HI i am about to purchace my first atv I was leaning towards the Artic Cat but would like something more sporty I am considering the lakota 300 i will be doing light to moderate trail rides/small mudding areas/ and smooth rec riding. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING TO HELP ME WITH SUCH AS POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES as to riding/maintance IS THIS A RELIABLE ATV for a college student on a budget any help appriciated

 

The Lakota is a great choice but if you are looking at sporty you might want to opt for the Mojave, unless you want e-start and auto clutch. The Mojave is a little cheaper than the Lakota but it depends on you needs. Also, if you are on a budget you could get a used Mojave for way cheaper and practice and by then they should have a new sport quad. It just depends what you want to do. in the quad market the A-cats are totally utility for now but if thats your game thats ok. Now if you are talking about getting a sport 4x4 the Wolverine is the champ (sorry I know we are in the Kawasaki forum, but I still like Yamaha's).

The Lakota is a great quad though, I bought one for my wife and took the racks of and have started to mod it. Still, if you are totally into sport go get a Mojave.

Good luck

 

i am looking for the utility/ sport quad and i think this is mid way the lakota is shaft drive correct i have seen 2 different specs one said shaft and one said chain i believe it is shaft correct So u like you lakota overall and drawbacks? what was list price and what did you actually pay for it? if you dont mind telling me

 

chain drive!
can't tell ya list price and stuff caus i dunno
a place i worked on had one......good bike
nice ride and handling (same frame as the mojave...)
owner moaned caus the rear carrier kicked him in the buttocks!
heard people moan a bit about the looks and stuff....but that won't affect the performance, handling and the fun factor!
they are nice bike....if you can get one for the right price go for it....same for the mojave

 

 

I bought a Lakota new in 97.It was my first 4-wheeler.I still like it a lot! It is fast enough for me ,so it is stock except for the tires.Dont buy the kick start Mojave.The first time you stall it half way up a hill or in 3 feet of water you will hate it.

 

I'm not sure if the Lakota has reverse so if that is important to you I'd opt for the Mojave. Regardless, Kawasaki makes one hell of a quad. Both of mine have been driven heavily and require low maintenance (chain and sprockets finally after 13 years). I'm fairly unfamilar with the Lokata, but it looks like a very nice machine as well.

In retrospect, for a good overall "sport" machine, I like the Mojave.

 

the lakota has reverse

 

the lakota is a nice bike. It has good enough shocks to soak up some good size woops and small jumps. the machine is the only sport/utility machine on the market. you will hate the air filter, as it is in a bad location (same as mojave). The reverse gear is the easiest one on the market to use, but the cable will eventually fail. overall, I would recommend one for the riding you describe.

 

I have a 2 month old LAKOTA 300 with a transferable 3 year parts and labor warranty that i would sell right. I bought it for hunting and for my son to use to Quad Race, he says its fast but not fast enough to race. I paid $4,150...list is $4,399, plus tax, title and warranty came to $5,106. I would sell it for $3,900. It has the trailer hitch and headlight guard grille and a IDS2 supertrapp exhaust and Dynojet jet kit in it also, they cost me another $325.
It is strong, fast and depenable it outruns Honda 400 4x4.