New quad-bike offers mobility for work or play

With our economy still reeling from the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns and fresh blows during Eskom’s blackouts, it would seem a strange time to launch a quadbike in South Africa that cannot be used on public roads.

Yet, that is exactly what the Export Trading Group (ETG) logistics company did at the Gerotek Testing Facility last Friday.
ETG Logistics operates an established automotive and farm equipment distribution business in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana, Tanzania and Kenya.

They are offering two Taiwan Golden Bee quad-bikes to South Africans who need light all-terrain mobility for either work or play. The group’s local dealer network consists of nine dealers nationwide, with a target to expand to 15 dealers by March 2022.

The TGB Blade quad-bike range will initially consist of two models – the TGB Blade 600 SE.X EPS 4×4 aimed primarily at recreational riders and the TGB Blade 600 AR EPS 4×4 which is expected to appeal to agricultural and other commercial users.

Both quad-bike models are powered by a single cylinder, 561 cc, four-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection that produces 33.4 kW of power at 6 500 rpm and 46.5 Nm of usable torque at 5 500 rpm. The engine is water-cooled, via two separate radiators and an auxiliary fan.

Connection to the wheels comes through a drive shaft connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Both models offer selectable rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive, plus an electrically activated front differential lock for really slippery surfaces.

The quad-bikes have 320 mm of ground clearance, suspension travel of 220 mm in the front and 240 mm in the rear, double A-arm fully independent suspension on all four corners and an anti-roll bar in the rear. They ride on chunky all-terrain six-ply tyres on sporty, 12-inch matt black alloy rims.

Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with ventilated discs can be independently applied for varying conditions while armoured brake hoses ensure protection in difficult off-road conditions.

Rider fatigue is minimised through the adoption of innovative adjustable speed-sensitive electric power steering.
Weighing in at 450 kg, the TGB Blade 600 SE.X EPS 4×4 quad-bike can achieve a top speed of just over 80 km/h, while the TGB Blade 600 AR EPS 4×4 tops out at just over 70 km/h. Fuel consumption is indicated at 9.0 L/100 km.

The TGB Blade 600 AR EPS 4×4 is designed to withstand the rigours of everyday use required on a working farm, in a forest or on a mining site. Featuring a tipper, drop-side configuration load tray that can take up to 200 kg of equipment, it is fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers with adjustable dual-rated coil springs.

Both quad-bike models come with a 1 360 kg capacity winch mounted to the front and a towing hitch which boasts 830 kg towing capacity with a braked trailer.

The Blade 600 SE.X EPS 4×4 ATV quad-bike comes with a streamlined body design with a narrow rider seating position. Featuring integrated LED daytime running lights, the headlights also provide turn signal and side light function.

There is a comfortable rider and pillion seat, complete with backrest, plus standard rear-view mirrors to assist with difficult reversing tasks and to keep an eye on the rear passenger.

The TGB Blade 600’s information display provides a multi-function LCD screen with a digital tachometer and speedometer, maximum engine speed, maximum speed, average speed, total odometer distance, daily odometer, fuel gauge, clock and EPS setting.

Surrounding the display are indicators for transmission position, high temperatures, low battery, high beam, low oil pressure, check engine, 2wd/4wd and differential lock indicator.

We rode the agricultural version of the quad-bike at Gerotek and did not get brave. But we found that it will climb or descend massive angles on loose surfaces, ride over deep ruts with ease and certainly put a smile on the face of a farmer who decides to get one for work purposes.

Pricing

600 SE.X EPS 4×4 – R183 500
600 AR EPS 4×4 – R195 500

The TGB Blade 600 quad-bike is covered by a 24-month warranty.