I guess I will start with some dimensions:
Overall Length is 85", overall width is 53", Wheelbase is 59", Front Track is 45.7", and the Rear Track is 39.4". The stock ground celarance is set by the axle gear protector at 6.7".

The thing I would take away from all of thoes stats, is that the 2004 Talon turnes in a reletavily small amount of space, when compared with some of the other buggies. His 53" width makes him well suited for riding on the trails. His low gearing also helps to pull off the old solid axle power slide, to help bring the rear end around the corner quick. Other than it being a tad hard to turn the wheel at slow speeds, like all buggies, I would say it drives very well. It can also make a 6'2" dude like me fit in with just enouigh room to still be comfortable.

The Engine is your standard GY6 with a stock cam installed. The 2004 Talons do not have the same performance cam, that is now installed standard in the 2005 Talon. This engine has no external oil filter, and it only was available in the air cooled model in 2004. The 2004 also has the standard transmission gear installed that most GY6 engines have. This is different than the transmission or engine gears, that are insalled in the 2005 Talon's GY6'es with the 4 extra tooth count for added top speed. A good running 2004 Talon is geared down to a max top speed of 30mph -vs- 40mph in the 2005 Talon. The stock 2004 Talon with it's 16 tooth drive gear, and 39 tooth axle gear, means that the drive gear get's the privilege of turning a whopping 2.44 times, before expecting the alxe gear to complete one revolution. This equates to a stronger bottom end! The taller geared buggies with 16 tooth drive and 31 tooth axle gears, will allow you to hit a top speed of 40 MPH. This however, does come at a price. They must task their driver gear to do more work in a shorter amount of time. The taller geared buggies require that for the axle gear to complete one full revolution, the driver gear will only get to complete 1.94 revolutions. Your 2004 Talon's drive gear get's to enjoy turning exactly 1/2 of a revolution more, before having to accomplish the same amount of work. The new transmissioned geared buggies with the 4 extra teeth are handling this extra work there, but it is still extra work that the 2004 Talon does not have to do, in the same amount of time. You will feel the difference with more power on your takeoffs!

What this means to you - The 2004 Talon is a good climber right in it's stock form. The stock exhaust pipe was one of the smallest I have seen, so it is an excellent thing to be put on the 'Should Be Upgraded' list. It was improved in the 2005 model. If you give your 2004 Talon a new performance pipe, install a hotter cam, and replace the stock airbox with a good quality air filter like a UNI, it will be a great climber. After completing the pipe, cam, and air mod, you would then want to swap the stock 108 jet size out of the carb, and replace it with a bigger 127.5 jet. With it's gearing set to keep the power lower, and a top speed of 29 or 30 MPH, I do think the 2004 Talon is a great trail rider / hill climbing buggy.

The 2004 Talon boasts a maximum load capacity of 400lbs. Not too shabby considering some of the 250cc buggies won't carry that much. There is a spot on the back ready to take a ball if you are looking to pull a trailer with your 2004 mountain goat buggy. The Talon has a 1.75 gallon gas tank withought a fuel reserve section. The 1.75 gallons can run him for a good looong time.

The 2004 Talon came listed stock with the 19" tires in the front, and 22" in the rear. It is a well known fact that the tires are actually a bit smaller than that.

The net weight listed in the manual is 465lbs. I put my moded 2004 Talon on the scale and as close as I can figure he weighs in at 577lbs with no driver. I am running taller and wider tires, an EastSide performance pipe, and ITP brushed steel rims now! They must add some weight for sure.

Do I want a 150cc buggy that is geared to hit a top speed of 40mph? Maybe. Just as top speed has it's own charm, a strong bottom end does too. The fact is, 30mph feels fast in these buggies. Every time I go riding on the trails my TrailTech spedo records my average speed for the trip. It's never even close to 30mph. I can't get away with that kind of speed on the trails I ride. My power is currently geared for right where I hover at most of the time, below 25mph. Even though some may jump right for the stock buggy that will top out at 40mph, there is still something to be said for the stronger bottom end geared buggies too! Yes mods can be done to change all things on both type of buggies. The truth for me was I went an entire year running my Talon stock. I was happy during that year rolling up and down the trails with ease. If I had been in a buggy that was less of a climber, would I have been as happy? I am not so sure for my type of rideing.

One other word of caution. If and when you decide to dive into moding your CVT, choose roller weights carefully. Most of the guys on here with 150cc buggys have the taller geared buggies that will do 40mph. They may favor the 9 and 10 grammers, but I feel that we are in a 'limited edition' gearing range now, and the stock (13?) grammers may still be close to what is best for us? The other boy's are trying to raise their rpm's higher, to keep the tires moveing better. My belief is we are always running at a higher rpm, just due to our lower geared mountain goat nature. I think 10's are too light for us, or at least too light when combined with a 1500rpm rated torque spring. My current favorite is 11.5g sliders, Red MRP clutch, with my 1500rpm torque spring installed.

Carter Talons are made in the TJ Powersports factory. I say that with pride. They make a good buggy with lots of grease fittings that some others do not take the time to install at the factory. You should never have to hang your head down sporting a Talon. They have a respected reputation as being a quality made buggy. The 2004 Twister Hammerhead should be considered as close to an exact clone as you could get to the 2004 Talon. It was TJ Powersports handeywork that produced that buggy too. They also have our limited edition 2004 mountain goat gearing!

And what a looker!!!

Great review Talonman. Very detailed. I guess I should start one on mine soon.

Great post Talonman. Click on the link below for the place to find yourself a new clutch. I am looking at the adjustable clutches. I think they may be just what I need.

http://www.mrp-speed.com/store/home.php?cat=273

Also look here:

http://www.badmotorscooterparts.com/

Thanks for the comments guy's, and the good links TwisterMania.

I might be looking at a new clutch MRP mabey, and looking forard to getting a lighter spring report from TwisterMania. I will be wanting some new 12, 13, and 14g rollers to play with. I am just running the buggy above 4,500 rpm all the time now to keep the current one engaged!

An excellent start to this forum. +1 Karma for you. I hope we see a lot of posts of this quality!

Hailming!

Very informative post! If that review sets the standard and becomes the norm of what a rewiew consists of, I believe this section will become as popular as asian buggy banter...
You got my props! The bar is high, gonna have to start on mine...

Awesome contribution to the site!

Thanks Talonman....


-Steve

No problem Steve, and thanks.

I kind of wanted to let the world know my buggy is not experiencing some type of malfunction every time I say I top out at 30mph. Nor do I apologize for it, or want to pretend it that doesn't hold it's own distinct set of advantages too.

I may have a nieve, incorrect idea in my head, but I think I already have the best geared buggy for off road racing on the trails. As long as any off road coarse we would make, doesn't have too many long sections of being able to hit and hold 30+ mph, my lower geared power would be helping me out the entire race. The longer we stay below 30mph, the more the mountain goat buggies would shine!

nice review !!!

nice