kawasaki's are leakers, their seals suck, you will be rebuilding your frontend on the Kawi way before the Yami. I would be scared to own a Brute with two front ends after owning a Prairie with one. Check out the axles even when new on the Kawi, you will feel slop, which translate into water. The driveshaft seals are worse.

The Kawi actuators are always messing up, for the 4x4 and engine brake. They just charged me 3 hours labour trying to fix the 4x4 switch, which they could not and now I have a jumper wire. Oh boy, man do I want out from under these high maintenance, walllet draining, low customer care company.

It's just that I am broke that they keep me, it must be in their business plan.

There is more to ATVing than having a V twin, besides Bombardier has a V Twin out now and please go wiggle their axles, they are as tight as Honda's. TIGHT.

 

Thanks for all the input. After checking both out, it seems like a '6 in one, 1/2 dozen in the other' decision. I'm planning on the BF 650, primarily because the Kawasaki dealer actually seemed interested in my business (as opposed to the Yamaha dealer who appeared pained to give me the time of day). Thanks again for the comments.

 

Yamaha is a good machine, I have had NO problems with mine whatsoever. I agree with what you say about the dealer though, you definitelly want to get a good dealer no matter what. That way if you do have problems they will work with you.

 

I dont mean to hijack the thread, but I too am looking at the Kawi. This is a very good site for overall info regarding all quads.......but Ive been trying to find a site that is exclusive to BF owners. Is there such a site? Ive looked and found nothing dedicated to the BF.

 

Try searching through threads for information. Mainly in the Kawi section. You can find all sorts of info that way!

 

http://atv.dnsalias.com/

 

Thanks Plainsman!

 

I use that forum and this one for all my Kawi info. Nyroc has lots of great tech tips.

Just my .02c I would stay on the Prairie path if I were looking Kawi. If I wanted IFS real bad probably head Grizzley or SP800. If its cold where you live the yams can be a pain if you dont have them jetted well. If you dont have any interest in diving into carbs and ice fish or have to run in cold climates EFI is the only way to go. Although I think the Grizs look awesome.

 

rx700.....I was very surprised to read your grizz beat your P700. That has not been my experience at all, unless the '06 grizz if faster than the '05? Or maybe it is just the tires. Have you had a chance to see how your '06 grizz does against an '05?

 

I have only raced it against my prairie and like I said the p700 has 25inch 589 and the griz has the stock tires, in the next few days I will put the stock tires back on the kawi and try again. Just to push both bikes around the gararage in neutral the kawi feels much heavier with the 589s.