I'm wondering about 3 things with the 650:
(1)---Has Kawasaki made room to mount a winch behind the front grill in front of the radiator? If not, what do they have in mind?
(2)---How do you mount a windshield or a GPS handlebar mount etc.? It looks like there is a cover over nearly all of the handlebars.
(3)---Has Kawasaki definitely decided to only offer the Dunlop tires? Someone said it was to keep the ATV's overall weight down. I wish they would go with a 4 ply tire, even if they have to charge more. The added weight would be worth the peace of mind. The Dunlops on my Prairie are very easy to puncture. I'm always concerned about getting a flat when in rocky areas, and I baby my machine. I know that most dealers will let you trade them for different tires when buying the ATV (for a healthy price), but (in my opinion), ATV's should have good, sturdy all purpose tires in the first place. After all, All Terrain shouldn't mean only soft ground!
I hope that there is a Kawasaki rep that will answer these questions.

 

The 650 does have a winch mount.

They can not by law make the Prairie 650 any heavier 605 lb is the max they can go. They even had to make the trailer hitch an accessery do to weight. Any ATV manufacturer that was around before a given date must meet these weight restrictions. I think this date is 1986. So there is no way they can go with a hevier tire.

I have two Prairie 400 4X4 and have never put any tire on them but the stock donlops. I just got 4 new Dunlops for christmas. I add slim to them and have never had a problem. Before the slim I did make sure I had a plug kit with me. Which I still carry. I rode one once that had 4 ply tires and it road very rough compared to mine. I

 

Looking at the QuickTime image at- http://www.prairie650.com/prairie.html - I see some kind of mounting system on the front. It looks like it can take a Fairlead but instead of a slot it has 3 verticle slots. There is an opening under the grill that may be where a winch can go. I hope so. I don't like having a winch for a fromt bumper.

 

WayneB, I must have missed something. Why do manufacturers have to be under 605 lbs.? The Traxter and the Sportsman 500 are over that. Is this some new law?
As far as the Dunlops go, I like the tread pattern and yes, they ride well, but I got a flat in a place that was not even rough, so it worries me to have a tire that is this easy to puncture. It was a very small hole in the middle of a front tire that I didn't notice until the tire went flat after a few days. I repaired it with my plug kit. Maybe I was just unlucky, but a tough tire would not have been harmed where we were riding. I think that the sidewalls are especially vulnerable to roots and rocks though and always try to pick my way around objects to protect them. I wish they were tougher. I could put up with a slightly rougher ride for the peace of mind. A friend of mine has a Grizzly and he too had several flats with the OEM tires (I think they were also Dunlops--not sure, but they were 2 ply), so he finally bought some 4 ply tires.
Anyway, I'm glad you've had good luck with yours.

 

Any manufatcure that was making ATV's before when the law was passed in 1986 or so has to abide by it. Any manufacture that started making ATV's after that date are exempt. Stupit as it sound that's the law.
Wayne B

 

The winch does go behind the grill.
I looked the 650 over very well and it is designed great.
I am going the replace the skid plates since the're a little thin to cut down on wieght.
They really thought this thing out. I am sure Kawasaki will have hevier skid plates avalible. Sinse the only reason they are thin is the wieght restriction.
Wayne B

 

WayneB, this law you mentioned is interesting to me. I never heard of it, but regardless, what I don't understand is why Polaris is allowed to make such heavy ATV's. I think they are one of the original manufacturers, and the Sportsman 500 H.O. has a dry weight of 697 lbs. and the Magnum 500 is 647 lbs.. By what you said, wouldn't they have to comply?

 

WayneB. If you looked this machine over in person how is the ground clearance? This may be deciding factor for me this spring when I get my new atv.

 

I think ground clearance is 12" but don't quote me on that. It was more than my 400 4X4 Prairies have.
Wayne B

 

i don't think Polaris was in the ATV business till the 1990's. Nowhere near one of the first.
Honda and then Suzuki were the first and maybe only till early 80's
Wayne B