Fellow Kawasaki Owners,

Some may want to slap my face for saying it, but could it be true that Kawasaki quality is the best kept secret in today's ATV market?

For the past year or so I have tried to make a mental note of the number of problems that have been posted here for the various makes of ATV's. It sure seems to me that it is rare for Kawasaki owners to report severe problems with their quads.
For example, there is a series of posts currently appearing in the Honda forum describing the problem of defective welds being found in the new Honda Rancher. Granted, it appears that Honda has recognized the problem and has taken actions to satisfy their customers. However, would you expect such a severe manufacturing defect from a company that is supposed to produce the industry's "most reliable" ATV's? Consider also the most recent Tech Tip #20. Here we have another common problem with Honda ATV's that develop an oil leak around the clutch cover. Still not sold on Honda's overrated quality? Then take a look at the numerous posts from ES owners who have seen their batteries drain to nothing because of a design flaw with the ES system.

Granted, Honda sells more ATVs that anyone which might result in why we hear more from their owners. And truthfully, if I had paid more to own a well known Honda than I could have for a lesser known Kawasaki, I too would claim it was the absolute best. However from what I have been reading, the numbers just don't add up.

Keep in mind that I own both a Kawasaki Bayou 220 that I bought new and Honda TRX 300 that was bought used. From all that I know now, it might be a good idea to sell the Honda and replace it with a 300+ Bayou.

Ride safe!

 

If only the kxf250-1 went into production...

 

I will agree that Kawi has the best quality of water craft, oooooooooooooops wrong web site.

I traded my #1 quality Kawi 1100STX watercraft in on my #1 quality ATV Rancher 4x4 ES!!!!!!!!

Really, I looked at Kawi but the dealer in town was a real pain, you couldn't go window shopping without some desparete salesman being all over you. When I asked to test drive a Prairie 400 they told me NO, but I could purchase the quad & return it if I didn't like it. Now that sounded like a REAL scam. So I went to the other shop in town, Honda.

 

Hey, i hear ya my friend, not many people know how good Kawie really is, they arnt the most popular, but my 300 4x4 is AWESOME i love it, no problems, except for ones that i caused..... I would rather have a Kawie than any other ATV out there on the market

 

I have to agree with drlaney,

Honda reliability is far overated. I know there are more problems out there than are mentioned too. I had the so-called King of Reliability Fourtrax 300 4x4. It rode so rough that I never banged it around hard enough to hurt the chassis. But it sure liked to run hot in real ruff places. What good is a 4x4 that does that??

Also, after seeing the number of posts in here, I have to say that I think Kawi riders spend more time riding and less time on there a$$ on the computer, while waiting for the shop to fix there quad!!

 

Before buying my Prairie in 1997, I looked at all makes of utility ATVs and read everything I could. I rode several brands also, including the Polaris Magnum 425 (which was impressive to ride), but I was scared off of Polaris because of so many negative posts about quality, and I didn't like the fit and finish. If you look closely at the small details, like the finish on the powertrain parts, how things are mounted, and the overall fit and finish, I think the Prairie really shines here (no pun intended). I don't know about the rest of the Kawasaki line. The other quad line that stands out in my mind is the Honda, although in 1997, the Foreman didn't have the suspension to compete with the Prairie's ride, so it was out for me. I liked some of the Arctic Cat's features, but it's fit and finish wasn't as good as the Prairie's, and its seat comfort was no comparison. I thought Yamaha's and Suzuki's quality was about the same as the Cat's. I really didn't like seeing the battery and wiring exposed under the rear fender like it was on most of the Yamahas.
I was looking at many of the new ones recently and the Polaris line still is dissapointing to me when it comes to fit and finish. Their cast aluminum parts (I was mainly looking at the Sportsman 500) are very crudely finished and unpolished, which really looks bad to me. I guess it doesn't matter as long as they last, but it makes me wonder how well they are built.
A good dealership that stands behind their products can really ease ones mind about quality though. Its too bad that Snowshark had a bad Kawasaki one, but he probably won't be dissapointed with a Honda. they have as good quality as anyone.
Don't let your quality slip, Kawasaki!

 

Maybe it wasn't such a good idea starting this post. I mean if the folks at Kawasaki should learn how good their quads really are, they might decide to raise their prices.

 

Or could it possible be that Kawasaki just dont sell nearly as many quads as the other manufactures?Less sales = less complaints.

00 Xplorer 400cc 4x4
If you want to come in second ''FOLLOW ME''

 

I have a Bayou300 2x4 1996 model

never had a problem yet. It is limited only by its clearence, but usually I can find my way without getting stuck.....As two wheelers go I think it is a good well kept secret!

Bayouboogie

 

This past weekend, we rode with a couple of Kawi's and our club members were very impressed with the performance and quality. The guy that owns the Yamaha Grizzley is going to trade his in when Kawi comes out with a 500 or 600cc machine. This says alot since our club is dominated by Hondas!