MODIFIED MADNESS: SPYDER QUAD; Super scary TPR Suzuki LTR-450

“The LTR (Suzuki), as far as a custom quad, is one of the easier ones to do,” says Quinn Michel, Outta Control Customs chief builder. “Suzuki does it well enough that I could use all OEM parts and still make it look pretty trick.”

Quinn Michael, the extreme quad designer at “Outta Control Customs,” is well known for his insanely intricate ATVs. His Indianapolis Colts Suzuki LT-R450 and “OuttaControl 2” Yamaha Raptor 660R are examples of some of the wild child ideas this custom quad designer has come up with. He has teamed up with American Suzuki, and the engineers at Tarantula Performance Racing (TPR), for an even more “Outta Control” custom built machine based on a 2008 LT-R450. Quinn has dubbed it the “Spyder Quad,” which turned a few heads in its debut at last year’s Indianapolis Dealer Expo.

MINISTRY & RACING
Quinn Michael founded Outta Control Racing Ministries in 2001. Starting in 2002, Michael began using his rank as a top-level amateur flat-track racer to promote his faith in God. With the big man behind him, Quinn claimed the 2002 Open C Class TT championship on the GNC circuit and in the years following built close to two dozen race-ready custom quads comparable to builds seen on shows like Orange County Choppers and Biker Build-Off.
Late in 2007, Quinn was approached by Douglas Wheel Technologies to build a quad that would debut their new Spyder wheel at the 2008 Indy dealer show. He immediately thought of TPR’s arachnid styling.
“There were so many things I knew I could fit on this quad with the spider theme,” Quinn said later.

UNIQUE APPROACH
For Quinn and TPR’s chief design engineer Brian Fredmonsky, the possibilities with a spider quad were endless.
Quinn’s contingent of sponsors contained many of the industry’s top aftermarket companies including Yoshimura, Fox shocks, DWT, Hinson, rpm, Maxxis, Quadtech, UPP, Fullbore and Houser Racing. To match the quad’s theme, products from Web Cam and Spyder grips were added with custom orange hoses shipped in from CV4.
“The LTR, as far as a custom quad, is one of the easiest ones to do, simply for the fact that if someone slacks off on sponsoring products, Suzuki does it well enough that I could use all OEM parts and still make it look pretty trick,” said Michael.

(Left) Lots of chrome and spider etching went into making this custom show stopper look spooky. (Top Right) The TPR custom build rear grab bar could be used by its operator (with flashlight assistance) to signal Spiderman to come by for a visit. (Bottom Right) A TPR front bumper completes the spider theme on the Outta Control Custom LT-R450.

Close to 30 outside sponsors contributed to one of Michael’s most original builds yet.
The project took three months to complete, by Quinn and his mechanic, Willie Spotts. The build started with TPR stripping a bone stock LTR bare to install a TPR gusset kit. Many of this build’s aspects are custom, like the airbrushed paint job on Fullbore plastics and spider handlebars (which aren’t recommended for riding). The gusset kit and all other TPR parts on the quad are the exact parts available to customers, who can add their own flair to the TPR products they chose.
“That’s part of the reason why Quinn chose us for the build,î Fredmonsky said. “And while they’re our standard parts, they look completely customized. They look one-off.”

AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
The nerf bars, heel guards, grab bar, sprocket cover, bumper and other TPR products on the LTR are all available to the general riding public. TPR also offers riders the option of using their customization process, which allows a customer to control the color and design of their parts.
“We spent countless hours going back and forth with Quinn making sure each part we created would express what we both wanted,” Fredmonsky said.
Quinn added his own touches, like molding the gusset welds into the frame—a process often seen on custom motorcycle builds—and he had Oliver of Adrian Graphics etch spiders into chrome caps to hide some of the quad’s chassis bolts. The end result was what Quinn described as one of his most original builds yet.
“It was something unique, something I haven’t done before,” Quinn said.

These Spider nerfs not only look good they offer up plenty of web slinger protection for your footsies.

BUILT TO RIDE
Despite its flashy appearance, Quinn said he built the LTR to be competitive on the race track.
A healthy dosage of Yoshimura engine work includes a JE Piston, Web Cam camshaft, and a Falicon crankshaft, all sealed tight with Cometic gaskets and Gardner-Westcott chrome fasteners. The motor drinks VP MRX01 fuel and breathes in through a UNI air filter in a stock air box and exhales out a full Yoshimura exhaust. A complete Hinson clutch setup transfers the motor’s power via Rebel gears to the Maxxis RAZR MX tires mounted on Douglas Wheel Technology Shamrock beadlock wheels.
Out back, Michael’s own Outta Control plus one and a quarter inch swing arm, dual-rate Fox Podium shock and RPM Dominator II axle create a rear end capable of withstanding serious abuse. Up front, Houser two-inch extended Tric-Trac arms complement a set of Fox Float Evol shocks, Galfer rotors and stainless brake lines. A Precision Racing stabilizer absorbs jarring hits.
“We built it so at the end of the show, if someone wanted to buy it, they can start it up and go ride it.” said Quinn.
A kickstart kit was added so the battery location could be used as a temporary home for a tarantula during the Indy show. But the engine has yet to be started, as it travels from Sandfest in Winchester Bay, Oregon, back to DWT for promotional use.

FUTURE PROJECTS
Outta Control plans to steal the spotlight again at the 2009 Dealer Expo in Indianapolis by teaming up for a second, full-sized 450 Spider quad, paired up with a custom mini quad.
Fredmonsky said TPR will likely team up with DRR to showcase one of their mini race quads. “We’re looking forward to working with Quinn again for 2009,” said Fredmonsky.
“It was a perfect opportunity to display our products and show riders how they don’t need to make one-off, complete custom pieces to have a show-quality vehicle”. We have to agree with that.

CONTACTS:
Outta Control Customs 419-553-0200; www.outtacontrolcustoms.net
TPR 301 W. 130th Street, Hinckley, OH; 44233. Phone: (330) 273-3456. www.tprusa.com