I own a 2004 Kawasaki Praire 360 4X4 with stock 25" Dunlops. What I was thinking was moving up to 27" ITP C series aluminum wheels... Well maybe. I mean I will definitely get the C series wheels, just not sure which size. They look awesome! Thats another question. Assuming I do, the conditions I ride on are rocky trails through the upstate New York. Not much mud, but streams, rocky, primative trails on our property. Lots of climbing. I initially thought of ATRs, but my dealer in PA. cautioned against it. He recommended Mud Lites. Firstly would you guys stay with the 25", which I'm okay with doing or go with the increased clearance of 27"? Dealer said I'd lose power by going a bit bigger, but realistically, would it be that noticable? And would the ATRs handle rougher trails? I like the idea of having more rubber contact, but reading about the Mud Lites, they seem to be perfect for those conditions. Anyone have any experience with those?

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trx450,

so why did the v only last 3 months? I just sold my p650 cause I am getting a business of the ground, but when I get back on my feet, I plan on getting a couple machines. I was thinking for sure the p700 and either the vforce or a grizzly. I can't decide wether I want a the sporty V or if I should buy the grizz for it's IRS so that my wife will ride more often. She complains about every little bumb in the road.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

I would also be considering the bighorns for the p700 but wonder how the ride on hard pack is. I just had Bear Claws on my 650 and loved them. They were great in every application but I wouldn't mind having a slightly better ride on hardpack. Do the big horns ride a little smother on hardpack?

Thanks guys,

Tburner

 

Trailburner-- I had never owned a sportbike before the V-Force. It was simply a matter of being too old, I guess. I can ride 100 miles in the Appalachian Mtns. on a Prairie, and feel the same as having run just 30 miles on the V-Force! Big, fast Utes are my niche, I guess! I loved my 02 P-650, and should NEVER have let it go. I had it all dialed in for my style of riding............NOW I gotta do it again, on this new P-700! I already own a lot of those goodies, though.

 

Prairie360,

YES you will see a BIG power lose going from 25 to 27 on the 360. The 360's are nice bikes but are lacking a bit in torque, I don't speak from experiance.........just what i've read on these and other forums. Personally i'd stay in with 25....... see my signature line. ATR's are great at everyting but mud from what i read and would perform well on the 360.

 

No Trx450, you are never too old. Too bad you didn’t keep the Vforce for the less rocky trails so you could have the best of both worlds. Ever since I got my V all of my trips down to H/M require that I take two quads, the V and the Grizzly. I like the Vforce for everything except really rocky trails. The Grizzly is fun on everything, including the rocks, but the sporting edge the V puts on the smoother trails makes it a real blast.

BTW I trashed one of my front ATRs on my last H/M ride to Matewon (ended up with 5 sidewall puctures, two of them large, in the left front tire and the right front tire had a chunk taken out as well but it didn’t go all the way through). The rears don’t show any sign of damage however. I was running 4.5 lbs of air all the way around. Perhaps that was not enough air for my “spirited” pace. Anyway I plan to try something different now, I’m thinking Bighorn radials (which only come in 25” size) or 26” Dirt Devils (haven’t made up my mind yet).

I had used the V at Rockhouse and Bear Wallow, but rode the Grizzly at Buffalo Mtn. We did Buffalo Mtn. two times on this trip. Didn’t make the north loop on the first day because the Prairie with us was overheating, plus we wanted to get back in time to watch the hill climb event at the Rolling Thunder raceway. On the second ride at Buffalo Mtn we did both the ride to Matewon and the north loop all in the same day. I got one of my punctures on the first trip to Matewon, and all the others on the 2nd trip two days later.

Good luck with your new 700…

 

all my local dealers cannot get the bighorn radials........said theiy supplieres were backordered for months........hopefully the net will come through........ did find a screamin deal on 589's.....(2)26x9s and (2) 26x10s mounted on ITP Magnum grey wheels for 389.99! iffin i cant get a good deal on bighorns on steels i'll get a set of them. aluminium is to pricey.

l8r
cart

 

Cartman

Hey thanks for the response... Based on your comments, I'm doing the 25" Holeshot ATRs on my ITP C series wheels, OEM sizes. Didn't want to take the chance on power lose. Torque isn't the problem with the 360's... Some people complain that they can't do 50+ with them. For me, 48 MPH is more then enough, thank you!
Your opinion was appreciated!

 

Prairire 360--- There are plenty of online tire dealers. I have been looking, too. The best price I've found is $280.93 to my door/set of 4.
2TV-- I am sold on the Prairie(this is my 2nd), for my style of riding. I don't want to maintain/insure 2 bikes. I like fast trail riding, and some slow tech stuff in the Appalachian Mtns. I ride about 1500 trail miles a year. BTW-- IMO you shoulda been running 5.5---6lb. in your Holeshots, down in the worst of the H/M rocks. I had no flats last time down. Several others did. Esp. over in the Dingess Rum Trails(Bear Wallow t.h.).

 

I agree with trx450. This is my second Prairie and I love them.
Trx 450, I'm riding on rocky trails... Will the Holeshot ATR hold up?

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Mine held up at Hat/McCoy and Coal Creek(Windrock). They ARE NOT rock crawling tires, however.