I went to see the new v-twin and it is rather impressive. Everything I saw I liked except the rear axle which looked very weak. Backing up I ran my kodiaks rear right tire onto a boulder and it bent the axle. I was backing up rather slow too which is what makes it more suprising and both sides of the Prairies axle look like the weak side on my Kodiaks axle. I really like the prairie and am currently looking to sell my Kodiak to get one but could some owners please advise on how the rear axle is performing ?

 

I have not done any really rough stuff with my 650 and I have had no problems with the rear axle. Do have it at the dealer now to have the axle replaced due to a factory recall. Some of the axles were not properly heat treated according to Kawasaki. However, judging from some of the other posts, some folks are doing some pretty good jumping with them without breaking any axles. Get yourself one, you will love it. Nothing else I have ridden comes close to the pure enjoyment of riding one of them and knowing it will do anything you have the nerve to ask it to do.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]