I am a Sportsman rider fixing to purchase a new Kawasaki P700 and I need a few questions answered about rock crawling.

1. How does the P700 ride in the rocks with no modifications.
2. Is the bottom of the ATV is protected well enough along with the rear differential. Will I need to add after-market skid plates.
3. I am a heavy rider, is the low range going to be comparable to the Sportsman.
4. Does the parking brake hold well enough so that I can get off the bike and chock the wheels.
5. Does the frame flex bad enough to affect shifting when in bad off-cambers.

Any comments will be appreciated
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The reason for the switch is less engine vibration, more horsepower and lower initial cost (out the door $6,500).

 

You'll love the P-700. It's an awesome machine. Funnest UTE out there.

 

Griz, have you looked into the new SP700 EFI? 15% more power with less vibration is what I heard. Plus it will practicly run upside down.

 

bigbadscambler he wants somthing with *****
in other words he wants a prairie

 

If you are buying a dedicated rock crawler there may be better choices out there. Any of the IRS machines will have more ground clearance and better suspension articulation, so will go farther with less effort. Have you considered the new AC 650, which has the same v-twin engine as last years Prairie 650? Or if you are willing to consider one of the non-v-twin alternatives, the Grizzly 660, SP 600 or SP700, or even the Rincon 650 would be worth considering. The Rincon does not have as much ground clearance as the other IRS machines, but its super low center of gravity is a definite advantage when trying to climb nearly vertical rock obstacles. Its gearing is a little high, but the torque amplification of its torque converter seems to overcome that pretty well. A lack of a front locker needs to be considered a disadvantage with the Rincon though.

In regards to your questions, the ride quality of the Prairie is quite good for a solid rear axle ATV, but is not in the same league as the IRS machines. Skid plates on the Praire protect it quite well, but they will get seriously dented (crushed) from big time rock crawling on a routine basis. You could replace them if the cosmetic appearance of badly dented aluminum skid plates bothers you, but the dents would not compromise the function of the skid plates. The low range on the Prairie is excellent, the parking brake works well, and there is no frame flex to worry about.

Good luck with whichever ATV you chose. And always remember, if you don't have traction, use speed! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Thanks for the info, I currently have a 2004.5 SP600, I know that I will lose some groud clearance and handling by getting away from the IRS system.
The vibration of the SP600 and some of the problems associated with this vibration is making me look elsewhere for what I want.
The price of the P-700 and it's performance (crusing speed) is the selling point thats hard to beat.
I have been a loyal Polaris rider for years and it will be a learning experience to ride a non-IRS ATV.
The reason for the new ATVs is because of our groups next ride will be the Utah section of the Great Western Trail after a couple of warm up days at Moab.

Thanks again
Griz

 

Go to PirateATV.com He has pictures of a prairie going though stuff that is just crazy. Should answer your questions.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Never try to spell before second cup of coffee.

 

As you can see, I ride both. For the really nasty rock crawling situations, I prefer the Sportsman. More ground clearance. Stiffer front springs. Wider track in front. Nicer ride over the really rough stuff. The Prairie actually wants to roll over sooner in these slow speed, rock crawling situations because the stock front springs are so soft, and the front track width is narrower than the Sportsman. It's especially noticable when descending off camber stuff.

On the other hand, the Prairie is a rocket ship that can blur the line between a utility and a sport quad. It's engine is extremely smooth compared to the Sportsman. In fact, if less vibration is what you're looking for, it's all but nonexistent on the Prairie. The parking brake on the Prairie actually works for more than two minutes. And the frame doesn't flex like the Sportsman does. The gears on the Prairie engage smoothly, unlike the notchy shifter on the Sportsman. In all fairness, click on this link to see how crazy you can get with a Prairie in the rocks PirateATV. The Prairie is also light enough (602 lbs) that you can move it around by hand, if necessary.

 

I love my P650. But the skid plates are aluminium foil. If you slap it on the rocks you will flaten the lower frame tubes. I have ricochet's on mine. The rear Diff plate is steel and seems to be holding up well.
The Arctic Cat 650 would be my choice on rock crawling but I get by with my P650.
I do not like the dictatorship of the 1 lever controls both front & rear brakes on the Polaris machines.

 

therock,
The AC650 also has one lever braking, just like a Sportsman.
Phil.