I first would like to say that this is the first quad that I have owned. For the first few weeks that I have owned it I have had a blast. Now I have been doing some reading here on this forum as well as some others. This forum has the most threads about this particular quad. I have been interested in the whole clutch spring modification discussions that have been going on here in the past. If anyone here has been involved in those discussions or has any input please respond. There was on particular post that has mentioned putting in a Polaris Brown spring that gave it a little more off the line punch, but the problem was that there was an increase in the amount of stall before the clutch actually engaged. My question is what is the difference with replacing the primary spring vs. buying the full-blown clutch kit from EPI? Replacing the primary seems to be far more inexpensive than the kit. Does the kit address the stall issue? I?m not real concerned with the top end speed. Just looking for a little more snap. This Prairie is 100% stock in pristine condition. Any suggestions?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

If you do the clutch mod, let me know how it turns out for you. That is one area that I really haven't messed with on my 99 Prairie 300. I did notice a decent performance gain by installing a K&N Stage 1 kit (K&N filter, Dynojet kit, etc...). It added a few mph at the top end, but more importantly, it gave it more mid-range power. It has been a good bike, I have used it to haul box blinds, corn, pull trailers, winched broken trees off the road, etc... Good luck, I hope you enjoy your bike as much as I've enjoyed mine.

 

By the way, welcome to the forum!!!!

 

Welcome aboard.
You've got yourself a great bike.

 

I also own one of these bikes, and you will enjoy it.... They are excellent and trouble free, just be sure you do the maintenence. I would also recomend the jet kit and quality air filter over the clutch mod. I also did the start in gear mod which is really handy. I run only Amszoil 10w-40 syn motor oil this will help it run cooler. With just the jetting and filter (holes in airbox also) mine will easily outrun a rancher 350, Polaris325, and just about everything else in this class. Do not know why Kawi stopped making this machine....Good ridin!!

Airshot

 

Can you post the start in gear mod? I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

 

I got the mod from "Nyroc's ATV website" he has alot of things posted for this bike, excellent source. Inside the battery box area is a plastic can that plugs in, remove this can and jumper two wires across and it removes the safety start in neutral only. I can't recall which two you jump across but they are opposite corners, put the bike in gear and hit the starter it will only work if you get the right two. This is a handy mod but be careful....if the engine is cold and you use the choke, it will start at a higher speed and engage the clutch and the bike will take off !!! I only use this when I am on the bike and it is already warmed up, otherwise a neutral start is always used. Another great feature of this bike is it does have engine braking...it is just not automatic. When going down hill just bump the throttle slightly to engage the centrifical clutch and the compression will hold your speed down. It takes a little practice to get the light touch on the throttle to engage it but once you learn it, it works great. Went down to Hatfield McCoy and used this alot going down some steep grades, it always kept me well under 10 mph with little or no braking and you don't have all that mechanical crap the factory puts on to contend with it doing it automatically.

Good Ridin!!
Airshot

 

Wow, that was an easy (5 minutes max), yet handy, modification. Just find the relay near the battery that has four wires (green, brown, and two black wires) connected with a connector. Remove the connector from the relay, make a little bladed jumper to go between the two black wires and presto, no longer need to be in Neutral to start. I just removed the relay completely and taped up the connector real good to keep it clean. I always found it to be a pain that I had to shift back to neutral to start it. The shifter seems to be my only complaint with this bike. Thanks for the help!

 

I am looking at a 99 Kawi 300 Automatic, and it seems like you really wind up the RPMs to get it going, and top speed seems to be 35. Is this normal.

 

Sounds to me like your belt may be worn, while there is an increase in RPM before the clutch engages, it should not "wind up" considerably. Check wear and deflection on the belt. My 2000" model will top out at 40 mph normally and 45 with a tail wind. I would give your bike a complete check, it is probably the belt.

Airshot