Suzuki LT250R Details & Specifications
In the middle 1980s, Suzuki had different ideas of what an ATV should be. Other motorcycle manufacturers had already produced ATVs in the form of three wheelers for a number of years and now had progressed to a point where high-performance two-stroke ATVs were popular. In defiance to the ATV trend of that time, Suzuki's first high-performance ATV was produced having four wheels, instead of only three. The Suzuki QuadRacer marked the beginning of the high-performance Quad era.
The Suzuki LT250R "QuadRacer" is the little brother to the larger LT500R "QuadRacer". Both QuadRacer models share similar design features adapted to high-performance racing conditions and they each sport the same yellow and blue color scheme, but share very few components which are not interchangeable. The easiest way to differentiate these two models from a far is by identifying each QuadRacer's blue, radiator grille. The LT250R's grille features two vanes that are oriented horizontally, while the LT500R's grille features a single vertical vane through the center.
The LT250R was offered only during the 1985 through 1992 model years. The earliest generation of LT250Rs (1985-86) can be identified by their dark-looking aluminum engines. Starting with 1987, LT250Rs were manufactured with their engines painted blue and were equipped, for the first time, with gear-driven counter balance shafts and SAEC power valve designs. The last few model years of the LT250R can be identified by their new rear suspension linkage. While earlier LT250Rs has the "push rod and see-saw"-styled Full Floater suspension, the latest ones had a compact linkage nestled in the swingarm, similar to all modern Suzuki Full Floater designs.
1985 LT250R
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, single cylinder, 2-stroke Displacement 249cc
Bore and stroke 70.0mm X 64.8.0mm
Compression ratio 12 : 1
Lubrication System Fuel and oil premixture of 20 : 1
Carburetion Mikuni VM32SS
Transmission Manual Clutch, 5-speed
Gearshift Pattern 1-down, 4-up
Starter Kick Start
Fuel Tank Including Reserve 3.5 gallons
Transmission Oil 1 quart
Wheelbase 43.3 inches
Overall length 72.4 inches
Ground Clearance 5.9 inches
Front Suspension Independent, double wishbone, oil damped, spring 5-way adjustable
Rear Suspension Full-Floating suspension system, spring pre-load 4-way adjustable
Front Brakes Dual hydraulic discs
Rear Brakes Single hydraulic disc
Front Tires Dunlop KT786 21x7x10
Rear Tires Dunlop KT787 22x11x10
Final Drive Chain 12-42
Dry Weight 293 lbs
MSRP $2299
1986 LT250R
Same as 1985 except Mikuni VM34SS carb
1987 LT250R
The major changes were in the frame, engine, swingarm, and a-arms. The most visible change is in the frame right in front of the cylinder the 85-86 frame has a single down bar, but the '87+ has a single wishbone down-tube. The 85-86 exhaust goes out the side of the cylinder and the '87+ goes straight out the front in between the split downbar, hence the head pipe design changed for '87+. For '87+, a head motor mount was added and connects the engine to the backbone of the frame (under tank). The 85-86 is also a non powervalved motor as the '87+ have powervalves (aka: "poor man's turbo-charger"). The front shocks are also about 3" longer than previous models. The air intake from the carburetor to the cylinder is in a 5 bolt pattern and larger than the other years providing more air flow. Hence, the 87's are desired by tuners and racers for the larger base air flow. The 1987-on LT250R and the LT250R's big brother, the LT500R or Quadzilla, used the 5-bolt intake design. Also the '87+ used a 6 speed transmission instead of the 5 speed used on the 85-86 models. The engine color was changed from silver used on the 85-86 models to blue for the '87+ models.
For the '87+ model, the swingarm design was changed to a more "beefy" design after cracking / breaking issues with the 85-86 swingarm design. Clearly, the Suzuki engineers underestimated how hard their customers could ride their product. However, the '87+ swingarm will mount to the 85-86 frame with some other minor equipment swap (i.e. rear shock, link). The '87+ rear axle carrier includes forward-reverse slide chain tensioning rather than the 85-86's rotary tensioning method. The '87+ carrier housing slides forward and reverse and then is held in place by four vertical bolts and two rear horizontal bolts whereas the 85-86 carrier was held with a clamp or pinch design.
Some of the early '87 rear axles had 24 splines and hubs that were the same as the 85-86 models. Later models have 26 splines that match the 88-92 models and the LT500R. The 1987 models went to a 5/130 bolt pattern rear hub (like the LT500R) from the 4/130 bolt pattern of 85-86. The front and rear fenders are the same and will swap between any year. The seats however are slightly different but will also swap. The '87+ seat flares out at the rear (like a "T") while the 85-86 has a straight seat.
1988-89 LT250R
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, single cylinder, 2-stroke
Displacement 246cc
Bore and stroke 67.0mm X 70.0mm
Carb Mikuni TM 34SS
Transmission Manual Clutch, 6-speed
Starter Primary Kick
Fuel Tank Capacity 3.0 gallons
Wheelbase 50.4 inches
Overall length 72 inches
Ground Clearance 4.9 inches
Front Suspension 8.7" travel, dual shocks, preload and rebound adjustable
Rear Suspension 8.7" travel, Full Floater single shock, preload, compression, and rebound adjustable
Front Brakes Dual hydraulic discs
Rear Brakes Single hydraulic disc
Front Tires Dunlop 21x7x10
Rear Tires Dunlop 21x10x10
Final Drive Chain
Dry Weight 324 lbs
MSRP $3499
88-92 changed from 5-bolt(87) 8-petal reed valve 6-bolt 6-petal reed valve.
1990-92 LT250R
The 1991 model year brought about a different linkage in the rear suspension, similar to the LT500R.
Where did you get your specs? The Info I have says the 85 & 86 quadracers had 2.8 us gal tanks.
My 87 had a shock that had preload, rebound, and compression adjustments. My 88 has just preload and compression. Not sure if they both are factory, but they sure do look like it. Both have the dogbone rear linkage, and once I had the 87 shock rebuilt, it's awesome.
I've read that exact bit of information somewhere. I know it came from the Internet. Maybe Wikipedia? Not sure, but I've seen it.
What's the stock HP rating? Did the compression of 12:1 stay throughout the years?
Thanks,
Dave
I too believe I saw this on wiki, but I love reading all I can on our beloved Quadracers!
What would that put us in a power to weight ratio?
Power to weight ratio for a stock bike is 10.45lbs per 1HP That's like or close to Muscle Car status.
I wonder what 0-60 or 1/4 mile time would be?
Dave
It was 4th best power to weight zilla took first in that honor
Man, I love this quad! I would bet that there really is not that much diff between the other 3. Seat of the pants feel would be the same I would safely say!
Dave
20:1 fuel / oil ratio? WHERE IN THE >>>> DID YOU GET THAT?
My bad... Didnt realize how bad oil was in the 80's