DOA, The kaw v is a great motor but i do not like there belt drive. I will stick to a single untill they make a v-twinn with a better trans like the yamaha set up.

 

I prefer Kawasaki's belt system over the yamaha/suzuki method (for the most part).

The plusses to the sprag clutch on the yami and suzi:
1. better for pulling on heavy stuff that won't budge so the belt doesn't burn.
2. longer belt life.
3. smoother, more consisten engine braking at low speeds. No flaky KEBC actuator.

The minuses to the sprag clutch on the yami and suzi:
1. Not nearly as easily tuned, not even remotely as easy to adjust.
2. takes longer to do belt maintenance, not as easy to change the belt, and the yami system fills up with a sortof greasy mud.
3. The centrifugal friction clutch heats the engine's oil and puts steel shavings and clutch material in the oil. The engine filters it's oil, but the tranny gets its oil from splashing and flinging. It isn't the best for engine life. Change the oil in a prairie and a griz at the same time and run them both sow over rocks. You will see in short miles how much dirtier griz oil is. I never did an analysis of the oil from these two side by side, but I am positive the prairie oil would be in better shape.

My belt has lasted me so long that I don't even care if another quad has a full auto or a longer lasting belt. Also, I don't ever yank on anything that doesn't move so I can't really say I like the sprag system any better except for the engine braking.

The each system has it's plusses and minuses. I know I love my kawasaki CVT system, and that is one reason that I like the BF over the KQ (I also like the diff lock better and the V-twin of course).

 

NYROC,

JUST FOR FUN, which one do you predict will be faster low-end, mid-range and top-end? Please address each seperately. Remember everyone, this is just a prediction, so no one can say anything after the facts come out!!

I predict the BF in all the categories.

 

I think the BF will have a lot more low end, a bit more midrange, and only a sliver more top speed or possibly even on top.

I don't know? Suzi could have tuned it for all low range and a top speed of 10mph for all I know.

Actually Don Grimes hinted that the KQ is about as fast as a P700, so I think it will be close.

I bet Kisssofdeath with have one as soon as it show up. Hopefully he will have one for next weekend (hint for KOD).

 

I thinking about getting one myself. I ordered a Hummer H2 though and it will be here in 2 weeks so my wife is going to start complaining! LOL

I want to wait until I see some reviews on the KQ before I jump though. I've never owned a Suzuki, just a P650, SP 700 and a P700. I'm VERY addicted to the V-Twin. Also, you know Yamaha is going to update since they haven't updated the Grizz since 2002. Nyroc, your thoughts?

 

And what about the new AC 650 Hemi?

 

That's entirely possible; the old late '80's/early '90's Suzuki Quadsport 230/250's and little LT185 were hard to catch for any other brand of 4-stroke. Suzuki can build a monster, if they choose to.

 

what advantages and disadvantages would there be if i got a bf750 and put wheel spaces on compared to a bf750 with out them?

 

nyroc, Im sorry to say but I wont be riding a KQ atleast until next April.

I have to comment about the two clutch designs though. I had a 2000 Kodiak and went inside the CVT many times. I changed belts,"didnt have to" and I played with clutch weights. Here are my observations of the Kawi and Yami/Suzuki KQ design.

The Kodiak was easier to change its belt than the P650 is. Reason being, you dont have to adjust anything. Just pop off the outside primary pulley and install the new belt and put the pulley back on. With the P650 you have to adjust the belt deflection when installing a new belt and we all know what that requires.

The Kodiak never required any maintenance at all. If I didnt want to change the belt or if I didnt want to mess with the weights I would have NEVER had to go inside the CVT in over 3 years that I had it. With the P650 I have HAD to make two belt adjustments. I replaced the belt last time I checked it but it was still well with specs but without any spacers left.

You are right about the downhill braking. The Kodiak will hold back and WILL NOT break loose and surge down hill like the P650 will.

I have change oil in the Kodiak many times using plain ole Yamalube conventional oil. I have also changed oil in the P650 many times using Mobil 1. I can honestly say the oil from each atv was no noticably worse than the other. In over 3 years of hard use and abuse on the Kodiak it never smoked at ANY time.

THE ONLY area the Kawi design is better is for performance tuning with spring changing. It is much easier to work on also. BUT!!!! You never have to work on the Yamaha design! THAT is the key! You never have to touch it. I know some people may have had clutch problems with their Yamaha design but the majority will never have any. This is based on my own experience with my Kodiak and other belt driven Yamahas that I have been around.

Dont get me wrong now. I like both designs. I like messing with the springs to improve performance, I also like not having to make belt adjustments. If I had to choose I would go with the Yamaha/KQ700 belt design over the Kawi for the reasons I explained above.

This is the longest reply since my spring test topic over a year ago.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

KOD,all you have to do to change a belt in the kodiak is thread a bolt into the secondary clutch to push them apart(sheaves).I agree with you though,who cares if you can't mess with it as much,you don't have to,it works.I found my oil was in pretty bad shape every time I changed it with my kodiak and I changed it every two months.When I changed the oil in my 650 it looked like it was almost new.