I'm still thinking about getting a 650, and have a few more questions. Does the 650 work ok without any mods to the engine or tranny. It seems like almost everyone modifies the tranny, is it that big of problem? and the Brakes, I read in another forum that the cat rear braks are crap. Do any of you ride quads other than the 650 and how do they compare. I don't rely on magazine comparisons . I'm still leaning towards the cat to get my work done but just a little leery hearing about the problems.

 

I have an 04 650 which is completly stock except for some nice rubber. I have had no probs with tranny or motor, and do not plan on doing any mods to them. In ALL my past experiance doing mods to my sleds, it dose add power and all but i found the reliability would go downhill. All brands of anything, quads, bikes, sleds are going to have their problems. My best advise to you would be to pick a bike you like then shop the dealers. A good dealer makes the world of difference. Reaserch the Bike then talk to dealer about all the problems you have heard of. Hope my long winded thread helps. Good Luck and I hope to see you back on the cat forum!!

 

alpha...u dont have to do anything if u dont want.....i havea freind and he has alot less trouble with his v twin than some with mods...myself i have done some as u cans ee and i dont have much truoble.....if i stayed out of the mud i am sure the brakes would be fine....lol.......what no mud...................wont happen..........lol.......i have had some belt problems.....but thats my own doing.stuck tite and tring to be a hero and not take awinch line......but i would buy another 650 v twin ina heart beat....good luck on what u decide...........like they say if it has wheel or...t.ts it will; probly give u trouble....winking at the guys..no offence ladies

 

i have a completely stock 650 and am extremely happy with it. The only problem i have had with it was that it tripped into limp mode once, i just used the jumper key and 10 secs later it was fine. last weekend i went riding and did 34 miles in 3 hours of rough trails and mudholes and deep ruts, absolutely no problems. the rear brakes work great. i think its the foot pedal for the rear brakes that they are talking about. the handlebar brakes are completely linked and if u pull hard enough you could definitely do a nosestand with those brakes. i am goin to get the cdi module and some new tires but thats just b/c i want it not cause its needed.

 

I have a '05 V-twin too, just stock. The only problem I see the snorkel box, it could be tighter sealed. Plus the factory forgot a roller in my driven clutch. My belt was 1 inch over tolerance b/c I put 150 miles on it before realizing the factory's mistake. My Dealer fix'd it and got me a new belt through the warrenty.

As for the brakes, yes the '04 had brake issues but fixed in the '05 models. I have two A/Cs and plan on buying another this fall. Probably the H1.

 

i have had my 640 for just now i year and did not do any mods except big tires. found out that big tires in thick mud or hard on the belt so i have added mods to suit me, but i was very happy with stock bike.

 

if it wasn't for the belt deflection set incorrectly from kawasaki on the 04 and the limp mode problem i would have never put a clutch kit and cdi in my atv. these were only added so i would have more reliability when i am way back in the bush. well 1400 miles later not one single problem and like previously said i always use the hand brakes and i know i could flip it forward. but with these mods i can flip it backwards by just sitting on it and cracking the throttle. gotta love the power.

 

Thanks for all the info on the 650! I rode one yesterday(just in the parking lot) and I have to say- nice! The dealer tells me OTD 7100 with the winch installed . Is that about in the ball park? Being so close to the 2006 models coming out I'm thinking about waiting to get a 2005 cheaper(dam I'm cheap) every little bit thelps though. Has anyone heard on anything new for 2006 from AC? Again ,thanks for the replies

 

the 06's won't be out till august i think it is. and well i think msrp is about 7300 i know it was for the 04. i got mine for 6800 and they threw in the winch for free and i installed it myself. after doing about 5 winches it only takes between 45 min to an hour for me to do it now. and if you wait till august so you can get a better deal the summer is already half over and you missed out on alot of great riding and you would probably only save maybe a couple hundred bucks. my advice go for agusto and go get one now instead of waiting.