I am looking at 2 used atv.
1995 Kawasaki bayou 4x4, I do not know the engine size, not running will run but then dies, owner put a diaphragm in the carb. Also a new ignition.

1991? Suzuki 4x2, 300cc not sure of the model name. Not running either,

Both need work, Suzuki is a little cheaper but buy. Kawasaki is closer to home.

Question is other than the problems which one is more reliable and cheaper to work on? I do plan on working in it my self.

I have a honda fourtrax once and it was great. Never had a Kawasaki or Suzuki.

Any help would be great.
thanks

 

Suzuki spares are eye wateringly expensive, not sure about Kawasaki as we don't order many parts, which may indicate reliability but we only seem to get KLF300s to work on and they are pretty reliable, though the front prop shaft splines wear on 4WD models. Assuming the Suz is one of those with the rear mounted engine, they have a reputation for gear cables needing adjusting but at 24 years old the cables are probably as long as they are going to get. They always seem front end light to me, I prefer the Kawasaki, though that unusual rear suspension feels odd on corners once the rubbers get a bit soft.

 

He is firm at $400.
Says it starts and runs but then dies.
Body looks good and tires look pretty good.
Its hard to say but do think think this is a ok deal?
The guy on the suzuki is at $250 but its an hour and a half one way dirve.
thanks

 

O in 1995 did Kawasaki make the 300? He is not quite sure what it is.

 

Kawasaki made KLF300s from the mid 1980s to the mid 2000s. Over here in England those prices are for scrap machines. The parts are worth more than that, but if you can't fix problems yourself, my advice is not to buy a machine with a serious fault. The owner may well have found out that repairs are going to cost more than the machine is worth.

 

I own a 2003 Bayou 4x4 and it has proven to be very reliable. I'd definitely go for the Kaw for the 4x4 feature alone.
If I had the problem you describe, the first thing I would check is the venting to the fuel cap. If the vent is not functioning, you will get a small amount of fuel flow before it would stall.

 

If you want the risk of a rebuild buy the Bayou. We have a Bayou that blew up and are in the process of rebuilding. A rebuild for top end is not expensive. The Suzuki would be nice but seems a little small

 

I bought an Arctic Cat 500 once for $400. Owner was sure the motor was bad, did the same thing, start and die. All it was: Dirt in the gas tank! Drove it for years, sold it for $2,500, last year. I'd say go for it!

 

As stated the Suzuki parts are quite expensive that is there big downfall otherwise good machines. I prefer The Kawi, it should be a 300, bullit proof motors if taken care of. I owned one for 16yrs and plowed a 300 ft long x 2 car wide drive every winter and never had an issue with it !! Kawi parts are cheaper than Suzuki by a long shot. At that price any quad will be a gamble, mostly it depends on how it was cared for. Run a compression check on the engine if it comes up OK then probably a carb problem, at that age lots of gaskets have dried out and failed. Good luck with your purchase.

 

Two year old post, those bikes are long gone.