I know you guys are partial to Kawasaki…however what’s the best deal for the money…Yamaha 660 or the P700…I don’t really care a lot about the power difference I just want something that will last (unlike the Arctic Cat I owned) I know all about the different features on both machines ...but i want to know your opinion on the overall reliability of both.


thanks

 

IMO... they are both reliable machines... finding a good dealer is most important... if you intend to install bigger tires, & or ride hard, you'll find the rear axel set up on the Kawi to be more problem free, & require less repairs than the more complex ( but smoother riding ) independant suspension on the Grizzly...

 

Hands down, go with the Prairie. I know too many people who have Grizzlies and break axles on a frequent basis. You should be able to find a P700 for around 7000 OTD. Good Luck

 

My reasons for going with the P650.
The Prairie wins if you like to ride a little on the aggressive side every so often. You can kick the rear end out easier with a non-independant rear. Do you do alot of mountain off camber riding. The Prairie 650/700's do this very well due to the low center of gravity and the near even front to rear weight distribution @ 47% & 53%. I had a 2000 Kodiak that I thought was pretty good at that untill I got my P650.
I like not having to stop to use the Locking feature of the front Diff.
There seems to be a belt issue with the Prairies. I believe you have to put oversize tires on it and run it really hard to kill the belt. I have not heard anything about Grizzleys trashing belts. They say on the Prairies to use Low Range when ever possible to extend belt life. The Prairie's low range is nice. It is not so narrow and on tight trails up to 15 or so MPH, I tend to forget I am in Low. The Kodiak I had would drive me nuts in low range trail riding. But it did not have a belt issue. I hear the belts have been improved on the 700's.
If you get water in the belt housing on the Prairie, you just put it in neutral and rev the motor and it will push it out. Then let it idle for 5 minutes or so to dry the belt. I believe the Grizz has to be sat up on the rear to drain. Do the search phrase "Belt" on the Yamaha board.
I suggest going out of my way to find a dealer that has a good test riding area and see how you like the feel. There is a Suzuki dealer here that has an acre or so with a twisting trail through he woods. Nice.


GoodLuck

 

The Grizzly V-belt drive case has a drain plug just above the right floorboard near the center.