Dealer told me that I should only engage the 4wd while stopped.... but I've noticed that it only engages when the front wheels are in forward motion. Therefore, if you get stuck in 2wd, you won't be able to shift into 4wd. Not a good thing. Is it true that you can't shift it into and out of 4wd/2wd unless stopped without doing damage?

After just two weeks, I already got a roofing nail in the rear tire and it's leaking even after I took it in to get patched. So rather than trying to find a OEM Dunlop, I'm going to get two new back tires. What size tires can I fit under this thing without rubbing?

Thanks guys!

 

Jugernot, I am on the verge of buying a BF650 myself. I took one for a test ride last Saturday. The guy at the dealer I went to seems very knowledgeable about everything he sells and he said to just shift to and from 2wd/4wd at any time, while moving. I took his advice and shifted while moving and everything seemed fine to me. I didn't actually try to shift while stopped.

How do you like your Brute?

 

If you are only getting tires for the back, dont get anybigger than 25 inchers. If you had 2 different size tires, it screws things up.

 

If you want to keep things functioning for a while I would recommend shifting into 4WD when stopped as the owners manual suggests. The Kawi 4WD is not on-the-fly. You should always push the button while stopped. The problem with Kawi's, all that I have ridden and been around don't shift automatically. I would push the button then roll forward 5-6 feet very slowly and it would engage. The same concept goes for when you are stuck. Come to a complete stop, push the button, then apply a little throttle to get wheel spin and the 4WD will engage, though this way is not recommend but I have done it several times. Also, the 05 BF650 will not engage in reverse. Don't know about the 06's.

 

I try to turn mine on/off at a stop whenever possible. There are times when I have no choice.

My tires started leaking after just a few weeks of riding too. I had the last of it when my right rear had a huge slit in it that wasn't repairable. The rims are cheesy too...then again most stock rims on most quads are cheap. I went with 27 11-12 rear and 27 9-12 front ITP 589's. They look as if they would have fit fine with out a lift however, I went with the lift anyways. 27 inch is the biggest you can go without a lift as long as you don't go too wide in the rear. Mine's a totally different animal now. I would not suggest getting 27 inch or bigger tires unless you need the GC and/or you want a big mud tire. The 26" tires would have been fine and would have been a better all around tire but I wanted to go big. If you are getting new tires for the rear then do yourself a favor and get some for the front too. The stock tires do not handle too well IMO.

 

going to 4wd hit the button and that sends a message to a speed sensor it only allows the 4wd actuator to engage at 2mph or so. both the front and rear must be moving that is why you cant enage while stuck cause the fronts arnt turning. i try to slow down to like 10mph or slower to disengage and stop and roll a little to engage 4wd. if stuck and try to engage, it might but you get a clunk which doesnt sound good. i've dont that once in some nasty ruts. when in doubt just hit 4wd early to be safe. i actually ride in 4wd quite a bit.

 

What's odd is that on several occasions I have gotten stuck in 2WD. I flip the switch to 4WD and if I'm really easy on the throttle it will engage after maybe 6-8 seconds.

In fact a friend that rides a Polaris assumed my BF 650 engages like his Sportsman so he didn't flip until he was stuck one time while riding mine and he had the same results.

Therefore, I have to conclude that a BF 650 can engage if the fronts are not turning.

 

Yes, the kawis will not engage into 4x4 if they are not moving, the trick is to put it in 4x4 BEFORE you get into bad mud. BUT if you do get stuck in 2x4 then pull the diff lock lever and the front will turn and lock up.

 

My old man took the 700 out and got her stuck in 2wd. He tried shifting into 4wd and now we have to replace the actuator. You would think that thing would be sealed from the factory though, not just able to get flooded wtih dirt and water.

 

zex129, pulling the diffloc lever while in 2wd will lock the fronts together but you still have no power to the front diff via the actuator, driveshaft not engaged therefore no forward motion of the tires. i didnt say you couldnt get it into 4wd while stuck in 2wd(if i did then i'm sorry) nursing it along but your front diff will not handle it to well after awhile.