Hey man, I didn't do it. I have no idea of whether the guy is telling the truth, but his GPS said 67. Thats pretty dang fast. Also shows that he wasn't going by the speedometer which read 2mph faster. As far as speedometers go, they are crap for the most part. I used to be able to run my AC up to 58 according to its speedometer, but the GPS would tell me 52. Thats a little more realistic story.

I've also heard GPS stories of 57-60 on a sportsman as well, even though I've seen magazine radar guns showing between 54 and 59 on the same quad. Hell, for the past 2 years, dirtwheels has been saying that a scrambler 500 is capable of 65-68, but I'm pretty much guessing they are going by its speedometer.

I take just about everything I hear with a grain of salt until I see it in person. I don't know if that Grizz will do 67, but I guess I'll find out after I get one. I've also heard of 650 prairies stomping on 400ex's and that is another one I would need to see before I believed it completely.

Basically, what I'm saying is that the 660 is going to be a very fast 4x4, and between it and the 650 (633), I don't think the speed difference between the two will be very much.

 

I can't see Yamaha letting their 4X4 go just 4 miles per hour slower then their top of the line sport quad, what is the raptor 400lbs and the griz is 600lbs. Frankly I don't think nothing will be the kawi, v-twin solid axle, meaning more power to the gound. The IRS is one more turn in the drivetrain taking away atleast the two extra horses it has on the kawi. I'm pround HO owner and have love the bike since new, it amazes me ever time I take it out and hit 54 miles per hour on the speedo pulling 28 Outlaws down the road, Mind you it's not stock clutching anymore but I recently ran into a 650 owner in the bush, actuallu two of them. They loved the quad and said great things about them, just no ground clearance thats' all. But I did notice three HOs in the group, "How does it do against the HOs?" I asked, "it simply kills them from the word go." Now I've rode the new Griz and it really didn't hit me as hard as the kawi did, the mags already have said around 60. Any unbaises owners out there that have have let it all hang out?

 

What do you mean two more turns? Driveshaft to differential, same as a Prairie. I can see the 650 having better acceleration with the v-twin. I think they will be right with each other on top though. As far as pulling power, My AC 500 has plenty of that as it is. What my quad doesn't have is 12" of ground clearance all the way through (pretty much like the 650 doesn't have either). I like speed, and both of these new bikes have it, but is a drag race supposed to be the biggest strong point of a great utility?

Even if Kawasaki is to have the quicker and faster quad, I don't see it winning a shootout between the two. The power difference won't be enough between the two to make one seem gutless compared to the other. Ride quality will be close too. Yamaha will probably get the nod because of the long travel IRS, but Kawasaki has a plushier seat. Traction is easy, both have a locking differential, but the yamaha can be engaged full time, where as you have to hold that lever for the kawi. Clearance easily goes to yamaha. The prairie will probably take a hit for that plastic shroud over the bars too. Still, the IRS is the deciding factor I think.

Its still going to be a good shootout. Polaris's big new entry remains to be seen, and Arctic Cats massive new IRS equipped 500 with 12" clearance and 10" suspension travel at all four will come up short again, cause they didn't change the steering I don't think, and they kept the same engine. Suzuki and Honda aren't even invited, and the Bombardier is a fat slug so count it out. Still though, we are most likely going to see a big bore shootout finally that doesn't end up with the Sportsman 500 winning it.

 

 

Hmmm... If I'm right, then it seems that Hi Torque Publications runs both ATV Action and Dirtwheels, so I guess its good marketing to let one win in one magazine and another win in the other. ATV Magazine gave the win to the Sportsman pretty much it seemed. All the Honda has going for it is the transmission, which of course towers above all belt driven quads. Its lack of disc brakes, locking diff, and 2wd capability make it a relic though already, and only in its second year of production.

 

I just rode a 650 the other day. WOW!! the pickup on this thing is awesome. I am in the process of researching after market options to make it Cross Country racing ready. Anybody want to buy a 2001 Wolverine.

 

Andy, I think what YellowFellow meant about the power to the rear wheels is that with an independant suspension, you have two more "u" joints (and angle changes) from the differential to the wheel.
As far as ground clearance goes, yes the Grizzly is listed as having just under 12", but that is with no weight on it. Independant suspension definitely loses more clearance when weighted down than a solid axle does (only the tires squish). I know it still has more clearance than the Prairie, but certainly not a useable 4" that the specs indicate. I think this is too often overlooked, but still the Grizzly's clearance is impressive (and higher than the Prairie's) and independant suspension is better in some riding conditions.
With the front locking differentials, I see the mechanical lever on the Prairie as a safer system in one way (because you can't forget to unlock it which could be dangerous if you suddenly had to turn sharply). It is meant to be used at slow speeds so Yamaha's system may not be a problem once you are used to it. I read where someone said that the Grizzly's locker only works till 20 mph., but I don't know that for sure. If that is true, then it helps as far as safety is concerned. The Prairie can be locked at any speed (they recommend below 12 mph. I think), but you only have to pull the lever enough to do the job, so you can still steer if needed. I think that would be an advantage, plus it should be very durable and reliable since it is a wet clutch pack that you are compressing with a lever and cable---simple.
The Grizzly probably does ride a little better, but since power and speed are also probably close, the center of gravity may be an important issue that could play a big part in picking a winner. I don't know what the Grizzly is like, but I know the Prairie has terrific balance. It is easy to lift up on two wheels in corners, but it doesn't feel tippy. I know that sounds contradictory, but I lifted the inner wheels up in a corner the first time I rode it and felt totally in control (and I'm no great rider by any standards). It amazed me. The sales guy had it at about 45 degrees and rode back to us like that. Then he did a wheelie on it with ease. It is very well balanced.
I really liked the looks of the Grizzly. If there is anything I liked better than the Prairie it is the front grill of the Grizzly. I also really liked the Grizzly's racks. I liked the lenght of the Prairie's seat better. The Grizzly has a very short seat in comparison.
I wonder how the Grizzly's light plastic skids will stand up compared to the Prairie's light aluminum skids. I wish both were heavier. I really like the plastic skid on the Arctic Cat, but its is very strong.
I wonder if the Grizzly is as smooth as the Prairie. The V-twin I rode was virtually vibration free. Also the Prairie's throttle response is excellent. I wonder if the Grizzly's is as good. I hope to test ride a Grizzly soon so I can compare them fairly. I hope you ride both of them too Andy (and as many other riders as possible), then we can compare notes!

 

The '02 Grizzly has a narrow stance, too narrow. It will be really tippy.

 

What did they say that the Griz is three inches narrow then the sportsman between the tires? I think the Sportsmans is 37+ inches and the new Griz is 34+ inches between the wheels.

 

I would like to know exactly what Kawasaki did to detune the 650.
Is it via rev limiter, small main jets, restrictive exhaust.....
I'm sure once we figure this out and release the true potential of this beast there won't be any competition from the highly tuned grizz single pumper.
I think the 650's motor has loads of untapped horsepower. Only problem I see in unleasing it is will the rest of the drive train be able to take it?
My dealer said that's why they detuned it in the first place because it was eating up drivetrains?
One good thing about detuning though, is that it may mean longer engine life because it isnt working as hard as it could be.