Hey guys, I just got back from my local Kawasaki dealer, (being an ex-owner i just like to keep up. Plus i neaded a new jersey.) Any way, I saw there all the specs and some pics of the new 650 V-twin Kaw is putting out in the spring. Trust me, the Sportsman 700 will be better. Don't get me wrong, it looks like it can really rip it up. but here are my reasons for thinking so.

1. Full time / Limited slip four-wheel drive.
Honestly, When that one front tire gets out of the mud pit, it ain't gona matter if its a 650 or a 250, the front diff is just gonna spin so it will become 3.5 wheel drive.
And, full time. Not only is the Four-wheel system old style, but its also full time. The sportsman 700 will be easier to rip around on because it will be part time. It will power slide better then the 650.

2. Suspension
God know that something that heavy has to ride well. The sportsman 700 will have maybe more then 9 inches of rear as well as 6.7 inches of front suspension. Plus its independent on the back end.
The Kawasaki is only around 7 inches at both ends and has a straight axle in the back. It just won't be as good as any sportsman.

all in all, The Kawasaki Prarie 650 may be a fun looking machine, but i personally feel that Polaris' features will make the larger displacement SP700 a better buy. but that remains to be seen as the prices of these machines will surely make or break them. Thanks alot guys.

Boss

 

One thing Kawasaki has that Polaris does not IS A PICTURE OF THERE 650!

 

true at least Kawasaki has the 650 , the 700 is still a rumor.

 

The sportsmen 700 v-twin does not exist untill polaris says it does. rangerchet

 

how can they be compared? neither one of them exist yet..i know kawasaki does but they both have to be tested to say which is better

 

We had the chance to see the new 650 Kawasaki last weekend. It does have a switch on the right side of handle-bars which allows it to be either 2 or 4 wheel drive. Also it has a lever on the left side of the handle-bars that locks up the front differential (when needed) to make it true 4 wheel drive. It is a smaller lever angled below the brake lever. It reminds me of a de-compression lever on the dirt bikes I remember from the 70's.

 

"God know that something that heavy has to ride well."?

I don't know what type of riding you do, but as far as I'm concerned, a heavier machine = worse handling.
I concede that the ride may be more "plush" on a 600+lb machine when you are lolly-gagging down the trail and I'm sure the extra weight helps while performing utility work (plowing & towing). But that 600+lb machine has got to be a handfull when the speeds increase during more spirited riding on twisty trails.

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not ripping on anyone's machine or preference. I'm just throwing in another opinion.

Let me add that I think it's great that all the manufacturer's are coming out with new machines. In the end the real winners are us (the consumers) because we have such a wide variety of machines to choose from to find the machine that most closely matches our intended uses and riding preference.

 

These comparisons are great! Really until both quads are out, its all speculation.

The Kawasaki is still more than 3 months from production, they have time to make changes to any area necessary.

Polaris hasn't announce & the 700 could be a bigger Sportsman or Polaris could come out with something really different! The only people that know this work for Polaris.


How much bigger & more expensive are these quads going to get?

 

Are you sure about which dealership you were at? The description of the bike you gave and the Kawa650 are not matching up.

 

325boss: Despite what you say, the Kawasaki 650 IS switchable from 4WD to 2WD; it has a locking front differential; and it's lighter than a 500 Polaris, according to advance reports.

Now, tell us more about the SP700.

Diogenes.