So the far the tests I've read on the new Ozark all rate it really well. Poroably best i calss i the 250's. Bobby has the new Rally out onw too and they brag in their ads that it is the 'fastest" in its class. I'm wondering if they included teh Oark in thier thinking. One test said the Ozark would max out @ 50 mph, while a seperate test on the Rally indicated it was not workign very hard at 45 mph. I think this will be interesting to see which one comes out on top in this class. The Rally is cheaper, L/C and CVT, butt only @ 165ccand IMHO kinda hard on the eyes. The Ozark looks good and has bet in class #'s in the comparo. Should both be good sellers.
Any one have a Ozark yet? What are your thoughts?

 

My dad spent considerable time comparing the two. He first had money down on a rally (w/o seeing it) because the specs and features looked good for the price ($2999 which is only an introductory rate for the first 6 mo., its regular retail is $3199), but then focused on the ozark (which he bought and recieved about 2 weeks ago). He picked the ozark because of the displacement, styling, the 5 speed (which is an advantage in such a small engine), shaft drive and importantly the double a-arm front suspension (which offers much better performance). Overall he is extremely happy with the machine, I myself have ridden it several times and while it is a much different ride that what i'm used to (400ex and warrior) its a fun little machine that will serve his purposes just fine. He also got a great deal on it so the price difference was not a deciding factor (don't ask me how he got a deal on an '03 machine, the first one the dealer recieved!). Anyway the ozark just seems like a more solid machine, but i've yet to see a rally in person so my views are limited. When the rally was first tested bombardier brought along a recon for comparison, and they claimed their rally smoked it. However the recon was a '01 model which was before it got the 10% power increase by bringing it to the tune of the 250ex engine specs, and reports say the ozark is faster than the new recons, so i'd be surprised if the rally beats the ozark and if so it would be marginal. I personally think they are the best two machines in the class.
hope this helps

 

I bought the wife a Ozark and it was the second one teh dealer got in (they had a green and she wanted red) Got a good deal on it expecially for just coming out. Any way its a great machine it goes just about any where plenty of ground clearance. I rode it a little and being 6'2" it wasn't even bad for me I could get the front wheels to pop. The magazines are prediction it to be the BEST in its class.

 

The May 4Wheel ATV Action mag has a shootout of the Ozark, Recon, and BearTracker. The Ozark dethroned the Recon as best in class.

Mark

 

To me the new bombardier Rally looks like a Lego toy.

From what I have read, the new Bombardier will be nice. As far as being faster than the Ozark, We will have to wait and see.

The Bombardier seems like a decent ride for recreational riding, but I don't see any trailers being pulled with this thing at all. A CVT trans. robs low end power big time. To be such a small engine, I don't see it as something to serve anyone but the trail rider who hauls nothing but his tail on the seat.

From what's out in the market right now, I say the Ozark is by far the better pick. I sure hope they make a sport version as well like Honda did with the Recon.

 

knowsalot, i've been hearing that suzuki is supposed to come out with a 250 sport quad, but i had been hearing about a manual clutch version using the drz250 motor? even the ozark auto clutch motor would be nice though.

 

Damn Markdf, you've got the May issue of 4-wheel Action already?? How's my Raptorette look in there? I can't wait to see the article. I built it AND took the pictures. My son Skyler was the test pilot, we shot three rolls of film for them and haven't seen any of the pics yet. They wanted to develop the film. I have a new subscription, but nothing yet.
I feel like an expecting father,,,,DOC! DOC! Anything yet? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

GORRC got a 3 x 5 spot in the "Inside Scoop" section, 1/2 of it text, 1/2 picture. The pic they used is a rear/right side jump shot. That one was a full size Raptor.

The April ATV Action has the Raptorette in it's "Inside Scoop" section (Pg 6). It shows the bike parked and viewed from the side. The text does say that there will be a full report in an upcoming issue but it looks like it did not make the May issue.

Looks like you'll just have to wait just a bit longer.

Jaybee

 

Well heck that's okay, That's gotta be Skyler on his 660 Raptor. Black and white Raptor with a pretty small rider all in black and white gear right? He was kind of embarassed about being in the mag riding his little bro's 80, so this will be really cool for him.
.....Meanwhile GORRC has changed it's name to the Gila Rough Riders, or
GRR..
.....And to stay on topic, I think the new Suzukis are awesome. I think they are aimed right at Honda, and outdo them at every turn. The Ozark, Vinson, and Eiger are aimed right at the Recon, Rancher, Foreman and Rubicon, And we all know who's butt is gonna get kicked by the Z400. I hope they are working on something to tackle the Rincon, that is going to be a pretty great quad. Man it just keeps getting better.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Yes, that is Skyler, as the article gives his full name and credits him with being the 13 year old president of GORRC.

I've got to agree with you about the new Suzuki line. After 10 years of "bold new graphics" this is really great, although I am suprised by how many new models they have chosen to bring out in one year. The Vinson sounds like a real winner that just has a few teething pains to work out. I have an Eiger and see it as the best mid range sport/ute out there. The Ozark looks like the Suzuki engineers parked a Recon in their shop and said, "Let's make it just a little better here and just a little better over there too" Looks like they succeeded. Haven't seen the 400 yet.

This is great. Just look back to what we had to choose from just 5 to 7 years ago - Big 4x4's were 400cc, sport utes had 4 1/2" of suspension and they were getting heavier and heavier. I think all the major manufacturers have come a long way in that time. It'll probably get better too.

Jaybee