I typically only ride the national forest trails and in this neck of the woods they are mostly rocky and hilly. How would this bike perform here?

 

The prairie 700 is a fun machine sra for going fast and power sliding plenty of power and then some but it would not be the machine that I would choose for the type of terrain you are riding I would look for irs and a big bore. Any Polaris Sportsman, Yamaha Grizz 700 or BF 750 would do the trick. Ride any of them and you will see what I mean. You can ask and of the guys on this forum and 90% will agree on the IRS for rough trail riding!!!!!

 

I'd agree with Dodge57. I have an immaculate 2006 650 solid rear axle that I am selling because of the limitations of not having IRS. I do not like the lack of ground clearance (barely over 7 inches isn't good in the deep stuff).

I do disagree that one has to get the 750. The 650i has more than enough power and can be made just as fast as the 750, and is cheaper.

 

What do you ride now? What the Prairie lacks in ground clearance it makes up for with handleing. I don't think that I've ever read a shoot out that the prairie didn't win. IRS has definate advantages......but I'm not a fan of IRS because of the handling. I've never ridden a Brute but I have ridden a Grizzly and didn't like the way the Grizzly handled at all. The Prairie handles like a sport quad when compared to the Grizzly. SRA has its limitations but it doesn't render the Prairie completely incapable. If you ride more agressively than the average rider you may want to ask yourself which is more important to "you" better handleing or better clearance.

 

i have a 2003 prairie 650 4x4 with 27"swamper tires. It handles the trails very well. it has the straight rear axle instead of independent suspension but it handles tight turns without swaying. Just and awsome machine ! keep the tire pressure low and it handles the bumps better.

 

I had an 2004 prairie 700 and it is an awesome quad. Doesn't have as good a ride as my kawie 750 bf and not even close to my polaris sp800 plush ride, but it is very good for a SRA. The power it awesome and the handling is great too. The ground clearance is an issue unless you add taller tires, but it will still be the limiting factor. If you are not going into some deep rutted mud, it is a great machine.