Bought a 2000 Prairie 400 4X4 a year and a half ago, flipped it upside down in a pond when it had 3 hours on it, pulled the plug, pulled the recoil starter about 20 times, changed the oil about 6 times until no water was present. The only thing that has ever went wrong with this machine is I had to change a light bulb(which warranty covered) after the swimming incident. What an awesome machine!

 

Same here. I bought my 1999 on 10-01-98, and haven't had a single problem, other than having the recalled belt replaced.

 

I knwo i love my 99 it is a great machine. Ity has never gotten me stuck anywhere. It is hard t obelieve but i had to pull out my uncles sportsman. That freaked me out i laughed at him when he come and asked me to give him a tow i thought he was joking but i pulled his boat outta the mud. and mine has been flipped in water several times and after changine the oil and everyhting still no probs

 

I can't believe what great prices you can get on Prairies right now. At my local dealer, they are clearing out new 2000 400's for $2000 off list and new 2000 300's for $1600 off list. I know these are only 2000's, but they are brand new and a great price.

 

What is the list price on the Prairie 400?

 

In Calgary, AB CA and at the dealer that has the discounts, the LIST on the 400 4x4 is $8998CDN and the 300 4x4 is 7998CDN.

Given the discounts they have on these, I would like to get some opinions from users/owners of the Prairie 400 4x4.

I've read some online reviews indicating problems with Kawi service work. Has anyone had any service/maintenance problems with the 400?

How reliable has the 400 been?

I've ridden a 300 4x4 several times and found it comfortable, but I seem to remember it had a rather limited ground clearance and suspension travel. How is the suspension on the 400 4x4?

Also, I remember the 300 didn't have engine braking, is that still the case and has anyone had problems with this while decending hills?

I do mostly mountain trail riding, no jumping or racing and very little mudding. Lots of stream crossings though.

Cheers,

 

i have a 300 prairie, and like you guys i have flipped mine in water, stuck in the mud, and i ride it hard every time i go out on it. only a few problems that the warranty covered. but i love it. i've recently put mud bugs on it and no it goes where ever i steer it. no prob. i can't wait until i can afford a 650, but that will be a while.

 

CanadianViking, I have a /97 Prairie 400 4X4 and it has been excellent. They still don't have engine braking, but the quad slows down well until just above an idle when it freewheels. If you keep the revs up just a bit, it holds back well. When descending really steep hills, you have to use the brakes, but they are very good. It can handle water just fine too as long as you remember its not a boat! As far as I know, the suspension on the 300 and 400 is the same. It is very comfortable with about 7" at both ends. I have never bottomed mine, but I don't get "stupid" with it either. Ground clearance with stock tires is about the average for 25" tired machines. The only real drawbacks to some of the new quads is that it is a full time 4X4, so you can't slide the rear end around (not a big deal), the engine braking would save brake wear if you do a lot of downhilling, and the front end is a standard limited-slip type, which is not much help if one wheel is in the air. For the price you quoted though, it would be hard to beat. The 400 is a very good quad.