I am looking for a bike for my bother and have the choice between a 99 recon or 99 bayou with almost 2 years of extended warranty left for about the same money. I own a recon and know they are rock solid, my question is are the bayous close enough in reliability to let the warranty tip the scales

 

HONDA-HONDA- HONDA is the only choice between the two.

 

I have owned both the Recon & 220, and would not
hesitate to say the Recon is the better or the two. The A-arms on the 220 are somewhat soft and
can be accidentally bent. I had trouble when idling the 220, using it at slow speed while spot
spraying for weeds when the engine would overheat
and seize. The engine would usually start up again right away and I would drive around at faster speed to cool it off, but then it would seize up again after awhile. I can feel far less
heat coming off the Recon used in the same conditions. Also have a Suzuki LT160 used for spraying and have never had any problems with it and the heat coming off the Suzuki is also far less noticeable than on the Kawasaki. The suspension on the Recon is by far superior to the
220. It seemed that the front suspension on the 220 was out of synch with the rear and that it would porpoise like a bucking horse while the Recon stays level.

 

P.S.
Should have added that my neighbor has a 220 and has on his third set of tires. His only problems with the Kawasaki have been a bent A-arm, and transmission jumping out of 2nd gear. This 220 has really been USED. Think he is leaning toward a Honda next time around.

Have noticed that while driving down a prairie trails (just two wheel tracks in the prairie)the Recon makes it far easier and gives one far more confidence to go faster. On the prairie trail you have one wheel in the track while the other is up on the prairie so it isn't always easiest place tpo drive. The Recon will turn sharper which is something you will find important.

 

Thanks I was leaning toward the Recon anyway, but you guys have made up my mind. Thanks

 

Recon. As you know its a great quad. The bayou seemed a little small for an adult rider. Also there front suspension (a-arms) have had some issues in the past.