QUAD BIKE

Review by bleep
 

First off the one I have is an “industry sample” and is not the finished article, so details given are as accurate as possible at this time.

Before I go into performance this model I have is the "Industry Sample" and has been modified somewhat already the original motor has been replaced as it was found to be a little too quick, however the finished quads will have the quicker motor as standard as it was too late to change the production.

It was also found that the guide blade being silver wasn't picked up by the sensors on the SCX chrono pack. This info was relayed to Powerslot but they thought that the aesthetically pleasing silver guide was less obtrusive than a black one. This can be easily overcome by painting the guide blade black with a permanent marker or similar. (This may also affect SSD though I have not tested yet).

The replacement motor fitted in this is one of the new Scaleauto 'Home set' range rated at 10k. These motors are designed to fit the Scalextric F1 / Moto GP with the long armature shaft, it needed the shaft length to be cut down to fit the quad.

Performance So how does it perform? Tested first on my routed track, because of it's light weight it flew round the track tail out on every bend I believe the power to weight ratio is now exactly right. Trying to balance the power around the twists and turns with out it falling off is what it is all about. The wide rear wheels spin at every opportunity hence the already knobble-less rears. It's quiet, surprisingly smooth, and it just makes you laugh to see it going round the track. These tyres are soft and very grippy. A vast improvement from the original Hummer tyres.

Obstacles I hadn't got any so had to improvise, hot gluing chunks of foam to the track it will climb to about 4 cm's with ease preferring a graded climb. The drop arm does extend further but is not guaranteed on wood. There is a magnet in the drop arm which is only effective on plastic tracks.

I hadn't got an analogue plastic track, so quickly made one, a test track just for this to see how it performed with mag in. On sport track it was even faster than on my routed track, though I got the feeling it was being held back by the mag, so it was removed. Now it was a bit like driving on ice, great in a straight line but very twitchy on the bends. So it needed a slightly weaker magnet, or something to that effect. I raised the magnet to the top of its housing 2mm higher than it should be, that was enough. Now I'm getting the requisite downforce without it hindering progress. This was for me the optimum setting. It is fast, tail out on bends, but stayed in the slot.

Decoration The one I have is decorated with stickers but the finished samples will be tampo printed. The whole model is well detailed. Some of the things I particularly liked are the riders goggles, handle bar detailing( brake & clutch levers, clocks dials) and the riders boots with all the clips and silver foot plates. The rear light, number plate and exhaust all fit together really well. These slotquads are already nicely detailed the finished product will make a wonderful shelf queen for anyone into collecting quad related items, not just for those of us into slot cars, who intend to use them!

Front Axle The front axle is fitted with shock absorbers similar to the Ninco Raids the axle floats and these work especially on the obstacle course. The Front wheels are narrower than the rears.

Rear Axle Is fixed and has nylon bushings for both the drop arm and chassis mounting. This allows maximum length and movement of the drop arm assembly.

How to compare this is unique. Having checked historic sites and as yet I have found nothing to compare these against. The nearest I could find is some very old out of scale Scalextric Go-Karts or Sidecar units the more recent Ninco Go Karts but no All Terrain Vehicles like these.

Resilience Why does this need a header of its own? In my mind the nature of the beast means these quads are going to be tested to the extreme and probably thrown about more than your average track car. So how resistant are they? Are they likely to fall apart in stunts, jumps and of course the occasional fall? As you may be able to tell from the photos this one has already been rigorously tested. I have merely added to that, it has done many a stunt, jump, rolled several times not the treatment I would give to a normal Slot Car. The only major damage besides the thinning rears, is the handlebars are not connected to the bike anymore but that could soon be put right with a drop of glue, everything else is in place, as it should be.

Will anyone buy just one? These are Fun and will be great to get a few guys together and test / play. So consequently pairs at least are a must. They could be fantastic for a club night especially on a purpose built track.

They will come in two colours: PSQ 01: Quad KWA 01 in green and PSQ 02: Quad GTM 02 in orange.

For those who like to do it a bit bigger. Don't feel left out. Avant Slot will be releasing a 1:24 Scale Quad later this year.