Now come on people, be honest. If you're a die-hard red or yellow fan, maybe you shouldn't answer this thread. I want to know in complete thruthfulness, which you feel is better and why. I've heard for a starter fact that the Ozark has a much higher top speed than the Recon. Let's hear your opinions here, but nothing like "Recon is better, Ozark sucks!"

 

I don't know if there is a best but only certain aspects of the machines that are better. The Recon is a well built machine with good power and handling. The Recon makes a good trail machine that fits under or around most anything. It comes with decent stock tires that grip well. The Recon has it's motor turned to deliver power more directly to the wheels and has it's drive shaft within the rear swing-arm. The switches (including the reverse button) are all mounted on the bars. This comes in handy in situations where you can't or shouldn't take your hands off the bars. (steep inclines or declines) The only place where a Recon lacks compared to a Ozark is 17 cc's.

 

Well, let's see....I own 'sukis and I own a Honda. We were originally going to get a Recon as a wife bike. We once borrowed a friends Recon for a week long Wisconsin vacation and were very pleased with the Recon. By the time we got around to getting one, the Ozark had come out. In comparing the two it mostly came down to two things - 1. The Ozark has disc brakes up front vs the drums of the Recon and 2. The Ozark looked better. I should also add in a third factor: Our favorite dealer sells Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki but not Honda.

The specs on the machines are very close. Same price. If you nit-pick and compare every detail like engine size, suspension travel, weight, fuel capacity etc. the Ozark will be just a small amount better then the Recon. For a utility ride, the merits of an extra 1/2" of suspension travel and even the extra 17cc's are questionable. The only other comparison that I felt had any real merit was in ground clearence, where I think the Ozark comes out better by almost 2"

The Ozark and Recon are both great quads - Both very reliable, easy to ride and sporty for a utility bike. These two are way ahead of anything else in their class and frankly, you can't go wrong with either one.

Jaybee

 

The Recon is a great little machine. I was out rock crawling on it this weekend, and it will go places that a 2X4 shouldn't be able to, mainly because of its small size and weight. Dead solid reliable!! Have never ridden the Ozark, so I won't comment on it, except to say one rode along with us the other day, and the owner said it was a pain to shift.

 

jaybeecon55- I've heard people complaining about the placement of the rear rack on the Ozark, that it bumps you in the butt while riding. Do you find this to be true?

RedGoblin- If you're considering buying one of these two. The Recon's price was reduced for 2004. ($3299. & $3499. for the ES) I would just go a few more hundred and buy a 2 wheel drive 2004 Rancher at a retail of $3899 with 100 more cc's.

 

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One good thing about the Recon and I haven't tested this on an Ozark but the Recon is the perfect napping area for the spring, summer and fall.

I throw an old pillow in my front storage box that I have added and since I am getting in an advanced stage of my life I get sleepy in the afternoon. What I do is take out on our place and I have all these good spots that I can use for napping. You put the pillow on the back rack and then prop your feet on the handlebars or rest them on the front fenders and look up into the sky and man life on the recon couldn't get any better.

Chet[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Coyotechaser - Maybe the rack will bump you if you are riding very agressively. My Eiger was in the shop a few weeks ago so I borrowed my wife's Ozark. I'm 6' - 2" and didn't have any problems. I am too large for the bike in that I would not choose it for my 100% of the time ride, but I don't recall bumping into the rear rack. The main thing I noticed is that when I was leaning forward into a turn that the size of the bike made my knees feel like they were going to bump the bars.

Jaybee

 

I bought my Ozark back in May as my first atv and it has served me extremely well! I rode it rough ALL summer long and its a very fun quad with 0 problems. For a little utility it will definetly hold its own. It will run all day with bigger quads and leave some of them too. I just bought a new 400EX a week ago and love it as well (of course) but still won't part with the Ozark for fear I will miss it on the tougher trails and deeper mud..........................Man, I had a dang good summer!!!!!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Ozark38- It's smart to keep the Ozark. It was nice when I had the Warrior and Recon. I used the Warrior for faster play riding and the lower gearing and semi-auto of the Recon were nice on the tight trails.

 

The Ozark has more power, more ground clearance, more suspension, and more towing capacity. The only thing I've heard about them is that they have a clunky transmission.