KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
#1
01-07-2003 | 09:10 PM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
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 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.....
#2
01-08-2003 | 03:20 AM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
Dude
I know exactly where you are coming from. I posted the same question last week. After talking to everyone and give it great deal of thought I decided to wait I don’t want to have a $6590 mistake. And I want one extremely bad. I haven’t seen one review of the bike that wasn’t hearsay. Until they come out with all the numbers and some reviews I can’t afford to buy it. In my opinion Kawasaki is hurting their Pre-Order sales by not releasing it to every ATV magazine on the planet. It has kept this paying customer away. I may even go buy the Raptor LE I have had my mind on for months
I know exactly where you are coming from. I posted the same question last week. After talking to everyone and give it great deal of thought I decided to wait I don’t want to have a $6590 mistake. And I want one extremely bad. I haven’t seen one review of the bike that wasn’t hearsay. Until they come out with all the numbers and some reviews I can’t afford to buy it. In my opinion Kawasaki is hurting their Pre-Order sales by not releasing it to every ATV magazine on the planet. It has kept this paying customer away. I may even go buy the Raptor LE I have had my mind on for months
#3
01-08-2003 | 03:23 AM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
It's like anything else, you got to just suck it up and go for it. If nobody buys the first year models, there won't be a second year. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
In all honesty, you are right in that it contains many carry over parts from the P650 and in fact in many cases those parts have been improved upon. The motor is a NO-Brainer, it's proven itself over and over again. Concidering that the KFX700 weighs 100 lbs. less and with it not being a 4X4 meaning Less rotating mass, along with the improvements to the CVT, I personally don't think that the Trany Belt is going to be a problem either. The Frame is really the only unknown element here, but I betting my Money that it will perform it's duties just fine.
A word of warning. The first shippment is suposed to arrive at the dealerships in late Feb to early March. The number that each dealer will most likely get is going to be very limited. My dealer ordered 8 of each (Green & Orange). He is only expecting to get a couple of them until the second shipment which could be as late as August or Sept. So if you are going to get one you better find one and put your name on it. Good Luck
In all honesty, you are right in that it contains many carry over parts from the P650 and in fact in many cases those parts have been improved upon. The motor is a NO-Brainer, it's proven itself over and over again. Concidering that the KFX700 weighs 100 lbs. less and with it not being a 4X4 meaning Less rotating mass, along with the improvements to the CVT, I personally don't think that the Trany Belt is going to be a problem either. The Frame is really the only unknown element here, but I betting my Money that it will perform it's duties just fine.
A word of warning. The first shippment is suposed to arrive at the dealerships in late Feb to early March. The number that each dealer will most likely get is going to be very limited. My dealer ordered 8 of each (Green & Orange). He is only expecting to get a couple of them until the second shipment which could be as late as August or Sept. So if you are going to get one you better find one and put your name on it. Good Luck
#4
01-08-2003 | 03:33 AM
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#5
01-08-2003 | 04:04 AM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
Funny you should say that, I was down at the local Honda-Yamaha-Kawasaki store the other day, and ended up talking to two guys about the KFX400. They were there looking at 400EX's. They both ended up buying KFX400's. I told the owner he could give me my commission in the form of a discount on my 700.
It's really just this simple. When I decide to do or buy anything, I research it. I find every piece of information I can. I talk to whoever (Or is it whomever) I can to gather the information I am looking for.
That doesn't make me an Ambassador, what that makes me INFORMED. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
It's really just this simple. When I decide to do or buy anything, I research it. I find every piece of information I can. I talk to whoever (Or is it whomever) I can to gather the information I am looking for.
That doesn't make me an Ambassador, what that makes me INFORMED. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
#6
01-08-2003 | 10:39 AM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
RPM
We agree about information and based on that is why i will not buy the kfx 700 first go around i think they are doing a poor job in the information department. I am still very excited about the bike but i also do alot of research on the stuff i buy. And i would bet that you are the same as i and become a total Obsessive compulsive about something till you will know more about it than 99% of the people out there.
But getting back to the subjet. Yes KFX 700 does have basicly the same stuff its been using for awile really it just a new package. the new frame shouldnt be a issue. The only issue is preformace will it be up to what "I" want or will it come chocked off. you know it will have the potental to be top dog but we all know how this works the start it off chocked than evey year the add a couple of ponys till they come out with a new bike. they all do it its how they keep the excitment in their bike so they cam make everything than can our of it. Dont Balme them!
I have very high hopes for this bike and will probally be buying one But i will wait to get rider feedback and a full review or two from some major magazine. If the only thing holding you back is th reliabilty issue i wouldnt worry. if your like me wondering about preformance and wont settel for less wait you feel better about it be more informed.
Archer
We agree about information and based on that is why i will not buy the kfx 700 first go around i think they are doing a poor job in the information department. I am still very excited about the bike but i also do alot of research on the stuff i buy. And i would bet that you are the same as i and become a total Obsessive compulsive about something till you will know more about it than 99% of the people out there.
But getting back to the subjet. Yes KFX 700 does have basicly the same stuff its been using for awile really it just a new package. the new frame shouldnt be a issue. The only issue is preformace will it be up to what "I" want or will it come chocked off. you know it will have the potental to be top dog but we all know how this works the start it off chocked than evey year the add a couple of ponys till they come out with a new bike. they all do it its how they keep the excitment in their bike so they cam make everything than can our of it. Dont Balme them!
I have very high hopes for this bike and will probally be buying one But i will wait to get rider feedback and a full review or two from some major magazine. If the only thing holding you back is th reliabilty issue i wouldnt worry. if your like me wondering about preformance and wont settel for less wait you feel better about it be more informed.
Archer
#7
01-08-2003 | 01:45 PM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
I am in NO way trying to push someone into buying something that they don't feel comfortable about. If you are having doubts, by all means Wait. I'm a Major Smart A** from time to time, but I'm No Bullsh*ter. After I get my 700, I would be more than happy to give anyone my Honest oppinions on it, Good or Bad.
You are absolutely right. When this Quad comes out there will already be a number of aftermarket items for it, both cosmetic and performance oriented.
As far as the lack of information coming out in the Mags. You have to realize that what you see in print magazines, has actually taken place several months before. If the ATV Mags are anything like the Automotive Magazines that I have dealt with in the past, it can actually take 3 to 4 months for the information to make it's way onto the pages of the Mags. It is my bet that just about all of the Major print ATV publications have already had an opportunity to throw a leg over these quads. Now we just have to sit back and wait for the information to trickle it's way down to us. That is the deffinate advantage to the Internet.
I have in fact talked to 2 people that have ridden the V FORCE 700 and there impressions were WOW & WOW'R (?). The Service Manager at the local dealership is one of them. He is a 2 Stroke guy (Hardcore) and he told me that it was the First 4 Stroke that he ever got Jacked about. He did state, that his ride time was limited and he would have to get more seat time before he could give it his Official Thumbs UP.
ArcheryGuy,
Where do you live in Oregon. If you are anywhere near the Portland area, after I get ny KFX700 I would be more than happy to hook up with you and let you take it for a test ride. I will probably head to Sand Lake a couple of times to get some hours on it and brake it in.
You are absolutely right. When this Quad comes out there will already be a number of aftermarket items for it, both cosmetic and performance oriented.
As far as the lack of information coming out in the Mags. You have to realize that what you see in print magazines, has actually taken place several months before. If the ATV Mags are anything like the Automotive Magazines that I have dealt with in the past, it can actually take 3 to 4 months for the information to make it's way onto the pages of the Mags. It is my bet that just about all of the Major print ATV publications have already had an opportunity to throw a leg over these quads. Now we just have to sit back and wait for the information to trickle it's way down to us. That is the deffinate advantage to the Internet.
I have in fact talked to 2 people that have ridden the V FORCE 700 and there impressions were WOW & WOW'R (?). The Service Manager at the local dealership is one of them. He is a 2 Stroke guy (Hardcore) and he told me that it was the First 4 Stroke that he ever got Jacked about. He did state, that his ride time was limited and he would have to get more seat time before he could give it his Official Thumbs UP.
ArcheryGuy,
Where do you live in Oregon. If you are anywhere near the Portland area, after I get ny KFX700 I would be more than happy to hook up with you and let you take it for a test ride. I will probably head to Sand Lake a couple of times to get some hours on it and brake it in.
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#8
01-08-2003 | 08:37 PM
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 54
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
RPM
I live in Clackamas Just south of Portland. I would just settle for you letting me touch it (The Bike that is). I’m sure their will be an accidental death wavier involved in the test drive.....lol Please let me know when you get it. What am I saying, you will post it before you wife even knows you have it. Once somebody gets one all questions will be answered. Right now financing couldn’t be better either. Can’t wait, I am very excited about this bike but probably not as much as you.
Archer
#10
01-22-2003 | 09:36 AM
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KFX 700 First year's Model ... is it a risk worth taking?
the only real thing im kinda sketchy about this bike is its automatic and i've drivin my fair share of them and they definitly dont or cant even compete wiht me off the line more into the mid to op yeah but not the bottom so if this bike accelerates like a bat out of hell then i would definitly consider it a bike of my chioce and somethin i would think about buying cuz if they got that covered then it must be a good bike cuz that would be the only real thing with a automatic becuz all the rest of the bike looks good and its even more higlhy anticipated then the C'dale or Suzuki 400 i just hope they dont biuld it up to be this great bike but when u finialy get it its a big let down[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]