I am trying to decide between Kawasaki Bayou 250 or the Honda FourTrax Recon 250. It will be used for light farm work some play. What are people's experiences with these quads, and what problems have people had? Thanks

 

No comparison between the two - the Recon will out-everything that the Bayou can do. Both are old and proven designs but the Bayou is a very old set-up. IIRC, it still has single A-arms up front vs double on the Recon. The Bayou is strictly utility while the Recon is more sport-ute.

Jaybee

 

Take a look at the Suzuki Ozark 250. This machine is also a sport-ute. It works great for me. It's towing capacity is 700 and something pounds but I have pulled way over that. The front rack is rated to carry 44 pounds but I can stand up on it and it carries me with no problems, and I way 135 pounds. The rear rack on the Ozark is rated to carry 66 pounds, but here again, I can stand up and jump on the rear rack without the suspension bottoming out. I have also taken my dad for a ride through my whole trail and he weighs 170 pounds. It's working capabilities are fanominal for a 250cc class machine. It's trail abilities are also great. The stock tires are good enough to handle some mud and have great traction on dry trail. The suspension is surprisingly very comfortable and soaks up the bumps with 5.5 inches of suspension travel front and rear. I think it's the smoothest ride you can get with a straight rear axle. The seat is soft and squishy but not too soft and not too hard. My Suzuki Ozark is a pretty quick ATV and has great acceleration. This ATV will powerslide with ease if asked of, but it is not a wheelie machine. Shifting is smooth all through its five gears, plus reverse. The headlights are plenty bright for night riding and I think the best part of this ATV is the electric start. All it takes is one really quick tap of the start button, and the ATV starts with no problems (with the key in the key slot of course!). The choke lever is easy to use and my quad warms up fast. Suzuki Ozarks a VERY quiet quads and great for work and play, and if a situation comes up to where you must slam on the breaks, the breaks are very stong and stop you in your tracks.

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2008 Suzuki Ozark 250
Interco Swamp Lite tires

 

The one thing i really like about the honda is that i have heard that they are very reliable, and that they are built exceptionally, and take forever to break down. How has your Ozark held up? any problems?

This is the first ATV I have gotten so i am a bit new to this, I really prefer the Kawasaki dealer and many people have told me that the honda/suzuki dealer is dishonest, and i also wasn't impressed with their shop. Should this impact my decision on which ATV I get?

Thanks

 

don`t get a kawisaki i have a bayou 220 and it sucks honda`s are waaaaaaaaaaaaay better atvs. suzuki and kawasaki are the same company keep that in mind.

 

The Recon is as near to being dead solid perfect as a small 2wd utility can get!

My neighbor has the Bayou, and it isn't in the same league.

 

i side with recon ranger.

 

my friend has a 2003 suzuki ozark 250 and is very reliable and takes a major beating he doensent take care of it at all and it still runs he hasent even done an oil change i would highly recommend a suzuki anyday theyll run forever

 

Suzuki and Kawasaki are COMPLETELY different. Designs, engines, EVERYTHING is completely different. Suzukis are reliable and I have beaten mine into the ground again and again and again. It has never broken down or anything. I personally like the Suzukis ride and power better than the Recon.

 

then how come suzuki parts fit kawasaki`s? suzuki and kawasaki have the same model dirt bikes and suzuki are exactly the same as kawasaki motors.