I have been looking "Very" hard at buying the Prairie 650. I have read the "Shoot-outs" and (everything) else I could get my hands on dealing with it. I have looked at how it stacks up against the Grizz. 660. I have been to a local dealership and test drove (The Prairie) and was real "Impressed".
The only thing holding me back, from making the plunge, are the "Wrinkles" that some people are having with their own 650. Ex.Choke-cables: Being too short and sticking, The Shifter-Linkage: Making (clicking) noises and needing adjustments...there are a few other ones, but these 2 seem to be the most common.
My questions are to the owner's of The Prairie 650....
"If you had to do it over again, would you still buy the 650 or do you have regrets"? Is it (Truly) a GREAT machine???

 

Yes, This is the best sport utility on the market bar none. I had my choke cable replaced and it was no big deal and it didn't cost me a penny. In fact Kawasaki even extended my warranty by the week it was in the shop. It only took them a few hours to fix it but at the time my dealer didn't have any replacement cables. But I have to tell you even with the cable not fully reopening the choke the Praire still ran awsome. It was just a little hard to start when warm and the engine ran rough on the low to mid ranges. But the thing would still smoke about anything out there. I rode it with this condition for a few months infact, the only adverse effect was I fouled two plugs. I can also tell you that No other stock ATV will follow this thing through the deep water, it is extremely well sealed up. I've had water over the seat on mine, I thought for sure I was doomed but it just kept going. I immediatly returned home and checked every fluid level, Air box, Diff. oil, etc and no water seeped into anything.
Good Luck

 

I have only had my 650 for 4 days so far and only on the trail on Saturday. I rode each of 650,660,and 700 a few times (only the 660 once). I chose the 650 because of price. I think the 650 and 700 are both great quads and I'm very sure if I had got the 660 I would have been happy also it just wasnt the quad for me. From what my short time on the 650 has been like I cant see being dissapointed with it. It was a blast to ride and even once everything plays out if it turns out that the 650 doesnt perform better than the other 2 in every catagory you still have one of the top 3 sport utes on the market, at least for a little while.

As far as the "wrinkles" you spoke of each of the 3 are having some small issues as all new modles will have. I have what seems to be a incorrect adjustment on the shift linkage. With all things concidered I would rather have an adjustment problem rather than a faulty part or a design flaw. I have not had a problem as of yet with the choke cable and my dealer told me that mine was corrected before delivery. Time will tell on that one.

I will save my opinion to the question of "is it a great machine" or not until I have some more hours on it, but so far I have no regrets.

 

I've had my 650 for over a month. It's a GREAT machine, very capable. No problems to speak of. If you your are unfortunate enough to have a choke cable problem, it's covered under warranty, so Kawi eats it. I asked my dealer before purchasing about the linkage. His reply was during the first service they check it, and if it needs adjustment they will, and put abead of locktite thread locker to prevent the nut from backing off. I took my Kawi out Sat. night for a night ride left at 5:00 pm and didn't get home till 4:00 am. After 11 hours riding I can say it is very comfortable and confident machine. You won't regret buying one.

 

450 miles one broken right collar bone and no problems with the 650.Half of it is in water, in and out of 4 wheel drive.I cant wait till winter.Great ATV,Had in the river up to the seat for 15-20 min.this weekend no prob.Havent had one problem yet.Pulled many ATV's with it. I bent front rack on right down a 1/2" when i flipped it and broke my collar bone.Me and my buddy bent it back up,all good.
I would suggest getting the heavy front springs though. It Isnt very stable for high speed power slides.HA HA HA!!!

Ron
98 Lakota
02 650 V-Twin

 

hell yes!! this is one bad *** machine! have`nt had a problem yet.what did hammer say? "can`t touch this"! when this praire dog barks, people listen...

 

{Hey Ya'll}...
Thanx 4 everything you've said about the (Prairie 650). This is what I was wanting to hear!!! The minute I finished my test drive, I wanted to load it up and carry home. I just wanted to hear how other riders felt about their machines and their decisions to buy one...

"The red, clay hills of Georgia are waiting on me and The Kawasaki Prairie 650"!!! {Yeeee-haaaa}