I am looking to get my smaller brother a quad, and until now It was a beartracker vs recon thing but after going to the showroom and seeing a 220 bayou for 2899, I became interested. Does anyone know how these machines compare to each other. I know the b-tracker has a larger engine but he is just starting off so speed and large amounts of power arent required. Thanks

 

go with the bayou it would be a better quad for a beginner.

 

go with the beartracker its the best one out of the two

 

definetly go with the beartracker or maybe consider a honda recon

 

the 220 is a good machine for a smaller rider, the reverse is a little easier to use than the beartracker, the 220 pushes around corners if driven hard. Seem pretty even powerwise. Bought wife 22o new in 1999 over the beartracker. New beartrackers have disc breakes up front now. Disc brakes would be better,but not if the selling price was 500 more. The 220 has a more comfortable seat in my opinion.

 

I would still strongly consider the Recon. While the Bayou might satisfy a beginner it will be a whole lot easier to reach its limits and be ready to move up. The Recon will be just as easy to learn on but with its extra power, better ride and stability, it will be funner as experience is gained. I taught my 11 year old son how to ride on my Recon. The controls and everything were easy for him to handle. When it came time for him to learn hillclimbing and such, the good low end torque and good ride made him very comfortable right off the bat. The Recon seemed to fit my son, my wife and myself; all equally well, even though we are all different sizes. Though it may be slightly higher (they are going for $3300 here) you get what you pay for in this instance.

 

Buy the 220... it's cheaper than the Recon and just as much fun. Besides why be like everyone else? Buy team green!

 

I don't think the 220 is a good machine its smaller than a beartracker it has a single A-arm front suspension and a weezer motor.My buddy has a kawi and its a piece of junk.He has fought cronic carb problems,twice the shifter broke off,and had numerous nuts and bolts fall off.You can not beat Hondas reliability,better suspension and slightly larger ergonomics,The beartracker ranks slightly behind the recon it has Mcphearson strut front suspension and for 2001 disc brakes.The 220 Bayou would be last on my list.If you wait till Jan. Honda is bringing out the 250 sport trax its a sport quad based around the recon motor.

 

Even though I'm a Yamaha lover at heart, when it was time to get my 12 year old a quad, I had to pick the Recon. It came out as the #1 pick in the mag's it was tested in and it has been one great quad. I'm always trying to steal a ride on it to see what it will go through or climb up. As another post stated, "you get what you pay for".