I was at the store today and happend to see a magazine that is called ATV rider or something like that, Anyways they did a small article on the 700. The part I found interesting was that they said Kawi's terget was none other than the Bombardier DS650 and the Yamaha Raptor 660r. And this whole time everyone was saying the target was the Polaris'. They claimed it was having great results in test races in the GNCC and was found to be faster than both. maybe this thing will be something to be reckoning with??????

 

I have started to come around on it. The only problem I for see is the swingarm design. For serious dragging I don't think it will ever be a contender because you can't really extend it. The motor ought to be right though. Only time will tell.

 

Did you see the weight on it, it's got the bomber by about 40 pounds. Dry weight – 506 pounds
one word BIG!

 

The real test will be in a Baja race.I can see the parts flying now.LOL!Its also BUTT ugly. I loved the Tacatee,but I dont know about this one.We will see.

 

Biggest downfalls in my mind is shaft drive and Automatic Transmission. Doesn't that elimiante all the fun?

 

Untill it gets into the publics hands we will never know how much of a contender it really is.
Until then its all hype.
Personely I have trouble understanding how a 500+ pounder with limited "go really fast"potential could be any more then just another alternative for the "large" guys that want power. Which is fine accept that there are plenty of really fine choices out there already and that rider preference segment is limited. Kawasaki must not be interested in sales numbers on this quad, I question their rationale.

 

Aparently they have tested the 700 in races and it is derived from the P650 that Penland(?) drove to a class win at the Baja1000. In testing they claimed that with the quad always in the right gear that it makes it faster than the rest and lap times proved it. Just saying what the article said. I thnk if someone wqanted to build a drag monster out of it a different swingarm desighn could be done as well as adding a chain, but I will just stick with my Bomb!!!

 

Well, they could have done what everyone else is doing and basically just build a big-bore 400ex. Instead, they are coming out with something completely different with the most powerful motor to be had. I think they'll do just fine in sales numbers.

 

I will throw it's skeletol remains in the pile with the z-400 the mighty 660 raptor and the ever ugly predator 500!!! NEXT!!!.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

If I was marketing against Polaris, I would tell the public that it'll beat a DS too.
Aim high I say.
I do think the interest it will have is those that like Polaris - even if it does beat a Raptor, I personally still wouldn't want an auto - Like Madbaja said "it elliminates all the fun". I am glad there is such a wide variety out there to look at though, and plenty of people will like it.