I am looking into buying an ATV in the spring. The last time I rode one was when I was 18. I am now 33. I plan on using it for yard and forest work, hauling stone and logs, but I also want it for joy riding in woods and trails. I'm about 5'9" and 200lbs and looking at 250s. I have limited my choices down to the Kawasaki Bayou 250, the Yamaha Bear Tracker and the Suzuki Ozark. The Bayou is my first choice because the price is right and seams like a good deal. The Suzuki Ozark is my second choice because when I was riding my friend all had Suzuki and swore by them. The Bear Tracker I know nothing about except for what I read online. I plan to try all three at the dealer and determine witch one "feels" better. I would like some advise from long time riders that may help me decide what machine would best suit my needs.

Thanks for any help.

 

Hi,my wife had a 220 bayou with is the same as the 250. All they did was add a few more cc on the new 250. The frame and supension are the same. She hated it. The supension is a back breaker. I had to get rid of it because both of us could not take the beating.You are farther ahead spending afew more $$ and get one that you can enjoy. The reports that I hear are that the ozark is a great little machine. My son has a bear tracker which he uses on his farm for both work and play and is satisfied with it. If you plan on doing heavy work with it look at the 250 artic cat. They have the same suzuki engine as the ozark, but have a heavier rack rating. Hope this helps.

NUBBIN
04 Bruin 4x4

 

I have no idea on pricing, but a wolverine seems to fit into your riding and working requirements. 4x4, sporty handling and suspension.. a blast on the trails. In addition, it is a 350. The upper end is based completely off of a warrior which is time and time again tried and proven.

At least check into it.. they are tons of fun.

 

If you want it for pulling loads and mainly working. The Beartracker or AC 250 would be better. The older Suzuki Quadrunner would have been good but I don't think they make it anymore. The Bayou would be my last choice of all the 250's. The Ozark would be decent but I think a hitch would be extra. You could ask them to throw one in with the deal.

 

I think I heard that the hitch for the ozark was like $20. Look up all the atv's that you like on the internet and find out what there rack loads and pulling capacity are. Make up your mind on the one's you like and go to the dealers in your area and test drive them. Make sure you drive over some bumps and see how the supension is and how they handle. Another good little 250 is honda's recon. Check that one out also. Good luck on your choice.

NUBBIN

 

I've also been looking at the same types of ATV's for wife and kids. Ozark, Recon, Bombardier Rally (bit smaller). Currently have the Kodiak 400 and like it. The Ozark is priced a bit higher than the other comparable ATV's. The Bayou is the best price from what I've seen. Good luck. I wouldn't let a few hundred bucks sway your decision. It may be worth it.

 

I went to my local dealer to look around. I saw the wolverine in black and began drooling and grunting. (I'm a fan of Tim Alen) I didn't not test drive anything since I'd rather wait till I am buying. I have one question about the wolvie That I forgot to ask the dealer. Is this machine 4x4 all the time and does this put stress on the drive shaft and cause extra tire wear if riding on surfaces where 4x4 would not really be needed.

 

The wolverine is a fulltime 4x4 but you can get a Warn 424 to switch it in and out.

 

Get a Yamaha Wolverine 4x4 or anything like a Honda Rancher 400 AS, there are tons of quads for that, but I recommend the Wolverine,Rancher/Foreman, or a Polaris 400/500 4x4. Don't get a 250, they are small and light.

 

Stay away from the Bayou. The front suspension is terrible. The Ozark is pretty good, but it is said to have a bad transmission. I would have to recommend the Beartracker. The racks, gas tank, bumpers, and roominess are much better. Since you'll mostly be using it for work and trails, the Beartracker is a much better worker than the others. The Ozark and the Beartracker have the same towing capacity. I used mine for hauling wood and towing but mostly for tight trails, and the handling is very light and precise. Beartracker all the way.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]