Has anyone drove this new 4 wheeler? or does anyone know how much it will be.

 

I have not ridden the machine, but did get to see it. The rep said it would cost around 6500 to 7000 dollars.

 

It won't be any more expensive than a Rubicon or SP500HO. The MSRP will probably be around $7K.

I wish Kawasaki would release some more details. I am thinking about a new quad & the SP500HO & Kawasaki are my final two choices.

 

I think that the Kawasaki is the right one. Just think of how much hp that bike would have. bye bye for the sp500 or the grizz as being the big and baddest

 

The 650 does look cool. Hopefully it will produce about 50hp. I want to see it in person before I write out a check. Who knows team green may rule again!

 

Snowshark, Everytime I see a polaris I see them working on it.

 

Everytime I see a Kodiak,I see only 3 wheels spinning with power,
Bill

 

4-Wheel ATV Action has a article in the Dec. 2000 issue on the 650. Kawasaki engineers claim that the new 650 will weigh less than the Prairie 400! It has engine compression braking, switchable 2wd/4wd, and you can lock the front differential. It will utilize twin disc brakes up front, with sealed multiple-disc wet brakes in the rear. Macphereson struts up front and a single rear shock in the back. They have a big side-view picture of it in this issue, and it looks like a really nice quad. Torque galore!

 

From all that I have read about the Kawasaki 650 V-twin, it appears to be very similar to the current 400 as far as suspension travel, size and weight go, but with better brakes, much more power, 2 and 4 wheel drive, better engine braking, and a way to temporarily lock the front differential. I'm assuming that it has single lever brakes, since the left-hand lever is for the differential. It would be nice to have semi-independant or independant rear suspension, but with the wet disc braking system built into the rear swingarm, I guess that it would be back to the drawing board (and probably too heavy and expensive anway). Besides, the current Prairie still has a very comfortable ride. I would like to see more ground clearance than the current Prairie though. Thats one of the really nice features of the Sportsman 500.
Someone posted that Kawasaki is staying with the light Dunlop tires to keep the weight (and probably cost) down. Thats too bad, because I don't think they are tough enough. I have had a flat with my 400 and I really baby it in rough, rocky areas. They are really easy to puncture with sharp rocks or sticks. I wish they would have at least a 4 ply rated tire with tougher sidewalls. If I ever buy one, I'll have to trade up to better tires right away.
Anyway, other than the tires, rear suspension, and maybe ground clearance, it looks like it has about the best of everything! I also hear that it can do 65 mph! Heres hoping that it lives up to expectations.

 

The 650 does have seperate brake levers. The differential lock lever is angled down lower than the left hand side brake lever. It is smaller like a bmx bike brake lever.