Newbie. My first bike
Mar 3, 2005 | 03:38 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Weekend Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Hi To All;
I am just new to the site and this is my first post.
I have just purchased a 2002 Kawasaki 650 ATV. (Red). It appears to have been well taken care of and still has a year left on the extended warranty.
I have never owned a bike of any kind before but since I am near retirement (61 years old) and have always wanted an ATV, I figure it’s now or never. This will be a great toy for me to play with especially during the hunting and fishing seasons.
The bike has its original wheels but one is leaking in a few spots around the rim. The wheel is banged up quite a bit around the rim. The tires 25x8-12 & 25x10-12 are in good shape but I am getting a deal on 4 near new 27” Mud Lites and am strongly considering an offer from a dealer on 4 new ITP Series C, Type 6, 12X7 wheels.
The little bit of reading I have had a chance to do on this site suggests that I might need an “EPI Secondary Spring” installed for the larger size tires. Could someone please explain this to me and is it difficult to install?
In addition, since I live here in Eastern Canada the weather is still hovering around 30 to 32 degrees F during the day and colder at night. As a result, my bike does not like to idle in this temperature. I do not have a trailer yet to take it out anywhere for a run but it is very difficult to keep it running just driving around my yard. Every time I remove my thumb from the throttle, it stalls. I mentioned this to our local Kawasaki dealer and he tells me that this is a characteristic of Kawasaki. I don’t really want to believe this and I’m wondering if I would be wasting my time taking it into these guys to have it checked out. Does anyone else experience this same problem in the cold?
To finish up, I’m only a small guy (5’ 6” tall & 145 Lbs) so any suggestions on learning to drive this (besides practice) would be much appreciated along with any general tips, comments or words of advise.
Many Thanks.
I am just new to the site and this is my first post.
I have just purchased a 2002 Kawasaki 650 ATV. (Red). It appears to have been well taken care of and still has a year left on the extended warranty.
I have never owned a bike of any kind before but since I am near retirement (61 years old) and have always wanted an ATV, I figure it’s now or never. This will be a great toy for me to play with especially during the hunting and fishing seasons.
The bike has its original wheels but one is leaking in a few spots around the rim. The wheel is banged up quite a bit around the rim. The tires 25x8-12 & 25x10-12 are in good shape but I am getting a deal on 4 near new 27” Mud Lites and am strongly considering an offer from a dealer on 4 new ITP Series C, Type 6, 12X7 wheels.
The little bit of reading I have had a chance to do on this site suggests that I might need an “EPI Secondary Spring” installed for the larger size tires. Could someone please explain this to me and is it difficult to install?
In addition, since I live here in Eastern Canada the weather is still hovering around 30 to 32 degrees F during the day and colder at night. As a result, my bike does not like to idle in this temperature. I do not have a trailer yet to take it out anywhere for a run but it is very difficult to keep it running just driving around my yard. Every time I remove my thumb from the throttle, it stalls. I mentioned this to our local Kawasaki dealer and he tells me that this is a characteristic of Kawasaki. I don’t really want to believe this and I’m wondering if I would be wasting my time taking it into these guys to have it checked out. Does anyone else experience this same problem in the cold?
To finish up, I’m only a small guy (5’ 6” tall & 145 Lbs) so any suggestions on learning to drive this (besides practice) would be much appreciated along with any general tips, comments or words of advise.
Many Thanks.
Mar 3, 2005 | 04:04 PM
#2
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
hi 8mile,
first off welcome to the forum.
The secondary clutch spring you are refering to is to keep tension on the drive belt in tranny...It helps increase the belts life because it will slip less. I personally have never installed one before, but it would be a good upgrade if you get the larger tires. One thing you can try and do is turn up the idle on the quad...that might help with the stalling. For the riding questsion...well...practice makes perfect [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] just take it slow right away, learn you capabilities and what not before you start to feel "daring"
first off welcome to the forum.
The secondary clutch spring you are refering to is to keep tension on the drive belt in tranny...It helps increase the belts life because it will slip less. I personally have never installed one before, but it would be a good upgrade if you get the larger tires. One thing you can try and do is turn up the idle on the quad...that might help with the stalling. For the riding questsion...well...practice makes perfect [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] just take it slow right away, learn you capabilities and what not before you start to feel "daring"
Mar 3, 2005 | 04:08 PM
#3
Pro Rider
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Welcome ,I'm west of Fredericton if you go to the search screen and type in stalling it mat be there. There are some great trails in the St John area so you will have some fun. Practice makes perfect on the learning to ride
Mar 3, 2005 | 05:30 PM
#4
Range Rover
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Welcome from the other coast.You will soon be in a sitution if you can't ride you'll want to read about it.I have an 02 p650 same as yours and I have recently installed both primary and secondary springs.They were both reasonably easy to install.It depends on your mechanical abilities.I would change both the springs and put a p700 belt on as well.You would be good for 1000+ miles then.
As for the idle,on the right side of the bike in front of the fuel shutoff there is a black **** which is the idle adjustment,give that a twist clockwise.There is also air mixture screws and they can be slowly adjusted for a better idle as well.One note that if the idle is too high you'll have troubles shifting.
Shifting brings a couple other good reminders always ride in low unless you need to speed.Secondly the bottom motor mount is prone to coming loose cause bad shifting.Check out tech tip at web sites listed below.
Your tire wheel question, looks like your on the right track.One thing you could do is not get the wheels and have the clutch springs and belt installed if your budget is tight.
Save these web sites to your favorites if you plan on doing the work yourself..well documented procedures:
KISSOFDEATH
NYROC'S
Well once again welcome to the forum and its nice to see a guy with your expirence starting a new hobby.M/M.
As for the idle,on the right side of the bike in front of the fuel shutoff there is a black **** which is the idle adjustment,give that a twist clockwise.There is also air mixture screws and they can be slowly adjusted for a better idle as well.One note that if the idle is too high you'll have troubles shifting.
Shifting brings a couple other good reminders always ride in low unless you need to speed.Secondly the bottom motor mount is prone to coming loose cause bad shifting.Check out tech tip at web sites listed below.
Your tire wheel question, looks like your on the right track.One thing you could do is not get the wheels and have the clutch springs and belt installed if your budget is tight.
Save these web sites to your favorites if you plan on doing the work yourself..well documented procedures:
KISSOFDEATH
NYROC'S
Well once again welcome to the forum and its nice to see a guy with your expirence starting a new hobby.M/M.
Mar 3, 2005 | 08:17 PM
#5
Pro Rider
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
You have bought the best bike going regarding power, engine braking and brakes.
Power: You've already felt that.
Engine braking: When you ride with a group down a steep decline, you'll see their brake lights going on and off or just staying on. Meanwhile, you're just idling down the hill, maybe even have to give it a little power.
Brakes: Hopefully you won't be using them too much. On riding tips, where most people get in trouble is too much speed going into unexpected trail turns.
If you're handy, you'll want a service manual. If not, try to find a kawi tech that knows what he's doing.
Have fun...join an atv club....instant rides and friends.
P.S. Any dealer who would tell you that your Prairie won't idle just because it's a Kawasaki, that's a good dealer to stay away from.
Power: You've already felt that.
Engine braking: When you ride with a group down a steep decline, you'll see their brake lights going on and off or just staying on. Meanwhile, you're just idling down the hill, maybe even have to give it a little power.
Brakes: Hopefully you won't be using them too much. On riding tips, where most people get in trouble is too much speed going into unexpected trail turns.
If you're handy, you'll want a service manual. If not, try to find a kawi tech that knows what he's doing.
Have fun...join an atv club....instant rides and friends.
P.S. Any dealer who would tell you that your Prairie won't idle just because it's a Kawasaki, that's a good dealer to stay away from.
Mar 3, 2005 | 09:28 PM
#6
Pro Rider
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 1
Newbie. My first bike
congrats on you new ride, The prairie is a spectacular machine and you will love it. Just use low as much as possible to keep the belt good and tight and you will be fine. also, how many miles and hours do you have on it.
Mar 4, 2005 | 08:35 PM
#7
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
I think it has 3900K (2424 Miles) and 279 hours. What is a good ratio?
Thanks to all who have responded to my post. Any more great ATV sites would be appreciated.
Thanks to all who have responded to my post. Any more great ATV sites would be appreciated.
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Mar 4, 2005 | 09:22 PM
#8
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Well, you have purchased an awesome bike and I wish you many happy days of trail riding.... especially with friends and "neighbors". Best advice is to pick up an original Kawi service manual... about $85 CDN. Should help you to putter around and make any adjustments you need. Take cary.... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]:
Mar 5, 2005 | 11:13 PM
#9
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Howdy, Like you I am also new to the ATV's. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only old guy here, I'm 55 and bought a new Prairie 700 Dec. 28th. I've got about 200 miles on it now and love riding and searching out new trails. The best advise I was given is to ride in low as much as possible. (it will run 45 in low range) And don't over ride your abilities. After riding street bikes for 32 years and feeling the need for speed accassionally the Prairie was a good choice. I like the power when you open it up! I also bought the service manual and so far I have not found anything that I have not been able to do. I plan on doing a spring change at 100 Hours when it is recommended to service the belt. Well good luck and have fun! Your gonna love it.
Mar 5, 2005 | 11:57 PM
#10
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Newbie. My first bike
Thanks Dandy.
I'm hearing what you're saying about low range. I gather from all the posts that it helps lots to preserve your drive belt. Unlike you, I don't have any experience in driving any kind of bikes so I don't think speed will be a problem with me, especially at this tender age. Good luck on your rides.
I'm hearing what you're saying about low range. I gather from all the posts that it helps lots to preserve your drive belt. Unlike you, I don't have any experience in driving any kind of bikes so I don't think speed will be a problem with me, especially at this tender age. Good luck on your rides.