Hey guys,

I've been riding a friends Ozark for about a year now at Finger Lakes State Park here in Columbia, MO. and love it. I'm ready to buy my own ATV and am wondering if I should stick with the Ozark or bump it up a notch to the z250. If any of you have ever been to F.L's you know they are some massive ruts. along the trails. I am leaning towards the z250 for the performance but am not sure how it would handle some of these ruts. The Ozark does very well out there but does get high centered from time to time. From what I have read, the z250 will have a little less clearance than the Ozark due to the rear 20's. I just don't want to buy one and be pushing it out all day long! It also tends to be very muddy out there a lot and would like your thoughts on the z250 in the mud (with proper aftermarket tires of course!). Thanks.

 

I have ridden my Z250 in very rutty areas. usually when you high-center it, you can rock back and forth and side to side and give it some gas and it will come right out. I have never been in much mud either, because its just stock, But I have been up to the head-light in water without many problems, it never dies out or anything.

 

There both such nice machines but going by what you have written I would say go with the Ozark because of the advantage of having the racks if you need to carry something, the added fender/ foot area protection and I am sure you have found out the Ozark is a pretty fun machine and the last time I looked it was $ 400 dollars cheaper.

 

Yeah, and the ozark has a more suitable front bumper.

 

i would get the z250 because its faster then the ozark, the ozarks nice if you wanna carry stuff, but the z250 is worth the extra money, it has more aftermarket parts then the ozark so you can build it more, with a good set of tires and a pipe the z will rip threw mud.

 

If you have some time to read these articles are here on https://atvconnection.com/

https://atvconnection.com/atvconnect...s/ozark250.cfm

https://atvconnection.com/atvconnect...-Ozark-250.cfm

https://atvconnection.com/atvconnect...04-LTZ-250.cfm

 

buy the ozark if youre a mud lover, the z will cover you in mud in no time

 

Sounds like you've answered your own question - You're riding in trail conditions where a sport ute is a more suitable bike than a sport bike, if for no other reasons other than more ground clearence and mud protection. Add in the fact that the 'zark has racks that can hold stuff needed for distance trail riding and it seems pretty obvious that the Ozark fits your needs better.

Jaybee

 

when you add up the pros and cons of each they both are very good bikes. the weak points of one might be the strong point of the other. I would sit on them and ride them both and see what one you would rather sit on all day.

 

I own both, and for trail riding, the Ozark is the better machine. More ground clearance, better mud protection and a more neutral seat position and overall feel to the Ozark. The racks also come in handy from time to time.