Sorry, but I gotta add my $.02 AS has been said before, drum brakes suck.

The Honda is too expensive.

Solid axle is the way to go. Less high dollar parts to foul up and the ground clearance thing is bunk.

Ride comfort. Now here's a subject I understand at the age of 48. The wife and I ride double a lot up to 60 mi. or so a clip with a combination of county roads, trails, and no trail whatsoever with her diggin in the fingernails, screamin and cussin all the way. Only thing that bothers me is my throttle hand and I'm sorry but you gotta deal with that whatever you ride.

The only logical choice I see is the Prairie or the Grizz. Yes I have spent time on the Grizz and like it a lot but after being a mechanic of one sort or another for years I've come to appreciate simplicity and POWER!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]

 

prairie 650 is the way to go. its very low maintience. the guages are awesome, great power and acceleration, awesome brakes especially the rear seal wet braking system. and that manual locking diff is awesome. most other models have that automatic locking diff that does it on its own (Polaris). u really need to control it urself. ive always hated drum brakes. they suck, thats all there is to say.

i wouldnt consider the grizz 660 because of over heating probs. nor the sportsman 700 because it has too rev up really high to get going and that cheap inline shifter. the rincon, first of all is a single cylinder. HAS HONDA LEARNED TO MAKE A V-TWIN YET? and the rincon is UGGGLLLLLY! and those crappy brakes. the guages are nice but nothing on any honda model looks as good as the kawasaki prairie 650. its just a beautiful creation. the 650 handles great and theres nothing like that v-twin roar that gets you going. with single cylinder you dont get that. not even close. i would say the 650 is the lowest maintience big bore machine made yet. i still cant get over that rear wet braking system.

 

I went riding yesterday, took my banshee and my Prairie 650. Rode about 20 miles on my banshee than got on my 650, what a relief. I love my 650, its rides like a cadillac. I can still fly with the rest of the guys or just take it slow and glide over the ruff stuff. One of the most important things for me was the front end locker. I love the way its works on the 650. Good luck in what you get. Dennis

 

Thanks to all! I really appreciate everyone taking time to help me out here. Dealers around here dont allow test rides unless you make a serious commitment to buy their machine.(signed purchase agreement serious) I had to make sure I wasn't in a Kawasaki forum! Ha! I will let everyone know what I end up buying & how it works out.

 

Sounds like your convinced.... I'll still add my 2 cents. The p650 has a very comfortable, very large seat. Its easy to move around and shift your weight. It is a very nimble machine especially for its size.

 

Man I love the Prairie 650, but wait, I don't even own one and have never riden one.Sorry, guess I just got carried away reading all these good reviews.

 

Dustyrusty, what type riding do you do? Still gotta keep the '03 AC 500 in there.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

dustyrusty, I will ride my P650 for about 25 to 65 miles on most days. At first it seemed like it was stiff. After a while, either I felt more comfortable on it or it softened up. I only have about 300 miles on it as it is still new. I prefer the sporty ride over cushy rides. I would rather my butt be tired than my arms and legs. The sporty suspension makes for a suprisingly easy to handle quad considering the massive size.

 

I have about 400 miles on my Prairie 650 and the only thing that gets me on long rides is the rock hard seat. I actually mentioned a custom seat on the Kawa board and got flammed because the P650 seat is so sporty so you can slide around etc. If that is how you ride, then fine. If I don't and wanted a more comfortable seat. My wife's Kodiak is much more comfortable, but I get power hungry real quick.

The ride on the 650 was plush as first, when it had the stock dunflops. However,they have no traction, or handling so I opted for Dirt Devils, now it handles great and beats the Sh!! out of me on rocky trails. I guess you can't have it all, just try to get some seat time and see what you like.