I am strongly considering an Ozark for our expanding family (my 15 y.o. now lives with us). I like what I hear about the Ozark and figure it will be a decent match for our 250EX. My main question concerns the shifting on the tranny. One article I read said the shifting was very stiff and picky. Has this been a problem for you Ozark owners? My wife will be using this machine some and I don't want to have to worry about her missing a shift at the wrong time. Any replies about this or other Ozark info would be appreciated!

 

i have miss an up shift (maybe one out 200 shifts)but that is no big deal on up shifts. the problom is missing down shifts and i have never missed a down shift on mine. as long as you can grab that lower gear when you need it(and you can every time with the ozark) everything is cool.

 

Its a little stiff at times but I never really have a problem with it. Its a great machine and so far there isn't anything to complain about.

 

Mine was a little stiff but that was not why I sold it. It doesn't shift as smooth as my Recon but nothing shifts as good as a Honda!!

 

Thanks for the replies so far. Would the stiffness in the shifting be a problem for my wife who isn't used to shifting?

Bobcatv8

Just curious. Why did you sell the Ozark and keep the Recon and Bayou?

 

I purchased an ozark for my daughter ... she learned a good portion riding with my wife on her kodiak. She had a learning curve and the stiffness of the ozark didnt shorten it any. However, once that slight hurdle is overcome it is a wicked quad. She had it in technical rocks and we were all around here coaxing her down....and the bike went through beautifully...easy for her to handle rolled over those rocks as well as the kodiak or my prairie. If the learning curve involved in shifting is a big concern you may want to go up to the kaw 360/vinson/kodiak...more money but auto trannys. Just a bigger bike...my daughter handles that ozark and the shifting better then the auto kodiak (i know the size and weight that would be commen since...but my point is even with shifting she is manuevering the ozark better). Your other option is the rally or the recon...I took them all out in researching the ozark....ozark is was the best compete package as far as i was concerned...rally surprized me in a few area but felt the ride of the ozark was far better. Recon nice little quad as well....i just thought the ozark was a better performer and figured that having her learn the concept of shifting wouldnt hurt either. Ozark is a solid quad and the shifting may not be as easy as on others...but there is so much more to the quad that makes up for this.

 

I needed to downsize a little and the Ozark would bring more $$ as it was newer. The Bayou is Moms favorite and I use it for pits transportation at the drags too so it was off limits. I may be looking into a '04 LTZ250 for my son and most likely would trade/sell the Recon to make that happen. I had 5 quads at one time and that was nice but a little much so it was just a money thing. I really have no brand preference as long as it is a Japanese {Yam,Kaw,'Zuk or Honda} made/designed. I don't like Polaris or Taiwan made quads. The Ozark was hands down a better quad overall than any other in the 250 class. But it did shift a little stiff. My best advice is to let who ever is going to be the main rider of any quad you buy test ride all the quads you are considering. Most dealers are multi-line so it may not be a big deal to test ride several. Good Luck!

 

My wife learnd on an Ozark and has had know problem at all.

 

hey ya i just got 1 and i ride mi friends 250 ex all the time the ozark will put up a good match w/ the 250 ex it is better all around and gets through tough spots easyer but the 250 ex handling is a little better and wont flip as easy the shifting on it is weird at 1st but you get used 2 it you miss an upshift everyonce in a while but its not a problem