I have a good friend that is new to quads and wants to buy a midrange ATV. He has driven my 450 Kodiak but has not done any real trail riding with it. He has mainly driven a dirt bike but wants to come riding with us.

He was considering a Grizz 400 and now is planning to get a Kawi Prairie 360 because it's a little cheaper.

I've never driven a Prairie 360 but I personally think he would be happier with the Yami. The Kawi has a SRA and I would think it's a little down on power from a 450. I'm not convinced about their front viscous diff lock and IMO the styling is a little plain!

I would appreciate any opinions from people who have driven both.

Thanks

 

The diff lock and low range would matter more to me than the 400's IRS and 39cc advantage. I just use low range to many times during a ride to imagine a belt drive ATV without it.

Even the high powered 700 grizzlies have a low range you would think the 400 sure would need one.

A 360 with true 4x4 and a low range will out pull, climb and mud a limited slip 3wd with no low range any day.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

The diff lock and low range would matter more to me than the 400's IRS and 39cc advantage. I just use low range to many times during a ride to imagine a belt drive ATV without it.



Even the high powered 700 grizzlies have a low range you would think the 400 sure would need one.



A 360 with true 4x4 and a low range will out pull, climb and mud a limited slip 3wd with no low range any day.</end quote></div>



I agree 100%

However I was trying to convince him to spend a few dollars more and get a 450 like mine with the diff lock and low range. I think he would be happier in the long run with it. To me the Kawi seems more like an older Yamaha Big Bear.

My brother in law complains that his Honda with a SRA beats him up after we go riding for 5 to 6 hours.

 

The 450 does have it all,but how much more do they cost over the 400 and 360 where you come from? My order of important features is #1 Low range #2 IRS #3 true 4wd.

 

Good point!

I'm sure the Yami 450 is at least $2500 more than Kawi 360.

I just don't know anyone with a Kawi 360 to get their input as to the pros and cons of this unit. This would allow me to share this information with him.

 

360 Kawi has a pretty smooth ride, smoother than Honda's. The suspension is pretty much identical to the original 650 Prairie. Power wise it's not gonna hang with a 450 or even newer 400s for that matter but it has enough grunt in low to craw over whatever. The Kawasaki variable diff lock is the real deal. It's a simple, reliable atv.

ATV Television has a test ride video on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GXS4TMihKQ

 

have him look for an older kodiak 450... (no earlier than an 05 though...)