Want to get my son a wheeler for under $4000. Does anyone have any expeirence with the Beartracker?

 

Don't know about your part of the country, but around here new 2001 Bayou 4X4's are going for $3995. It has better suspension than eithe the Beartraker or the Recon. Plus 4WD.

 

Ihave a 99 Beartracker, I have 2 years of abuse on it and it runs and just keeps on agoing, nice machine for woods riding,not to fast top end,but overall works nice in mud conditions,Iput some bearclaws on rear, turned it into a whole different beast. great little machine.

 

My freind has a recon, for a utility, it handles great, has decent acceleration, not that of a sport quad but pretty good, and has a lot of torque. He has even had it on the MX track. it didnt exactly fit his needs so he is selling it and buying a sport, if you want a recon in great condition get his, It is in excellent condition. Let me know and I can give you more info.

 

I'd go w/ the beartracker or the bayou. I've owned a timberwolf (older beartracker) and it was an excellent bike. I had a new 98 recon and it was a good bike but a pain in the winter due to they are cold natured. You would have to start it about 10-15 times the first 5 minutes but after it warmed it was ok. The dealer told me they are all like that. Seems like a lot of wear and tear on the starter etc. not to mention a pain to keep starting it. You also have to put a recon in neutral to start every time which is weak.


2000 kodiak 4x4

1995 kodiak 4x4

 

The beartracker is a fun little machine. It is really a good time on the trails. This past weekend my wife and I went mushroom hunting and 4-wheeling and I rode her beartracker for a little bit just because it is a lot of fun in the woods. We've had it for over a year and not had any problems with it. I don't know much about the recon, but it is a honda so you know it will be a reliable machine. My wife has ridden a bayou and wasn't really thrilled with it. She had problems with the throttle sticking. Your son will enjoy the beartracker. It is an excellent machine to start out on and have alot of fun with. Good luck with your decision.

2000 Kodiak 4x4
yamaha speedo kit
warn snowplow
2000 Beartracker(wife's quad)

 

I have a 2001 Beartracker i got for 3600 out the door, about 300 cheaper than the recon. It is a great quad it gets me through alot! Starts in any gear w/ the break held in. Plus w/ the choke it dos'nt die in the cold. It is a very reliable quad.

 

I have a 2000 BearTracker that I bought last August and I have been riding it almost every weekend since. I haven't had any mechanical problems with it, even though it has been flipped twice (driver stupidity). It always starts right up and I can keep up with everyone on the trails which is what I ride most. The top speed is about 43mph. Maintenance on the bike is very easy. The air filter is under the seat and the oil can easily be changed. A few things you should be aware of before you buy one: the 2Wd most likely won't make it through long, deep mud holes; riding in fresh untracked snow can be slow (again the 2WD); the reverse lever can be a bit awkward at times but its nothing to be overly concerned with; and first gear is your only gear for climbing. Once you become familiar with the bike, you will be aware of its limitations. I have ridden it at the Cochranton, and Madera Poker runs recently. On both occasions there was a great deal of mud and the BearTracker never got stuck. In my opinion, the BearTracker is an excellent inexpensive, entry level bike. It was, and continues to be, a great bike for me and my wife to gain riding experience. In the future, I would like to upgrade to a Wolverine or Kodiak but I fully intend to keep the BearTracker.