+-

Author Topic: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs  (Read 52783 times)

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Green Horn
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
  • Location: Snohomish, WA
LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« on: October 04, 2012, 09:04:08 am »
Here's more info from what I saved in my own files over the years. Again, this is from elsewhere and not trying to take credit, but I figured it's to good not to share


The Suzuki LT500R "QuadRacer" is more commonly known as "Quadzilla" in the ATV community. It is the big brother to the smaller LT250R "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 LT500R's grille features a single vertical vane through the center, while the LT250R's grille features two vanes that are oriented horizontally.

The Quadzilla was offered only during the 1987 through 1990 model years. This fact makes it difficult to acquire a Quadzilla from the used market, and very difficult to find one in new condition. The 1987 Quadzilla product was known as the "H" model, 1988 was "J", 1989 was "K", and in 1990 it was "L". For example, sometimes you will see a 1989 Quadzilla identified as an LT500RK. The 1987 "H" model appears to have been sold in greater quantities than each following model year. This observation is ironic due to the fact that the 1987 model had a different powerplant than all of the following years. The 1988 "J" model featured the second-generation Quadzilla powerplant. This new engine appears to follow the same general specifications as its predecessor, however proof that it is different lies in the fact that components are not interchangeable and transmission gear ratios are different. In 1989, the "K" model received some chassis refinements. These refinements' presence can be easily identified by white-colored A-arm front suspension, replacing the former silver-colored A-arms of previous years. In 1990, the "L" model received even fewer changes. I suspect the changes in 1990 were in response to manufacturing cost considerations.

The rear shock (damper) is manufactured to Suzuki specifications by Showa. This Showa damper used in the Quadzilla was found on Suzuki's RM line of MX bikes in as early as 1984. While the rear damper is rebuildable, the front dampers are not. Although the front dampers are not rebuildable, it is still possible to modify them to perform differently.

The Quadzilla remains, to this day, Suzuki's largest-displacement and greatest-powered ATV. A new Suzuki ATV model, not to be confused with the Quadzilla, was introduced in 1997. It is identified as the "LT-F500". This new ATV is not a member of the QuadRacer family, has a smaller engine displacement figure, and far less horsepower than the Quadzilla does.

Standard LT500R features include:

High-performance, liquid-cooled, reed-valve, two-stroke engine
Suzuki Automatic Exhaust Control (SAEC) power valve for more power at all RPMs
Rugged manual clutch and 5-speed, close-ratio, transmission
Responsive flat-slide Mikuni carburetor
Gear-driven counterbalancer for smooth engine operation
Strong, lightweight aluminum rims
"T-type" seat for added support when cornering
Large, bright 60/55-watt halogen headlight with high and low beams
Front shocks feature progressive-rate springs with adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping adjustment
"Full-Floater" rising rate rear suspension with box-type aluminum swing arm, remote gas-charged damper, and adjustable preload, 21-way compression, and 26-way rebound adjustments
Aerodynamic fenders
Optional LT500R features include:

Extra-wide front bumper
Lightweight, fiberglass skid plate

Suzuki Motor Corporation released the following specifications for the LT500R. As of this writing, only the wheelbase is confirmed slightly
different across model years.

Displacement: 499.5cc
Bore & Stroke: 86mm & 86mm
Compression: 7.2:1 (corrected 6.3:1)
Carburetor: Mikuni TM38SS, flat slide (stock #350 main)
Lubrication: Oil premix
Ignition: Suzuki PEI (CDI-type), 4° @ 1,000rpm, 12° @9,000rpm
Starter: Primary kick
Transmission: 5-speed, manual clutch, no reverse
Transmission ratios: primary 2.142 (60/28), 5th 0.909 (20/22), 4th 1.100 (22/20), 3rd 1.333 (24/18), 2nd 1.733 (26/15), 1st 2.416
(29/12), final 3.076 (40/13)
Final Drive: #520 chain, O-ring sealed
Overall Length: 1,920mm (75.6")
Overall Width: 1,205mm (47.4")
Overall Height: 1,110mm (43.7")
Seat Height: 790mm (31.1")
Wheelbase: 1,345mm (53.0")
Ground Clearance: 110mm (4.3"), at rear axle
Dry Weight: 178kg (392 lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13 liter (3.4 gal) including reserve
Front Wheels: AT21x7-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 4 on 166mm bolt pattern
Rear Wheels: AT20x11-10 fully corded tires on aluminum rims, using 5 on 130mm bolt pattern
Brakes: triple hydraulic disk, single piston caliper designs
Front Suspension Travel: 9.1", double A-arm with adjustable preload and 4-way rebound damping
Rear Suspension Travel: 9.1", "Full Floater" linkage, adjustable preload, 21-way compression, and 26-way rebound (SLR 2.11:1)
Caster: 10°
Camber:
Trail: 42mm (1.7")
Toe-in: 11-19mm (0.4-0.7")
Turning Radius: 2.8m (9.2')
Turning angles: 32° inside, 25° outside (±3°)
Fuel: 85 octane pump fuel (R+M)/2
Warranty: three-month
"Insandity isn't hereditary, but you can get it from anyone"

85 LT250R
86 LT250R/500 (in work)
09 YFZ450R
08 TRX250EX

Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook


Offline

  • Mitch Keller
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Administrator
  • Trail Blazer
  • *****
  • Posts: 799
  • Love The Smell Of 927 and Race Fuel In The Morning
  • Location: Riverside Ca
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2012, 12:00:33 pm »
Good Post
Are we going to need a Ask Dave Section soon?
F Mitch Keller

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Green Horn
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
  • Location: Snohomish, WA
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2012, 03:18:46 pm »
Are we going to need a Ask Dave Section soon?

 Haha, I don't have close to the knowledge required to have my own section.

"Insandity isn't hereditary, but you can get it from anyone"

85 LT250R
86 LT250R/500 (in work)
09 YFZ450R
08 TRX250EX

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Green Horn
  • ***
  • Posts: 67
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Iowa
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2012, 06:43:15 pm »
Great info!
86 GSXR 1100
87 LT500
88 Banshee
88 GSXR 1428
89 GSXR 7-11
90 GSXR 750
07 RMZ 250 A/F 2 STROKE!!!
08 RMZ 450

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Weekend Warrior
  • ****
  • Posts: 204
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2012, 04:49:03 am »
The fenders are hardly "Aerodynamic"

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Elite Member
  • **********
  • Posts: 1045
  • Location: Michigan
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2012, 07:18:44 pm »
There is no set of fenders ever made in history less aerodynamic than a zilla front fender

Offline

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Green Horn
  • ***
  • Posts: 70
  • Gender: Male
  • Location: Europe
Re: LT500 (Quadzilla) details and specs
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2013, 04:43:09 pm »
couldnt agree more xD
88`GOAT.zilla ...

 

+- Suzuki Quadracer HQ Store Zone

http://www.suzukiquadracerhq.com/index.php?action=store