Fun You Can't Have
FUN YOU CAN'T HAVE
T wo YEARS AGO, WE HAD the opportunity to give the Swiss-built BMW R1150RT-powered GG Quad a shake-down run and found it to be one of the most unusual and fun four-wheel ers around. Just one problem: As of this writing, big quads still haven't been certified by the DOT for use on U.S. pub lic roads.
Street-legal only in Japan and most of Europe, the company’s latest creation is the BMW K1200S inline-Fourpowered Quadster. That hasn’t stopped American importer Keith Smith from bringing in a few examples of the new four-wheeler.
Despite the change in powertrain, the Quadster is very similar in specification to the Boxer-powered rig. Chromemoly frame anchors beautifully CNC-machined billet-aluminum subframes and A-arms, the latter actuating coil-over shocks on all four corners.
Controls are familiar BMW items, except for the electronically actuated reverse mechanism. The riding sensation is identical to that of the Boxer quad, with lots of grip via wide tires (205/40-17 fronts and 245/35-18 rears) and steering that remains darty. A quartet of four-piston-caliper brakes slows it down right now. Hard cornering takes some getting used to as wrestling 825 pounds and getting pulled to the outside by the g-load is odd to a motorcyclist.
The four-cylinder engine is much quicker once the tach sweeps into its midrange and it just keeps on pulling. But for holeshots around town, the Boxer version is still king. Visit www.gg-quad-northamerica.com for the latest pricing, info and updates on certification. Blake Conner
