Help me pick between 2000 Polaris xplorer 250 and 95 kawasaki bayou 220
 

I just looked at a 2000 polaris xplorer 250 4x4 am looking at a 95 kawasaki bayou 220 this week. I am unsure which to get. The polaris is hardly used....about 10 hours according to seller, my uncle. He did not decide on a price yet but only used it to pull a leaf collector. He has not started it in 4 years and it looks showroom new. Yet it is a 2 stroke and dont know much about them vs 4 stroke.
Other atv is a 95 kawasaki bayou 220. Listed at $1000 but price is negotiable. pics are nice and seller states it runs well, good tire tread, etc. It is my first atv and just want something cheap to use for now. I should be able to get either for $1000. I am afraid they will be under powered once i learn to ride well but i think the price is really good on both. Anyone have info on either of these?

I wouldn't want anything as old as a '95. After 18 years I imagine spare parts are hard to get.

I would pick the polaris

I bought an 04 polaris magnum 330 4x4 automatic/air cooled, for 1500 three years ago. The only thing that I had to fix on it were tires. Bought them from Chapparal Racing, shipped to my house for 280 and had them installed at WalMart for 20.

I have also seen several other magnum's for sale on Craigslist for 1600-2200 in the last few weeks since hunting season is more or less over here in Missouri.

You might want to think about what your needs are. Air or water cooled. Automatic or manual shifting. 2x4 or 4x4. This in addition to the basic questions, how was it used, maintained at home, serviced by any mechanics/dealers.

Just my two cents.

i own a bayou 220 and I can tell you that they are not great machines. The heads on these machines wear easily and it is hard to find a bayou with good cam bearings, lobes etc.. however the Polaris (if cared for as it is a two stroke) with the claimed amount of hours should be a great bike . If you have the opportunity I would test the compression in the Polaris before buying first tho just because it is an older two stroke.

That thread was from 2012.

After 2012, trbst11 posted once in 2014 and hasn't been back since.