I am looking to purchase an Ozark or a Recon shortly. My biggest question is which one has the best low end torque and climbing ability in first and second gear. The area I would ride has lots of steep leaf covered hills with loose broken mtn rock underneath the leaves. These rocks are more like larger sized loose gravel. On occasion I would need to do some large boulder rock climbing/crawling with the atv.Nothing major on the rock crawling just small areas. I am thinking that a good strong low first and second gear would be necessary. I know the Ozark info says it has 17 more cc's of power but it is designed best though the mid range of power? I just wonder if the Recon, even with less cc's has more low end power than the Ozark? I like the Ozark body style but performance is the key for my area. I won't be running races with this machine so I am less concerned with top end speed. What do you guys think? Recommend? One last thing the Recon has an oil cooler which I like th idea of having especially with extended low gear riding. I just wonder if the Ozark has something similar to prevent overheating? I would think that the oil cooler will help the long term life of the engine? This cooler might be worth the slight trade off in cc's power compared to the Ozark?
Alot of question I know but i would really appreciate some feedback. Some of you own both models and that is a great asset to this board!! I wish I could gedt a rancher but these are what fits my budget best . At least for the short term. BY the way I am 5'9 and about 180 lbs. I know these things will effect riding perfomance for the two models I listed. I wish i could take some of each machine and combine them for my needs!! Thanks for any insight or suggestions.
Randall G. NW Arkansas

 

Bump. Any suggestions or opinions anyone? Thanks again.

 

Buy the recon. Reliable, tough and lots of fun. It will easily do all you want and still be running for your kids to ride.Love mine , beat the $#%@ out of it without problems.

 

Spent lots of time on both. The Ozark has more power everywhere over the Recon. You will definately notice the Ozark's extra cc's. With that said, the Recon is practicaly Bullet Proof and will amaze you with what it can do.

The best way to say it is the same way I have put it on other Threads. The Ozark does everything just a little better than the Recon, but they are Both Great quads and you can't go wrong with either one.

 

The Recon Is considered the Best 250cc ATV around but thats all i have driven is the recon a Rancher 4x4 a bayou 220 and a Big Bear 4x4 and the recon kept up with both 4x4's and beat the bayou but The recon is the best because its a Honda and will run for about 15-20 years if kept in good shape and u can beat the crap out of it because i know my friend dose to his and his runs the same as mine and i never ran mine hard but the recon climbs like a billy goat!!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] PLAYA4U922@AOL.COM

 

Hi Arkrider,

I have a 2002 Recon. We have put over 500 miles on desert/hilly terrain. Super reliable, very good low end torque BUT if I had to do it again I would definetely buy a 4X4. I have been in many situations where the Recon or any other 2WD got stuck and had to be assisted to continue. Also the tires on the Recon are not the best for slick or wet rocks. Because of its extreme low 1st gear it spins on every terrain. When we go up hills we always use 2nd gear otherwise we dig in.

Trust me buy the 4X4 now and save yourself the trouble of buying it later.

If you are looking for the best 250CC 2WD you cannot go wrong with the Honda. Yes the Ozark has better suspension, its faster but will it be as reliable and will it fetch the same $$$$ used value????

Buy a 4X4.

Marcopolo

 

Well, I've owned both. The Ozark has more speed but the Recon has more off idle grunt. The Ozark handles better, has better brakes, looks better, has a great little dry stowage well under the seat, has easier reverse procedure. They feel very similar to ride. That said, I sold the Ozark and kept the Recon. Go figure. The Recon shifts soooo smooth and just has a better "feel" to it. Can't really but my finger on why that is. The Ozark shifted kinda notchy but that was more a problem to the wife and kid {11 at the time} than to me. You really can't miss with either one of them though. If Honda would add disc brakes {F} and upgrade the looks they would be the best IMO.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I definitely want to get get something that will last. I am not much of an abuser of ATV's. I grew up on a Honda big red four wheeler and it lasted forever. I like the looks of both as well. The cc's of the Ozark are a plus but I don't want to trade longevity for a few more ccs. Most of what I will be doing is trail riding and using it for scouting and hunting. Some of the area that I would be able to ride doesn't have trails so it would be trail blazing. I don't expect much mud.
I plan to buy sometime in the next month. I plan to pay cash to avoid financing so I am trying to get the best machine for my needs. I would get a 4x4 but I really think a 2x4 will be sufficient. We used to take the three wheeler into some rough places. We just had to choose the proper path at times.

I think I am now leaning towards the recon. I plan to change tires on it to a more aggressivve type. Any suggestions? I was thinking Maxxis all tracks, or Sur tracks in the origianl sizes. The trails are hilly with loose rock kind of like gravel. Some is even hardpack.

For those of you that have changed the jets and filters on your recons. Did it effect the life of your engine any? Also, does the oil cooler make a big difference?
I really appreciate your help guys. Nothing better than input from actual owners.

Thanks agin everyone!!!