I am a first time rider/buyer and have narrowed down my choices to either a Kawasaki Bayou 250, a Honda Recon 250, or a Honda Rancher 4x4. They all have the shaft drive and auto clutch that I want, and are all priced under 5000; I am most concerned with reliability, and performance. I will be doing some trail riding, but mostly it will be driven on pasture land with some hills and a few dips in the ground - and I will haul a few heavy items from time to time. I haven't decided if I really need 4 wheel drive or not. Any comments and suggestions on which one to buy, or any personal experience with these machines would be greatly appreciated. Thanks !

 

The rancher is hands down the winner in eveything when compared to the other 2. It also costs more. The recon and bayou are both proven machines. The recon is a better overall ride, not that anything is wrong with the bayou. If cost is a concern I'd go with a bayou 220, they are virtually identical to the 250. And they are a dime a dozen.

 

No doubt the Rancher 4x4 shift model.

Just going by what was written it would serve your purpose the best if worked at all and the four wheel drive will aid in traction

Second pick would be Recon which is quite a bit cheaper and does really well for its size and even then I would pick the Rancher shift 2 wheel drive model if it is worked and I don't see this choice in your post.

The Bayou even though updated still has the odd front end suspension design compared to the Hondas. I mean the Kawasaki will get you there but this choice would have to budget all the way before I would pick this model.

Chet

 

How about a Yamaha Bruin 350 automatic for $3999.00

 

I used to have a Recon and it was a great utility quad, never had any problems what so ever , I haven't riden any of the others but I hear the Ranchers are really good

 

I would go with the Honda Racnher. I have a 2003 Honda Rancher Es 350 4x4, and I love it. I have not had any big problem with it. The only problem I had was a seal leak, but I got that fixed. I got my atv in feb. of this year. I have added alot of stuff to it. I have 570 miles on it, I love it.

 

hey why dont u buy a yamaha beartracker - its a 250 and sells for way under 5000 . i think they want 3200 for it. great machine and it has an auto clutch but not 4x4 but does pretty good in the mud ne way. it also has a shaft drive and ours takes one heck of a beatin and runs great with no problems. have fun with whatever u pick!

 

Goth, I would stay away from the Bayou, my sister-in-law had a bayou 250... the steering was bad,
when ever you would turn, the inside wheel would want to come off the road and seemed like it
always wanted to toss you off with a sharp turn, plus the throttle responce wasnt any good.

 

Whatever you buy make sure it is 4 Wheel drive.