i own a kaw 650 prairie but was looking to buy the artic cat 2005 650 but reading forums the belt issue turns me off i got 300 hours on my prairie and had no belt problems i just changed it .also the atv magizines say artic cat dont handle or turn very well or very stable in turns or off cambers please help

 

buy a honda. best on earth.

 

WOW, you are sooo smart, I will go out and sell my Arctic Cat right now and get a Honda.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INFORMATION!!!!!!!!

 

yo baretread i owned 3 hondas .foreman 450 ,rubicon 500 and an old trx300. your right they are good machines my only complaint is no full locker. and a little bit down on power otherwise they are sweet

 

I will come straight out and say it, Honda does make good ATV's. I say again GOOD ATV's. Not the best. When was the last time Honda had ATV of the year? 2001 with the Rubicon. But that doesn't make them the best. I have had 2 and still have one. But I also have a Cat. I would not get rid of it for anything! I am not saying that AC makes the best either. It is all in the preference of the rider. Spikeland was asking about the AC 650, so why not tell him about the 650. Not some 350 Rancher!

Now as for the AC 650. Yeah, it does turn a little wide. But that is because the rear wheels would rather push than follow. In some terrain, 4wd will help you turn a little tighter. Also, I have found that with the rear suspension set a little stiffer, you can powerslide easier. Off camber, it seems pretty stable. Except when only three tires are on the ground and under the third there is nothing but complete void. But in that case, what quad would be stable? As for stability in turns, a decent set of aftermarket tires will fix that right up. The tires on all new quads now are getting cheap. Only being 4-ply, the tire would rather form to the ground and roll rather than hold it's shape. But with a little better tire, the stronger sidewall will cure that. Given you run the proper air pressure for the terrain.But that is once again, the riders preference.

As for the belt, my AC 650 is bone stock for now and I haven't had one problem with it. Just be sure you use low when you should be in low.

Hope this has helped you in anyway possible. If you you choose the AC, have fun and........

 

Guess what? Your Prairie 650 has the same tranny as the A/C. Mine has worked fine from day 1 and I've had no problems whatsoever. I ride mine with the racks loaded down and through tight, technical terrain mostly, with some high-speed fire road riding as well. I think the tranny issues are overblown. Just use low range when doing the slow speed stuff. It is all in how the dealer sets it up. Go to an AC dealer that also sells and services Kawasaki and you'll be just fine.

 

I like the way my 650 handles. For me I put my front shocks on the hardest setting and the rear on the softest setting. To me the rear seemed oversprung and on he softest setting I can blast through 2 foot whoops wide open. When I corner its fun to turn and gas it it wiil lift inside tire like a sprint car and slide rear tires. Everybody that rides my quad feels the same as me. But that's just our opinion. So just experiment and find the best setting for you. In the old days rideing big bore dirt bikes we always said when in dout gas it.

 

thanks guys i bought the ac 650 and i am satisfied with the handling. these forums are helpful . i dont care much for those goodyear rawhide m/t tires .thinkin about mudlites.thanks again[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

When you put the mudlites on, you will notice a 100% improvement as for handling. Like I stated before, all ATV's are using junk for stock tires no to be "enviromentally friendly."[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] But anyway, good luck and have fun with your new Cat![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]