If any other news about them please inform us
thank you

 

I called the local dealer yesterday to see when the 650 would be in and they had just assembled a red one, so a friend and I went after work to look at it. Overall it is very impressive. The underbody protective plates seem very light, but they must have been tested, so hopefully they will stand up. The plastic cover over the air filter is very thin, but being flexible is probably a good thing. The plastic protectors on the front suspension arms are very flimsy, but the outer axle boots are protected by the design of the low end of the McPherson strut so they probably aren't really needed. The only real concern I had was at the gas tank. They had installed Blackwater tires on this machine (I didn't notice the size). Being wider than the stock tires, the right rear tire's sidewall was only about 1/2 inch from the protective cover on the gas tank. If a stick or rock got dragged around the tire, it may rupture the tank (hopefully the protective cover on the gas tank is tougher than it looks). I wonder if you are supposed to use longer studs and wheel spacers if you use wide tires. I would certainly think so. The seat at the "gas tank" (actually the air filter) is a bit wider than my Prairie, but not uncomfortable. The battery seemed a bit small, but is easy to get at under the easily removeable seat at the front just behind the air filter. There was a trailer hitch but they had not installed it yet. It bolts to both sides of the rear drive housing and looks like a good design. On the bright side---the new features look very well designed. The lever for the front axle lock is cleverly designed. The digital display is really nice, and I bet this thing is terrific for night time rides with 45 watt halogen headlights and a brake light. The flat air filter is really easy to get at and is well designed. When you remove it, you are looking right down the big dual carb intakes. All the switches seem to be very well designed and positioned. They started it up for us and Wow! If Harley should have a patent for their sound, then Kawasaki should patent the sound of the 650! It is very smooth with a heavy note that is very noticeable, but not too loud. When revved up, it sounds mean, but not loud---very nice! The employee asked us if we would like to ride it. Of course we said no---NOT! He took it outside and we could only ride on the pavement there, but had about a 40 yard strip to play on. He said to watch and when he hit the throttle, the rear suspension squatted, the front end lifted, and he was gone! It really digs in! He threw it sideways on 2 wheels and rode part way back to us like that. My friend tried it and then I did. Man does it go! The throttle response is very quick and it just keeps on pulling. I read where others said that it whined alot, but I didn't notice any whineing in the short rides we had. It is very easy to put up on 2 wheels in a corner, but yet it doesn't feel tippy at all with it's low center of gravity. I felt fully in control. It handles much better than my old Prairie and with much better everything and a much lower center of gravity although the overall ergonomics are similar. The dealer employee did a wheelie with it with ease. I tried it twice more. I couldn't get enough as it has Sooo much more power than my old Prairie 400 4X4 (the new 400's are quicker than mine). The other marvel of this machine is the shift lever. It is as smooth as a car's floor console. The brakes are terrific and the transmission brake seemed to work very well. I wish I could afford to trade my ATV in, and I'm envious of you guys that have one. Needless to say, I was very impressed after riding it. The friend that was with me has a /98 Grizzly, which he is happy with, but there is no comparison in quickness and smoothness. The Kawi is definitely quieter than the Grizzly also. The dealer employee said that it was just under $10,000. (They are asking $10,300 to $10,500 for a Honda Rubicon here---these are Canadian dollars). If you want a sport quad for fun but need a utility quad and can't afford both, this has to be it! Congradulations Kawasaki! I hope this is a home run for you!

 

I'm sure hope that the quad turns out to be as good as everyone says, because I sure am tired of waiting for it.