I am looking at a 98 Bayou 300 2WD. It has very low hours and looks in excellent condition. The dealer is asking $3250. My only concern, when the dealer started it, it sounded great, no smoke etc, however when given some gas there was a slight knock in the engine. It was not valve tick but more of a knock. It was cold (45 degrees) when we were looking at it and the knock seemed to go away when it was warmed up. Is this something to be concerned with? Any other thoughts on the Bayou 300 in general or as compared to the Recon or BearTracker? Any replies would be greatly appreciated for I am new to ATV's all together and this is going to be my first.

 

I own a 96 bayou 300 2WD and think it's a tough little machine. It might not be the fastest or the best riding but on tight rough trails it will how its own. The only time I have ever wished for a 4x4 is in deep thick mud... generally I try to steer around the stuff. The price sound about right, but try to get it for an even $3,000 and take the extra money and buy a good set or rear tires.

 

I dont think u should worry about the knocking noise, i think it is common in the 300 engine, my 300 4x4 has the same problem, i dont let it worry me

 

go for it my uncle had one it was a really good machine could pull a hole lot good suspension and pretty fast we had it running about 60mph through the pasture and we never got it stuck and it has the locking rear diff.
i would try to talk them down to 2800 or 3000 and use the money and buy some good tires for muddin like tg1 said.
all and all good machine wish he still had it but he traded it for a beat up flat bed truck and 500 bucks and the truck dident even run.
all i can say is he got jipped

 

I once read comments by Greg Hall (Tech Connection) that Kawasaki engines are known for developing a "harmless knock" in the clutch basket once they get a lot of hours on them.

As for the price, it seems a little high to me. I have been quoted $4000 as the drive-off price for a new one. The own you are looking at is now three years old.

Kawasaki is not one of the more popular brands of ATV's and for that reason, their resale value is not as high as others. But then of course if you look more at their reliability and performamce relative to the other brands, you stand in excellent position for a real good deal.

I can promise you the dealer did not give the original owner anything close to what he is asking for it.

I would offer him $2800 and walk away if he doesn't take it.

 

i have a 98 bayou 300. it's a good machine. I have had very few problems with it. I am trying to sell mine right now only because i want something sporty. I did however take off the racks and the fender extenders and put on a new pipe and jumped it. i want to race bad. it is also the best hill climbing atv around. i guarantee i can out climb any fourwheeler around. i am going to put the racks and stuff back on and sell it. how much should i sell it for. it is in good condition. also should i get a raptor, banshee, 400ex, warrior, or something else. i want speed, low cost, and good handling. i can get a used 400ex with extras for 5000 and a new raptor is 6500plus tax and all. i also sorta want reverse so the raptor sounds the best except the price.

 

I have a Bayou 300 '97and a 220 '96 2x4 both are good machines I have had no problems with them. they go in the deep sand and rocks if it can't go in 2WD I don't want to be on it. I payed $2800 for the '97 We don't have much mud in South Utah but for my riding in the sand and deep canyons they are a good choice of Quad.

 

i had a 95' and it was the best quad i ever owned. i really rode it hard and it never failed me once. i rode this thing in the california dunes , the az. desert, the new york mud and snow, for hunting, even plowed snow with it. used it to pull a trailer around to give kids "hay rides". the selectable differential is an awsome feature that allows easy handling for tight trail riding and wont tear up your lawn. engauge it and you get the traction from the rear wheels that will get you through almost any thing, climb almost any hill. you wont go 60mph as previously stated mine never did more than 45mph .that is probably its biggest draw back. as far as reliability ill give it a 10+. i have owned 7 atv's and this was by far the most versitile and reliable . i would still own it if it didnt get stolen last year , im thinking of getting a new one. as far as price -- i paid about 4900 otd for mine in 95", i dont think the price went up sinse then. you will get a lot of people in the forums who will bash the kowi but they never owned one. i say go for it

 

Well, I didn't get the Bayou 300. I went to the dealer with the intention to buy and I was going to go to $3000. He would not budge from $3250 though. He said it was a very, very clean machine and ridden very little, pratically brand new. But I told him I could not see spending that when I could go get a new Recon or Beartracker for 3500. I was really impressed with the Kawi and it seems from all your posts that it is truly a very reliable machine. Thanks for all your input, and the search goes on for my first ATV!!!!