I read in here that it takes a few revolutions of the front tires for the 4x4 to kick in does this mean that if I get stuck in two wheel drive the front will not engage because the front tires will not get a few turns in? If so that would suck!

 

This is correct if you get stuck in 2wd unless you can roll forward 6 feet with all 4 tires it won't engage into 4wd. While I like the manual locker better than viscolok, I sure like being able to switch hassle free when needed on my 800.

 

I try to anticipate myself getting stuck, and engage the 4wd before i actually need it. I have gotten stuck in 2wd, and when i flipped the switch, was able to get it to lock in. The sounds from the front end werent that good, but it did engage

 

Rotation of the "front" whees have nothing to do with the engagement of 4X4.
How the Kawi system work is that the ECU needs to receive a signal in terms of voltage from the speedo sensor from the output shaft of the transmission. In other words, if the rear wheels are spinning whether the quad is actually moving or not, it will engage to 4X4 as long as the speedo reading is between 0.5 and 12 mph. For example, if you are stuck in mud in 2WD, flip the 2/4WD switch to 4WD mode and give some gas to spin the rear wheels so that speedo reads something lilke 5 mph. Then it will go into 4X4 with some clunking noise from the front gear box. You can test this by jacking up the quad on stands. However, do yourself a favor by engaging to 4x4 beforehand if you think you would get stuck at all. It will save your trans gears, CVT belt/converters and lots of other drivetrain related parts.

 

Are the praires 650 and 700 the same if so how did kawasaki sell enough bikes to stay in business?

 

My bike will not engage like you said maybe yours does, but mine don't better get your winch out I have been screwed by this more than once, either way it pretty much is a serious inconvenience.

 

Mine engages like that. I just went out side to try it, just to make sure i experienced what i wrote. It did engage, with the quad not in motion, so it shouldnt leave you too stranded

 

 

 

It's not just my quad that works this way, all Kawi's 4x4 quads (360, 650, 700 and 750) work that way since 2002. Look at the 4x4 Control box part number. It is same for all the models that I just mentioned. However, it would not be an instantaneous engagement all the time. If the front gear box dog gears are not at the synchronized position, it would take a couple of rotation of input shaft to engage. Just remember, if the rear wheels are stuck tight and if they would not turn easily, don't try to spin them to engage. You will damage the belt.