Help Me Identify This Yamaha Please!

[Blenderite]

Greetings! ATV newbie here. I just picked up this ATV. I'm told it's a Yamaha Big Bear 350, a 1999. Problem is that the VIN, which should be on the left side of the frame, it's been ground off.

So. How do I identify which model number this is? Is it definitely a Big Bear 350? Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Ajmboy]

Usually when they grind them off there's a chance it's stolen. It does look like a big bear, just not sure what year. Google "1999 yamaha big bear" and look at the images, it's very close.

[Blenderite]

1 hour ago, Ajmboy said:

Usually when they grind them off there's a chance it's stolen. It does look like a big bear, just not sure what year. Google "1999 yamaha big bear" and look at the images, it's very close.

It does appear to be a 1999 big bear 350. How would I tell the model number? Partszilla lists 4 different models of 1999 Big Bear 350.

[Ajmboy]

Hard to say, it looks pretty stripped. Are there any tags or numbers anywhere?

[Blenderite]

8 minutes ago, Ajmboy said:

Hard to say, it looks pretty stripped. Are there any tags or numbers anywhere?

No tags I can find. There is this number which I just found looking at the engine block with a flash light. I might take off all the plastics and look at it better. Perhaps the VIN was stamped somewhere else on the frame too?

[BRoth82]

My best guess is that you have a 2wd 250 bear tracker, if you look at the front fender for a big bear and a bear tracker they are different.  The big bear has 4 vent pockets (2 on each side) right behind the headlights, the bear tracker doesn't have these vents.  I believe that the C at the end of the part number on partszilla is for Canada (Km instead of MPH on the speedometer, but I could be wrong.

[Waffle]

Looks like a timberwolf to me....

https://www.google.com/search?q=yamaha+timberwolf&rlz=1C1RUCY_enUS733US733&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf5s-ilL7cAhVQdt8KHfazCN8Q_AUICygC&biw=1707&bih=854&dpr=1.5#imgrc=anp4r1hA2YeSEM:

[Waffle]

Here's a front view , Looks like its missing the Cowl that housed the square lights and they popped 2 new round led ones in there 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=yamaha+timberwolf&rlz=1C1RUCY_enUS733US733&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf5s-ilL7cAhVQdt8KHfazCN8Q_AUICygC&biw=1707&bih=854&dpr=1.5#imgrc=b1LlalN3DaPV7M:

[Blenderite]

9 hours ago, Waffle said:

Here's a front view , Looks like its missing the Cowl that housed the square lights and they popped 2 new round led ones in there 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=yamaha+timberwolf&rlz=1C1RUCY_enUS733US733&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjf5s-ilL7cAhVQdt8KHfazCN8Q_AUICygC&biw=1707&bih=854&dpr=1.5#imgrc=b1LlalN3DaPV7M:

It is slightly Timberwolf looking, but the plastics are completely different. On mine the front rack is slightly sunken into the plastic. Timberwolf isn't.

If you look at a 1999 BigBear 350 4x4, it matches the looks quite close. Im pretty sure that it is actually a 1999 Big Bear. Here is a picture:

https://goo.gl/images/2r3to8

Edited July 27, 2018 by Blenderite

[whitern]

Timberwolf?

[Frank Angerano]

That’s 100% a bear tracker 250. I have the same bike. Work horse! Looks like a 2000-2001. 

[wanrep]

Regarding the engine number....4WU is the model code for YFM350FWJ, Big Bear SE 4WD.  1997-1999

[stymy68]

That looks a lot like 2 Timberwolf's I have. Unless somebody changed the tanks on both of mine, and they were different owners. Although i haven't been able to figure out why 2 of my Timberwolfs have different rims and rear racks then the other 2 Timberwolf's i own.

[Ryang]

250 Bear Tracker