Major Taiwan Makers Show Big-displacement ATVs at Motorcycle Taiwan 2008
2008/06/19 | By Quincy LiangThe 3rd Taiwan International Motorcycle Industry Show (Motorcycle Taiwan 2008), held April 9-12 in Taipei, undoubtedly left visitors with one major impression-that all terrain vehicles (ATV) made or developed in Taiwan are equal in quality to those made by leading global brands. In short, Taiwan ATV makers are capable of turning out ATVs featuring world-class horsepower and equipment.
The quality and overall performance of Taiwan-made big-displacement ATVs are proving to be highly popular to leisure and professional riders in Europe, especially France, the largest ATV market, where made-in-Taiwan branded ATVs sell better than big-name counterparts from Japan and the United States.
Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd., maker of KYMCO-branded products who did not participate in Motorcycle Taiwan 2008, for example, has been the leading ATV brand in France for many years, and sold in 2007 a total of 6,911 ATVs of various displacements-again solidifying its market leadership.
Market leadership changes however: KYMCO's dominance in France is being challenged by another formidable, hometown rival-Taiwan Golden Bee (TGB), which sold 3,396 ATVs in France last year, taking it to the fourth spot in only its second year in that market. TGB owes its remarkable performance to mainly its top-seller-the Blade 425 400cc utility ATV, which led in ATV sales in France in 2007 at 2,680 units.
Upgraded Best-seller
Motorcycle Taiwan 2008 saw TGB demonstrate two new big-bore ATVs: the Blade 525 (upgraded from the Blade 425 with a newly developed 500cc engine) utility ATV and the brand-new Target 525 sport ATV using the same 503cc engine (with max output of 15KW) upgraded from TGB's existing 403cc model.
TGB's success so far has to pay credit to a technical cooperation with Morini Franco of Italy, who helped with the mass production of a high-performance 403cc engine. President Lin says that TGB drew on many of its technical strengths to jointly develop the power plant, including a key design modification that turned the original single-shaft drive model into double-shaft-enabling a critical performance-enhancing function especially for a vehicle designed for, as the name suggests, all-terrain use: switching from two-wheel drive (2WD) to 4WD. Its know-how also contributed to the development of the continuous variable transmission (CVT) system for the new engine.
The ambitious ATV maker is apparently a firm believer in the motto "bigger the better"-for besides its latest 503cc powertrain system, TGB is also planning to develop 650cc, 800cc, and 1,000cc V-twin engines to power other products in the future.
Sales Volume to be Tripled
Arthur Lin, TGB's sales manger, pointed out that the Blade 425 ATV immediately became the best-seller in France last year after its launch in April, and the company's latest Blade 525 is expected to help further build sales in that essential European market this year. In addition, Lin stressed, TGB has officially launched the Target 425 (403cc) and 525 (503cc) sport ATV, both extremely appealing and powerful models in the segment globally. This year, Lin claimed, TGB expects to nearly triple its sales volume to around 8,000 units in France alone, "only if our product line meets the strong demand."
The Blade 525 seems destined for a very promising future, Lin said confidently, a sentiment buoyed by excellent European response, for its 400cc model has been developed with meticulous attention paid to every detail. The same painstaking developmental process applies to the Target 525, which features many unique and innovative designs for an ATV, making it truly an captivating winner among world-caliber counterparts made by international brands.
Several Advantages
The Blade ATVs feature several advantages. First, Lin explained that the Blade 525 has 30kw of power-sufficient to satisfy virtually all professional riders' hunger for significant power.
Second, Lin claimed, that the Blade series offers excellent riding characteristics, likely being the best on its class with superb steering, comfort, and human-vehicle integration realized by well-designed ergonomics. "The Blade ATV is not only the first choice for professional ATV riders and enthusiasts in France," Lin said, "but also the 'only' choice for many female riders who can influence family buying decisions. This does not make the Blade a made-for-female vehicle, but rather one that features ample power and rider-friendly designs-an ATV especially suitable for professional and mature riders."
The third reason for the Blade's popularity is its list of vehicle-protection features. Lin said that ATVs sold in the United States and Europe should be equipped differently as both markets place different demands on such vehicles. American riders tend to use ATVs for farming and hunting, while Europeans more for recreation in forests and alpine settings. So, the sales manager explained, European ATV riders need better equipment to protect from vehicular damage in rough terrain, such as skid plates to minimize engine damage and waterproofing features for riding across streams. "Designers of the Blade at TGB tried to address every detail to make the vehicle as versatile as possible-able to effectively handle utility and recreational riding," he pointed out. For example, the Blade has been tested to be able to wade through the deepest water among all Taiwan-made counterparts.
There are still other reasons making the Blade the best-seller, Lin continued, as TGB designed the Blade to make users' life easier. For example, TGB offers a ready-to-modify electric circuit for an optional winch. Should such accessory be needed, a user can easily plug in the winch for usage rather than leave the vehicle at the dealer's for a one-day circuit modification. Another example, Lin added, the Blade will also have a power plug for its trailer.
Blade 525 | Target 525 | |
Engine | ||
Engine Type | 4-stroke, 4-valve | |
Displacement | 503cc | |
Ignition | Electric CDI | |
Starter | Electric/Recoil | |
Compression Ratio | 9.6 | |
Carburetor | Keihin 36.0 mm | |
Max Power | 15kw / 6500 rpm | |
Max Torque | 26.6 Nm / 4000 rpm | |
Drive Chain | ||
Drive System | 4x4 Shaft Drive | |
Shift Gear | L/H/N/R | |
Transmission | V-belt CVT Automatic | |
Chassis | ||
Front Suspension | Double A-arm | |
Rear Suspension | Swing Arm | |
Front Brake | Disc | |
Rear Brake | Disc | |
Front Tire | AT 25 x 8-12 | 23 x 7-10 |
Rear Tire | AT 25 x 10-12 | 22 x 11-10 |
Dimensions/ Capacity | ||
Wheelbase | 1,268mm | |
L x W x H (mm) | 2290 x 1154 x 1242 | |
Seat Height | 918 mm | |
Basic Weight | 315 kg | |
Fuel Capacity | 18 L | 15 L |
Ground Clearance | 305 mm | |
Dimensions/Capacity | ||
Outlet plug | 12V DC/10A/120W | |
Source: TGB. | ||
QuadRaider 600
The QuadRaider 600 is currently the most powerful ATV made by Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. (maker of SYM-branded vehicles), of which the company did not provide too much information.
Featuring streamlined design, the QuadRaider 4x4 ATV is equipped with a powerful liquid-cooled 600cc four-stroke engine that also offers on-command 2WD/4WD and locking-differential transmission.
SYM promotes this new machine as a versatile ATV designed with off-road and on-road features for trail riding, hunting, or street cruising-a vehicle that is fit to go just about anywhere. Perhaps more importantly this new model also enables comfortable couple-riding.
QUADRAIDER 600 | |
Engine | |
Type | 4-stroke, 4-valve |
Displacement | 560cc |
Cooling System | Liquid |
Carburetion | Carburetor |
Transmission | 2WD/4WD Locking-diff System w/ Reverse |
Emission | EPA /CARB Certified |
Chassis | |
Front Suspension | Independent, Double A-arm |
Rear Suspension | Independent Rear |
Front Brake | Large-Diameter Ventilated Hydraulic Disc |
Rear Brake | Hydraulic Disc |
Front Tire | AT 25 x 8-12 |
Rear Tire | AT 25 x 10-12 |
Dimensions | |
L x W x H (inch) | 83.1 x 45.3 x 48 |
Wheelbase | 51.2" |
Dry Weight | 760 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 4.8 gal |
Brand: SYM. | |
Dinli 700 ATV
After premiering its prototype 700cc ATV at last year's 65th International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA 2007) in Milan, Italy, Dinli Metal Industrial Co. chairman T.Y. Lu claimed at Motorcycle Taiwan 2008 that his company is scheduled to begin mass producing the new, most-powerful model around August this year.
Without talking much about the soon-to-be produced 700cc utility ATV, Lu did admit to having taken orders for over 20,000 units from customers worldwide, especially from French, German and British buyers.
During an earlier interview by a reporter from the Taiwan-based China Economics News Service (CENS), a leading provider of print, event and online media for various markets as well as the publisher of the Taiwan Motorcycle & Parts Guide (TMG) magazine, Lu said that his company is preparing a strategy that is a product manager's dream: to make a 700cc ATV as cost-competitive as most 400cc counterparts made in Taiwan.
Secret Weapon
The above, according to Lu, would be the secret weapon to truly take the air out of price-cutters from rivals in mainland China. Such strategy was born out of, the chairman stressed, discovering mainland Chinese makers had begun copying big-displacement models made by Taiwan suppliers, hence motivating Dinli to invest about NT$200 million (US$6.56 million at US$1: NT$30.5) into developing the 700cc, single-cylinder ATV engine over the past few years.
With the 700cc powertrain eventually developed, Dinli would not sell it at market prices, Lu said, believing that most mainland Chinese rivals would not continue to invest to develop a similar engine, while the high technical threshold would prevent most emerging rivals from entering the segment.
Lu is very confident about the competitiveness of Taiwan-made ATVs, which are priced half as much as Japanese counterparts, but have paralleled or even surpassed them in terms of quality and performance.
The chairman said that 400cc to 600cc ATVs are mainstream models globally, while 700cc and bigger models are expected to be the next rising star. The demand for ATVs has slowed in North America this year, Lu said, but the demand, outlook continues to be quite strong in emerging markets, such as Europe and Latin America. On the average, he added, the global ATV market can still continue to grow by 7% to 9% yearly.
Dinli 700 ATV
After premiering its prototype 700cc ATV at last year's 65th International Bicycle and Motorcycle Exhibition (EICMA 2007) in Milan, Italy, Dinli Metal Industrial Co. chairman T.Y. Lu claimed at Motorcycle Taiwan 2008 that his company is scheduled to begin mass producing the new, most-powerful model around August this year.
Without talking much about the soon-to-be produced 700cc utility ATV, Lu did admit to having taken orders for over 20,000 units from customers worldwide, especially from French, German and British buyers.
During an earlier interview by a reporter from the Taiwan-based China Economics News Service (CENS), a leading provider of print, event and online media for various markets as well as the publisher of the Taiwan Motorcycle & Parts Guide (TMG) magazine, Lu said that his company is preparing a strategy that is a product manager's dream: to make a 700cc ATV as cost-competitive as most 400cc counterparts made in Taiwan.
Secret Weapon
The above, according to Lu, would be the secret weapon to truly take the air out of price-cutters from rivals in mainland China. Such strategy was born out of, the chairman stressed, discovering mainland Chinese makers had begun copying big-displacement models made by Taiwan suppliers, hence motivating Dinli to invest about NT$200 million (US$6.56 million at US$1: NT$30.5) into developing the 700cc, single-cylinder ATV engine over the past few years.
With the 700cc powertrain eventually developed, Dinli would not sell it at market prices, Lu said, believing that most mainland Chinese rivals would not continue to invest to develop a similar engine, while the high technical threshold would prevent most emerging rivals from entering the segment.
Lu is very confident about the competitiveness of Taiwan-made ATVs, which are priced half as much as Japanese counterparts, but have paralleled or even surpassed them in terms of quality and performance.
The chairman said that 400cc to 600cc ATVs are mainstream models globally, while 700cc and bigger models are expected to be the next rising star. The demand for ATVs has slowed in North America this year, Lu said, but the demand, outlook continues to be quite strong in emerging markets, such as Europe and Latin America. On the average, he added, the global ATV market can still continue to grow by 7% to 9% yearly.
Dinli 700cc ATV | |
Engine | |
Type | 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC |
Displacement | 694.6cc |
Cooling System | Liquid |
Carburetion | Fuel Injection |
Ignition | ECU |
Max Torque | 55 Nm/5,000 rpm |
Max Power | 45 Ps/ 6,000 rpm |
Lubrication system | Forced/wet sump |
Clutch | Centrifugal |
Transmission | CVT with reverse and two speed sub-transmission |
Chassis | |
L x W x H | 2,140 x 1,275 x 1,250mm |
Ground Clearance | 295mm |
Wheelbase | 1300mm |
Seat Height | 900mm |
Dry Weight | 320 kg |
Fuel Capacity | 17 liter |
Front Tire | AT 25 x 8-12 |
Rear Tire | AT 25 x 10-12 |
Source: Dinli. | |