Trying to decide which is best for me.... I mostly ride trails, but like to occasionally climb a hill and open it up on the long trails.

I currently have an 03 Prairie 650, and have been really happy with it except for the hard starting, and spitting and spattering it does. (probly due to the fact I dont ride enough and it sits in the garage for months) I heard the carb design was bad on the 650 and they put a different set on the 700. Any truth to this? I guess with EFI on the KQ, this would solve that problem too..... I just hate to give up that V-twin power, and I like the feel of the Prairie's... But I love the idea of EFI and IRS...... Not to mention the black plastic! What are the pros and cons of the IRS?

Anyone got the chance to compare these models up close? Any other Models I should consider in the $5K used price range?

Thanks in advance

 

upgrade your ride to the 650i
better ride, handling and still a V-twin Kawi'

 

The Kawi 700, is awesome and has a lot of good low end, but sucks fuel and the solid rear is not as comfortable of a ride. I love my KQ, but there is a little low end lag, due to the mapping, independant rear softer ride, more agile, more ground clearence lots of mods you can do, if you are stuck on Kawi, try the 750 Brute, independant rear, sit higher, no efi, sucks fuel, but get you there real quick.

 

I would stick with the prairie a friend of mine has the kingquad and i am not impressed at all...and let me know what you want for your prairie...I am in the market for a used one...

 

If the only reason you want to get another quad is because the hard starting and sputtering,you should have it repaired. The carbs are the same on the 700's Take the carbs off and clean every port inside with a good cleaner then blow them out with compressed air. When is the last time that the valves were adjusted? If it has been awhile that could be the hard starting problem. While the carbs are off take a good look the rubber boot for any cracks.

Oh yea,the air boxes are different,maybe that's what you heard about the carbs being different????????

 

Everybody has a friend that has something and something isn't right with it. I love it. I wish these friends would get online and tell how they feel about it, a real first hand opinion. I love the the KQ and am on the list for the new Copperhead ecu from VDI that unlocks all limits, gets rid of the lag and opens her up. The same company that made the Prairie 700 a true beast. There is nothing wrong with the Kawi, I had one for 3 years, but did not care for the front struts, the solid axle/ride. But it sure had a lot of low end grunt, thanks to it's v-twin, not like the King Quad, which is powered by only one cylinder. You might not be able to get off the line as quick, but, it ain't no problem to blow by the Kawi. Pro's and cons either way, your best bet is to find someone or a dealer that has them where you can test ride them both, that's the only way to do it.

 

 

Sorry for the double post....

I believe the dealer told me the carbs were different on the 700's when I had it in being worked on. I complained to him about the spitting and he said thats just the way the 650's are, bad design and the problem was fixed on the 700. Maybe he was just tryin to upsell me!

Never adjusted the valves, but I only have a little over 300 miles on it. It runs great when you open it up, but idleing and low speed has always been a problem.... even when new. I just figured these things like to go fast!

 

Most dealers don't know crap!! Get the carbs cleaned. With the low miles on the quad means you have run a lot of bad gas through them.

 

another day another KQ guy hammering on a Kawi guy....

Both machines do kick ****...If you favor the Kawi power and you want better ahandling, buy the 650i and put on better tires, etc. It will run as good as the 700KQ and be better on your wallet...

Kawi did right by the 650i with a better front end set up, after market tires will give it even better handling and stiffer control. SO much so, that they took the same design to the 750. My wife drove both and found the 650i easier to steer...

I have a friend who as the KQ, which if I wasnt a Kawi fan, I probably would have considered. ITs a great machine...I just like the way my machine launches and handles.

You need to try both. But if you beleive you dont need the 750i Kawi, then save a buck, go 650i, bigger tires...etc...

You'll be a happy camper!!!