Sometimes you just want to hop on an aggressive machine and go really fast. Blow off some steam and take your frustration out on the track. Maybe you're happy as the proverbial clam, but you still have a wild side that feeds on adrenaline. Either way, the brand-new race-ready '06 Suzuki QuadRacer R450 is a blast waiting to happen.
This new high-performance machine was designed with the help of Doug Gust, multi-time ATV MX champion and member of Team Suzuki Yoshimura ATV racing. During the research and development phase he went to Hamamatsu, Japan, and rode on the test track with other test team members. This allowed Suzuki to tap his vast racing experience and knowledge and integrate his ideas into the new machine. The information gleaned was, as Suzuki puts it, "invaluable" to the project.
The heart of the R450 is a potent 450cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine. This engine features electronic fuel injection with a multihole injector and a 42mm throttle body. There are a vast number of benefits to an EFI system on a performance quad including the fact that it's more responsive, efficient, and lighter than a traditional carburetor. The engine also features three oil pumps; a low center of gravity; and a center-mounted stainless steel exhaust system. The engine funnels power to an all-new five-speed transmission that features inboard-located gears to keep it very compact.
The rear suspension is simple...
The rear suspension is simple yet functional. The link-type swing-arm system utilizes a piggyback reservoir shock and generates 11.4 inches of wheel travel for soft, controlled landings.
The R450's chassis is cutting edge. It's not only strong and durable thanks to high-tensile steel construction, but it's also designed to provide superb handling and outstanding stability. It features a compact, lower profile and a lower center of gravity that contributes to premium handling and performance.
In an effort to guarantee that the R450 can handle general abuse as well as big-air landings, it features a fully adjustable suspension consisting of a freshly designed independent double-wishbone front suspension that includes a forged-aluminum knuckle, ultrawide A-arms with round tube construction and piggyback-reservoir shocks. The beefy link-type rear suspension is comprised of a swing arm and a piggyback reservoir shock. The front suspension offers a generous 10.6 inches of travel and the rear a flexy 11.4 inches.
The sum of all of these parts is a quad with attitude. Based on what we've seen, the R450 loves holeshots, big air, and making you scream for your mommy.
The underside of the R450...
The underside of the R450 is rugged and well protected. This pays dividends should you peg a rock or involuntarily case the machine on a set of doubles.
Specs
Vehicle model: '06 Suzuki QuadRacer R450
Base price: $7,299
Colors: Champion Yellow, white
Type: Four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC four-valve, single-cylinder
Displacement (cc): 450
Bore x stroke (mm): 95.5 x 62.8
Compression ratio: 11.7:1
Fuel delivery system: Fuel injection
Starter: Electric
Transmission: Five-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Front: Independent, double wishbone, piggyback-reservoir shock, spring preload fully adjustable, rebound and compression damping force fully adjustable
Rear: Swing-arm, link type, piggyback-reservoir shock, spring preload fully adjustable, high-speed and low-speed compression damping force fully adjustable, rebound damping force fully adjustable
Front: Dual hydraulic discs
Rear: Hydraulic disc
Front: 10 x 5.5 AT
Rear: 8 x 8.0 AT
Weight (lb): 368
Ground clearance (in): 9.4
Length (in): 72.6
Width (in): 49.0
Height (in): 42.7
Wheelbase (in): 50.6
Fuel capacity (gal): 2.6