Let's all pray that the new Kaw 650 doesn't go the way of the Raptor in its first year bugs.

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Any product that can continue to sell for years and years without the need for refinement is a testiment to it's reliability. So when you think about, Kawasaki might be considered as the maker of the industry's most reliable ATV's.

Few if any other ATV manufacturer can lay stake to such performance.

 

I would have to disagree on that. In all of my years in quads and dirtbikes, I have seen three Praires, and one Lakota. The guy with the Lakota dragged it 250 miles, only to be left watching us ride, as he couldn't get it running. I also have two buddies with Praires. Something is constantly going wrong with both of them. One guy got tired of it, and traded it in on a Grizzly. The other guy still has troubles with his every other ride. The other guy beats on his so bad, I don't hold it against Kawasaki because it's always broke down.

 

You base your comments on your knowledge our four ATV owners who for all we know, did not take proper care of care of their investment. My comments are based on the fact that Kawasaki has produced thousands of Bayou units for over ten years with few if any design changes being found necessary. Any problems with Bayou reliability should have long since been known throughout the ATV industry.

Again, I urge you to find another ATV model on the market today that has withstood such a test of time.

 

I will have to agree with sprngdlr. I won't say the Kaw Bayou is the best b/c like every atv, it has its limitations and drawbacks. However, they have made this model since 1986 and it is probably the most reliable unit on the market (tough call between bayou and fourtrax 300). They are both simple and incredibly reliable. Part of the reason is due to its simplicity.

 

You urge me to find another ATV that has stood the test of time? How about the Yamaha Warrior, Banshee, and the Blaster. They have been out since 1987, and haven't had as much as a bolt changed. Well, the Banshee changed its a-arms. Thats it. The Warrior was the best selling sport quad for years. How about the Honda Foreman 300? I do believe it sold more units than any other two quads put together. Kawasaki had to put something new, and state of the art out. They have done nothing memorable in the past.

 

hakmazter, honda is never giong to release a two stroke again execpt for close circuit racing i.e cr's sorry but that came down from the top brass at honda. kawy , could of had a huge following with that new two stroker, but they dropped the ball,kinda like gas-gas.

 

One simple answer summed up in four words: It's not a Honda!

 

They should of kept the Tecate-4 or made another high-preformance machine!

 

The Yamaha models you mention are very reliable two-strokes. My first ATV was a Yamaha Blaster that I bought just to have fun. However, once I decided to purchase one for hunting I decided to go more with a four-stroke utility. Yamaha is definitely another one of those "not a Honda" ATV makers of very reliable machines.

I have learned however that Honda are excellent ATV's when it comes to the used market. Many people buy them simply to know they own one. Then when the money gets tight they are eager to unload it. That is how I got a sweet deal on a '92 TRX300 that I ride only a few times each year. The rest of the year you will find me on my Bayou. By riding the Bayou more often, I know that the Honda will last longer.