Suzuki QuadSport Z250

Four-wheel ATVs are becoming more popular these days, and if you've ridden one, you'll know why. ATV's - also called quads - are cool looking things, they're easy to ride, and they come in a wide range of sizes and power ratings so there's something for everyone, even mum. Bigger quads with engine capacities over 400cc are real hell machines once you learn to ride properly. No kidding, carving a big dune on one of these things is as much fun as you can have without being arrested.

There are two types of quads; work models and sports models. The work or farm quad is used for getting around the property, hauling small loads, general utility work, mowing down pigs, that sort of thing, while the sports quad is exactly that; the four-wheel equivalent of a dirt bike. Sports quads have all the funky styling of a good motorcycle and look every bit as aggro. And you can count on this: the bigger ones are seriously fast.

Suzuki's LT- Z250 sits in the centre of the capacity range, pretty much where riders new to quads, or any sort of wheeled machine are coming into the market. This is a sports quad, not a quad racer, and frankly this ATV is an excellent way for families to get involved in non-competitive, recreational motorsport. The Z-quad is big enough so most adults can get comfortable on it, but not as big as a full-size quad like the LT-Z400, so kids who've never ridden one won't be intimidated. An ATV starter kit, that's what this thing is.

LET'S GO!

Coming to grips with the Z250 is a snap. Kids will get the hang of it in no time. Right off the bat, the controls are easy to use; a reverse gear makes the machine more manoeuvrable in tight spots; and this ATV is light enough (166kg) to be manhandled - or kidhandled - if you bog it or get your self in a sticky situation you can't simply ride out of. An adult or strong teenager can lift the back of the Suzuki and drag it out of a boghole or deep sand.

Changing gears is a snap. The Z250 has an automatic clutch that lets you bang through the gears without the need for any sort of clutch actuation lever. That's good for kids too; the engine does it all for you. Jeez, anyone can learn to ride this thing in about two minutes. We found that you get the smoothest changes if you make a conscious effort to kick the lever into the next gear rather than gently nudge it in. It's a fair old throw between gears and a solid stab at the gear level produces the best results.

The throttle is the conventional thumb tab used on all ATVs, so you can't suffer the indignity of simultaneously falling off the back while pinning the throttle. The little machine has a bar-mounted, lockable handbrake where the clutch lever would normally be, and that prevents the parked machine getting away from you. The lever on the righthand side of the bars controls the dual discs up front, and the foot pedal on the righthand side controls the rear brake, so this setup is familiar to anyone who's ridden any sort of motorcycle. A 10.6 litre fuel capacity lets you ride for hours without having to refuel, and the Suzie is pretty comfortable, even after hammering away on it for a few hours.

MILD MANNERED ENGINE

Power from the SOHC, 246cc four-stroke engine is mild compared with the 400cc models, as you'd expect, but there's enough grunt there to keep any family happy on a Sunday arvo. It sort of feels like a 250cc trail bike actually. There's enough power on tap to get you where you're going but not enough so you make a fool of yourself. Well, you could make a fool of yourself but you'd have to try pretty damn hard.

Power delivery is progressive and predictable, just what learners need, but there's enough there to let you steer with the throttle if you're on an obliging surface and you know what you're doing. The little Suzuki had to work hard through the five-speed box to get to the top of some of the big dunes down at Stockton Beach near Newcastle. On the other hand, the engine's willingness to rev, and the Suzuki's decent straight line speed probably make it much more suitable as a trail quad than a dune carver. That's our opinion, and what we believe the Z250 was actually designed for.

In short, it's heaps of fun, easy to ride and represents a good intro to the brave new world of ATV's. Go for it...

WHAT BAZ LIKED:

WHAT BAZ DIDN'T LIKE:

RIDING AN ATV

How to have fun and stay safe

An ATV is not a motorcycle and doesn't handle like one. Quads have their own dynamic characteristics, so if you want to get the most out of your new toy, read this before you fang off.

Pre-flight check: Check that all the controls are working properly, especially the brakes. Check tyre pressures: balloon tyres on ATVs need only 3-4psi and incorrect pressure can affect handling. How much fuel have you got (not all ATVs have fuel gauges), and have you checked the engine oil level?

Riding gear: Don't ride without a helmet and decent boots. Trail-type gloves are a good idea too. Wear what you'd wear on a dirt bike.

Stick it in neutral: Make sure it's in neutral and that the handbrake is on before you climb aboard. You don't want to run over your sister. (Maybe you do but that's another story.)

Mount up: Climb on from the lefthand side.You can see the gear lever from there so you won't inadvertently knock the thing into gear, which could be dicey if the engine's running.

Lean in on turns: ATVs are more stable in turns when you lean into the corner. Leaning the other way could destabilise the machine and pitch you off. The harder you corner, the more you lean, with your bum almost off the seat.

Get your weight forward in turns: Like dirt bikes, quads also corner better if you put more weight over the front wheel, or in this case, wheels.

Don't put your foot out!: God no! You ride a quad with your feet on the footplates and you keep them there, no matter what. Putting your foot out in a turn, or when you feel unstable, is dangerous. Your foot could go under the rear wheel and, well, you don't wanna know about that.

Hard braking: Don't brake hard while you're turning. Do the hard braking in a straight line before you turn. Don't brake hard in deep sand: you'll go over the hangers and look like a goon.

Look ahead: This works on ATVs too. The further you look ahead, the more warning you'll have of approaching obstacles. And you can ride faster.

Learn to steer with the throttle: This has almost nothing to do with safety, but Jeez it feels good!

SPEX: SUZUKI Z250 ATV

ENGINE:
Engine type: SOHC four-stroke;
Displacement: 246cc;
Compression ratio: 9.2:1.

TRANSMISSION:
Type: Five-speed plus reverse;
Final drive: Shaft drive.

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR:
Front suspension: Independent double wishbone;
Rear suspension: Swingarm and single shock;
Front brake: Dual discs;
Rear brake: Single drum.

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES:
Dry weight: 166kg;
Seat height: 795mm;
Fuel capacity: 10.6L.

OTHER STUFF:
Test bike supplied by: Suzuki Australia;
Colour: Champion Yellow;
RRP: $8490.