I am in market sometimein the near future looking to add to my stable another quad.I like the raves the Kawasaki 650 got but I also Like the idea of IRS which only polaris an Yamaha 660 Has.I will be doing snowplowing 1 in a while an taking it to VT and riding hills w boulders rocks,mud off cambers logs woods etc. Im not brand loyal and I know all machines arent perfect there is also the vinson 500 I heard is very good.IN your opinions ladies an gentleman is the IRS set ups the way to go or can the kawie an vinson go where the bg boys tread.I have asport quad but on very technical trails its very nervous an even tho I hav eyet to hi side it,it makes me think I could get it stuck plus having a clutch in technical terrain can be a pain n the bum after awhile.Well what do u think?

 

Before I bought my Prairie 650, I test drove them at the dealerships, research tests in the mags & talk to some mechanics that worked on the three 4wheelers I was considering, Polaris 700 in-line twin, Grizz 660 & Kawasaki 650.
Once you have driven & owned this 650, you will never want to go back to a single cylinder engine, this V-Twin engine is the best for power, torque & smoothness. It handles like a sport quad & is a blast to ride fast.
I can go anywhere with my non-IRS as the other monster quads & the lower center-of gravity can't be beat from any of the IRS quads. The front-dif lock is also very easy to engage. This Prairie 650 has great brakes & engine braking & so far, I can plow snow with this Prairie easier than any 4wheeler I have ever had in the past.

Yes, the IRS will give you a smoother ride & do offer more ground clearence but it all really depends on what type of riding you want to do & are looking for in the 500 to 700 range. All of the Monster Quads will blow away the Vinson 500 in all out power but for a 500, I have seen nothing but great write-ups on it.

Will a 500 keep you happy or do you want all the power you will ever need & these monster quads never have to work hard at anything to get what ever job done.
Like you said, all these quads are not prefect & each of the 4 above do have faults. From the sound of it, you have plenty of time to judge these quads & decide what 1 will do YOU the best.
Good luck.

 

If the IRS gives more ground clearance ( & it does, about 2" ) how can you possibly go anywhere an IRS can without getting hung up???????

 

For one, I'm running taller tires & #2, sometimes I have to aim by 650 at a slighty different angle to clear the rock. Also having 18 years riding experince on 4x4s comes in handy too.

 

sugarhead, go to my post on the yamaha forum entitled Grizzly 660 and Prairie 650.......opinions on both. I think it might help you in your decision. Yamaguy.

 

bfb650; You say your riding expierence lets you go where the higher ground cleance IRS bike can go, you also say you have taller tires. Now lets make the playing field equal, put the same tires on an IRS, now apply your riding expierence. What happens?? You leave that solid axle bike far behind hung up & looking for traction. IRS is the way to go in any off-road condition, the only place a solid axle works better is on the roads, plus IRS has a far better ride, & that IS a fact.

 

I would say a little better ride, not far better, and there are more important things than IRS, like that V-twin. By the way why is the Prairie 650 preferred more than quads with IRS? Because IRS makes a little difference only. Another thing avoid riding over 2 feet high rocks...

 

This is just a prefect example of which is best to one vs what is best to somebody else.
I have had IRS 4x4's & I have had straight axles & have a straight axle now. I could of gone with a IRS but it didn't offer the VTwin engine & since more of my riding is aimed at the sporty side, then the straight axle is better for me. At the same time though, I have followed both a Grizz660 & a Polaris 700 into some real rocky areas & all of us made it through, yes both the IRS 4wheelers didn't have to work as hard at it as my straight axle did but the Prairie 650 did get through.
As far as MUD goes, well, there ain't no-mud out here in New Mexico.
Both the other IRS 4wheelers offer plush riding, where my Prairie isn't as comfy but, so what - my Prairie 650 will out sport ride them any day of the week, when I am the leader, neither one can catch me! & when they are leading, I am right on their rear end, waiting for a opportunity to pass.
We all havebeen riding 4x4's for many years & we all have a different requirement & needs for the 4wheeler we chosed to buy & with todays choices of so many 4wheelers, that choice isn't so easy.
It all comes down to what you want in a 4x4 Monster quad - the choice is yours - & no matter what you end up getting, I'm sure it will be the one for you, so go out & have a blast with your 4wheeler of your choice.

 

Thats exactly my point, IRS is nice, but V-Twin is nicer.....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Hi I live in Arizona 99% of my riding is steep trails and washes most with bolders to go around or over I for one wouldn't get an ATV without IRS. By the way I have two ATV's a 2003 Sportsman 500 and a 2003 Yamaha Grizzly I love them both not a bit of trouble from either one Chuck (Cottonwood,AZ.)