Why didnt Suzuki make a Race Trike?

[Afrothunderkat]

A Liquid cooled 250 suzuki trike, best ever. Why where these not produced? Any suzuki guys with info? I wonder if anyone has taken a quadzilla and converted it....

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Suzuki was a late-comer to the ATV scene. By the time they stuck their toe in the water, the trike ban was right around the corner...... I think they did have one or two trikes out, but quickly transitioned to quads.... First on 4 wheels...

[Swinger]

I just watched a video Mickey put up and it had a custom RM conversion trike in it. There was the ALT and that was it....I think!

[jfaulkner02]

As I recall there was a discussion about this a while back. I believe they used to race one of the larger cc Tri moto's. I dont remember if they were manufactured or custom built, but I remember someone talking about them. It may have been manufactured, but were only so many made and possibly only built for the racers.

[oldtime3wheeler]

They made an alt50 trail buddy, alt125 and I think an alt185. They were a little behind in design in my opinion.

[Afrothunderkat]

I just watched a video Mickey put up and it had a custom RM conversion trike in it. There was the ALT and that was it....I think!

Got a link to that video? i can find nothin on the youtubes


Suzuki was a late-comer to the ATV scene. By the time they stuck their toe in the water, the trike ban was right around the corner...... I think they did have one or two trikes out, but quickly transitioned to quads.... First on 4 wheels...

Suzuki was first to make a quad? i knew the where first to go EFI on a bike, didn't know first on 4 too

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Got a link to that video? i can find nothin on the youtubes



Suzuki was first to make a quad? i knew the where first to go EFI on a bike, didn't know first on 4 too

Affirmative.....

[Afrothunderkat]

did the tecate 3/4 have a RM engine? i know suzuki has partnered on and off with kawi over the years. dont zook own kawi now?

[RIDE-RED 250r]

did the tecate 3/4 have a RM engine? i know suzuki has partnered on and off with kawi over the years. dont zook own kawi now?

I'm no Kawi expert, but I'm quite sure the Tecate's had their own Kawi mills...

[fabiodriven]

A Liquid cooled 250 suzuki trike, best ever.

If they were anything at all the the LT250R's, aw hellll nah........ Worst quad EVER!


did the tecate 3/4 have a RM engine?

Again, AW HELLLLL NAH!!! Blasphemy! BLASPHEMY!!!

[HuffieVA]

did the tecate 3/4 have a RM engine? i know suzuki has partnered on and off with kawi over the years. dont zook own kawi now?

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is huge, bikes are just a very small part,the bikes are what basically developed as a "pet project" in the 60's

Kawasaki & Suzuki had a partnership that was basically used to develop their four stroke race bikes, and they shared a few models like the KX/RM 100 and the KLX/DRZ 125 but that partnership has been over for several years

[Jason125m]

The answer is simple. Suzuki sucks.

[Swinger]

Heres the video linkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ0PuvGfSws&feature=related I think Fabio said its 1:45 into the video

[Swinger]

Dang, that didnt work. Look at Mickeys threads and its in old videos. Second video!

[Afrothunderkat]

Dang, that didnt work. Look at Mickeys threads and its in old videos. Second video!

nope it worked!

i've seen this video before, AWESOME 250r drifts.

I came to the conclusion that yellow trike was a modified 225DX. whos sayin its an RM conversion? i have seen kits that converted bikes into trikes. i would convert my 03 RM in a heartbeat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ0PuvGfSws

[Swinger]

Pretty sure thats what Mickey said. Check out the thread I could be wrong.

[Afrothunderkat]

If they were anything at all the the LT500R's, aw hellll nah........ Worst quad EVER!

I think you where mistaken. Fixed.

[jmax857]

The answer is simple. Suzuki sucks.
Not in todays market my friend.

[Afrothunderkat]

Not in todays market my friend.

Its pretty much pick a color, but i've always liked team yellows primo handling and screamer engines.

[HuffieVA]

I came to the conclusion that yellow trike was a modified 225DX....

Pause the video at 10 seconds in... it is definitely a early/mid 80's RM tank, definitely not remotely confusable with a 225DX

[Afrothunderkat]

Pause the video at 10 seconds in... it is definitely a early/mid 80's RM tank, definitely not remotely confusable with a 225DX

its 2-stroke, zook or not. look how low the pipe is infront. defiantly the beginning of an expansion chamber.

[jmax857]

Its pretty much pick a color, but i've always liked team yellows primo handling and screamer engines.
I'm a suzuki service technician, and work at a dealership. We only sell suzuki's, but somehow I do more work on yamaha's, artic cats, and worst of all polaris's
As for honda, reliability at its finest, but their new stuff is way behind the times
.

[threewheelin-feelin]

The answer is simple. Suzuki sucks.
lol beat me to it

[fabiodriven]

whos sayin its an RM conversion?

Mickey Dunlap you horses arse.

And I'll thank you to never, ever edit my words again. In jest or otherwise.

[HuffieVA]

its 2-stroke, zook or not. look how low the pipe is infront. defiantly the beginning of an expansion chamber.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the one that concluded it was a hopped up DX225?

[Vealmonkey]

Wow, the things people will talk about and debate, when they don't know. When the 81 atc250r came out, what ran against them? Really at first, nothing. Yet there were racers who had custom or aftermarket frames built that ran yamaha and suzuki and kawasaki engines at the time. Some of the bigger names had backdoor factory support for engine parts and such. Honda held patents. The other 3 of the big 4 were behind when it came right down to it. Honda was pretty much the one and only for 11 years. The 81 atc250r was a world changer though, but even Honda had room for improvement. People were buying aftermarket frames and parts for them. The big Honda riders weren't racing "stock" machines either, unless the event that they were racing in was absolute sticklers for what came stock from the factory. The discussion still goes on about all the events that Honda had some kind of influence over, and wether it was good or bad influence. Honda spent tons of money and wanted to keep their investments #1.

[Afrothunderkat]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you the one that concluded it was a hopped up DX225?

I apologize, wrong video. I thought i had seen the one he previously posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grhCXQkdXkA

same riders, diff clip. 2nd bike is a 225, can even hear a 4 stroke. added sound or not, looks like it has red graphics on the shrouds too.


WOW that little 70 has some pep. kid flipped it back on the start.

[atc350xer]

They made an alt50 trail buddy, alt125 and I think an alt185. They were a little behind in design in my opinion.
Is that a nice way of saying how UGLY they were? :lol:
Seriously, they were.

[BWard]

IIIB Lightning made a Yamaha 250 3 wheeler

[Afrothunderkat]

Wow, the things people will talk about and debate, when they don't know.

I dont know, thats why i ask questions.


What are the green machines? Must be conversions, thought tecates where 84-86.

[HuffieVA]

What are the green machines? Must be conversions, thought tecates where 84-86.

84-87, but they were released sometime in 83 and Jimmy White was on them before they went public.... The 80's are "fuzzy" but I was there and remember some of it:D

[350XJEDI]

:Dfuzzy? oh no memorie gaps ,short term long term:rolleyes: What no way!!:wondering

[Afrothunderkat]

84-87, but they were released sometime in 83 and Jimmy White was on them before they went public.... The 80's are "fuzzy" but I was there and remember some of it:D

83 liquid cooled prototypes? or airfooled?

[dcreel]

83 liquid cooled prototypes? or airfooled?

1984 Tecate's were sold in late '83..

[jeswinehart]

ain't read the other 34 post but I have been told by another member who done a thesis on the trike "ban" that Suzuki, in his humble opinion, was solely responsible for the "ban" because of their terrible handling small trikes.
The smaller ones really do handle terrible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53510RDmsY

sorry about my brother on my P-3 not having a helmet on but darn glad his son had the only one available on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53510RDmsY

[aldochina]

makes perfect sense i'm sure he sold the shite out of the lt's until honda unveiled the TRX that is!!

[250x]

here, this help the debate any?


http://250xfiles.webs.com/snapsnot.jpg

[Afrothunderkat]

here, this help the debate any?


http://250xfiles.webs.com/snapsnot.jpg


Conversion kit!

Why doesn't any one still make trike kits? im sure it would have some sort of after market following....

[Swinger]

There is a few guys that still offer these kits. TPC, Tionesta Trikes and I am sure there is more that I just cant think of at the moment!

[STiForester]

Yea I've seen them aroun once or twice before

[RamsesRibb]

here, this help the debate any?


http://250xfiles.webs.com/snapsnot.jpg
Looks sweet. But that didn't help him win though.

[fabiodriven]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53510RDmsY



:lol::lol::lol: That crash is hilarious Johnny!

[fabiodriven]

Conversion kit!

Why doesn't any one still make trike kits? im sure it would have some sort of after market following....

I doubt that was a kit. He probably made it himself.

Here is the answer to your question- http://www.tpctrikes.com/

[Jon Boy]

Suzuki was a late-comer to the ATV scene. By the time they stuck their toe in the water, the trike ban was right around the corner...... I think they did have one or two trikes out, but quickly transitioned to quads.... First on 4 wheels...
i think it's funny, whenever i hear "suzuki, first on 4" or "suzuki proto-type" this thing always pops in my head. :lol:

Proto-Zuki :wondering
139258

[MrPretty]

i think it's funny, whenever i hear "suzuki, first on 4" or "suzuki proto-type" this thing always pops in my head. :lol:

Proto-Zuki :wondering
139258

What is that thing?

[dcreel]

here, this help the debate any?


http://250xfiles.webs.com/snapsnot.jpg


Not really, that looks a lot like a Yamaha.. Judging by the numberplate it's an 1982 YZ250 conversion.

http://www.ddr.net.au/files/images/Yamaha%201982%20YZ250%20017.JPG

[Jon Boy]

What is that thing?
it's an early proto-type 4 wheeled Suzuki. :lol:

[ezmoney1979]

What is that thing?
The best they could do.

[BWard]

IIIB Lightning 250, was a YZ 250 .
Friend of mine bought one, Looked just like the one in picture.

[thestud25]

I have several photos of this trike. These are the only ones I have at my office. These photos came out of the November 1982 3 Wheeling Magazine. The rider is Eddie Saunders. It is a Nicholson framed, water cooled, Suzuki 250cc motor, tank etc.

[BWard]

yes, he is number 138 in that video Mickey posted

[jmax857]

That things awesome

[thestud25]

I may have found a new use for that Nich frame that is in my garage......

[RIDE-RED 250r]

it's an early proto-type 4 wheeled Suzuki. :lol:

Looks like a Farmall!!! LOL!

[Vealmonkey]

Stud, please refresh my memory with pics of the frame in the garage.

[Afrothunderkat]

I have several photos of this trike. These are the only ones I have at my office. These photos came out of the November 1982 3 Wheeling Magazine. The rider is Eddie Saunders. It is a Nicholson framed, water cooled, Suzuki 250cc motor, tank etc.

WOW. Made my night. Awesome!


The best they could do.

Made my night again! HA!

[bcredneck]

The answer is simple. Suzuki sucks.

Looks like you've been inside a suzuki motor too I've reglued the mags back in to a Couple flywheels and there power valves like to jam up don't even get me started on the dr370

[Afrothunderkat]

Looks like you've been inside a suzuki motor too I've reglued the mags back in to a Couple flywheels and there power valves like to jam up don't even get me started on the dr370

Yeah? i know people with hondas that have plenty of issues. Take care of what you have, regardless of color and it will last.

[bcredneck]

It may just be my opinion but other than there newer race bikes they put way more effort in to lowering production cost than reliablity the only time they actualy had something better than the other 3companys was when the stole the full floater between 81 and 85

[Super350]

here, this help the debate any?


http://250xfiles.webs.com/snapsnot.jpg

most likely a tri-moto 175 with a yz tank. check this vid out, at about 0:56 the racer talks and you can see in the background his 175 with a similar tank, yz looks like, and i've read they used to swap out tanks. Great vid all the way through too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K9zsiJMK68

[bonkveinhead]

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/47996-suzuki-racing-three-wheeler?highlight=suzuki+wheeler

[thestud25]

Stud, please refresh my memory with pics of the frame in the garage.

Pat it is the one I emailed you photos of. I can send them again.

[Afrothunderkat]

"Impressed with the vast increase in stability that extra wheel provided, Suzuki never went back to 3-wheeler production."

That is what was stated on the list of "Top 5 Most Important ATVs"

#3 was the 1983 LT125

[brapp]

well first off i agree ont he yt175 to0 a point the motor asnd expansion chamber are way too far forward, the tank screams 77-79 yz 250. most likely somethign liek a trickey dicks conversion or somethign along those lines.

[bcredneck]

It may just be my opinion but other than there newer race bikes they put way more effort in to lowering production cost than reliablity the only time they actualy had something better than the other 3companys was when the stole the full floater between 81 and 85
crap never mind i had a realy realiable suzuki only needs one mod ran awsome and did some crazy jumps full floating suspention did kick @$$
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306990_2351314985249_1321358857_2796456_5014617_n. jpg

[bcredneck]

the original motor had huge gaps around the crank bearing the stator was chewed up and ther was alot of piston gap on the front of the cylinder po must have tryed pull starting it with a truck or something when it died