Well I can get a 2001 4X4 in good condition for $2700. The engine has been completely rebuilt by a honda dealer. But I can also get a 02 Kaw Prairie 650 for 4k. Wich one should I go for. I know that they had problems with the early Prairies and that the Honda would probobly be more reliable in the long run. Also what is the width of the rancher at the widest point?

 

Honestly, if the price didn't matter, I'd get the Prairie. My next bike will be either a used 650 or 700. I love it's reliability, it goes everywhere I want it, but I ride with a guy who had a 650, now has a 700 and it's nice to have that power there.

I paid $4800 Cdn (about $3100 US) for my Rancher in January, but it is mint, and only had 1700 kms (1000 miles). I love my Rancher, it is just a little underpowered for my liking at times.

 

Anybody else have anything to say about this?

 

IDK about the honda y was the engine rebuilt? also the parie I PULLED 7 out in 1 day on my RECON 250 no joke!

 

HA haha, if you are trying to down kawasaki and the prairies that is bull. You might have pulled 7 prairies out but they were they were probally doing somthing you wernt and you so happend to be there to help and pull them out if they did get stuck. My friend has a recon and i have a prairie 360 and i can do way more than he can. Dont try to down another brand because you just are a honda man. I love honda also. honda and kawasaki are my favorite brands and wouldnt buy anything else. Also all the kawasakis ive had have be really reliable. my old bayou had easily of 3000 miles on it at 5 years old and still ran perfectly. after 5 years only problems was the drum brakes wouldnt keep water from entering and kept ruining the brakes. Engien ran perfect though. I have 1000 already on my 360 and no complaints. I would choose a prairie over a rancher due to the fact that it can take all you dish and more. Its also go like a bat outa hell. have a gooden

 

Dont tell me im a honda man i really LOVE YAMAHA but just dont have a JOB @ 15 to buy them i got the recon and rancher new that was it! i passed up Foremans and ranchers through mud on my recon bc i can drive that good dont belive me pack up the praie and the recon and brong them dont here and i will show you [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] also im not downing kawasaki! just the praie 650 and i saw a group of them stuck bc that stupid belt for the auto transmisson was sliping on all of them thats y i dont like them also i almost bought the 360 praie but i got a deal on the rancher bc my mom bought the cheaper 1 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] so dont say i hate them!

i use to hate kawasakis but got over that !

 

It is really hard to give you advice when you are comparing two completely different size machines. You need to decide whether you need a very large machine or not. In stating the obvious, the larger machine will have more power, weighs more, may have different suspension, different type of transmission, and will cost more dollars. We own Ranchers because they were adequate for our use. They had plenty of power for the things we do, they are easy to handle, they had the features we were looking for, and we didn't have to mortgage the house to buy them. But we do not race them or try to push them to their limit. We use them for work and safe recreation.

So you need to decide which size of machine you need first. Second, look at similar size machines for comparisons. Then be prepared for brand wars when you ask about which is best between two or more brands. It will get so bad that the kids spelling will be unreadable as they try to boast as to how good their brand is and badmouth the other brands. Of course, that's what's already started on your thread.

By the way, the width specs can be found on the manufacturer's websites.