First runs with the Madbull
It snowed a little bit here, just enough for the ground to be white and slippery. The Madbull is fun: to keep racing lines in these conditions requires to control the rear drive train, and it is far from easy. The steering is quite precise for a "big wheels" but the mechanical speedo does not help to control traction. The most impressive is the suspension: it is very soft and can deal with almost everything. The 4 wheels of the car are not always on the ground at the same time, but it does not bounce.
Jumps are its thing: the Madbull is very well balanced and it jumps very well, even if the soft suspension makes landings look tough.
I don't think to change anything to this model. Hydraulic dampers would certainly help a lot, but I am afraid the overall buggy handling would loose its great fun factor.
Update 03/03/09: I finally decided to install hydraulic dampers on this model. After a run, it is a nice improvement: the suspension work much more smoother. But I have to install spacer to stiffen the front dampers because they are a little bit too soft.
I also replaced the 540 Mabuchi motor with a Sport Tuned in order to get more top speed. The gear ratio can't be changed, it is pretty low. The Sport Tuned provides more speed for even more fun driving it. As a side note, the tires reach there grip limit with so much additional power.
Bonus: the promotional video of the Madbull when it was released back in 1997 and the Fighter Buggy RX based on the same chassis (© Tamiya)
The Madbull reliability review
This model arrived in november 2007 in my collection. since then, I drive it very often. In the meantime, I replaced the mechanical speedo by an electronic one: it is the one an only intervention I made on it using a screwdriver. I also painted the pilot and glued the rear tires to the rims.
In fact, I drive this model on any possible playground: this is the exact model that can go anywhere. Rough terrains, muddy or dry and dusty terrains, the Madbull goes anywhere, and jumps are its cup of tea. Nothing ever broken, not even the slightest problem even if it is sometimes driven quite hard. Oops, I almost forgot one incident: one rear wheel Nilstop nut was escaping as it had no more glue (the blue stuff): I simply changed the nut to solve the problem.
Its handling allows a better motor, especially to get more to speed. For the moment, I still hesitate as I still have a lot of fun driving it with the stock Mabuchi 540 motor. My be one day...
Anyway, if there is one model to recommend to RC model beginner, choose the Madbull. It will forgive any beginner mistake without any break. It does provide a lot of fun and can evolve by fitting a better motor to increase its top speed if needed.
Last update: 04/04/2014
I just sold my Madbull, one of my favorite runners for more than 6 years. The Madbull has been the best model for me as long as I couldn't get access to a real off-road track. Thanks to its high ground clearance and its amazing reliability, I drove it very often, whatever the weather and the terrain (often barely adapted for RCs). Since we have a very nice off-road track at the ARMCL, I somewhat left the Madbull apart since its devilish suspension was getting bored on this true track.
It has now gone to meet its new owner who will drive it everywhere he can: tarmac, garden, off-road, beach... That is exactly what the Madbull is made for.
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