Sure, there are a
gaggle of new kid's machines made by companies from Italy, Korea
and even Communist China. Having lived with one of the bargain
basement "el cheapo" models I can say that some are decent and most
are not. You get what you pay for. You can certainly pay more for a
limited edition performance quad but, that's not what the
mainstream populace will buy for their kids. It has been 17 years
since Suzuki produced the LT50 "50cc, kid's quad". Amazingly many
of those old bikes are still hauling kids around after having been
passed down through and among families. The primitive little bikes
are strong, reliable and easy to maintain and operate. We just
happen to own a 1985 LT50 that is still going strong after being in
the hands of countless kids with aspirations on being the next big
Desert Racer... And this durability is where the new standard
lies.
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The
Old and the New. |
As an unhappy owner of a discount, Quad it was a
welcome opportunity to grab one of Suzuki's first LTA50's to hit
our area. Instead of the constant repair work and poor handling of
on the old bike, the LTA50 insures all the reliability and ease of
maintenance of the old LT50. Add all the new updates: suspension,
larger dimensions, stronger frame and better brakes and it's easy
to envision this little bike well used in the hands of all our kids
before we pass it down to the next family with little ones. Best of
all, every vehicle that becomes a new benchmark in our sport soon
becomes the focus of the aftermarket industry and the LTA50 should
breath a plethora of bolt-ons that make it a safer yet faster, more
rugged and better handling quad.
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Reed says "it gets better air". |
HANDLING Have you ever tried to get
handling analysis out of a 6 or 8 year old? Answers like "it gets
better air" don't do the little bike justice so, I'll do my best to
represent my observations, you be the judge. Observing the same
kids, 4, 6 and 8 years old ride the bike on smooth track (track #1)
with a good sized jump and also on a rocky little quad track (track
#2) the following is apparent:
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"Naked 50" or "50 Naked"?
CLICK to see the entire image
gallery. |
MAINTENANCE Any machine from the Japanese "Big Four"
includes quality and the best possible design to ease maintenance.
The LTA50 is no exception. For busy adults this is very important.
Working on a broken quad is the least desirable way to spend
precious time with the family at the favorite riding spot. The
LTA50 requires minimal periodic maintenance to keep it running for
a decade or more. The stout little 50cc mill is 100% proven in this
sector as it is the same motor that has powered the LT50 from the
mid 1980's on. There are many stories of LT50's with thousands of
ride hours with nothing but the most sporatic maintenance, even
after running the bike on makeshift lube oil or no lube oil at all.
As a simple rule, keep the diminutive air cleaner clean, the bolts
tight, lube oil full, tire air pressure correct, the chain oiled
from time to time and the bike won't wear out before your kids grow
out of it's size.
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Full suspension, front brakes and a stronger, larger chassis
make the new LTA50 an all new "first kid's quad" design for
Suzuki. |
KEY FEATURES:
- Built with your child's safety in mind.
- QuadMaster 50 has great new features similar to LT80, but for
smaller/entry-level riders.
- QuadMaster 50 is a Y6 category ATV (for adult-supervised riders
age 6 and above), and has child-sized rider controls.
ENGINE FEATURES:
- Compact 49cc, 2 stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with
automatic oil injection.
- Single-speed transmission and automatic clutch allow the rider
to focus on riding instead of shifting.
- Built-in throttle limiter system limits engine power output,
plus recoil interlock and keyed ignition switch system prevent
starting without ignition key.
- Ignition-cutoff tether line allows an adult supervisor to stop
engine operation immediately by pulling the tether line.
CHASSIS FEATURES:
- Modern styling with full floorboards and a big Quad look, plus
bright yellow paint and graphics.
- Strong, high-rigidity steel frame.
- Single A-arm front suspension with twin shock absorbers and
single-shock rear suspension provide 51mm of wheel travel for a
comfortable ride.
- Large 80mm front drum brakes and single 110mm rear drum brake
provide strong braking performance.
- One-piece, 7-inch wheels with tubeless tires.
- Easy-to-remove seat with convenient latch mechanism.
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The "ignition kill tether" is the best safety item for your
kid's first ride since the invention of the crash
helmet. |
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SPECIFICATIONS |
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DIMENSIONS AND DRY
MASS |
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Overall length |
1260 mm (49.6 in) |
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Overall width |
760 mm (29.9 in) |
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Overall height |
745 mm (29.3 in) |
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Wheelbase |
825 mm (32.5 in) |
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Front track |
575 mm (22.6 in) |
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Rear track |
575 mm (22.6 in) |
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Ground clearance |
120 mm (4.7 in) |
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Seat height |
535 mm (21.1 in) |
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Dry mass |
71 kg (156 lbs) |
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ENGINE |
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Type |
Two-stroke,
air-cooled |
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Number of cylinders |
1 |
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Bore x Stroke |
41.0 x 37.8 mm (1.61 x 1.49
in) |
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Displacement |
49 CM3 (3.0 cu. in) |
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Corrected Compression
ratio |
5.6: 1 |
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Carburetor |
MIKUNI VIV112SC,
single |
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Air cleaner |
Polyurethane foam
element |
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TRANSMISSION |
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Transmission |
2.416 (29/12) |
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Primary reduction |
2.650 (53/20) |
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Final reduction ratio
(Chain) |
3.700 (37/10) |
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Driven chain |
D.I.D. 420 or RK 420, 78
links |
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CHASSIS |
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Front brake |
Drum brake |
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Rear brake |
Drum brake |
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Front tire size |
AT1 6 x 8-7 Tubless |
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Rear tire size |
AT1 6 x 8-7 Tubeless |
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ELECTRICAL |
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Ignition type |
Electronic ignition
(CDI) |
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Spark plug |
NGK BPR-4H |
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CAPACITIES |
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Fuel tank |
2.6 L (0.7 US gal) |
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Engine oil tank |
0.5 L (0.5 US qt) |
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Transmission oil |
500 ml (16.9 US oz) |
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