Hey has anyone gotten any new information on the axles or was this just another scare tactic from another forum group. I've noticed much of if not all the complaints about the 650 has stopped( Plastic and so on. I just wanted to know who set the stantard for plastic for atv's anyway I think kawasaki has now along with several other things. I think the 650 and Kawasaki has already proven it's self to the public and atv world as the company to follow.

 

You have to remember there are a great many people out there who passed up buying a Kawasaki to pay more to own the same make of ATV that everyone else seemed to ride or want. They either have to attack the new Kawasaki 650 or take a blow to their pride.

 

"Don't hate the playa, hate the game" That last post did have some truth to it. I'm getting the grizz out of personal preference for IRS, but after looking at both at the same dealer, I think Kawasaki has the more solid quad. Looks to be very well put together. I haven't ridden either so impressions from me would be worthless, but I don't really see how anyone could sit and dog the 650 unless it was just out of jealousy or brand loyalty. I don't see any weak points to it myself.

 

I was lucky enough to take 650 out for a long test drive the other day. I got to tell you I was impressed with this machine. But like Andy, I will probably buy the new Grizzly with the IRS. I haven't rode the Grizz yet, but that will be this week. The dealer's want the same for both machines, but I can get a winch for $69 with the Yamaha. One thing I can see with the Kaw. is there is no rear hitch and the dealer doesn't have any in stock either. Big mistake. He told me the ones he will get have to be bolted to the rear gearcase. Not very impressive, but it might work. I have had 2 Grizzly's, so I am more familiar with Yamaha's. People just are not as familiar with Kawasaki. Time will tell how durable they are.

Muddin in Mich.

 

My take on Kawasaki is that they should be built pretty well. Of course, I haven't owned one, but I've been around them since the 80's, and those old Bayou 300's were very well built. The old yamaha's I owned were put together pretty well too. Of course, those old machines were simpler, and there wasnt near enough on them to go wrong, but the newer quads are pretty good as well, or at least comparable to all the other manufacturers. As far as Prairies go, I rode a 400 once, and I thought it steered about as good as the late 90's honda 4x4's (not great, not bad), but it rode excellent. The seat and suspension was top notch. The think I didn't like was the lack of EBS, but the 650 has that taken care of. I rode a 98 Griz the same day I rode a Sp335, and the Griz was much rougher riding than the IRS sportsman. As far as turning though, the Griz would cut a better turn than the Sportsman, and steered better too.

 

The rear axle situation is not someone's scare tactic. I got a recall on mine. Took it to my dealer yesterday to get the axle replaced. The recall letter stated that some 650's had rear axles that were not properly heat treated. The replacement axle came into the dealers 5 days after he ordered it.

Some of the other postings have discussed the merits of the Kawasaki's in terms of reliability and durability. I had a 1999 Kawie Prairie 400 4x4 prior to getting this one. I rode it 3400 miles with no problems other than two recalls. I also lost it on the side of a mountain in Arizona. It rolled three times and did two end over ends, stopping on its side with the engine still running. The only damage was a broken front composite rack and the metal rack below it. No other damage other than some scratches on the plastic and to me. I spent 45 minutes picking the cactus spines out of me.