I was talking to a local dealer about the cost of a new OE belt for the 650. I don't need a new belt, but I was researching it for my reply to the Gates rep. The service tech at the dealer mentioned that some 650's had a recall for the belt. Only certain 650's were included, so I gave him my vin and he will be calling me back.
So just a heads up for you guys.

 

The only recall on the 650 is for 2002's sold in May 2001 that may not have had the axle properly heat treated. Your dealer may be referring to this recall on the older prairies which did not include the 650.

CPSC, Kawasaki Announce Recall of All-Terrain Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kawasaki Motors Corp. U.S.A., of Irvine, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 47,000 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Under certain conditions, the drive belts on these ATVs can break, and pieces of the belt can lock up the transmission, including the wheels, causing the vehicle to stop suddenly. This can cause the operator to lose control of the vehicle, crash, or be ejected off the vehicle, resulting in injury or death.

Kawasaki has received reports of 12 riders suffering injuries as a result of drive belts breaking and their vehicle suddenly stopping.

The following 4-wheel drive Prairie ATV 1997-1999 models are included in this recall: KVF 300-A1, KVF 400-A1, KVF 400-A2/L, KVF 400- C1. "Kawasaki Prairie" is written on both sides of the ATVs, and "4X4" is printed on the rear of the seat.

Kawasaki dealers nationwide sold these ATVs from September 1996 through August 2000 for between $5,300 and $6,200.

Consumers with the recalled ATVs should stop using them immediately, and call their Kawasaki dealer to schedule a free belt inspection. Original equipment belts will be replaced with a new generation belt free of charge. Also, an addendum to the owner's manual and a warning label about maintaining the drive belt will be provided. Registered owners of the vehicles will be notified directly by Kawasaki about the recall. For more information, contact Kawasaki at (866) 802- 9381 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

The 2000-2001 model Prairie ATVs came eqiupped with the new generation belt, but are included in the recall to provide owners an addendum to the owner manual and a warning label. These include the following models: KVF 300-A2, KVF 300-A3, KVF 400-C2, KVF 400-C3.

 

I knew about that recall, and asked him if he was sure that was not what he was talking about. He said he was positive. He said something about certain 650's having belt slippage problems.
This is not the dealer I bought my ATV from, so I am not really sure how reliable they are. I will let you know if anything comes of it.

 

If you want to check for recalls just go to buykawasaki.com and enter your vin # and it will let you know if anything on your bike has been recalled.

flea

 

Check your VIN here.