2006 Suzuki LT-R450 Quad Racer
It's for real! The EFI 450cc MX machine has a name, and we have photos. Suzuki's LT-R450 follows in the footsteps of the trendsetting QuadRacer LT250R that essentially created the high-performance sport quad market in 1985. As racing becomes more and more expensive for ATV enthusiasts, Suzuki has built a machine that is race-ready out of the crate with little or no modifications necessary.
The new LT-R450 QuadRacer features a 450cc four-stroke engine based on the championship-winning RM-Z450 that's equipped with Suzuki's electronic fuel injection. The machine sports a wide stance and fully adjustable long-travel, competition-ready suspension. A lightweight yet strong steel swingarm, center exhaust, titanium valves, dry-sump system, magnesium covers, aluminum front hubs, electric start, removable headlight and liquid cooling are a few items on the long list of features on the LT-R450 that promises to shake up the class.
Specifications
Engine type: Single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve
Displacement: 450cc
Bore and stroke: 95.5x62.8mm
Compression ratio: 11.7:1
Cooling: Liquid-cooled
Carburetor: Fuel injection
Starter: Electric
Lubrication: Dry sump
Transmission: 5-speed constant mesh
Front suspension: Independent dual A-arms, with 10.0 inches of travel, fully adjustable piggy-back reservoir
Rear suspension: Swingarm with single shock, with 10.9 inches of travel, fully adjustable piggy-back reservoir
Wheelbase: 50.6 in.
Claimed dry weight: 368 lb
Colors: Champion yellow, white
Sand Super Show
The staff of Sand Sports Super Show held its 7th annual Super Show in September, with more than 49,000 enthusiasts crossing the gates to see the 356 vendors. The three-day show covered a half million square feet and was geared toward larger sand rails. However, there was still plenty to see for ATV riders. Familiar names we saw there were: Alba Action Sports, Baja Designs, DG Performance, Douglas Wheel, Fox Racing, Gibson Performance, IMS/Roll Products, ITP, Lone Star Racing, Maxxis, PIAA, Pro Aluminum, Quad Tech, Race Ready Products, Racers Edge, Redline Performance, Renegade Suspension Seats, Skat-Trak and Tatum Motorsports of Temecula.
What stood out at the show was all the chrome. The sand dune crowd loves shine-from chrome swingarms and A-arms to billet case covers and everything in between, chrome was in style. The 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum masterpieces included Mattoon Machine's Banshee billet cases that retail for $2495 and are sure to induce uncontrolled drooling. Rock-Sand's billet long- or standard-travel A-arms allow you to switch to long travel by just changing the lower bracket mounted to the lower A-arms.
Raptor 700 owners, you might like to know Trinity Racing has a fuel injection management system for your ride. According to owner Harry McDermott, the plug and play installation is easy to use; just push a button when you need changes made.
Speaking of things electrical, high-intensity discharge (HID) lights are increasing in popularity. HID lighting is gaining on the halogen light because it offers a brighter, longer-lasting light that is also efficient. Whether late-night dune roaming, out on a wooded trail or 24-hour racing, you need one of the new HID light kits. Trail Tech's new HID kit offers about three times the amount of light of a standard bulb. It has ballast included in the lamps' housing, making it a breeze to mount. As most ATVs produce DC power and the HID lights require AC power, some units may require a converter or a battery pack. Fortunately, they require a lot less wattage to power, and Trail Tech offers several mounting configurations: handlebar, helmet or clamped to the chassis. Helmet lights require an additional battery pack.