I am looking around for a decent, mid-sized utility ATV and i ran across the Bayou. It seems to fit my needs perfectly. Can anybody give me any information about it, such as top speed, cargo capacity, oil choices and so on. either post a response here or e-mail me at eeb@netwurx.net

 

I have a Bayou 250 (2002 model) Overall a great little machine. Top speed about 40-45. plenty of umph for a 250 but not very sporty. Thats why I purchased one for my wife.

 

is the Bayou good for steep hills?

 

I've taken mine in some pretty gnarly places... It can conquer some pretty steep stuff. There have been some times when My son will follow me on my P650 and I am surprised of the tenacity of the machine. The front end is a little light and there is some "front end push" when turning. But all in all its a good machine. If money permits I would also look at the Ozark 250...

(Now if your 250 pounds and not a very experienced rider and your trying to climb a snowy/muddy mountain... forget the above comments)

 

well thanks for all your help

 

i got a kawsaki bayou 220 and itspreety good iv went in some deep mud and up some steep hills. there good 4 wheelers

 

My 12 year old son has a 2003 250 and it goes 46 mph. Very easy to ride, easy to maintain. The only thing I will say is its really cold blooded.- Needs choke alot till warmed up.

 

my bayou 220 will go 45mph with 2 people the 250 should do about 50 mph.

 

If you're looking for a 250 class ute, look at a Yamaha Beartracker or Honda Recon. The Bayou is ok, but the rear suspension makes it handle weird at speed and the front suspension, sorry to say, is just junk. The single A-arm design is very outdated, it's the same design they use on things like 50cc and 70cc quads. It might work ok for them, but the Bayou is a little bit for it. The Beartracker is more durable, just as powerful if not more so, and has bigger racks. You can find them all for about the same price, and I've seen some outrageosly cheap Beartrackers around. I had mine for 3 months, bought new from the dealer and sold it for $2,600.

 

i owned a bayou 250 for 3 months found it a son of a #$%*& for idling, had to keep throttle revved to keep bike going. great for riding on hard forested gound, fuel mileage was great also. but when i tried to ride in the mud it was the pits. the front would dig in like a shovel, oh by the way that was another problem i had, the ground clearence in the front sucked especially when you are riding on rough rocky trails.the bike would bottom out all the time. the factory tires were horrible in the mud. the mud would stay stuck to the tires and would not flick off. any i got fed up and traded up for a kawai praire 360 4x4. a lot better ride. but maybe the 250 would suit you fine, it sure didnt do anything for me.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]