Looking ahead to the new 650 kaw. We were riding last Sat. Most of us had 500cc machines. they all did o.k., but to turn big tires and really get the job done more power is needed. Considering the new beast will have 8-10 hp more than any machine now produced, I for one can,t wait. I also think keeping the weight within 25 lb of a polaris 500 scrambler shows kaw. commitment to tech. I feel that we have gone as far as we can with big bore thumpers. We need something that can revv... and really put the meat to the wheels. I think other 500s are going to hang their heads in shame when this beast whops their butts. Go listen to the motor on the 650 website. This machine sounds like a full blown bullit bike..........

 

Slickrock,

Yes I think the other machines will not come close to the torque that the Prairie will have. I can't wait. Being in the market for a new quad this spring my choices were narrowed down from Kawasaki from Honda & Polaris. Think about this the motor will have two power strokes per revolution & each cylinder will have 4 valvues & this beast will still weigh less than most 500 cc machines. This is going to have a killer power to weight ratio.

 

Sorry, snowshark; according to my math, you'll only receive an average of one power stroke per revolution with the two-cylinder, four stroke-cycle, Kawasaki Prairie 650, instead of two!

But, that's twice as many as you get from a single-cylinder four stroke-cycle engine (as in one power stroke every TWO revolutions).

Now, if the Prairie 650's V-twin were a two stroke-cycle engine, your math would be correct.

Tree Farmer

 

Thanks for the correction Tree Farmer. I must have had a brain lapse when that was typed. You are correct the Prairie will have twice the power strokes of a single cylinder not two per revolution.

 

Thanks for accepting my clarification in the helpful spirit intended, snowshark!

However, you got me thinking--hmmmmmmm. Two power strokes per revolution-----hmmmmmmmm.

Why not, a FOUR-cylinder, four stoke-cycle engine?

Anyone besides me remember the "Ariel Square Four" motorcycle engine of yesteryear?

BTW, I've seen, touched, kicked the tires, and listend to the actual throaty roar of the Prairie 650; I'm sore impressed.

Now rehearsing speech: "Really, buying a Prairie 650 should be viewed as more of an INVESTMENT, rather than a purchase; depreciation of this new model should be minimal, in fact, it may even APPRECIATE . . ."

Tree Farmer

 

If the Kawasaki 650 performs like we're all expecting, its sales will be terrific, so I doubt if it will be long before other manufacturers have even bigger cc's. Especially Polaris. They seem to get new quads to market very fast. When Kawasaki came out with the first Prairie automatic, it was equal to other ATVs in power and features. That didn't last long. This time it looks like they plan to be on top for a while. They may not have the biggest engine for long, but they are taking their time bringing it out, so I guess they want to make sure they "get it right" the first time. By the sound of things there isn't much it won't have except maybe the ride and ground clearance of the Sportsman. I like the simplicity of the manually activated wet-clutch-pack locker for the front end and the same idea for the rear brake. I just hope they got the engine braking design right. If its like the 400 Prairie's quality, it will be a good machine. I can hardly wait to hear how it compares to the competition, AND--- I hope its even faster than they say! I just can't imagine those Dunlop tires lasting long when they are "burning" on every push of the thumb. Gives me a rush just thinking about it!