when i was considering an atv i originally planned on buying a kaw 650, but, after reading its tech specs, i am glad i got the 500 ac. i agree aluminum is strong and lightweight but it ain't near as strong as steel of comparable dimension. i don't mind the aluminum engine but an alum. swing arm is another matter. for something that takes such extreme abuse as a rear axle, i would prefer steel over alum. if the 650 does anything, i think it will raise the bar a little and spur other atv manufacturers to make a similar but better product.

just a redneck thought,

texascat

 

I think you are missing the big flick. Aluminum alloys are to the point where the tensile strength meets or exceeds that of steel, expecially if it is forged aluminum (not cnc machined) like the kawi's swingarm is. I personally can't wait to trade in my kawi 300 4x4 for the soon to be atv of the year. It's about time aluminum alloys become mainstream materials

 

I can't really tell from the pictures but does it also have aluminum front bush bars and racks or are they steel and painted silver?

 

Many of the sports bikes use aluminum parts with no problems. It will be intersting. Either way Kawasaki is raising the bar.

 

I might be off base with this one, but didn't the Raptor have a few problems with Aluminum A-arms when it was first introduced??? I thought I remembered something about that, maybe it was just a few single incidences, but it seems like I remember somebody getting hurt or having rolled a machine due to the A-arm bending, or breaking, something like that? I think it was repaired/replaced under manufacturer knowledge, but still, it would definately suck to have something like that happen while towing a cargo trailer, or hauling an elk up and out of the mountains through steep, rocky, rutted terrain.

Still that Kawi will be interesting with that new locking differential. I do agree, they'll probably get the other manufacturers to start thinking of improving their own machines. Wonder what 'Cat has in mind for '02???

Mike

 

I personally think its great. Alloys are awesome, light wieght super strong. Just look at the MX or XC quads there frames take a pounding more then what most of us would ever do to our big 4x4 quads. And they last. Most times better then what steel would. Look at every other industry alloys have been in use for a long time. LOok a dirt bikes, you see them guys taking 80 foot longs jumps 30 feet high, over and over. you d ont see the bikes buckling. I like the idea. Will it be for all quads, NO. You do need wieght in work quads. If they get to light you going to have a hard time pushing or pulling. But for a purely recrational quad its perfect.
matty

 

cowboy, do some searching in the Kawisaki forum on here. The front differential is not a true locking one. There is a lever the handlebars that you pull to help "lock" the front diff. The harder you pull, the more it is "locked".

 

derrick12,

you are correct that alum. has a tensile strength equal to or greater than steel but that high t.s also makes it more brittle. for example, a grade 8 bolt is stronger than a grade 5 bolt, but if the grade 8 bolt is not tightened properly it will break whereas the grade 5 will stretch and bend. also what happens in the event of breakage of an aluminum alloy part?? i worked for a welder for 8 years and whenever someone broke a forged aluminum part the probability of restoring its structural integrity was unlikely. as for me, i'm a steelhead, i've been around steel since i could crawl and there is nothing anyone can say that will sway my confidence in steel.

by the way does the 650 have a hitch??

texascat

 

The Kawi reps brought a 650 to our club house last October...this will "raise the bar" and lower the bank accounts for a lot of people!!
NO Hitch...it's an extra..but I didn't see how one could be installed..either did the rep.
We got to hear it run,but for some reason he wouldn't let us take it through our MUDPIT !!!
Darn!!!!

 

It is a true locking diff. according to 4 Wheel Atv Action December issue. It states, "...you can also lock the front differential for true four wheel drive."