I Bought a Chinese quad (ATV)

[canuckamuck]

Been thinking about it a long time; I even started a couple of threads to see if anyone else had bought a quad here. I didn’t get any action so I just had to get one to see. In my case a quad is useful because I have a field out the back side of town which is tricky to get to by truck (without scratching it up) and even though it’s only about a .5k walk, when you have to carry something out there it gets tedious.

So I was going to get a K-Lion 200CC 2x4 quad, the biggest I had seen here. When I got there Panther had released the Big Bear which was also 200CC. It looked much sturdier and even had a 60mm ball hitch. It seemed the obvious choice. I did notice that the two quads shared quite a few parts like mirrors and mags; likely coming of the same assembly line. But the Big Bear was my choice.

They delivered it the next day I was kind of busy when they showed up so I only started it up and puttered around the yard a bit to get the low down on how it was setup. But later when I had more time and took it on the road, it shook pretty bad. I gave it some time because I thought maybe it was something you get used to, but that didn’t happen.

I checked the tire pressures and I was quite surprised to see them at 32PSI I remember my last ATV (20+ years ago) the tires were at 2-3PSI so I thought they must do it different now. Nope, I check the tires and they were rated for 5PSI. So I took them down to 5 and that sorted most of the shake. So I played with it a while, getting the feel of it and getting more aggressive. When I went inside for a bit my wife found a lug nut and put it back on the quad (hand tight). But she didn’t tell me. I took it out again with the kids and when I got back she told me about the lug nut. I went to look and now I was missing two on the right rear. We found one and I snugged three of them up properly (they were all loose on that rim). That fixed more of the shake, it’s hardly noticeable now, possibly the tires are still slightly distorted.

At this point I should have gone over the whole thing and tightened everything. I didn’t do that though until I had run it another 20 k or so. My bad. When I finally gave it a good check I had lost a screw for the head light mount, a screw on the trim, and a nut holding up the front rack. Nearly all the trim screws on the right were loose too.

So it sounds bad, but I have got it all sorted now, and I have to say I do love the thing. I have been running it back and forth to the field and doing odd jobs. I can nearly maintain 30kph on the tricky road to the field whereas in the truck I would be lucky to do 10. The top speed is just over 60kph by the way, so it isn’t a highway cruiser. But it really is a lot of fun off road; I have nearly got my skills back from 20 years ago when I ran my ATV daily and aggressively.

Now I need to build a trailer, but I need a receiver for that 60mm ball hitch. Anyone know where to get one?

Edited December 12, 2014 by canuckamuck

[pokerkid]

Nice write up, so how much you paid for it?

Edited December 12, 2014 by pokerkid

[canuckamuck]

68,500, came with a crappy helmet and a very colorful jacket, that I am a little too fat to wear.

[Shurup]

I've been looking at buying a quad in Thailand but all I've seen so far is what you purchased basically. The only proper quad you can buy is a Polaris and they want insane money for them here. After riding a proper quad for years in Canada, I can't see myself on one of these, they will fall apart after taking 10% of the abuse the proper quad could take.

Congrats on the new toy nevertheless, I'm sure it will be fine for what you wanted it for, just need to keep an eye on it so you don't loose more bolts/nuts.

Here's my baby, still owe it back in Alberta and still ride it when I go back long enough to find the time to use it.

It's a 2007 Suzuki King Quad 700 with all the mods that you can think of (all that is available), lift kit, snorkels, modified CVT for more low end low speed torque and to account for huge aftermarket tires, programmer with 2 fuel maps, pipe, filter, relocated radiator, and for the last - 750 cc big bore kit and a high compression piston. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of smaller things.

Wish I could bring it here to Thailand.

[In the jungle]

I think the ball hitch is probably 50mm as that is the most common size.

You could try Respo Trailers in Hua Hin or possibly Upbeat Trailers who are somewhere in or near Bangkok for the ball receiver (although the URL I have for the latter is now dead).

The only ball receivers I have seen in Thailand are the pressed steel type, invariably imported, and cost way more than back in wherever.

[A1Str8]

I would like to test drive the sh1t out of it.

[canuckamuck]

I've been looking at buying a quad in Thailand but all I've seen so far is what you purchased basically. The only proper quad you can buy is a Polaris and they want insane money for them here. After riding a proper quad for years in Canada, I can't see myself on one of these, they will fall apart after taking 10% of the abuse the proper quad could take.

Congrats on the new toy nevertheless, I'm sure it will be fine for what you wanted it for, just need to keep an eye on it so you don't loose more bolts/nuts.

Here's my baby, still owe it back in Alberta and still ride it when I go back long enough to find the time to use it.

20140619_175041.jpg

It's a 2007 Suzuki King Quad 700 with all the mods that you can think of (all that is available), lift kit, snorkels, modified CVT for more low end low speed torque and to account for huge aftermarket tires, programmer with 2 fuel maps, pipe, filter, relocated radiator, and for the last - 750 cc big bore kit and a high compression piston. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of smaller things.

Wish I could bring it here to Thailand.

I heard you could bring quads over as farm equipment and pay no duty. I can't prove it though. The reason I didn't do it, was because if I needed a part where would I get one.

Anyhow nice quad, I hope you get back to Alberta and give it a good run now and then. I am an Albertan as well.

Edited December 12, 2014 by canuckamuck

[canuckamuck]

I think the ball hitch is probably 50mm as that is the most common size.

You could try Respo Trailers in Hua Hin or possibly Upbeat Trailers who are somewhere in or near Bangkok for the ball receiver (although the URL I have for the latter is now dead).

The only ball receivers I have seen in Thailand are the pressed steel type, invariably imported, and cost way more than back in wherever.

It clearly says 60mm on it. But thanks for the tip, I will try to contact Respo

[canuckamuck]

I would like to test drive the sh1t out of it.

I think all the sh1t fell off already.

[Shurup]

I heard you could bring quads over as farm equipment and pay no duty. I can't prove it though. The reason I didn't do it, was because if I needed a part where would I get one.

Anyhow nice quad, I hope you get back to Alberta and give it a good run now and then. I am an Albertan as well.

That what I heard too, but I haven't actually read any first hand experiences. Didn't want to loose it to the greedy Thai customs after all the money and all the work I put into it.

[BSJ]

" The reason I didn't do it, was because if I needed a part where would I get one." Well your not out of the woods yet with a Chinese Quad!

[Shurup]

Well your not out of the woods yet with a Chinese Quad!

Haha, that's true unless this Panther brand is well established in Thailand! Actually it might be easier to get parts for the brand name quad.

[yankee99]

Is it awd or 4wd?

[Shurup]

^ 2WD

[HooHaa]

then it aint a quad.

we used to use em in the bush for silvaculture. tue workhorses, but if they threw you, it could get ugly.

[heionus heretic]

when you see an electric or fuelcell one let me know

[yankee99]

when you see an electric or fuelcell one let me know

Most of us will be dead before that technology comes to retail quads. Maybe if someone is reincarnated they'll pass the message on ;/)

[noahvail]

when you see an electric or fuelcell one let me know

http://www.electric-quad-bikes.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

[heionus heretic]

when you see an electric or fuelcell one let me know

http://www.electric-quad-bikes.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4

thanks noahvail i guess it just a matter of searching

http://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&IndexArea=product_en&CatId=&SearchText=1500w+electric+quad+bike

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/3000w-adult-electric-quad-bike_60095348789.html

but whether they are in thailand is another question

Edited December 12, 2014 by heionus heretic

[ttakata]

Hi, OP.

Cool quad, but am curious about the loose bolts.

Most established brands have a small paint line across the head of the bolts and whatever it is bolting into.

It's sort of the way they quickly check off the bolts that were torqued tight during assembly.

Any bolt with misaligned lines shows the bolt is loose or was re-tightened.

Does your quad have any of these marks on the engine, suspension, brakes, etc?

If yes, then maybe the dealer was at fault doing a bad job assembling your ATV.

If not, it would behoove you to tighten all the bolts since the manufacturer just doesn't care.

I don't want to see another thread in the future about a suspension arm or brake caliper falling off and causing an accident.

[AllanB]

then it aint a quad.

we used to use em in the bush for silvaculture. tue workhorses, but if they threw you, it could get ugly.

It is a quad because it has 4 wheels, nothing to do with how many wheels do the driving. The majority of quads are 2WD, but 4WD is useful on hills and slightly safer, on the flat unless the OP plans on playing silly buggas and doing wheelies, it don't make any difference.

Sounds as though he is just pottering around on it (1/2km is a long way to walk regularly in the heat), in which case the inherent danger should not be an issue and for those who don't know what that is...if a quad rolls it ends up on to of you, a bike rarely does.

I am pretty sure quads are not street legal here in Thailand, although you do see many on the road up here in Isaan anyway thanks for the informative write up, sounds like the faults are all from Thailand during assembly. Keep us updated.

[heionus heretic]

I am pretty sure quads are not street legal here in Thailand, although you do see many on the road up here in Isaan anyway thanks for the informative write up, sounds like the faults are all from Thailand during assembly. Keep us updated.

was wondering about street legal anyone know for sure?

wont be getting one if they arent.

few golf buggies used as transport where i am but havent seen any quads. some of the vehicles look like out of a madmax movie, real assortments, panels, windows optional . do it yourself vehicle construction jobs frequent

[seedy]

Nice one. Good luck with it. Seems to be just what you need.

May I suggest replacing all nuts with nylocks, Loctite all bolts without nuts, even trim screws will benefit from a small dab of the blue and let set overnight.

[ttakata]

I was in Udon Thani last week and saw a quad with a plate on it driving down their version of Soi Cowboy.

Maybe the plate was stolen, but it would take some big cajones to ride around one of the busiest parts of town with an illegal ATV.

[canuckamuck]

" The reason I didn't do it, was because if I needed a part where would I get one." Well your not out of the woods yet with a Chinese Quad!

I have a Chinese dirt bike as well, have had it for 4 years now and I have some confidence in the shop that I have brought it to lately. This is the same shop that sold me the quad, and the Panther brand has been around for a few years now, So I am hoping that there will be some avenues of support locally.

But yes, It's a gamble.

[canuckamuck]

Hi, OP.

Cool quad, but am curious about the loose bolts.

Most established brands have a small paint line across the head of the bolts and whatever it is bolting into.

It's sort of the way they quickly check off the bolts that were torqued tight during assembly.

Any bolt with misaligned lines shows the bolt is loose or was re-tightened.

Does your quad have any of these marks on the engine, suspension, brakes, etc?

If yes, then maybe the dealer was at fault doing a bad job assembling your ATV.

If not, it would behoove you to tighten all the bolts since the manufacturer just doesn't care.

I don't want to see another thread in the future about a suspension arm or brake caliper falling off and causing an accident.

All the major components have the paint marks, and they are tight. It is the body parts that had some loose nuts and bolts. The suspension appears to be done proper.

The poster that suggested Loctite was on the money, I will pick some up.

[canuckamuck]

I am pretty sure quads are not street legal here in Thailand, although you do see many on the road up here in Isaan anyway thanks for the informative write up, sounds like the faults are all from Thailand during assembly. Keep us updated.

was wondering about street legal anyone know for sure?

wont be getting one if they arent.

few golf buggies used as transport where i am but havent seen any quads. some of the vehicles look like out of a madmax movie, real assortments, panels, windows optional . do it yourself vehicle construction jobs frequent

This quad has all the signals and lights, even 3 levels of bright for the headlights, as well as a plate holder, but I took that off.

And there is a notice on it that says it is street legal. However, you will have to find out from the registration folks if it can be registered. I am an hour out of the city so I don't think I will be needing the reg.

[AllanB]

I am pretty sure quads are not street legal here in Thailand, although you do see many on the road up here in Isaan anyway thanks for the informative write up, sounds like the faults are all from Thailand during assembly. Keep us updated.

was wondering about street legal anyone know for sure?

wont be getting one if they arent.

few golf buggies used as transport where i am but havent seen any quads. some of the vehicles look like out of a madmax movie, real assortments, panels, windows optional . do it yourself vehicle construction jobs frequent

This quad has all the signals and lights, even 3 levels of bright for the headlights, as well as a plate holder, but I took that off.

And there is a notice on it that says it is street legal. However, you will have to find out from the registration folks if it can be registered. I am an hour out of the city so I don't think I will be needing the reg.

If you live in the sticks no problem, do what everyone else does. When I said I was pretty sure, that came from the dealer and 2 other people, so I could be wrong. However, when you buy the quad is when you should get the rego, no?

[canuckamuck]

Yeah, no mention of registration from the dealer, that's true.

[bassman]

I bought a Chinese quad two years ago. Complete garbage, down more than it is up. Battery never recharges, all the lights and electrical system real junk. I'm looking for a shop that can strip it down to an engine and frame and do away with almost all that goes wrong. The fuel system blows, carburetor bowl started leaking the other day so off to a shop again!

I hope you better luck with yours.