Cliquez ici pour la version Française 

MadBull

This model is an XB Expert Build version. For Tamiya, this means a ready to Run model, already assembled and painted, with radio, battery pack and charger. It is based upon a buggy chassis (the RX Fighter's) mounted on Lunch Box big wheels. It is a simple 2 wheel drive entry-level model but very solid: perfect for some bashing... even more because I could get new for the third of its retail price.

On the left, my MadBull, on the right the "kit" version with the "official" color scheme. Differences are: the bodyshell decoration, the front bumper, the gearbox case which is transparent on mine and black on the kit, chromed rims (from a Wild Willy 2) and a TEU-101BK electronic speed controller for the kit version when mine features a mechanical speedo.

For the moment, I only changed one thing on this model: I replaced every plastic bearing with ball bearings.

The MadBull family

The MadBull chassis comes from other models and shares many parts with wider ranger of models (like the gearbox/rear drive train on the Lunch Box and the Midnight Pumpkin).

58043 - The Grasshopper 58074 - Grasshopper II 58184 - Fighter Buggy RX 58275 - Mad Fighter

58045 - The Hornet 58124 - Super Hornet 58205 - MadBull In this model family, GrassHoppers I & II are the basic models, the Hornet is an evolution (especially on the suspension and the Mabuchi 540 motor that replaces the 380) and the Super Hornet features every possible option to enhance its behavior. The chassis remains exactly the same on all these models. A few years later, Tamiya made changes on the chassis to release new models. The damper fit is different (oriented towards the inner chassis both at front and rear) and the rear drive train does now feature a central pivot axle. These two main evolutions have a direct and obvious consequence over the chassis behavior. Even if it remains strictly oriented to recreational use, the suspension works much better and can correctly deal with any playground surface. The typical bouncy behavior of the original chassis can almost be completely forgotten. Three models benefit from this enhanced chassis: the Fighter Buggy RX, the MadBull and the Mad Fighter presented above and on the left. This modified chassis is called a DT-01.

One year after, the review

This MadBull 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. Oups, 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 behavior could allow 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 recommand 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.

First run

It snowed a little bit here, just enough for the ground to be white and slippery. The MadBull is fun: to maintain trajectories 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 I discover 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 behavior 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 enhancement: the suspension work much more smoothier. But I have to install spacer to stiffen the front dampers because they are a little bit too soft.

I will also replace the 540 Mabuchi motor by a Sport Tuned in order to get more top speed. The gear ratio can't be changed, it is pretty low. The Sport Tuned will bring it more speed for even more fun driving it.

 Top of page  

First publication: april 14, 2008 Last modified: august 05, 2009

© 2005-2010 - Black Hole Sun