hey all.... I am new to the ATV world. I have been four wheeling for years in my Jeep from Florida to the Mountains of NC to Tennesee. I tried the search, but not much luck. I am looking at a Brute force 650i.
I plan on using it for land work, deer hunting in Tennessee and recreation in Ocala National Forest in Florida. As with the Jeep, I learned after the fact that I missed some up front options I should of got from the get go.~~~~,like lower gears, lockers front and rear and other stuff.

Can y'all recommend any option(s) I should consider on this machine? Do ATV's even come with factory options. I know the sales man will tell me just about anything to make the sale. I justed want to start here in the real world first. I read on Kawasaki's website of a front Limited slip front diff.

Do they offer a fully locked front differ that can be deactived easily for tight turns?

Is the rear fully locked from the factory?

I know there are many DIY bolt on accesories I can do down the road. Just concerned about the complicated stuff.

TIA

 

Hey Mark, welcome to the Kaw forum. As far as options go from the factory there isnt much to shoose from less the IRS, which it looks like you have already decided on the 650i which will be great for the off-roading situations. The rear is a locked diff from the factory, and the front is a limited slip type of a setup until you grab the lever. By lever I mean a little yellow lever on the left handlebar that locks the diff when you pull it. Many other brands would probably critisize the setup but I love it. The limited slip 4WD will get you through about anything, and when you need that extra punch just grab the yellow and your gone. Having the abiity to not be locked in all the time helps with ease of steering. There isnt much in the lower gear department, there is just a high, low, and reverse. There might be an aftermarket electrical setup that would allow you to have the front diff locked at all times, but I am not sure you will have to do some searching. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

Hey MarkM , I am also considering getting a 650i. The bike is independent fully locked rear as you already know. It has a button/switch that you push to go from 2x4 into 4x4. Once in 4x4 it is limited slip in the front, but like hollowcd said, if you need more traction, there is a yellow lever on the left handle that you can pull to get full locked front diff, when you dont need it anymore you just let the lever go, voila!
I dont care for a full time 4x4 bike, i like having the option to run as i want, and the kawi gives you those options factory equiped, all you might need is a winch for those really tough situations. Also the bike has a rev limiter in reverse to remain safe speeds while moving backwards, but if you need more speed in certain situations there is a override button that will let you hammer down in reverse. The bike come standard with high,low, neutral, reverse. the low gear should be low enough for anything you do with it. also what is nice is the full auto drive system, just put it in high or low like a auto car and give it gas, you dont have to worry about changing gears or anything, you probably allready know this but just in case. Anyway they are great bikes for the $, and i may be getting one my self. only reason i wont is because i also want a bike to play on more, sport related, so i am also looking at the kfx700, ive already got a great 4x4, my vinson, which i love. Go test drve the 650i , i think youll be hooked, especially when you feel the power it has!