Hi, my son is thinking of buying a new beartracter. We would like to know the good and bad about this model. He can not afford a bigger atv at this time. Thank you for any imformation you can give us.

NUBBIN

 

the beartracker is a very dependable ride, I have had on since 99 changed oil and 1 sparkplug ,normal mantinice things still runs like a champ. Only thing wrong is that there isnt much for top speeds ,about 40 is revvin out pretty well. Put on a set of kenda bearclaws and it was like adding 4x4 to machine, goes through mud real well, nice riding through woods good overall machine for 3200.00.

 

Hi vmaxer, thanks for your reply. How is the suspension on your beartracter? We had a bayou 220 a couple of years ago and it was a back braker on rough ground. My son lives over by Annandale MN. Wife and I will be back up in June.

NUBBIN

 

The beartracker is a fun machine and good in most terrain, not hard to modify either, mine runs real good now.

 

It depends on what you'll be using the Tracker for. It's rated better for towing and rack weight
limits than others in it's price range. (R-rack 99lbs. F-rack 66lbs. and towing 728lbs.) But it only has single A-arms and a less impressive acceleration. It's max hp is supposed to be 10.2 with 230cc. The dry weight is about 441lbs. Look at the Honda Recon and the Suzuki Ozark if you're more interested in performance and handling. They are all offered at the same retail price although I've seen the Tracker at lower sale prices. (Retail:3499.) If I was buying today. I would lean towards the Ozark with 246cc,
dry weight of 403 lbs.,R-rack 66lbs., F-rack 44lbs. and towing of 730lbs. Just to get a few more mph. But my Recon has been great for where I ride. (Tight woods) The Recon has a dry weight of 397lbs.,
rack and towing are less than the other two. It's max hp is around 11.1 with 229cc. I get a top speed of about 45.4mph. Unless you have stock in the Yamaha company, it would be good to look around and then buy. My neighbor has a tracker and he doesn't like the position of the choke and reverse. His is a 2001. His son says he has a hard time with the shifter sometimes.

 

The BearTracker is very good/dependable atv. However, it has been around for a while without any significant changes to it. It is outdated compared to the Suzuki Ozark and Honda Recon. I would choose the Ozark if it was me, better handling/ride, bigger motor (246cc compared to 229cc on the beartracker), lighter, etc... I have had both atv's at one time. I had a '94 timberwolf (a.k.a. beartracker) and just recently sold the Ozark for a Kodiak. The Ozark, in my opinion, is a better atv at this point in the game. Yamaha needs to do a makeover on the Beartracker to bring it up to date with the competition.