There's an article at www.(You Know What) source.com/articles/atv_reviews/kawasaki/031001_kawasaki_650_prairie.htm

by Bob Davis (former ATV Connection Magazine Editor?). While I think the writer is in error regarding the Bombardier Traxter differential (he says it has clutch packs, I think it has a TorSen worm-gear anti-slip device), this is the first article I've seen involving riding the Prairie 650 (other than the Popular Mechanics piece).

Oh yeah; "(You Know What)" = ATV

Diogenes

 

Never did trust anything Bob Davis wrote.

atvnews.com has a first ride look story I think.

 

I just put $500 down to hold the first firecraker red Prairie 650 that comes through the door.

The Dealer told me that It will be in within the next couple weeks or the lastest will be the 2nd week in April.

I varified this by calling Kawasaki directly in California. The number is on their web site.

 

I have never owned a kawasaki anything so i do not know much about them, but how are they usually on releases?, i have the second 650 in the door, but will they give all the dealers one, then wait a while and get another one?, thats what happened with the raptor wasnt it, hopefully they send at least two
The 650 looks to have the same suspension as the 400, how is that, anygood, can you whip around the 400 or fast trail ride around corners and stuff?

 

Any one have any thoughts on the new ebs type thing, they said it doesnt kick in until the atv is going under like 8mph, i think that is a good idea, use it for slow downhills, but it doesnt change anything when riding normally, i wonder how it will work

 

Swen, according to the article in *********.com, the "EBS" system works well. My Prairie holds back well until it freewheels at low speed, so if thats when the system takes over, it should be great. Apparently, if you don't mind a stiffer ride, you can buy optional stiffer front springs if you're more into performance type riding. I like the way my Prairie handles. It does dive a bit when really aggressively cornering, but I have never felt like I don't have control.
The rear shock has a remote reservoir and infinite adjustments for damping etc., so its a better setup than the old Prairie. It would be nice if the tow hitch was included and if it had a park brake on the shift lever, but those aren't a big deal. The only thing that I don't like the sounds of is a small gas tank. Hopefully it isn't that bad for the size of the engine.
Overall it sounds like a winner to me.

 

So what size tires do you think it will take? I am getting the first 650 at my dealer, and I will be putting 589’s on the stock rims before I take it home. I shouldn’t have a problem fitting 26” (9” width on the front), but I would like to get 27’s. I don’t believe the 400 Prairie will take 27’s. Do you think 27’s will rub on the 650? If they did rub, I don’t know if my dealer could or would send them back. I wanted to pre-order them so they will be in when the quad comes in.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

my dealer now said the middle of april, he talked to kawi today, man, i got a month to go with no atv

 

A friend of mine put 27" vamps on his 400 with no problems. I've got 26" mudrunners on mine with plenty of room.

 

DaveC, How wide are the tires you guys put on those 400's? A friend of mine owns a Prairie 400 and was wondering what are the largest tires that would fit under it without modifications.