Anyone here have or had a Ozark 250?

Im considering one for my son. Hes a big 9 year old and has been riding my mid size Honda ATV around the yard very successfully as well as my bigger King Quad (all with my direct supervision). His daily ride is a modded LT80.

I started off looking at the Yamaha Grizzly 125.....but for almost the same money I can get a Honda Recon 250 or a Suzuki Ozark 250.....twice the motor. Guess the Big Bear 250 isnt out of the question either.

A quick Craigslist search shows nothing but 99 Recons......looking for something a bit newer. No Big Bear 250s.

I did find a 2005 Ozark 250. Seems like a nice machine, priced at $1600 from a private seller.

What did you like about this machine?

What did you not like about this machine?

Any troubles or specifics to look for?

Any high dollar maintenance issues?

Thank you very much for your time and advice.

 

The Ozark is a good, basic high quality 250 class ATV. I'd rank the Ozark and the Recon about equal although the Ozark has a slight advantage in engine size, GC and suspension travel. The Ozark is light and easy to move around - it's about a 7/8ths size bike. If you can find a 2005 model in decent shape for $1,600, then that's a great deal.

Both the Ozark and Recon are as reliable as they can be and will just need basic routine maintenance. Fast enough (45 to 48 mph) to keep up with larger bikes. Light enough so that even though they are only 2wd they can get through lots of mud.

The only thing I could say against the machine is that it's better for riders under 6' tall.

 

Jaybee said it right for sure.

I bought my son (then 12) a 2005 Ozark for christmas about 3 years ago, paid 2200.00 for it. Very dependable, had to replace the battery but that's nothing. Put a set of Mudlites on the back and he can follow me almost anywhere I go on my Vinson 500 4WD. He graduated up from a Suzuki LT160, up from a Honda TRX90, up from a Suzuki LT50.

The only thing I don't like is the rear drum brake, (front brakes are disc) but that is apparently the brake of choice for the 250 utility class. No problems with the brake, but I've had a long history of problems with rear drum brakes on Hondas.

 

After chatting with him a bit I think hes wanting more of a sport wheeler.....so know Im leaning towards the 250ex. Im kinda concerned it may be to much power.....

 

My son was riding a Recon when he was 9. Bulletproof quad.
If your son has been riding a modded LT then the Honda EX won't be too much for him. All three of the 250's mentioned are very close in the way they ride. The EX is a recon with some body changes and the Ozark is a LTZ250 with some body changes.

 

I have a 2002 ozark and it does close to 60mph judging by riders i was with. It hasn't had a single problem, most ground clearance and cc's in it's class. I am 5'8 and weigh 170. it goes anywhere i have tried and out climbed a 400ex.

 

Thats kinda what I got out of the spec sheets......next is just to find one that isnt trashed or that someone doesnt want new price for.

Found a 2002 in pretty good shape with aftermarket exhaust for $1500 or offer.....maybe $1300 or a bit more will buy it.

 

Only if you are riding with guys with defective speedometers. You may be able to coax an Ozark to 50 MPH if you are on smooth hardpack and have a long run - on level or slightly downhill ground. The only way you'll see 60 in a stock Ozark is after you load it into the truck.

I agree with everything else though.