I've got an 02 P650, no mods, just a couple of thousand miles of hard riding. Now looking to replace it. So here's the question for those who really know......

What is the difference, or improvement of the 700 over an early release of the 650? I'm also toying around with the idea of the King Quad, but thats another story...

Appreciate the help

 

I was in the your same boat about 2 weeks ago and wound up with an '05 P700 Team Green scootin' machine. The dealer was really pushing it over a consignment 25 hour '04 P700 he had, and gave me a pretty good deal on it.....this is definitely the time of year to buy from a dealer who doesn't handle snowmobiles.

They just had a skeleton crew on, and there wasn't much going on in the showroom, and this outfit sells a lot of quads, takes up a whole block, lots of inventory to move. They knew they had a live one (me), and they were pretty determined to sell something. I would stay away from the snowmobile/atv dealers, and concentrate on the atv-only guys if you decide to buy.

What's better about it: The new one actually feels just squirelly under me with power, and that's without mods and only 2 miles on it. Fit and finish much better than my other one. Color is great. Starts and runs great. Better protection from radiator mud. Found no loose bolts. Can't go into detail on what bugs they have worked out, but they have had 3 more years experience building the same bike, 3 more chances to get it right (5 chances if you count the '02 P650A2 and the '05 BF650). I know the air intake box is more efficient as are the clutches and belt.

Just ride a good '04 or new '05 P700. You'll feel what I'm talking about, handling, power, everything working together like it was meant to do. Personally, I don't think Kawi is going to build a better quality bike for awhile, maybe bigger and shinier, but not better. The P700 is like the Japanese cars, they're reliable because they just keep improving on the same design year after year.

 

Little bigger engine, little better clutch setup, comes in team green if you want, little better airbox design. and about 3-4 MPH faster. I've heard good about the KQ but I have also heard about some big problems as well. If you go that route I would wait for next years.

 

I had a 02 p650 and I frequent the local dealer a few times a week, like to keep in touch even though I dont own it anymore if ya know what I mean. Well I was in the shop talking to one of the techs and he had just prepped 2 new BF 650 s and he asked me to back one out for him and put it in line, oh and ride it around before you do , the 1st thing I noticed was it started much easier than the 02 and for some reason sounded more throaty also seemed more responsive than my 02. One thing I didnt like was I had to put it in 4wd to get over the snowy curb on the sidewalk and it did not go in right away. I had to roll forward 5 or 6 feet to get her in maybe just a glitch cause new. I do like the 4wd better on my Griz though.Overall I think the new BF650 has been perfected over the years nice job KAWASAKI !!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

AMEN!!, oggydoggy. The Brute 650 is a great machine, in fact it is closer to being a P700 than a P650. It has all of the p700 upgrades as in the cvt, clutch, etc and from my understanding, and I could be wrong, is that it is in the 700 chassis. I run with, not behind, my brother's and dad's 700's all day. My 4X4 is the same way, I need to be rolling forward a little bit and it won't engage in reverse. Other than that it really is a great mahine.
Once again, nice job KAWI!!!

 

I understand your point about the upgrades to the BF650. But if I'm going to lose a couple grand to upgrade my machine I'm not going to do it for a couple of minor upgrades and no power increases. For a couple hundred more you can have another 12% more displacement, or about 67 more ccs. Without that, an upgrade isnt even worth it in my mind, I'm not sure an upgrade to the 700 would be either but definately more reasonable than a BF650. The trans and other upgrades have been very nice, but the Prairie 650 was and still is a great machine without those improvements.