Hello all,
I have just sold my sportsman 500 so I can buy a new Prairie 700, thank god!!!

I would like to find out if anyone has had any problems in the mud and deep water. I just rode with a brand new grizzly 660 and he flipped it over in the water most of the way. We couldn't get it started after trying for more than 2 hours. 2 bikes had to haul him out of the woods. That's what i'm afraid of with the prairie. I don't ride with anyone that has the prairie so I don't know much about it.

I have heard that there is a belt issue, is that still the case on the 700?
THanks for your time guys,
Clint

 

No belt issue. We don't think of the 2002/2003 650 as having belt issues. They last a good long time if you keep them tight. The only people with short belt life neglected or abused their belt.

Nobody has really said that their 700 belt had problems, not that I have read. The belt is stronger, made from better materials than the 650 belt. There was one bushing in the 2002 650 that was not replaceable, but that didn't really suck that bad either. All the 700 CVT components that I know of are backward compatible with the older 650's.

The 650/700 Prairie has so much torque that it can wear the crap out of the belts if you don't keep them tight. If you maintain it, it will be good to you.

The 650 does not get water in the intake or CVT as easily as the Griz. you made the best choice.

 

The stock tires that come with the prairie are really bad. If you put some decent mud tires on, your p700 will really do well in all the conditions you asked about. I put 27" mudbugs on my 650 and it absolutely rocks in all mudholes and swamps.
I have never drowned mine but it runs ok in deep water (below snorkel) unlike some machines that tend to bog out.