Hi guys, just picked up a 97 Kawasaki 400 Bayou 4x4 and was wonderiing if these bikes are reliable?What faults or common breakdowns do they haved?I have a 94 honda 300 4x4 and its always been super reliable but i have never owned a Kawasaki.By the way what is that round tin cup near the dash for .a speedometer?Also it came with no air filter.Does one of those universal air filters on ebay just push into that rubber flange sticking out into the airbox?Thanks in advance.

 

the 400s are nice and relyable, mabe not as much as the trx300 you have thought[img]i/expressions/beer.gif[/img] please do not get a universal ebay air filter...they are junk. it really is worth the money to get a brand name air filter, or you could go to http://bikebandit.com/ hit OEM parts type in your model atv search through the parts list and buy an OEM air filter. kawi designed them to run the stock filter and it will keep your engine clean.

 

my friend bought a 1997 2wd bayou 300 and has beat the crap out of it since new. He sunk it at a lake he tried to cross. We drug it out, drained the water out of the crankcase, put new oil in and she ran like a bear for another 8 years. He used to take it pit riding and has rolled it down hills several times. He also would bait deer stands with it. He would put literally 800 pounds of sweet potatoes on the racks and drive it miles into the woods. I finally bought it off him for 200 bucks. It was sitting out side for about 3 years. I changed the oil and cleaned some wire connections and have beaten the crap out of it myself for the past year. I have used it to tow a disc to chop up ground to plant grass. Also towed a heavy trailer on the farm. It still runs like a bear, although it does burn some oil, the clutch slips, and the engine knocks. My old man does yard work with it. He likes the dual mode differential; doesn't tear up the grass. I just bought him a brand new 1996 bayou 300 for christmas. They don't make quads like this anymore.

 

Hey ?Thanks for the reply's guys .Good to know.This one came with 26 inch 589 tires..about 2 inch lugs on them.My son and i tried it out last night and he was going through 2 feet of snow with it.My son couldn't beleive it.He is already claiming it .lol