thanks sqooze ill have to check and see if supertrapp has one for me.

 

Just remmber that "fast" is a relative term. To a NASCAR driver 65 mph would only be considered fast when traveling down pit row. To a more mature ATV rider, anything above 35 mph might be considered as fast.

I've said this before and yet I'll say it again. The only reason to worry when others go faster than you is when they get paid to do it.

 

let me get to it here...
Its possible the prairie may make it to 57mph, but the sportsman makes it alot faster than 54mph, i've had them over 60 easily. ask anyone who owns them (there a 500, of course there faster). Also, my buds praire only makes it to 35 now, we don't know whats wrong with it, there is some wear on teh drive belt, and he has some bigger grips in the back, but it shouldn't amount to that much of a speed loss.
kelly, i have ridden extensively on the prarie 400 4x4, and i do most of the fixing on it when its not brought in. I'm just saying simple facts, the front likes to move around horribly on the machine, and thats at only 35mph, i'd hate to see it at 55. Its a decent machine, but there are better machines out there, no questions asked. You cannot deny the shortcomings of full time 4x4, and rear drum brakes. I plan on putting some spacers in under the front springs, hopefully that will help the ultra plush ride.

 

Hi. I dont have a speedometor on my 1999 400 2x4 Prairie so I cant say the speed with any certanty. What I can say with certanty is it goes plenty fast enoungh to get me into trouble if I dont watch it. It does have plenty of power. When I get off the machine after riding I dont find myself wishing I had something more powerfull. It goes very very well. I will say again that the down side for me is the wandering-lite steering. I am used to 4x4 machines with a tighter front end. And it does feel --tippy-- on fast turns. It is not nearly as tippy feeling as my 1998 sportsman 500 was. That machine was harder for me to ride than this Prairie 400. It isnt as easy to ride as my honda 4x4 was. That thing was the most sure footed and least tippy of the three quads I have owned. But this Kawasaki Prairie 400 2x4 is a very usefull machine. I just have to keep my speed down when turning and enjoy the nice ride. It does exude reliability!! It seems to be a damn solidly built quad. Is it the --PERFECT-- quad? No it isnt. But taking into consideration its bad and GOOD qualitys it is well worth having. I wont be feeling to deprived having to ride this one for a while. The only reason I

 

Sorry, My keyboard locked up and I didnt finish the above message. But I dont really have anything to add. I got this nearly new Kawasaki Prairie for 3,300. That makes it a keeper for me. I have read of the changes from 98 to 99. I will say once again that my 1999 machine is PLENTY FAST. I think it will be a good quad. I would not discourage someone from buying a Prairie from 1999 on up. I would like to have it in 4x4 but the price was right on this one. I will just drive around the BIG mud holes. I like to stay clean anyway. I dont want to get covered with mud on my way to the hunting fields anyway. I have been thinking of putting a set of TRI-CLAWS on the rear of my machine. I think that will make up some of the diffrence in not having 4x4. On a scale of 1 to 10 exluding price I would rate my satisfaction of the Prairie as a 6. Rating it on the price I had to pay for this nearly new machine would have to be a 10. I have nothing further to add to this subject. I wish you all good riding no matter what you choose.

 

My still-stock 2000 400 4x4 has reached max speed of 62 according to the on-board speedo (63.7 on my GPS) and held a nice straight line in doing so. I will agree that the front end is a bit soft, but if I wanted a woods racer I would have kept my old sport quad. It's all about recognizing a prospective machine's strengths and matching them to your own wants and needs. The Prairie is a good match for me- gets me there and back with power, reliability and comfort.

 

I agree with your post completly. My prairie is a good match for my use as well.

 

I just got back from Coral Pink sand dunes in Utah and for the second time Ive been up there the scram broke and the kawi had to tow me back to camp the Kawi is an extremely reliable quad I havent found a way to break it yet.

 

beleive me, teh praire can be broke, i've had to tow it home with my old Trail boss 250 before... thats gotta be a self esteem booster for teh ole trail boss (even tho it can barely pull it, no low range, and a 2 stroke) ya just have to try harder, lol

I hear rumors of a 650 prarie with IRS, and many other polaris features... hmm... sounds interesting