A review of Kayo ATVs shows why they have really begun to make a name for themselves in the youth ATV industry over the past few years.
Youth four wheelers such as the Kayo Fox 70, the Kayo Bull 125, and the Kayo Bull 200 are known to make good starter four wheelers at reasonable prices.
Aside from dirt bikes, Kayo has pretty much focused solely on youth ATVs…until now.
They just recently released their very first youth side-by-side option, called the Kayo S200.
And it looks strikingly similar to the build styles of the Polaris RZR 200 and Polaris RZR 170 youth models, which together have ruled the youth sport side-by-side industry for quite some time.
So while it certainly looks the part of a contender in the youth sport side-by-side space, can the Kayo S200 actually hang with the RZR youth models of the world?
And what is the top speed of the Kayo S200?
This guide will answer those questions, in detailing:
- Kayo S200 Top Speed
- Common Issue With Kayo ATVs translating to the S200?
- Pros & Cons of the S200
- Key Specs & Features of the S200
Kayo S200 Top Speed
Kayo ATVs are known for being surprisingly fast, though they can’t quite hang with some of the fastest youth ATV models out there.
The Kayo S200 is powered by a four-stroke 196cc single-cylinder engine, and should be able to reach top speeds of between 25-30 mph depending upon the number of riders and terrain.
These speeds are right on par with those of the RZR youth models:
| Model | Top Speed |
| Kayo S200 | 25-30 mph |
| RZR 200 | 29 mph |
| RZR 170 | 29 mph |
Common Kayo ATV Problem The Same For The S200?
Kayo ATVs are known for having some common issues, some of which negatively affect the overall performance of their youth ATVs and drive some owners mad in the process.
The most common drawback is with the stock carburetor, which is not of the best quality and known to cause issues like hard starting, rough idling, stalling, poor acceleration, and the feeling of an overall lack of power.
The Kayo S200 is carbureted as well, which is one of the areas it falls short of similar youth sport side-by-side models.
With the Kayo S200 being so new, only time will tell whether the stock carburetor is prone to some of the same issues, but it’s something to be aware of.
The good news is that even if the stock carb in the S200 proves to be problematic, owners of Kayo ATVs have found cheap replacements online that alleviate the issues once installed.
Kayo S200 Pros & Cons
Pros
- About $1,200 cheaper than Polaris RZR 200
- Speed is on par with the RZR youth models
- Kayo body styling and build is handsome
- Six-point roll cage offers good protection
- Four-point harness seat belts provide good security for riders
- Automatic CVT transmission makes shifting easy for youth
- LED headlights offer good brightness
- 9 inches of ground clearance is an inch less than the RZR 200 but offers enough room to clear most obstacles
Cons
- Equipped with a carburetor rather than EFI like the RZR models
- Carburetor may cause hard starting, stalling, and backfiring
- No 4WD option so it can only handle easier terrains
- Plastics, parts, and components are not as high quality as similar youth models
- The stock tires don’t offer great grip in sandy, muddy, or rocky terrain
Key Specs & Features
Engine & Drivetrain
The Kayo S200 is brought to life with a four-stroke, 196 cc single-cylinder engine.
This engine offers decent low-end power and initial acceleration for its size, though it noticeably drops off in the upper RPM ranges which limits the top end speed.
The fuel mixture is determined by a carburetor, and the jury is still out on whether the S200’s stock carb causes some of the same common issues seen in Kayo’s line of youth ATVs.
Mated to the engine is an automatic CVT transmission, with a drive belt and shaft drive supplying only the rear wheels with power.
This model is not equipped with 4WD, but neither are any competitive youth sport side-by-side models.
| Engine Type | Four-Stroke, SOHC |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Single-cylinder |
| Displacement | 196 cc |
| Engine Cooling | Air-Cooled |
| Ignition | Electric |
| Fuel System | Carburetor |
| Fuel Capacity | 3.9 gallons |
| Drive System | 2WD, Shaft Drive |
| Transmission Type | Automatic CVT |
Suspension, Tires & Brakes
The Kayo S200 is equipped with a double A-Arm suspension system in both the front and rear offer decent suspension travel and do their job of soaking up bumps and holes in the terrain so the ride isn’t overly jolting.
The ground clearance of 9 inches isn’t quite what you’ll find in the RZR youth side-by-sides, but offers enough room to clear mos obstacles without bottoming out the vehicle.
The 75-inch wheelbase is about 10 inches bigger than that of the RZR 200 and 170 models, with the Kayo S200 being a bit bigger in size.
The front and rear tires are both 22 inches in diameter, and are about what you’d expect for a budget side-by-side model.
They do their job, but will noticeably run out of traction in mud, sand, gravel and in steeper terrain.
Hydraulic disc brakes in the front and rear provide plenty of stopping power for this machine in any terrain.
| Wheelbase | 74.8 in |
| Ground Clearance | 9 in |
| Front Suspension | Double A-Arms |
| Rear Suspension | Double A-Arms |
| Front Tires | 22 x 7-10 |
| Rear Tires | 22 x 10-10 |
| Front Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Hydraulic Disc |
Final Thoughts
The addition of the Kayo S200 to the youth sport side-by-side scene gives consumers a more budget-friendly option to consider.
While this model resembles the RZR 200 and 170 in quite a few ways, it still feels inferior overall.
But for around $1,200 cheaper, it may be very well worth considering.
For more on Kayo, check out the following:
