I broke both my Prairies in up and down the rpm range from the get-go, just like my dealer suggested. Both of them are no problems and very fast. Go out and pin it for a while, then let off for a while, repeat. My $.02.

I have never heard of valves needing adjustment at 25 hours. I'm going to put this up as a topic. I think your dealer just wants to stay friends with your credit card.

 

i just picked up a 650 brute on thursday havnt had a chance to ride it yet but i will during the week here it should be fun !

 

i have an 03 650 and have put it through more hell than should be legal. my four wheeler has had a new bottom end thanks to my transmission exploding. 2 front axles ,and 5 belts. but i wouldn't drive anything else. even though all that has happenned , kawasaki warrantied everything. except the belts. when your tires are in a bind don't try to keep going let someone pull you out. all that low end torque is what will burn up a belt. go with the kaw anyday of the week!

 

Could you elaborate on these chronic problems that are to be seen on the Rubicon and Rancher?

 

Of course I would be glad to. To keep the subject fair, I'll ONLY speak of machines that I've seen or rode with. Not the problems that I have read or heard about. As you know, there should be always be a good sampling of Honda material within any riding group and that's the case with ours. Several Ranchers, a couple of Rubicons have ridden with us many times. In my cousin's Rancher 350, the swingarm bearings have been a constant problem for him. He's had some minor(though irritating) carb problems, but this I think, is due to his source of gas. Although my other cousin has a 450 and it too has a problematic carburetor. I have also noticed a few top-ends starting to let go. This last weekend while at Marengo, I witnessed two Ranchers start to smoke when under heavy throttle, then quit. This cannot be a good thing and I am not quit sure what was actually happening there. They were in some fairly good mud, but not something that several other bikes hadn't already been through. Of all the broken/abandoned bikes I saw out there, most were Hondas. The Rubicons that have ridden with us have consistently injured the rear u-joint/shaft in the rear when, I suspect, trying to pull large tires. I didn't mention anything chronic, I just reported what I have seen in the field. Honda doesn't make the 300 anymore and it shows.
In an ironic twist, when we got to Marengo, the very first broken bike I saw was a BF. I don't know what was up except it had a strap in the front bumper and hadn't even been in the gate yet.

 

RedGoblin, why was it necessary to edit your post?

 

I honestly don't remember. Did I say something before?

 

Hey Dirtpig,

That's an excellent price on a BF650. My brother is interested in buying one. I noticed you live in Gretna....you mind telling me where you bought yours?

Thanks,

03BigIron
Danville, VA

 

Bigiron.............bought it right there in Danville at Triangle Cycle...........