My AC 375 4x4 was stolen from the dealership. I REALLY liked the 375, but am wondering about the Kawasaki 360 Prairie. The main feature I like is the 360's differential lock. Please, send me down the right path.

 

My son had a 2003 Prairie and now has an AC500i auto. I also own a 2001 500 manual and a 2001 300. My father has a 2002 375 auto as well. Comparing my fathers 375 to my sons former Prairie I found the power very close. The Prairie may have been a "little snappier" on acceleration and slightly smoother on the ride, but his 375 doesn't have adjustabe shocks. The AC had the same top end speed. The AC clutch system is far superior to the Prairies. The Prairie was constantly squealing the clutch and it slipped when worked hard in deep snow. The Prairie was not as stable in the rough and had a tendancy to want to roll over when on a side hill. The biggest problem was one that has been expressed by many Prairie owners and Kawasaki doesn't have the answer as of yet; the engine would nearly quit at times. I took the Prairie back to the dealer six times and they never was able to correct the problem. This happened when worked hard and never at a time that was convienant. The closest way to descibe it would to be comparing it to the engine limiter in reverse without the override pushed. While underway it would suddenly bog down and nearly die. Then just as quick it would correct itself and run right again. Some days this would happen once and some days non stop. I have no complaints with any of the AC's and have 4500 miles on my 500, 3500 miles on my 300, just over 1000 on the kids 500i and my dad is in the 1500 mile range. AC is much more dependable and pushing a Prairie up a hill in two foot of snow when the engine wouldn't run right was enough to convince my Kawasaki is not for me.

 

I dont like the 360 much id go with yamaha 450 or any 400 cc bike other than the polaris. if money is an isnt the issue id go with the big bore bikes 650 660 700.

 

I had a kawasaki 400 and it weighed 600 pounds but handled like it was a bus.

 

All the newer Cats have diff lock, and the best part about them is you don't have to hold it while trying to keep control of your quad. There are some great deals out there on 08 close outs. I would go with at least a 500 so you get the liquid cooled engine.

 

there are some good deals as catskinner said. i purchased a 08 700 efi max4 camo for 6800 new. the 500s are that much for the new 2009 models. diff lock and all!!