I have a buddy that plans on getting rid of his LT50. He says he bought it new in 2000, but I can't find the used value in the NADA book for LT50 from that year...I can only find the LTA50 starting in 2002. Am I missing something here? Also, is the only diff between the LTA50 and LTZ50 the engine 2stroke vs 4stroke? Did they stop making the LTA when the LTZ came around? What is a good price for the quad? I've known this guy quit a while and he takes good care of his equipment, so I have no worries on reliability. And one final thing, I've read most of the string about making the LTZ better/faster, but I don't see much about the LTA...why is that? Is the LTA a solid bike that requires no major upgrades?

Thanks for the input.

 

ive looked ito the 50's lately for my daughter, and found the ltz's are 4 strokes with electric start available, maybe standard.
by me a 2003 is going for 700-800
a 2000 prolly 650 would be a good price
there is a 99 by me now that the guy is asking 550, but
thats the older body style it looks like.

 

>>is the only diff between the LTA50 and LTZ50 the engine 2stroke vs 4stroke? Did they stop making the LTA when the LTZ came around?<<

Yes and yes. The LT-A50 is the 2-stroke 50cc Suzuki offering, and the LT-Z50 is the 4-stroke 50cc offering. Otherwise they're pretty similar. The Z replaced the A, so they don't offer two 50cc youth models.

>>What is a good price for the quad?<<

The LT-A50 holds its value pretty well. Most seem to sell in good condition for $900-1200 with $1000 being an average price on craigslist, local classifieds, etc.

>>I've read most of the string about making the LTZ better/faster, but I don't see much about the LTA...why is that? Is the LTA a solid bike that requires no major upgrades?<<

The LT-A50 has a simpler engine and drivetrain. By removing the various restrictors and doing a few very simple and inexpensive mods you can get reasonable performance out of the A model. My son's A goes about 20 MPH on flat level terrain with his 50 pounds on it and has plenty of power to climb hills and go over obstacles. The only things I've spent money on for his machine is new carb jets. However, there is a pretty good aftermarket for performance parts including exhaust systems, pistons, etc. Lots of how-to writeups available too. By the way, the Kawasaki KFX50 of the same year is essentially the same machine so aftermarket parts, mods, info, etc. for one should fit the other.

The LT-Z50 has a 4-stroke engine controlled by a CDI module that electrically restricts the engine. Many threads on this topic have settled on the position that the CDI really holds things back and it's not possible to get substantial performance gains out of the package without modifying or replacing the CDI module. There is supposedly at least one aftermarket CDI for the Z that solves this problem. The Z also has some aftermarket exhausts, etc. available but they don't seem to have as much impact without doing something about the CDI.

If it was me, I'd look for a good 2002-2005 LT-A50 or KFX50 and keep the price below $1000. You'll get your money back when your child grows out of it, and in the meantime you'll have a very reliable machine that can be modified if desired to get additional power and performance.

 

2004 on ebay for 725 buy it now..
exactly what i paid for my 2003

 

I guess its good to know someone that wants to move his boy up to the next level and unload his LT-A50...bought it off of him for $475! The bikes mechanically in mint condition...typical plastic scrapes, but what do you expect with a quad rode by kids. Also, big plus for me since he thought he was selling a 2001 model. We estimated what the bike was worth off the NADA value for a 2002...turns out after some searching, its an '02. So I guess I got a good deal...and regardless, my boy loves it...big step up from the PowerWheels ATV! Oh yeah, thanks WAATV for all the info in the Kids ATV forum...I reinstalled the intake restrictor and 2nd pilot jet...adjusted the pilot screw. It's a bit more managable now, as he is still getting used to the handbrakes as opposed to the motor braking of the PowerWheels ATV...that's the biggest learning curve for him now...but he'll get it eventually.

 

What's the difference between ltz50 an ltz50z?

 

The LT50 is older, the LTA50 is from 2002-2005. The LTZ50 is a slow azz slug of a 4 stroke. The LTZ50z is someone added a extra z. No such thing. lol

 

Wish I had read this before just posting my first post... awaiting black-eyes from any purests out there.

So, new to the LTA50 that i just picked up last night. VIN comes back telling me its a 2002, so following the conversation above this should be a 2 stroke. I assume you premix the fuel with these quads as I am not seeing a separate oil tank under the seat of this one.

I can tell you that it does run off straight gas.

The mamnual that I uncovered isn't telling me the mix ratio, is it 32:1 or 50:1? something else?

 

Well unless someone disconnected and removed the oil tank, it's oil injected.
The parts fiche shows a oil pump and oil tank.
If it is truly made to mix now, I recommend 32:1 with a quality synthetic 2 stroke oil.

 

Yes, oil tank under the seat. Don't know why people disconnect them, the oil pump on the LT50 looks better quality than the LT80 one. Whichever, it is a 2 stroke and needs oil through the cylinder one way or t'other.

Regarding the original subject of this post, I have noticed LT50s are now making very big money on UK eBay, compared to a few years back, one near me made circa £750 last week, plastics covered in stickers too.