I know this is asking for trouble, but figured I'd mention it anyway. I've worked on both my quads, 94 Kawasaki Bayou, 99 Scrambler 400, and have had dealers do MAJOR work on both. I've noticed the huge difference in parts costs between the 2. For example, my Kawi's engine cost me $1800 to rebuild. This included whole new top end, new piston, boring, disassembly and assembly and gaskets, etc.. It took the dealer(who is also a Honda dealer), almost 3 months to get parts and finish job. I removed and installed engine. The head alone cost me $380 from Kawi.

When I rolled my Scrambler, it took a new frame, all new plastic, new rims, tires, almost everthing except motor, trans, rear axle and swingarm. The total cost was $3100 and parts were about $1900. I had the quad in 2 weeks after the adjuster looked at it.

Now I don't know if it is just Kawi, but I know whenever I need something for my Bayou, the OEM part is usually crazy$$$. On the Polaris, it just seems more reasonable, and availability is usually in 3 days max.

Now don't start about how Polaris makes all those parts 'cuz they know their quads are gonna break. I've found that between the 2, if you are going to work on it yourself, Polaris is much less expensive and better turnaround. Is this due to foreign vs. domestic? What do you folks think?

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Mike...99 Scrambler 400, 94 Kawasaki Bayou 400(newly rebuilt), 99 Impuls 50(Matt's)



[This message has been edited by MDelby (edited 10-21-1999).]

 

You should compare notes with kclayd. His post in the Kawasaki thread is title "we are being ripped off". His story on the rear shock for his Lakota is unfortunate.

Chris

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