very limited and it only lasted about a year or two.

I still think they were much more popular in the flat track venue than anywhere else because of the weight and size.

Now with that said; have you ever ridden a quad at near 100 Mph! I owned a 1989 500 and raced it only 2 times. The second race and the first time it raised the front wheels off the ground, out of a corner, while still in a broad slide, in traffic, I decided three things right then and there.

1. There is a god and he let me live!
2. I needed Clean under pants!
3. If I would have kept that beast, I would have died on it!

Fastest most Knarly quad I have ever ridden!

I still have (2) LT250R (1) 1989 & (1)1990.

My boy's Love the uniqueness of them and they still win on them!

I personally get satisfaction from watching my son's sitting on the starting line with guy's riding the latest, greatest 4-stroke race machines and my son's riding 20 year old 2 strokes. You should see their faces after they get waxed on the hole shot and smoked in the race by a 20 year old quad, after they just plunked down $9000.00 for their quad.

I bought both our quads for $3000.00 and have about $6000 in them.

 

Wow, the racing pics. of your sons are nice. Stock shocks.... good thing they are young & can take the pounding.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

Holy cow! I like your Pics too....... Especially the one of your wife...... Dude She's Hot!!!!!!!!!!!! You are one lucky man!!!