Hey all-
I've narrowed my choice down to these three:
08 Bayou 250
09 Ozark 250
09 Recon 250

The Bayou is the least expensive by $800.00, but it's also the most outdated. Before I get slammed by Kawi fans, I know it's a great machine and the dealer agrees, saying he's still servicing '91's that run great, but it's the most outdated of the three. And it's an '08. And it doesn't have full floorboards (somewhat important to me).

The Ozark is the most expensive out the door, but is a good machine and has good resale value.

The Recon (5 speed, not ES) seems to have the best resale value and is in the middle of the pack as far as price goes and has a great reputation.

Any opinions on the best machine for working around the yard? No trails, no track, just work. What about comparable features? Does the Recon or Ozark have a digital display or odometer? I'd appreciate any input. You folks are my last stop before buying a machine! Thanks!

 

Forget the Bayou. The only way to justify the Bayou against the other two would be for the lower amount of money and if you are 100% positive that you will only use it for work around the yard.

All three are tried and proven reliable bikes. You can use and abuse them and all they will need is regular maintainence. The Ozark and the Recon are in a totally different class than the Bayou - more power, better handling, more fun. Make no mistake, the Bayou is a fine machine, but it is seriously outdated compared to the others. That's why it's $800 cheaper.

Choosing between the Recon and the Ozark is a little tougher. They are very similar with the Ozark getting a slight edge in most areas. The Suzuki has a little more power, a little more ground clearance and a little more suspension. Not sure if the Honda has upgraded to disc brakes up front in more recent models, but all Ozarks do have front discs, while older (and perhaps all) Recons have drums on both front and rear. The disc brake vs drum brake was the deciding factor when we chose an Ozark over a Recon.

 

The difference in price between the Ozark and Recon was only a few hundred dollars because of the rebates (Honda's rebate was better). I don't think the type of brakes would matter much for working around the yard, but if anyone else is looking for the same class of machines, I looked at the brochure for the Honda and they have drum brakes front and rear for '09. Dual sealed hydraulic drums in front and sealed mechanical drum in the rear.

The power and handling part matters though so I appreciate you mentioning that. I knew the Bayou wasn't quite on par with the other two but it's still not out of the equation yet due to the price, color and it's the only machine in stock.

Thanks for you input.

 

My neighbor has a Bayou, and it really isn't in the same class as the other two.

I have ridden with Ozarks, and they seemed ok. But, I have owned the Recon and it is one superb little machine! Not one negative thing to say about it, except it is a little on the heavy side. Solution....got the 250EX instead which is just a Recon in sport plastic...and 50 pounds lighter....problem solved!!!

 

Hey, now, I'am no Honda fan - I don't have anything against them, but I just prefer Yamahas. But, I live in western Alaska, a village of roughly 600 folks, and out here the main mode of transportation is by ATV, we don't use cars here, if you used a car out here it would be in pieces in about a month, the terrain is just to rough lol. The terrain is Tundra, bouncy soft, extremly tough stuff to drive through even though it look slike grass. Anyways, I say buy the Recon 250, it is pure workhorse, about 70% of the folks out here roll Hondas the others are Yamahas and Polaris - all very reliable machines. The Recon I dare say is indestructible, a friend of mine has a '92 recon that still runs and still is able to pull a 400lb trailer up steep grades aswell as 200lbs of firewood on the racks combined. Thats over 600lbs of weight not including the rider. The little Honda just chuggs right along even at 16 yrs old, no back firing or sputtering... nothing. Another friend of mine has a 2007 Recon, shes 18, and she has put that machine through hell, shes had 4 ppl riding it simultaneously and all 4 ppl are over 150lbs, and the thing still ran strong, shes driven it in water thats so deep I would be hesitant driving my 4x4 450 through it. And to top it off last summer she wrecked... some dude was drunk on his Honda 420 Rancher and ran into her head on at about 25 mph, she wasn't injured, thankfully, the Recon though only suffered a bent left spindle, what was even more amazing was that her Recon was still running, the Rancher motor actually died out when it hit her, she drove her Recon 3 miles back to her house with the wheel sticking out sideways. About a week waiting for the new spindle and she was back on the trails. Its been jumped 3ft in the air, and still no problem, the only thing shes managed to break on it is the recoil starter. Rope gets a bit weak at 30 below zero... Oh yeah, and that thing starts up with two pulls and a little throttle at 30 below. I have to crank my Wolverine 3 times. All in all I say this... if you buy the Recon, change the oil, and plug regulary, it will last you till bells chime and fire reigns from the skies.

 

I own both a 02 Ozark and an 07 Recon. The Recon has a tighter turning radious. The Ozark shifts like a mule. I would by either one again. Recon is also easier to find aftermarket parts for also.

 

Since you are considering only 2wd machines, there are also 2wd economic versions of the Honda Ranchers (older 350 and newer 420) and Foreman (older 450 and newer 500)!

"No trails, no track, just work"....until you find out how much fun you are missing!!!

 

Unfortunately, I do know how much fun I'm missing. We used to have two places to ride near me, but they were both shut down within months of each other back in 2006. Noise, dust and irresponsible behavior. So now I'm putting a small track in my backyard for my dirt bike. ATV's need more land than I have but the dirt bike works well on the small acreage.

Thanks for all your input. I think the Recon is the best all around choice.