I am in the process of purchasing a 1999 Kawasaki Prairie 300 4x4. It is in excellect condition except for two things: an exhaust leak and possible belt problems. It sounds like the donut gasket? between the head and exhaust pipe is leaking. Its not that loud but is noticeable. Is this a common problem with the Prairie 300? I didn't get a close look but could it just be loose?
The other problem is with the drive belt. When you first pull away, it revs and revs and then suddenly it goes. I've driven Grizzlys and Polaris' and they don't do this- its much more gradual. It also seems to rev too much before taken off when you really get on it. the guy is only the second owner and does not know if the belt was ever replaced. Thats why I think it may just need a new belt. Does this sound right?
I also noticed that this bike had what looks like an oil cooler----------I thought the 300s were just air cooled and the 400s had liquid cooling.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Anybody?

 

I have one. They're okay. A new belt is about $80 or so on eBay. They had a recall on those in 2000 I believe. Never had any problem with the exhaust. Yeah, there's an oil cooler on it. Mine got bad hot at Marengo anyway and I had to replace the top end. They're pretty good bikes because I have tried to kill mine and it is still around.

 

The 300/400's are pretty much bullet proof. We just had one in the shop that got the "recall". They get the steering knuckle kit. Might check to see if the one you might buy had it done yet. If not, take it to a dealer and they will do it. Its free, Kawi is payin for it, don't worry. I just did a 300 Prairie recall. It also had an exhaust leak but it was because the bolts that hold on the heat shield on the right side broke so the customer tried screwing a screw into the shield and into the header pipe. The screw fell out and now there was a hole in the pipe. Just welded the hole up and put clamps on the shield. The shield is now adjustable now, hahaha. Depends on how much he is askin for that 300. tell me what he is askin for it and I can tell you if its worth it. How many miles are on it? Is it in great condition? Let me know and I will try to help you out. I would have to say the belt is worn out. Pull that cover off and look. If its bad, replace the belt and put some synthetic brake caliper grease on the pivot points on the clutch. Not too much though. Just enough to lube her up! Good luck man!!

 

I can get the bike for $2500 CDN. That may seem high but here in canada, the prices are much higher than the states. For example, a new Kaw 650 (sra) Brute Force is $9299 in canada. The bike is in good shape with lots of tread left on waht looks like original tires. The speedo has a crack in the glass and the composite racks have a few little cracks but overall the bike is in excellent condition. The reason it hasn't sold is because it is ;listed in the wrong spot in our trader paper, I just happened upon it in another section. Mechanically everything works except that exhaust leak and the belt. I figure if I got it I may e able to fix the exhaust and belt and resell and I might make $500. I don't know......

 

Do the 300/400's belt engage gradually like say a grizzly or polaris? Or is it an older design that seems to engage after a certain rpm?

 

The 300 is a simple and reliable quad.They are air cooled with an oil cooler.The belt drive on a Kaw is nothing like the Yamaha or Suzuki.It is closer to the Polaris.A kaw belt system does not have an internal centrifical clutch like a Yamaha.Yamaha belts always have tension and the Kaw belt goes slack.This being said you should feel the engagement and the engine should not rev high then the quad start moving.I am sure the belt is worn..at least hope that all that is wrong with it.We just went today and one of my buddies has a 300.He has had no troubles with it.The belt system on a 300 is completely diff than the 650-700-750.The belt is still very easy to install.DId you notice excessive knocking coming from the belt side of the quad??....if so the bushings on the primary might be worn,the outer is easy to change but the inner is a little tougher.Alot of guys think the noise is the shoes but it's usually those bushings.
One other thing you probably alredy know but I thought I will remind you is that it's a full time 4x4..
good luck

 

i have a 2000 300 prairie that started to make a small squeeking sound in what i thought was the front drive clutch my machine has 1500 miles on it never been beat so i thought maybe i need a new belt ordered one took the guards off ran the machine without a belt still have the same sound i put the new belt on and have drove it very little but im wondering if a exaust leak is what is going on would it sound like it is coming from the front clutch and a squeeky sound if it is ideling i get a consistant slow squeekey sound when i give it gas it gets faster but it almost sounds like a bearing not sure what to think would love some info from someone with more knowledge than me i dont want to take it to a shop and pay top dollar for something i could fix myself

 

My wife rides a 2002 praire 300 and last summer we were at Durhamtown Ga and her exhaust started leaking. Hers was quite evident that it was coming from the front of the head. In our case the 2-13mm nuts had just worked loose and I replaced them. We have not had any further problems but I have talked to several other people who said that this is common on the 300's? I now carry a couple of extra nuts and bolts when we ride, just in case.
Good Riding,
Charles