I am seriously considering an advance purchase of the Kawasaki 700 but am concerned about buying the first year's model. Unlike other first year disasters (Raptor, Cannondale) the KFX uses many components already proven like: V-Twin 650, shaft drive, Clutch-belt system, etc. Plus, the suspension and Chassis is "race - ready" It is said to be modeled after the PROVEN Kawasaki Prairie 650, only better, but .....
I have never been a buyer of the first year's model, but this one seems like the exception -
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.....

 

I'd go for it if I had the cash. Kawie makes some good stuff.

 

You'd go for it? Glad to hear that....You are right, Kawi makes a strong product - 650 prairie is proof, Mojave is more proof ... and this KFX is 0% Suzuki (You know about the Kawasaki/Suzuki alliance, right?)
I have a dealer here in Fort Lauderdale who has offered me a great? deal to be the first one on it $6,000 plus tx (list is $6499) Will take $100 as deposit until it arrives in March - I feel like I'm waiting for a baby to be delivered ...
Thanks again

 

Hmmm, wonder how much that 700cc, belt drive, shaft drive machine weighs? Ever notice they haven't posted it yet?


Ken

 

weight of the new KFX 700?
no exact numbers, yet but the talk is, "at least 100lbs less than the Prairie 650 which weighs 600 pounds +/- so my guess is @500 pounds. The Raptor weighs 400 pounds.
KFX700 has no front tranny, no racks, no gear box
but listen to this ... fuel capacity is a sparce 3.2 gallons ... a 700cc w/3 gallons????
looks like I'm gonna need to upgrade that ASAP, huh?

 

Good luck. I'm sure you will love it. Let us know when you get it.

 

Yea It deff. weighs a little over 500. I read it somewhere but I forget where.

 

yea idk it might be a fun quad to ride but it aint more me i have never like kawi.. no offece u people that love them im more the honda suzuki and yamaha type myslef... but if i were u and bought it i owuld buy the extended warranty just to be safe

 

The non-official weight is 506lbs DRY. My bet is that the reason Kawi hasn't Officialy listed a weight, is that they are still looking at ways to loose a few more pounds (Mostly by way of Cosmetic stuff, nothing as far as the mechanics of the bike).

I wouldn't worry about the 3.2 gallon fuel tank. This is Not going to be a High Reving engine (It is going to rely on its Torque), and it should do pretty well in the way of gas milage. The other thing is, that because of the location of the Fuel tank (Under the seat), it may be hard to get a larger tank on this Quad, especially with the location of the exhaust. If it can be done, I'm sure someone will figure out a way. By the way, 3.2 gallons is the same size as what the Raptor 660 has.

 

They sound like a neat bike.

There is an error in your logic though.
Unlike other first year disasters (Raptor, Cannondale) the KFX uses many components already proven like: V-Twin 650, shaft drive, Clutch-belt system, etc.
The transmission troubles that plagued the 2001 raptors is based on a design that has been on almost every motorcycle and atv for the past 40 years or more. Every transmission has gear dogs just like raptor. They were fine on the other trannys, but insuffiecient in the raptor.