ATV Florida Forum

In the March issue of ATV Action there was a shoot out of "open class quads" for the big bore heavy machines. I don't see how the Polaris 500 Scrambler got into it but the DS650 was put against that and the KFX 700.  I am proud to say that it won in every situation from drag to track and then some. The only plave the Polaris had a chance was the heavy mud which the other two were not made for.
and in the 100 yard drag the DS left the KFX by 3 quad lengths ! thats not a long strip and to lead by 3 quad lengths over a 700cc v-twin is pretty impressive.
Not that most of you care, but this article made me happy since I always get asked "what about that KFX700, I bet it'll beat you" kind of questions.
I know that there are a lot of quads faster than mine (after mods of course) and many that are better suited for some types of riding. The DS is not the machine for everyone and that's  fine. I love my machine and it does everything that I want it to. I just don't think they get the respect they deserve.

 8)preach it bratha   praise the lord

Thats all that matters IF YOUR HAPPY. I cant stand stereo typing If something makes you happy who care what other people think.

What bigworm said. ::)

 YOU KNOW SINCE IT CAME OUT ITS STILL THE FASTEST PRODUCIONS QUAD OUT OF THE BOX STOCK TO STOCK  AND I LOVE MINE ;D

Yea, they shouldn't have put the scrambler in with the kfx and the ds650. But the ds is a manual and the kfx has a CVT auto so the DS whomped it in the drag races and all the other stuff. The KFX couldn't use the power that it had. It would be real intresting if they put a manual trans in the KFX. I think the DS would still win but it would have been closer. Anyway the only way that the 500 would have had a chance was if they took them to a gigant mud pit and never left. I can see why they put it in there though. It is heavy, big motor for a sport quad and it had the 4wd so they thought for some reason that it would have done good.  ??? If they hadn't had 3 quads then it wouldn't have been a shoot out. It would have been a comparsion. And the scrambler was the only quad that would have fit their order. Still it was their goat and it took up space for the article. Like me.. (i read too many quad mags)

Come  get  ya  some  of  the  old  school  LT 500 R  Suzuki  there  slick !!! ;D ;D ;D

put it together first  and make sure it runs  and  then you can call me slick  intill then your just a tool ;D [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

Don't forget to buy a full paycheck worth of spare spark plugs  ;D jk. although the lt500 WAS the fastest quad in production (during it's day) and still qualifies as the fastest stock quad, the DS is the fastest stock quad still IN production. I mean hey, dinosaurs were pretty tough in their day too  :o  ;)  ;D
I would still love to own a zilla myself.

Mine  dont  foul  plugs  but  it  will  foul  up  your  day  in  a  drag  race  and  as  far  as  cut  goes , he  still  wont  bring  out  his  turd  for  a  good  whoopin !!!! ;D ;D ;D

you mean this one  i know your not talking about the orange crush you know were to find it   ;D

 its not like this any more  its back to a trail bike ;D

Thats  the  sled !! ;D I  will  crush  its  skull  if  ya  want  to  bring  that  sled  out !! ;D ;D ;D

As Quad32 said the zilla was and still is the fastest production atv ever made. Not bad for something that is over 15yrs old. And had the highest power to weight ratio to boot.  They don't make quads like they used to. -Mark

A  big  bore  brother  speaking  the  facts !!! [smiley=bow.gif] ;D

[smiley=ThumbsUp.gif] There's not that many of us out there. Us zilla riders got stick together. I love my zilla.  -Mark

I know you 2-strokers hate it but it was initially a post to comment on the achievments of the "new" technology of the 4-stroke and more specific the DS. Not to compare it to the Zilla.  Out of curiosity what was the top speed of the Zilla (stock) ? I have always heard it was the fastest but never informed what the speed was. Please enlighten me.

Hey  cain73 , Dont  really  remember  any  test  or  anything  about  top  speed  when  these  things  came  out  back  in  the  day  but  I  would  guess  stock  with  stock  gearing  you  could  get  mid  to  upper  80s.  I  have  herd  of  faster  top  speeds  out  of  race  built  zillas  with  different  gearing  though.   ;D 8)

I'm not a hater. Actually I'm kinda happy that the 4 strokes new technology is breaking new boundaries and starting to catch up on 15+ yr old 2 stroke technology. Without rivalry there's no fun right? ;)

Contrary(sp?) to popular belief the zilla didn't have top speeds of 100+ mph in stock form as alot of people say. It wasn't even 90 or high 80's. One of the old school magazines took a bunch of quads to a drag strip and ran them. The zilla (if my memory serves me right) hit very low 80's maybe even just 80 mph. Nonetheless, not bad considering this was back in the late 80's and 1990 coming off the showroom floor. However there are some zillas that will hit 90's and some 100mph. I don't know what my zilla will do. But I know it's far from stock.  [smiley=EvilSmile.gif]   -Mark
-Mark

I thought it was 80 but wasn't sure. They were/are great quads, but for that extra 1 mph from Zilla to DS I'll take the DS with its suspension and torque. I know that they can hit 100 plus if modded correctly, as can the DS. I know a guy with a lightening fast Banshee and a 500cc 2-stroke blaster that easily pass the 100mph mark. In fact there is a guy called Mr. HP (of horsepower research) that has an 800 kit for the DS that makes 83 hp and  67 torque.
Now with fun rivalry in mind read this......
4-stroke technology is rapidly advancing. Just because there is 1 2-stroke that was stock faster than the now stock 4-strokes does not mean better. consider the overall package not just top end speed. I respect the roots from which todays quads came, but there have been changes for a reason. Keep in mind the analogy of the dinosaurs..... they too were bad in they day, but try findin one now. there are still lots of great 2 strokes out there, but all the technology is focused on the 4-stroke.   :)

Well  cain  like  I  said  before  mx  or  drags , come  on  and  get  ya  some  sucka !!!! ;D ;D ;D

We can arrange something. check your messages.  
and for the record here are some stats on the Zilla  that someone dug up for me (like all fossils are exhumed)

i'll tell u the specs. got the service manual right here, but 1st here some info from atv action in 1988: quadzilla 1/4 mile time: 15.09@79.29 mph. 60ft: 1.938 (if anybody has the june and july 1988 issues of atv action let me know)


specs:

length: 75.6
width: 47.4 (i measured 48.5 in the front, 47.4 in rear)
height: 43.7
wheelbase: 53.1
front track: 40.6
rear track: 35.4
ground clearence: 4.3
seat height: 31.1
dry weight: 391

suspension travel i believe is 9.1 for both ends
crank hp: 51 wheels 45+

and here are stats for the DS 650 (Racer- not Baja)
Transmission: 5-speed constant mesh transmission

SUSPENSION
Front type: Independent suspension-double A-arm
Front travel: 12.0 in. (305 mm) Travel
Rear type: Rigid swing-arm
Rear travel: 11.5 in. (292 mm) Travel

BRAKES
Front: Nissin hydraulic, 2 discs (stainless)
Rear: Nissin hydraulic, 1 disc (stainless)
Parking: R.H. brake lever includes a lock on front wheels

DIMENSIONS
Overall Max. height: 46.5 in. (1181 mm)
Max. length: 77 in. (1956 mm)
Max. width: 50 in. (1270 mm)
Wheel base: 52 in. (1321 mm)
Wheel track-Front: 41 in. (1048 mm)
Wheel track-Back: 39 in. (990 mm)

weight 460
hp = 46.3 rear wheel
torque = 40.2 ft pounds
this is dyno info from hpresearch.net for a brand new stock machine.

the DS is a little heavier but has better (4-stroke) torque and far superior suspension. I don't care about 1 mph to have my DS over your Zilla. The Zilla has had its day. the 4-strokes to come will be even better power to weight ratio than what I have now. Technology baby, gotta love it ! ;D

This didn't start out as a 2 vs 4 stroke, but since you started it here are the stats. like it or not that Brontosaurus you're riding has nothing to be jealous of.
I still look forward to seeing you in ONF. win lose or draw I wouldn't change a thing.

cain  I  see  how  you  like  your  stats  and  thats  fine  and  dandy.  Sometimes  that  makes  people  feel  alittle  better.  Facts  are  though , and  im  sure  old  school  will  back  me  up  on  this , the  zilla  may  be  old  but  it  will  still  crush  the  skull  of  that  turd  ds.  I  have  done  it  before  and  WILL  do  it  again !!!! ;D ;D ;D

hey Tim ,some people are a little slow huh?  and for the 79.29 mph,thats very conserveative,only because the 500s were geared way to low. my bike,which is a 1987, the better,more hp year with alot of gearing change will run alot better than 80 mph. just line up one of those ds650s,and they will get SPANKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All this talk, you guys need to go to saltsdale and hash this out. Stats are good on paper but you can have all the power and handling in the world but it needs to be tamed by a good driver.  

Back with the zilla was first introducted it was orginially designed to race mx in the open class. Well that class quickly faded for the more popular and smaller 250 class. So for lack of a purpose and sales Suzuki ended production.

For 1.3+rwhp difference having to make up almost 70 lbs is alot. I didn't know that the DS weighed that much. Ride a 500 they have NO PROB with low end. Hence my little blurb in my sig. ;) For 460lbs it should have better breaks and more travel to stop and absorb the terrain. Technology is great but just old prehistoric muscle cars, you just can't beat em'   ;) ;D  
-Mark

I too like the old muscle cars, but my friends early 90's stang with 485 rear wheel hp (no nos or turbo) with it's far superior handliing makeit better thean an earlier model muscle car.

Just like quads everyone has their own preference. back to the intent of the thread before the Zilla crew jumped on it....
I was just trying to  emphasize the DS's performance in the shootout with the only other quad in its class the kfx 700. Not trying to knock anything else (including the kfx) but trying to bring to light the positives of the DS. You like yours .. great. I like mine. that doesn't mean that any time someone posts something good about their quad that someone else has to post a "mine is faster" response.
I was pointing out the good of my quad compared to other (still in production) quads in its class. there is always a faster person or quad out there. that holds true for the Zilla too. the article I was accentuating was on new 4-stroke big quads. It was never intended to compare the DS to a 2-stroke that has been out of production for years and years. they don't often compare a stock 05 car to one that went out of production years ago do they ? so get over your ego and your "mine is faster than yours" complex and enjoy your quad. ;D

Hey cain I understand exactly where your coming from,and not just because I have a DS 650 . For the size, weight, and dependability of the DS there is no comparison.I have an issue from a shootout between the DS 650,the Raptor,and the Predator that favors the DS in most categories the number one being the fastest midway and finish line. Do I think it will beat anything on four wheels? NO! But I like it alot and am proud to own it. I,m 6'2 250lbs so for me it,s perfect. There is a certain person that contributed to this thread that almost ALWAYS puts other peoples rides down. His will crush yours or yours is a turd etc etc whether he,s talking for someone else or himself whether it is his bike or not.  I wont name him because I dont want to get into a pissing match but he knows who he is. ANYWAY. I like the DS and wouldn,t trade it for any other sport bike. The only thing I would consider trading for is a 4x4,only because my DS sucks in the mud.

Dont  worry  cableguy , its  not  smoke. ;)  And  as  far  as  us  zilla  men  go , yes  we  take  pride  in  the  fact  that  the  zilla  is  still  the  baddest  stock  quad  ever  made.  Sure  a  lot  of  the  new  quads  ride  nicer , have  reverse , electric  start  and  so  on  and  so  on.  So  there  we  said  what  we  have  to  say.   But  just  remember  like  smoke  would  say , if  ya  want  some  come  get  it  sucka !!!!! ;D ;D ;D

By  the  way , damn  good  to  see  ya  back  on  the  scene !! ;D

Hey Quad, I dont want some. Never said I did.I know my bikes not the fastest. I have never said my bike could beat ANYBODYS bike.My bike is bone stock,not even a K&N filter,nor am I the greatest rider.I've never raced MX and my stock DS is the fastest ATV I have ever had. I dont recall Cain saying his would beat yours either,so to call his a DS turd is putting it down. On the other hand I have owned a 78 vette,69 and 73 camaro,70 chevelle,and a 70 Buick GS 455 stage 1 which were all pretty bad rides and even though I knew I could stomp most street legal cars on the rode where we lived especially with the Buick, I NEVER put down someone elses ride or went around bragging with every sentence because I knew what it would make me look like and there was always someone faster. I had alot more respect for someone that beat me and said GOOD RUN than some that won and beat his chest every chance he got. To me it,s similar to scoring a touchdown and going back to the huddle as apposed to scoring and throwing the ball in the defenders face after you do your victory dance standing over him.ACT LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE. I also stand corrected.I did mix up someone with who you pointed out.Sorry for that.Look,I,m not trying to make enemies in fact it,s just the opposite.I want to make friends and riding partners. I just have always had a problem with braggerts.I was always the one that stood up for the smaller guys or underdogs in school.If you got something good then thats great but why degrade somebodys elses stuff? Hopefully someday we will meet and have a beer or ride together. To quote the infamous Rodney King. " Can,t we all just get along"

My thoughts exactly. Everyone has their preference. That's why it's so cool to go riding and see everyones quads. I'll admit it would suck if everyone had a zilla or DS. But to your original post if I had a choice between yours and the kfx I'd pick yours. Better stance and plastics IMO. I don't have an ego but if someone mentions my ride I must defend. Believe me I like technology. I too have a stang. It's a 98 cobra. 32 valve DOHC v8. It runs good. On stock longblock it runs 12.2@110mph so not your run of the mill old school pushrod v8.  But I will say this, I do wish I had electric start. Quad32x knows where I'm coming from. ;)   -Mark

Cableguy  if  you  have  been  around  these  forums  for  very  long  then  you  should  know  that  talking  a  little  smack  is  just  part  of  the  fun  of  being  on  here.  I  know  for  fact  theres  a  lot  of  guys  on  here  that  could  smoke  my  ass  but  do  I  care ,NO !!  Do  I  like  having  fun , hell  yes !!  Ask  anybody  on  here  that  knows  me , zilla-kid , chillinthemost , Yamahondaman , smokedog , saltsdale ceo!!  They  will  tell  you  I  would  help  out  anybody  anytime  if  I  can.  Ask  cain  if  he  has  a  problem  with  me  and  see  what  he  says.  Ive  already  talked  to  him  and  Im  sure  we  will  be  riding  with  him  soon  also.  Sometimes  people  start  reading  a  thread  and  get  offended  because  they  dont  know  the  person  or  dont  like  what  there  saying.  I  think  that  may  be  the  case  here.  All  I  can  say  is  dont  judge  me  till  ya  know  me. 8)

Quad,if you are only having a little fun and I misjudged you then please accept my apologies. I think we both know who my first post was directed towards. Lets be honest, he gets carried away. I wont back down from my statement though,I have little respect for someone that thrives on belittleing other peoples things. Only people that know they are true conceded braggerts should be offended by this. I bust balls with my brothers and friends to but not every other sentence.Theres fun " talking smack" and then theres thinking your better than everybody else. I,m glad your not like that and I hope I,m wrong about that other person,allthough I would be surprised.All of his posts are full of nothing but arrogance. Hey,no hard feelings I hope,and that beer offer still stands.

Beer??  I like beer  ;D !

I'll take a bud light please and keep em' coming.  ;D -Mark

I  like  coors  light !! ;D  Its  cool  cableguy.  When  im  on  here  talking  its  ALL  in  fun.  I  would  never  seriously  dis  someones  ride  cause  its  better  to  have  any  quad  than  none  at  all !!  Now  I  know  the  other  guy  we  where  talking  about  and  I  can  tell  you  this , hes  just  haveing  fun  too.  Hes  a  little  more  over  the  top  than  I  am !! :o  But  like  me  he  would  help  out  almost  anybody  he  could.  Anyway  lets  all  get  together  for  a  group  ride  soon , have  a  cold  one  and  I  will  show  yall  how  fast  I  am !!!! [smiley=Wacko.gif] ;D ;D ;D

I always pay respect to the Zilla by telling people who ask, that my DS is the fastest production quad SINCE the Zilla. Gotta keep it honest or someone will call you out. The showdown is always the same. :'(

It was the first machine to scare me.
I would pick my DS over them now. Way more comfortable, manuverable, and reliable.
It was nice to see the DS getting recognized in the magazine. But what a stupid line up! Where was the Raptor? I get beat by almost every quad out there one time or another in the woods. So much depends on THE RIDER. :-*

yeah but if you gotta get beat I would have to be on my DS everytime. Even if someone else beats me, I get the thrill I need and get it in style  8) and comfort on the DS  ;D. I ride with 2 16 year old boys that both have skill far greater than mine, but after a day of ONF they are sore while I am still ready for another ride.  May not be the fastest ever made or the most manueverable, but man it rides like a caddy !
By the way I drink Michelob Amber Bach, so get it iced down and ready !

Hey Cain I,m with ya on the riding like a caddy thing. This bike is huge and comfortable and when your done relaxing hit the throttle and hang on. Everthing else seems very small to me now. I went to River Ranch with mine for the first time this weekend and found out it sucks in the mud though.It was like an anchor. Stuck in the mud with no reverse and weighing that much makes for a workout. Besides the deep mud it,s a comfortable ride. Comfort,speed and style.What more can you ask for.Besides a beer holder and a Miller lite that is.

Mud.  Dont  wont  nothing  to  do  with  mud !!! [smiley=Disapprove.gif]  Give  me  dry  ground , jumps , sand  pits , hard  top  drags ,. anything  but  mud !! ;D ;D ;D