Kawasaki Bayou 220

Has anybody seen one of these modest machines turned into a monster?

I've seen these bikes go through stuff that I still don't believe in stock form.... my thoughts wander to what one of these machines would do in the hands of a nut like me....LOL

If anybody has seen or has pics of one of these lifted and decked out to mud... please share with us!

I just started trail/mud riding with my old 94' 220 and found it to be a great trail bike as well as plenty of fun in the mud. After the first ride, as well as the stock nobbies did, I ordered a set of 23-11-10 Mudbugs, which, simply stated, trasformed the little bike. Guys were laughing at my "kiddie" ride when I showed up with it Monday at a nearby riding area, but were impresed by what the little thing would handle...needless to say...so was I. I think a big factor in its ability to make through holes that are sticking bikes with 25-27 inch tires is that with these mudbugs, the space between the rear wheels is so narrow, that the sidewalls are gripping the center high part of the ruts, and also the bike is just so much lighter that it doesn't take much grip to keep it moving. I was riding wheelies out of holes that guys with much bigger tires were spinning to get out of...definetly a great starter bike for someone that wants to ride alone and try out riding before investing a lot in a big bike!

I've also ordered a jet kit and possible exhaust coming soon, because of the extra drag of the mudbugs, but it still does well...who knows, it may be fun to build a monster 220 just for the shock factor!!

This is a pic of my wife on it while taking a break from riding monday...she's actually a small woman, but wearing all of my old clothes doesn't do her justice!!
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Nice review td

Sounds like you know exactly where you want to go with it.
Let us know when you get the exhaust and jet kit on it and how it performs with these mods (kind of a before and after). I've heard some good things about this "kiddie" 220 which seems like it surprises everyone and let me tell you, I think the adults have more fun!

LOL.. I LOVE IT! I'd pay to see one of those "kiddie bikes" transformed into a beast that'd embarass some of them $20K HL panzies.

You let us know if there's ANYTHING we can do to help!

ROCK ON!

Ride Safe,

Chuck

I also just discovered that that Wiseco sells a .040 oversized piston, but that would only bump it up from 215cc to 222 or so, so maybe I'll have the local machine shop take a look at it to see what we can work..just have to convice the wife first!!

there's always a way to convince a wife

im curious to, i also dig with a 220, and ive wondered for years if it would be worth the money to turn this into a monster?

also im curious what mods can I do to improve performance/engine enhancement?

I have a blast with the little sucker, but I haven't found much online as far as performance parts goes. I think any work after an aftermarket filter, jet kit, and pipe (cobra makes a nice one for it), anything else would have to be done in a machine shop. Luckily for me, guys that bore out atv engines are everywhere around here. The key would be keeping the weight down while trying to gain a little more ground clearance, which would mean either bigger tires or independent suspension. I'll probably do a little engine work and leave it at that for now. The only other mod I've been considering lately is a nice smooth skid plate setup for the underbelly. I figure if I've got a nice smooth surface underneath with nothing dragging, those mudbugs should be able to find enough to eat to keep it moving along in most areas...oh, and maybe a snorkel setup for it

got a bayou 220, gave to my sister when i got my new yamaha...the bike was so much fun in the mud. recently put larger tires for ground clearance on the front and it will go almost anywhere. i still like to take it out everyonce and a while. great trail bike, never failed!!!


07 BIG BEAR
STOCK W MUD LITES
EXP EDITION...

Yeah, my 15 yo daughter has a 220. We went out riding last week and one of the guys riding with us said he was embarrased after riding. He had a 300 A-cat 4x4 with stock tires and was getting stuck every few minutes and my daughter with her 220 4x2 with 22x11 Mudlites never got stuck. But of course we didn't give him a hard time. My daughter has learned to ride pretty good. And I think a lot of the 220 is knowing how to ride.

It seems to me that the Bayou 220 is a near unbeatable machine. I can also attest to this. I don't own one, but my neighbor does and we've been through all sorts of situations and never been left stranded or dissapointed. That bike is now going on 8 years old and his daughter (17) rode it all day yesterday on the river with us. It's still alive and very much kickin. Best bike for the price EVER, imho.

hey guys i know i'm a little late on this thyread but i've got a 2001 bayou 220 and she's unstopable. i've had her through thick mud, seat high water, and everything in between. i'm trying to rig her with a snorkel and need to know what tubes coming off the engine/carb i need to run along with the breather. any help would be great.