Video: This insane four-cylinder quadbike has active aero

12th May 2020

Ben Miles

The word ‘insane’ is quite over-used these days. People describe all sorts of machines and moments as ‘insane’, perhaps even we at GRR use it a little too much. But this little quad bike, actually deserves the moniker.

It’s also worthy of another over- (and miss) used word: ‘unique’. We’ve certainly never seen anything like it. Basically it’s a quad bike, with a 998cc inline four-cylinder engine from a Suzuki GSX-R1000. But that’s not all, it’s also got active Aero. So it’s basically a McLaren Senna.

Yep, that’s right, this tiny quad, with teeny little wheels has the engine from a superbike and actual working active aerodynamics. Although we have to admit, while it is startlingly fast, we’re not really reckoning there’s that much downforce being created here.

This SuperQuad (not our name) is seen here at the bonkers Leadfoot Festival in New Zealand – an event we’d love to go to, and which looks a bit like the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, but on the other side of the world, and with some steeper drops. The rider (driver?) is Ian Ffitch, a man who definitely seems to have less sense than he was born with, but who we love all the more for being so batty. Watch as he hurls this tiny quad into Leadfoot’s hairpins, leaning himself as if he were Valentino Rossi to keep the bike (and its no doubt monstrous power-to-weight ratio) in check.

God bless you Ian Ffitch, and anyone else doing absolutely insane things like this.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Enjoy a four‑minute celebration of all things Suzuki RG500