Greetings all! I am in the process of saving my nickels and dimes to buy an ATV, specifically a Kawasaki. I am looking at the Bayou 220 as a new purchase or a good condition late model used Kawi. This machine will be used for hunting and general riding. 2 or 4 wheel drive is not a deal breaking consideration.

If you haven't figured this out, I am new to the forum as well as to ATVING.com in general and need some pointers from you veterans. Specifically, what should I look for as a warning sign when buying a used ATV? I am trying to find the tell tale signs of abuse, neglect, and coverups of those things, as well as some of the more difficult aspects that can ruin an otherwise joyful purchase.

I read this forum and the some of the other forums fairly regularly in order to gather information and identify what types of problems I can expect after I purchase and use a machine for a while. I am an information junkie, and I always appreciate input no matter how obvious it may seem to the informed person. (If you ask a question, chances are someone has the same one!)

Any tips, tricks etc, that any of you forum participants can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks, Bearfus

 

BEARFUS,Welcome to the wonderful adventure of ATVing.For general riding,hunting,a 2wd quad will do you fine.I suggest a 4 stroke quad for your use.First,ask the fellow what he used the quad for?Any signs of racing?Look the tires over real good.Inspect the lower skid plates for hard scrapes ect.Bad dents ect could be a sign of a lot of jumping ect.Inspect the shocks for signs of leaks,check the steering,make sure there is no play in the wheel[bad tie-rods].Check the oil for color,a milky color is bad.Make sure the quad is not on grass or dirt when you inspect the quad.Both grass and dirt will hide most leaks.Take off the air cleaner lid,inspect the air box.It should be nice and clean with no signs of water or mud entrance.Look also at the air snorkle going from the air box lid to the top of the gas tank area,making sure there were no signs of water or mud entrance.Check the engine for unusual sounds,knocks,pings.Road test the quad,making sure the brakes are feeling good.Rev the engine,check for abnormal smoking.If water cooled,check the level and color of anti-freeze.A low level could indicate a leak.Poor color could be a neglected cooling system.I would HIGHLY suggest that an experienced ATV friend go with you.Good Luck========BILL

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BEARFUS,Welcome to the wonderful adventure of ATVing.For general riding,hunting,a 2wd quad will do you fine.I suggest a 4 stroke quad for your use.First,ask the fellow what he used the quad for?Any signs of racing?Look the tires over real good.Inspect the lower skid plates for hard scrapes ect.Bad dents ect could be a sign of a lot of jumping ect.Inspect the shocks for signs of leaks,check the steering,make sure there is no play in the wheel[bad tie-rods].Check the oil for color,a milky color is bad.Make sure the quad is not on grass or dirt when you inspect the quad.Both grass and dirt will hide most leaks.Take off the air cleaner lid,inspect the air box.It should be nice and clean with no signs of water or mud entrance.Look also at the air snorkle going from the air box lid to the top of the gas tank area,making sure there were no signs of water or mud entrance.Check the engine for unusual sounds,knocks,pings.Road test the quad,making sure the brakes are feeling good.Rev the engine,check for abnormal smoking.If water cooled,check the level and color of anti-freeze.A low level could indicate a leak.Poor color could be a neglected cooling system.I would HIGHLY suggest that an experienced ATV friend go with you.Good Luck========BILL

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BEARFUS,Welcome to the wonderful adventure of ATVing.For general riding,hunting,a 2wd quad will do you fine.I suggest a 4 stroke quad for your use.First,ask the fellow what he used the quad for?Any signs of racing?Look the tires over real good.Inspect the lower skid plates for hard scrapes ect.Bad dents ect could be a sign of a lot of jumping ect.Inspect the shocks for signs of leaks,check the steering,make sure there is no play in the wheel[bad tie-rods].Check the oil for color,a milky color is bad.Make sure the quad is not on grass or dirt when you inspect the quad.Both grass and dirt will hide most leaks.Take off the air cleaner lid,inspect the air box.It should be nice and clean with no signs of water or mud entrance.Look also at the air snorkle going from the air box lid to the top of the gas tank area,making sure there were no signs of water or mud entrance.Check the engine for unusual sounds,knocks,pings.Road test the quad,making sure the brakes are feeling good.Rev the engine,check for abnormal smoking.If water cooled,check the level and color of anti-freeze.A low level could indicate a leak.Poor color could be a neglected cooling system.I would HIGHLY suggest that an experienced ATV friend go with you.Good Luck========BILL

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BEARFUS,Welcome to the wonderful adventure of ATVing.For general riding,hunting,a 2wd quad will do you fine.I suggest a 4 stroke quad for your use.First,ask the fellow what he used the quad for?Any signs of racing?Look the tires over real good.Inspect the lower skid plates for hard scrapes ect.Bad dents ect could be a sign of a lot of jumping ect.Inspect the shocks for signs of leaks,check the steering,make sure there is no play in the wheel[bad tie-rods].Check the oil for color,a milky color is bad.Make sure the quad is not on grass or dirt when you inspect the quad.Both grass and dirt will hide most leaks.Take off the air cleaner lid,inspect the air box.It should be nice and clean with no signs of water or mud entrance.Look also at the air snorkle going from the air box lid to the top of the gas tank area,making sure there were no signs of water or mud entrance.Check the engine for unusual sounds,knocks,pings.Road test the quad,making sure the brakes are feeling good.Rev the engine,check for abnormal smoking.If water cooled,check the level and color of anti-freeze.A low level could indicate a leak.Poor color could be a neglected cooling system.I would HIGHLY suggest that an experienced ATV friend go with you.Good Luck========BILL

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Im sorry for the multiple posts,it did;nt post,so I pushed ''Submit Reply'' a few times to many.SORRY======BILL

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good job Bill! Don't you know any better than trying to post at 5pm on Friday. I'm lucky if I can even log on.

Bearfus, whasup with that name? just funnin. Bill's response is good info. The only other thing to add, if your buying from a private party is to ask why they're selling. Sometimes the response is cause for further investigation.

Good luck on you purchase
Brian

P.S. Bill, we've got snow on the west coast. I'm gonna haveta change my name.

 

DUSTY,snow eh?Well im hoping that we dont get it to bad until I get my Sportsman back from the dealership cause I've got a plow on it.Everything was going ok on the PC,except when I tried to Submit my post,it would come back ''connection refused'' so I figured it did;nt take my post.Boy,was I wrong.That was also good advice you give.Its really a good Idea to find out why someone is selling,no matter what the product is,good point.=====BILL

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