I've seen alot of people debating on the top speeds of different quads recently. I would just like to let some of you know what 3&4 wheel action's dragstrip results were from their June 1988 issue. All the quads were bone stock.

Suzuki 500 Quadracer- 15.09 sec at 79.29 MPH
Yamaha Banshee- 15.33 sec at 77.05 MPH
Kawasaki Tecate4- 15.81 sec at 74.75 MPH
Suzuki 250 Quadracer- 16.09 sec at 71.48 MPH
Honda 250R- 16.42 sec at 71.89 MPH

And for ****s and Giggles they through the Kawasaki 250 Majave in the test... It went 19.07 sec at 57.84 mph.

Whoever came up with a 68 mph top speed for the Banshee must of been on crack or running it up a big *** hill.

 

That looks much more realistic. Top speeds appear to be altered sometimes in the mags (probably because of legal reasons).

 

Gary, you are probably right. Back in 1988, the magazines could get away with doing a test like this at the dragsstrip without catching a whole lot of criticism. Now a days, who knows what would happen if they did another test like this. It would be pretty awesome if they did a test like this between the New Raptor, the Bombardier, the Cannondale, the 400ex, and the Banshee, wouldn't it? Maybe we should write 3&4 wheel action and see what they say :-)
Take care,
Kevin

 

Those drag strip times and top speeds are from pavement right? If you run them in sand they will be a lot slower, quads are made for off-road and are safer there, that's probably why the mags today won't do a drag with new models at a strip. I also know this guy who took his stock 400ex down to a strip and stock it topped out at 68mph, he put some different tires on and it dropped to 64mph.

 

Yes Danyeo, Those times are on pavement at an actual dragstrip. Yeah, the times and speeds would definitely be slower in the sand, but I don't think you can get a more consistent measurement of quickness and speed anywhere else. The dragstrip will tell you which machine is actually the quickest and fastest. Tire spin from the sand and dirt is virtually non existent at the dragstrip which will in turn provide the most precise test results. I agree that quads are safer in the dirt, but I have also raced a Modified trx 250r at the local dragstrip at over 87 mph and had no stability threats whatsoever. I'm not saying that you and your buddy should go out and race up and down the street, but I think that it is pretty safe at the dragstrip. Just my own opinion. Take care, Kevin