Cycle Torque's Quad Torque August 2010

QUAD August 2010

ATV News Tests Features

www.cycletorque.com.au

QUAD Get off road

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LENS MACHINERY ATHERTON P. (02) 4094 4903 MICKS MECHANICAL SCONE P. (02) 6545 1484 MAITLAND DIESEL P. (02) 4932 3200 GOULBURN FARM MACHINERY P. (02) 4821 4148 M & C HODGETTS LAUNCESTON P. (03) 63954436 WESTRIX HARRIIETVILLE P. (03) 5759 2596 SMOKIN STAINLESS ATV’S DARWIN P. (04) 3729 4499 OGILVIE'S AUTOMOTIVE MANSFIELD P. (03) 5779 1105 Dealer Enquires Welcome Contact Paul Aleckson on p. 0428 436 694 .

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www.arcticcat.com

A NEWLY-formed ATV company now has a range of products for sports and agricultural quads – check out the breather snorkel on the ATV. ATV Offroad also sells tyres, winches, skid plates and a host of other stuff for your ATV. Check them out at www.atvoffroad.com.au. ■

Suzuki is here!

IN LAST month’s issue we mentioned the Suzuki KingQuad AXi was not imported to Australia but we’ve been informed by Suzuki that this isn’t the case. See your local Suzi dealer for more info on the KingQuad. ■

Honda Cashola

IF YOU grab one of Honda’s TRX420TM fa quads you will get $500 Honda dolla redeemable at the place of purchase. course this only applies if you buy a ne one which retails for $10,490. Offer ru until September 30 this year. ■

Trooper Lu’s Garage opening

THE official opening of the new Trooper Lu’s Garage will be held on Saturday, Septem 4 at the new premises at Unit 3/80 Heathcote Road, Moorebank in Sydney.

The new premises, which is already open for business, allows Trooper Lu’s Garag accommodate all its operations including an authorised Husqvarna Dealer as well as ATV’s.

A NEWLY-formed ATV company now has expanded a range its suspension works The company still services all brands and has considerably which is designed to be afor one-stop actual motorcycle enthusiasts. of products sportsshop andforagricultural quads – Trooper Lu’s Garage role as supporting who actually check outsees theitsbreather snorkelpeople on the ATV. ATVlove the sport, whethe road riding, racing, enduro, trailriding etc they cater for the lot.

Offroad also sells tyres, winches, skid plates and They are sponsoring three riders this year and put a lot back into the sport. They are Ben O’B a host other stuffenduro, for your ATV. Check them on a TE 250 Huskyof riding a grade Brock Oeser a young junior soon to be on his 2 TC250 and Paul Bailey is racing his Trooper Lu’s Garage out atwho www.atvoffroad.com.au. n Buell in Formula Extreme awesome results.

At the official opening they will have a range of Husqvarna models available for demonstra rides and the new TGB ATV demonstrators will be on hand.

Guests will also enjoy a sausage sizzle, a free bike wash service from Muck Off, and there w a suspension bike-to-rider stall where people can have some of the industry’s top suspen tuners have a look at their bikes. Sponsored riders will be on hand to discuss their bikes there will be rides in a Ural sidecar as well as some other surprises.

A representative from Paul Feeney Group will be on hand to answer firsthand any quest from new or upcoming Husqvarna/TGB owners.

The opening will start from 10am through to 3pm and should be a great day. For m information ring (02) 8798 0195 or check out www.trooperlu.com.au. ■

Beechey wins Finke

POLARIS Racing’s Luke Beechey has defended his Finke title, winning the arduous event again in 2010.

Beechey arrived in Finke in second place but was able to go one better the next day, taking the win on his Outlaw 525 IRS.Luke Beechey has defended his Finke POLARIS Racing’s “Out winning there it’s about power and event suspension, ” title, the arduous again in 2010. said Beechey. “The KTM engine was bulletproof, and with arrived IRS the whole rear end won’t bounce Beechey in Finke in second place but was able to go one whenever the wheel hits a bump. better the next day, taking the win on his Outlaw 525 IRS. “I wouldn’t do the Finke on a quad without IRS. “Out there it’sjump about power ” said Beechey. “The It soaks up the landings, butand whatsuspension, people forgetengine is you also do not get thrown side-to-side KTM was bulletproof, and with IRS the whole rear end like you do on straight axle quads. When you’re won’t the wheel hits a bump. hittingbounce the desertwhenever at 120km/h, nothing rides like a Polaris,” added the back-to-back champ. ■

“I wouldn’t do the Finke on a quad without IRS. It soaks up the jump landings, but what people forget is you also do not get thrown side-to-side like you do on straight quads. When Crocker wins Polaris 4 X 4axle Challenge you’re hittingtothe at 120km/h, nothing rides likec rally a Polaris, NOT content windesert everything in his Subaru, current Asia Pacifi champ” Cody Crock added the back-to-back champ. with navigator Hamish Govan, is doingnthe same in his Polaris RZR S. The second event w

held at Tooborac in Victoria, with Crocker showing the rest of the field the way to combat t granite boulders and muddy terrain.

There is some footage of the event at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SVq3fV54w. You can also to www.polarisindustries.com.au for more info on the RZR S and Polaris’ other ATV products. ■

Work.

Rest.

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• Powerful 32HP liquid cooled 500cc engine • Selectable 2WD/4WD models, L-H-N-R range, with lockable differential • Double wishbone with independent adjustable front and rear suspension (IRS) • Removable rigid weatherproof front windscreen and roof • Front and rear large capacity storage racks • Automatically operated rear tip tray • 12" Alloy wheels • 2500lbs electric winch and tow ball standard

• Powerful 37HP liquid cooled 600cc engine • Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) • Selectable 2WD/4WD models, L-H-N-R range, with lockable differential • Double wishbone with independent adjustable front and rear suspension (IRS) • LCD instrument display • Under hood storage • 12" Alloy wheels • 2500lbs electric winch and tow ball standard

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Work, Rest and Play – Welcome to the world of CF Moto.

Get ready for change. CF Moto have established themselves as a market leader in countries around the world and now have their sights set on Australia. With a truly unique and innovative product range, unmatched value for money and the support of a 2 year factory warranty, CF Moto have all bases covered and is no doubt a brand you will be hearing a lot more about.

For additional information, phone 03 8363 1600 *Overseas Model Shown

www.cf-moto.com.au QUAD TORQUE AUGUST 2010 - 3

QUAD

Trooper Lu’s Garage opening

THE official opening of the new Trooper Lu’s Garage will be held on Saturday, September 4 at the new premises at Unit 3/80 Heathcote Road, Moorebank in Sydney.

The new premises, which is already open for business, allows Trooper Lu’s Garage to accommodate all its operations including an authorised Husqvarna Dealer as well as TGB ATV’s.

The company still services all brands and has considerably expanded its suspension workshop which is designed to be a onestop shop for actual motorcycle enthusiasts.

Trooper Lu’s Garage sees its role as supporting people who actually love the sport, whether it is road riding, racing, enduro, trailriding etc they cater for the lot.

They are sponsoring three riders this year and put a lot back into the sport.

They are Ben O’Brien on a TE 250 Husky riding a grade enduro, Brock Oeser a young junior soon to be on his 2011 TC250 and Paul Bailey who is racing his Trooper Lu’s Garage Buell in Formula Extreme with awesome results.

At the official opening they will have a range of Husqvarna models available for demonstration rides and the new TGB ATV demonstrators will be on hand.

Guests will also enjoy a sausage sizzle, a free bike wash service from Muck Off, and there will be a suspension bike-to-rider stall where people can have some of the industry’s top suspension tuners have a look at their bikes. Sponsored riders will be on hand to discuss their bikes and there will be rides in a Ural sidecar as well as some other surprises.

A representative from Paul Feeney Group will be on hand to answer firsthand any questions from new or upcoming Husqvarna/ TGB owners.

The opening will start from 10am through to 3pm and should be a great day. For more information ring (02) 8798 0195 or check out www.trooperlu.com.au. n

Crocker wins Polaris 4 X 4 Challenge NOT content to win everything in his Subaru, current Asia Pacific rally champ Cody Crocker, with navigator Hamish Govan, is doing the same in his Polaris RZR S. The second event was held at Tooborac in Victoria, with Crocker showing the rest of the field the way to combat the granite boulders and muddy terrain.

There is some footage of the event at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=9SVq3fV54w. You can also go to www.polarisindustries. com.au for more info on the RZR S and Polaris’ other ATV products. n

Suzuki is here!

Honda Cashola

IN LAST month’s issue we mentioned the Suzuki KingQuad AXi was not imported to Australia but we’ve been informed by Suzuki that this isn’t the case. See your local Suzi dealer for more info on the KingQuad. n

IF YOU grab one of Honda’s TRX420TM farm quads you will get $500 Honda dollars, redeemable at the place of purchase. Of course this only applies if you buy a new one which retails for $10,490. Offer runs until September 30 this year. n

4 - QUAD TORQUE AUGUST 2010

2004/2006 GNCC & Quadcross Championships

2005/2006 World Four-Stroke Champion

2007 Sport ATV of the Year

Multi US magazine shootout winner

A sharp tool Quad Torque Test – TGB Blade 550 IRS

TGB is a new player on Australia’s ATV market – it looks like making a big impact.

TEST & PHOTOS BY

Chris Pickett

THE agricultural ATV market in Australia might be tiny compared to those overseas like America, but many farmers are seeing the benefits of spending less money on a vehicle that can do a great deal of things its bigger rivals can. Of course many farmers have been converts for years now, and we expect the new-to-Australia TGB ATV range will convert a good deal more.

The TGB brand is not unknown in our country, its scooter range has been sold here for some time, but the Paul Feeney Group, better known for importing MV Agusta and Husqvarna motorcycles, has seen the benefits of becoming a TGB importer as well.

Made where?

TGB motorcycles and ATVs are made in Taiwan. BMW and Triumph are just two manufacturers which have parts of complete engines built in Taiwan.

One look at the Blade 550 indicates its build quality is quite high. In fact we were very impressed with the level of engineering on this ATV.

Engineering

The Blade 550 IRS is the top of the range, or at least the top level farm

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ATV PFG will be importing. Powering the Blade is a 503cc four-stroke single cylinder engine, with liquid-cooling. It uses a carburettor, not fuel injection as you might expect, and has a pull start to back up the electric start.

A fully automatic CVT transmission gets the Blade moving, and in keeping with its workhorse status, it has high and low range, and 2/4WD options.

This is selected by the touch of a button, and the front differential can be locked in, also with the flick of a switch.

Dual A-Arm front suspension is fitted, and the shock absorbers are adjustable for pre-load. At the rear the Blade utilises IRS, with Double A-Arm and adjustable shocks also fitted.

Disc brakes are fitted all round, with 14inch alloy wheels standard. The wheels certainly look the part, giving the farm Blade an edgier look than most other utility ATVs you’ll see.

There’s a number of other touches which make the Blade definitely worth checking out. One is the instrument package which has a variety of gauges to keep you abreast of what’s happening; hour meter, gear indicator, odometer, trip meter and tacho are just some of the info you’ll see in front of you. Inside one of the handy glove

compartments you’ll also find an auxiliary power socket.

Stats

Weighing in at 330kg it’s lighter than its size would have you think.

Wheelbase is 1280mm, seat height 900mm, ground clearance 305mm, fuel capacity 18 litres, and a total maximum carrying capacity of 230kg including the rider. A 24 month parts and labour warranty applies, so PFG is confident it will go the distance.

The model we tested had an accessory winch fitted which would be a must on the farm, you would think. It’s only around $800 fitted, a worthwhile and inexpensive tool.

On the land

It’s quite a big machine when you hop on board, something which impressed us. Firing it up is easy, and the engine feels very responsive. In fact the same engine is used in the Target sports model also shown here. It cracks, so it doesn’t fall short in the power stakes. Going over some rough terrain we found the IRS to work well, and at speed over rough ground is very stable.

You get the impression there won’t be much to trouble the Blade, and to

test this theory we ran it through some very deep muddy water. It got so deep the front of the ATV went under water. No problems, with 4WD engaged the Blade reversed itself out without a hitch – impressive. To be honest we were having a bit of a laugh when we tried this and most riders would steer clear of this type of terrain if they could.

The final word

It was hard to fault the Blade 550 IRS. Build quality is high, and it performed and handled extremely well. You would have to say PFG has priced its TGB range keenly to take on the established market players. Prices start at $6995 for the Blade 400 2WD, going up to $9995 for the model we tested.

Thanks to Trooper Lu’s Garage at Unit 3, 80 Heathcote Rd, Moorebank (02 8798 0195) for supplying the TGBs tested.

You can also find more info at www.tgbatv.com.au. n

Right: Handy rack is standard.

Below: Afterburner exhaust.

Below: Enclosed final drive keeps road crap at bay.

Pull start if the battery is flat QUAD TORQUE AUGUST 2010 - 7

Using the same engine, the TGB Target 525 is what you might call a ‘sports utility’ ATV. It is certainly aggressively styled, and with a live axle is designed for fun/sports. A winch can also be fitted. See an upcoming issue for a full test.

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