Kawasaki Bayou 300 makeover
| Customizing the Bayou 300 4×4 with Handy Gadgets and, Rethinking the OEM Accessory Market — the Web Way! |
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The Y2K Bayou, reviewed earlier, described the platform, a plush, agile, manually-shifted 300 cc utility ATV. But what about accessories? –Kawasaki distributes a host of accessories for its quads through its dealership network, and by “E-Commerce.” The new Kawasaki website, “buykawasaki.com,” launching April 5th, will be linked from the manufacturer’s existing corporate web site. Through this new site, consumers may buy genuine Kawasaki accessories (like the ones in this article) on-line, directly from Kawasaki, offering their entire catalog of ATV goodies on the internet.In addition, all consumers will also have access to Kawasaki’s electronic parts catalog, bringing up parts diagrams for every Kawasaki ATV, complete with part numbers and model applications. While consumers cannot actually purchase replacement parts on-line, they may view exploded views of all components and list out exactly what they need before visiting their dealership. This way, customers may give the parts manager accurate part numbers over the phone to see if needed parts are in stock before visiting the parts counter.
Kawasaki’s new initiative is the first of its kind from any OEM in the powersports Industry, providing factory technical expertise to the customer while insuring Kawasaki dealers are rewarded as part of this new campaign. (By the way: Kawasaki executives will exhibit at the Cochranton, PA, Poker Run April 1, available for discussions about this new parts and accessories leadership initiative with visitors.)
Kawasaki’s future website, like the existing full-color accessory catalog, viewable now in Kawasaki showrooms nationwide, lists all manner of add-ons for “tailoring” quads for customers’ riding styles and applications.
We picked a few accessories appealing to a typical rider for our evaluation; front and rear rack bags, “work light,” and Kolpin Gun Boot with Mark IV mount.
Among several styles of rack bags, we chose nylon“expandable” models. These heavy-duty, padded bags attach to the racks with double D-ring straps. This secure mounting system detaches easily if the rider wants to carry his bags indoors, for example; made easy by the central suitcase-style carrying handle on each bag. Bag interiors are divisible into three separate compartments by Velcro-attached dividers, useful keeping contents from bashing into each other when crossing rough ground. The Velcro hooks-and-loops permit versatile configurations, fitting a wide variety of cargo. Additionally, both front and rear bags each feature two roomy, zippered auxiliary pouches, good for carrying items used often, accessible to the rider without opening the main compartments. 
Heavy-duty, padlockable double zippers close the lids of the main compartments. Single, 360-degree zippers unleash expansion bellows or gussets, extending the lids vertically from six to ten inches interior height, accommodating large, tall items when necessary. With the expansion extension zippered down, the lids flatten, giving a sleeker appearance in front and allowing convenient leg-over mounting in the rear. Exposure to eastern seaboard winter rain and snowstorms verified the bags’ water resistance; our extra pair of fleece gloves and other gear stayed toasty dry.The Kawasaki rack bags come with lockable double-zipper closures, central carrying handle, black or woodland camouflage colors and padded heavy-duty nylon construction.
| Interior Dimensions | Front | Rear |
| Main Compartment (h x w x d) | 6″x29″x8″ | 6″x36″x10″ |
| Expanded Height | 10″ | 10″ |
| Auxiliary Pouches (h x w x d) | 4″x9″x4″ | 4″x11″x6″ |
| Flexible Internal Compartments | 3 | 3 |
I confess; until I experienced assembly and installation of a work
light, I considered these factory “Original Equipment Manufacturer” (OEM) products somewhat over-rated and over-priced. I had no idea of the engineering and construction details going into these products.The precision reflector houses an incandescent 35-watt bulb, protected from G-shock hazards by flexible collars and boots, mounted in a detachable housing suspended from a fork-mounted steel yoke. A total of 24 separate parts make up the Kawasaki work light. The coiled electrical cord plugs into auxiliary pigtails already available on the Bayou.
Turning with the handlebars, the yoke permits adjustment of the light’s broad beam up and down. Loosening the side pivot screws permits removal of the light for illuminating areas of interest, for making repairs and adjustments, or gathering wood for the campfire or searching for tracks or lost articles on the ground. Summarizing, the work light appears practical, rugged, versatile, and fits exactly in the pre-drilled and tapped holes on the fork crown, a neat and good-looking installation.
Kawasaki dealers sell Kolpin gun boots and mounts from their accessory catalog. The boot is a fleece-lined hard plastic case, designed to hold firearms from .22 rifles through shotguns and black-powder firearms to high-power rifles, left- or right-hand bolt action, with scopes up to 50 mm objective size. Importantly, the Kolpin boot protects firearms, maintaining scope alignment or “zero,” even in the high-shock environment of ATVing. While in the case, firearms are protected from rain and snow.
The lockable case meets Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and airline requirements for checking baggage on commercial flights.
The new Mark IV Mount’s flexible mounting system allows locating the boot on the quad, fastened to the rack tubes with three U-bolts, where the firearm is protected (the entire assembly may be mounted within the quad’s wheel width, avoiding snags on limbs, trees and vines). Proper placement permits easy rider mounting and dismounting without interference from the firearm carrier.
The mount “cradles” the boot, fastening the assembly with two quick-release hitch pins. Replacing one pin with a padlock secures the boot to the mount; another padlock may secure the boot closed (another hitch pin ordinarily performs this function). This arrangement gives some peace of mind while drinking a cup of coffee at the truck stop on the way to the hunting area, with the quad on the pickup or trailer. Easily and securely fastened to the quad, the boot may be removed or opened quickly, unsheathing the firearm for fast action. The Kolpin Gun Boot and Mark IV Mount offer advantages or protection, convenience, and security to the ATV-riding hunter.
Kawasaki provides accessories responding to different needs and preferences of customers; we picked only a few for this evaluation. If all the items in the accessory catalog reflect the quality and practicality of this sample, these factory goodies are worth considering when “customizing” a quad.