A friend of mine just purchased a 2000 prairie 400 4x4. I rode it last night and thought the thing felt out of control the entire time. Tires were bouncing off the ground, and the front end would dip under on any kind of turn. I was not happy with the handling abilitiies of this machine. It is however extremely fast! Would changing the tires and/or shocks improve the stability of this bike?

 

The Prairie has a soft, cushy, comfortable ride (unlike the relatively stiff pre-Y2K Bayous and other quads).

The softer suspension leans, compresses, and maybe even wallows more than whatever you usually ride, gspman.

Consider comparing the ride of a Cadillac Sedan de Ville vs. the ride of a Corvette.

Well, something like that . . .

Diogenes

 

I don't mind the soft cushy ride, but I do mind feeling as if the thing is going to tip over on top of me at every turn.

 

The OEM Dunlops on my 200 Prairie 400 4x4 were just replaced with a same-size set of Goodyear Mudrunners. The difference was night-to-day. Previously owning a Bayou 300 4x4, I was used to the stiffer handling characteristics and I too felt unsettled by the Prairie's tendencies to sway, bounce and wash out in the corners. The Mudrunners have certainly raised my confidence level, and the more suitable (to me) ergonomics and suspension of the Prairie is still easier on my butt than the ol' Bayou.

 

How good are your Dunlops that you removed. I am always looking for good stock tires at a great price. I have 2 Prairie 400 4X4's and would like to get your old tires if you give me a deal.
Wayne B
703-729-2472

 

gspman, It sounds like there is something wrong with this Prairie (like weak front springs) or the tire pressure is very low or uneven. I have a /97 Prairie 400 4x4 and it handles very well at high speeds (maybe I'm just used to it). If there is doubt, have him take it back where he bought it and get it checked out. If you feel unsafe on it, it must not be handling like a normal 400 Prairie 4x4, although going by doug_blackburn's remarks, maybe it is what you are used to. I've ridden an older 454 Arctic Cat, and I think the Prairie corners every bit as well as it did, and mine has the OEM Dunlop tires on it. It's possible that you are just not used to its characteristics and the soft Dunlops, but this is the first time I've heard of anyone having trouble with a Prairie's handling. I find this post interesting because I bought mine because of its foregiving handling and ride at high speeds compared to several other brands that I tried out back then. If you find something wrong, please keep us posted.

 

We went riding yesterday and as I was following him I saw the rear tires of the Prarie come off the ground a few inches several times. I don't think that my wheels came off the ground at all yesterday. It just seems that the one shock, in the back trying to handle both wheels, can't do it. Granted the bike was going at an angle down a grade, but my bike did not lift off the ground at all.

We checked his tire pressure yesterday as well. If anything, it is a little to high. I definitely am not used to the softer suspension of the prairie, but I think as long as you understand how the bike handles in difficult situations, it will be as safe as any of them.

Thanks for your comments!

 

gspman. It might be worth your friend's while to have his rear shock inspected. It sounds like the shock isn't dampening like it should. From what you were saying before, maybe they are all shot.