Can't say I've ever had a chance to really test a pair of original BHs but the 2.0s that I currently have on my rubicon have done pretty well in slick conditions. they definetly aren't deep mud or snow tires and I do switch to my 27in itp xtrs when there's over a foot on the ground but as far as traction in slippery areas go, they have been fine. Very predictable too when power sliding a corner

 

big changes to the BF in 2012

From a dead stop it will keep up with if not jump out ahead of the big boys but they'll catch it, pass it and leave it in the dust.

I want EVERYTHING on the bottom end, that's where I ride. Lower differential gears and a long stroke v-twin makes it very very throttle responsive.

I had a Polaris 850 Touring and the throttle response of the BF beats the Polaris hands down. I don't want an ATV that has to wind up before it goes.

I have no need or desire to ride a sport/utility 80 mph - not my riding style.

I have almost 1100 miles on mine and have no idea what the top speed it.

I've "heard" the 800 wont make it into the BF - have no idea why though.

 

I think that's kind of how the Can-Am's are too, they have to wind up before they get going too. The Brute's engine is similar to the Grizzly 700 but more potent. The Grizzly 700 tops out at about 65 mph, I would guess that the Brute's top speed would be about 70 mph. Doesn't mean you ever have to go 70 mph but its there in case you want to. But it does mean that 45-50 mph would be an easy cruising speed if you do ever encounter some high speed open trails.

 

I've cruised 40-45 on gravel roads getting to the trails - it seems to do fine but the RPMs are up there a bit. I'm sure from the lower gearing.

I believe Kawasaki raised the gear ratio in 2012.

I got to put about 450 miles on a new 2012 BF and on the highway my friends Grizz walked away from me on the top end. I think I could only get about 60 out of it.

 

When I drove the BF for a day I never got up to the top. I figured more like 65. But low gearing is a definite plus on those narrow two tracks. I've never really had any lag to speak of with the 650. Just stab it and go. Have had more than a few 700+ class quads amazed at how quick it is. Left a few behind but it's hard to tell true top end speed here. You run out of smooth open trails quickly. Random thoughts.

 

Kinda surprised but I suppose gearing will limit your top speed. Obivously you didn't buy it to race so it probably never even comes close to winding it out on top end. I guess I just kinda assumed it would be faster than a Grizzly because the older ones were. Throttle response most of the time is more important than top end speed. Sorry to sell the Can-Ams short there Moose lol. The 500 Outlander in every test I've ever seen they do wish it had a little more low end. Its undoubtedly the fastest 500 class machine ever built but gives up a bit on the low end to get top end speed. I'm surprised Kawasaki still does not have a 500cc machine in their lineup. A single-cylinder 500cc Brute Force that is priced competitively with the Polaris Sportsman 570 would be a huge seller. Probably would take some customers away from Honda too as they would buy that instead of a Foreman or Rubicon.

 

Surprised by Kawasaki for years about the no-500 class machine. The closest they had was the Prairie 360 which was super reliable but slow. Can't remember them having anything in the 500 cc class.

 

I guess for years they thought that the solid axle Brute Force 650 sort of filled that niche as they were selling both the irs 650 and 750 models. They used to have a Prairie 400 but I'm sure it was slow too. Now its either a Brute Force 750 with or without eps or a little Brute Force 300. With such a huge price difference between the least expensive 750 and the 300, looks like there's plenty of room for at least one 500cc model to slide in the middle at about $6500 retail, or basically the same as a Sportsman 570 or Honda Foreman 500 4x4. At least offer the 300 with 4x4 perhaps, I think that would sell too. Their whole atv lineup for 2015 is really bare bones, the only other models offered besides the the 2 sizes of Brute Force are 2 youth models, a kfx 50 and kfx 90. No 400 or 450 class sport quads and the kfx 700 is probably never to be revived either like the Yamaha Wolverine.

 

their old 650 Prairie was and still is a great machine

 

my new BF is AWESOME!!!