The QuadRunner Story

1987 saw the introduction of two all new 250cc ATV’s on the NZ market.

THE QUADRUNNER STORY – A LEGEND IN THE MAKING

The four wheel ATV or ‘Quad’ is now a familiar part of the rural landscape in New Zealand and around the world. But not a lot of people realise that the first Quad bike was created right here in New Zealand back in 1982. The then Suzuki franchise owner and importer, Rod Coleman, was concerned about the stability of the new 3-wheel farm bikes that were gaining popularity here and overseas. In a typical example of Kiwi ingenuity, Rod got to work on a Suzuki ALT125 3-wheeler and added a fourth wheel. He returned the unit to Japan with a note saying, “Make some of these and we’ll sell plenty”. The LT125D went into production and the rest, so they say, is history. Shortly afterwards, competing manufacturers copied Suzuki's pioneering design concept and introduced their own four-wheeled ATVs. The LT125 led to among other models the LT185, LT250E and the LTF230 shaft drive.

1987 saw the introduction of two all new 250cc ATV’s on the NZ market.

The Quadrunner 250 (LT-F250), a 2WD only, which featured independent front and rear suspension and a Hi/Lo transfer box.

And in another Suzuki first, the Quadrunner 4WD (LTF4WD) featured four wheel drive for the first time on an ATV. This also featured independent front and rear suspension as well as selectable 2WD/4WD, a Hi/Lo/Super Lo transfer box and diff lock, when in Super Lo, on the front diff to give true 4WD, strong enough to climb a wall.

1990 was the first year of the Quadrunner 160 (LT-F160). The LTF160 provided the market with a no fuss, 2WD, chain-driven ATV that, was great value for money back then, and still is today. The original KingQuad (LT-F4WDX) arrived in 1991 and delivered a level of rider comfort and on farm performance that was a revelation when first released and is still hard to beat today. For many years it was Suzuki's premier utility ATV. It was and still is a great workhorse and along with the Quadrunner 4WD had one of the neatest differential systems ever produced on an ATV. It featured selectable 2WD/4WD,
Hi/Lo/Super Lo subtransmission, front diff lock and four-wheel independent suspension.

1998 saw an upgrade of the KingQuad (LTF300F) with new plastics, headlights, seat, carriers etc and for the first time the 300 KingQuad was also available as a 2WD only (LT-F300).

The big news however was the introduction of an all new model, the
QuadRunner 500 (LT-F500F). With features like a liquid-cooled 495cc engine, torque sensing front differential, fixed 4wd system, Hi/Lo range sub-transmission,
disc front brakes, alloy wheels and 4-link twin shock rear axle the LT-F500F quickly established itself as the best selling model in New Zealand in the over 400cc Farm Quad market. The 1999 year model saw an upgrade to the Quadrunner 250 (LT-F250), with plastics that matched the KingQuad upgrade the year before.

The 2000 model QuadMaster 500 (LT-A500F) arrived in 1999, adding a CVT automatic to the range for the first time, and like the Quadrunner 500 featured liquid-cooled 495cc engine, torque sensing front differential and brought back the selectable 2WD/4WD, Hi/Lo range transmission, disc front brakes, alloy wheels and 4-link twin shock rear axle. It also received an upgrade to the steering and suspension which was also passed on to the 2000 model Quadrunner 500. The update to the suspension gave the Quadrunner 500 more ground clearance, more wheel travel front and rear and also increased the wheelbase over the previous model.
The Quadrunner 4WD (LT-F250F) was re-introduced here in 2001 and had a similar look to the updated KingQuad and Quadrunner 250.

2002 year model saw the introduction of three new models, the all new, Eiger, Vinson and Ozark. The first examples of which, arrived here in 2001. The first, the Eiger is named after a Swiss Mountain peak made famous for its classic profile and underlying strength. This provided the inspiration for a tough new machine that set the standard for middleweight ATV excellence and value.
There were four models of Eiger available on introduction, a 4WD with the choice of manual (LTF400F) or CVT automatic transmission (LT-A400F) and selectable 2WD/4WD, and a 2WD only with manual (LT-F400) or CVT automatic transmission (LT-A400). All four models featured a Hi/Lo sub-transmission, disc front brakes, and for the first time on a Suzuki ATV, along with the Vinson, full foot boards. Right from launch the Eiger was regarded as ‘the best farm bike in the world’.

The second being the Vinson, which acquired its name from an Antarctica mountain peak that is known as one the highest, and most isolated and rugged mountain peaks around. For the 2002 year model Vinson (LT-A500F) was only available with the accessibility of a fully automatic CVT transmission and the ability to easily select, via push button, 4-wheel-drive or 2-wheeldrive on demand. Standard features included, a liquid cooled 493cc, DOHC single cylinder engine, based on the widely popular LT-F500F Quadrunner power plant, Hi/Lo sub-transmission, alloy wheels,
auxiliary handlebar mounted headlight, comprehensive LCD instrument panel and disc brakes front and rear.

The third new model for 2002, the Ozark, represented an all new 250
2WD and like its namesake; Mt Ozark in Arkansas, the Ozark (LT-F250) is built to be practical, accessible and convenient to use. Features include an air-cooled 246cc SOHC engine, disc front brakes, class leading suspension travel, towing capacity and fuel capacity.
Also for the 2002 year model, the KingQuad 300 received disc front
brakes. The Vinson manual (LT-F500F) arrived as a 2003 year model ATV and was equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and the same standard features as the automatic Vinson.
All models of Eiger received a face lift for the 2005 year model, with new front plastics and front bulbar.

2005 The King Returns

The King returned for the 2005 year model in the form of the all new KingQuad 700 (LT- 700X). Features of this all new model include a liquid-cooled 695cc DOHC engine, fuel injection (for the first time on a Suzuki farm ATV), CVT transmission, front disc brakes, wet type sealed rear brake, pressed alloy wheels, plus a return to features that the original introduced back in 1991, a lockable front diff and a four wheel independent suspension. And like the Vinson before it, featured an auxiliary handlebar mounted headlight. The KingQuad 700, as with the original KingQuad, delivered a superb level of rider comfort and on farm performance that was class leading. This all-new KingQuad was the start of a whole new chapter of ATV’s from the manufacturer that created the first.

An all-new mid size quad, the KingQuad 450 (LT-A450X), was introduced in the 2007 year model line-up. It provided the features and style of its bigger 700cc brother, minus the auxiliary handle bar mounted headlight and alloy wheels. It featured a fuel-injected, DOHC, 454cc powerplant that provided classleading performance.

2008 KingQuads for all

The 2008 year model saw the introduction of two significant models to
the KingQuad line-up. The first, the top of the line KingQuad grew in engine size from 695cc to 722cc to become the KingQuad 750 (LT-A750X).
The second, the introduction of the all new KingQuad 400, marked the end of the line for the Eiger and was the model to have perhaps the most significance on the New Zealand market. The Eiger was often touted as ‘the best farm bike in the world’ and the KingQuad 400 provided a significant advance over the Eiger.
The KingQuad 400 was available in 2 4WD models, the KingQuad 400
Auto (LT-A400F) and the KingQuad 400 Manual (LT-F400F) plus the KingQuad 400 Manual 2WD (LT-F400), from launch. - It quickly became a firm favourite with New Zealand farmers.

For the 2009 year model, the KingQuad range increased with another new model plus a variation of an existing model.
The exciting new addition to the line-up being, the KingQuad 500 Power Steer (LT-A500XP). Similar to the KQ 450 to look at, the KingQuad 500 PS featured, an all new frame, an increase in engine
capacity from 454cc to 493cc, alloy wheels and the addition of Suzuki’s fantastic electric power steering.
Riding this machine proved a revelation.

The KingQuad 750 power steer (LT-A750XP) was also available in limited
numbers with power steering adding further refinement to an already
class leading and award winning ATV. 2010 saw the introduction of fuel injection to the hugely popular KingQuad 400. Other enhancements to this model for 2010 included full digital instrumentation and the adoption of black rims in line with the rest of the KingQuad range. 2010 also marked
the last year of importation of the LT-F160.
The 2011 KingQuad 500 (LT-A500X), without power steering, arrived
here in 2010 also. The arrival, of this model, marked the end of the line
for the KingQuad 450. Together with the power steer model, the
KingQuad 500 is a mid-range ATV without equal.
For the 2011 year model, in New Zealand, the KingQuad 750 becomes a
power steering only model, in line with it being the premium model in the
KingQuad line-up.
The base KingQuad 750 (LT-A750X) was re-introduced for the 2012 year
model, as was a limited run of the KingQuad 400 2WD in both manual
and automatic, providing a complete line-up to cover every situation.
The addition to the model line-up for 2013 MY is the LT-A750XPW, being
a power steer 750 equipped with a Warn winch as standard.
Available in Terra Green, this is a limited edition addition to the
New Zealand range.

The current KingQuad range is testament to the fact that the innovation and fore-thought that lead to the original LT125 is still alive and well!