I have been shopping around for a new quad and have found the 650 twin to be the "right one". I have just a few questions if anyone has any answers it would be appreciated.

1) Is there a receiver (trailer) that is not shown in any of the pictures or do you have to buy an aftermarket one?

2) About what kind of HP is going to the wheels?

3) Is the snorkel setup high enough to do deep stream crossings?

 

I don't have a 650 (yet) but here is what I know:

1. You can get a trailer hitch from your dealer as an add-on: ~ $33

2. I was told by a dealer (may or may not be true) that it was putting 42hp to the ground.

3. The air intake for the engine is right at the top of the plastic where the gas tank is on most other quads. I'm not sure about the air intake for the tranny.

 

I don't think that 42 or 43 hp is to the ground. I think thats measured at the crank. The statement of origin on my 660 shows 41.5 hp, and I know thats not to the ground.

 

Thanks for the input... Where is a good place for accessories other than HL.

 

1) kawa make trailer hitch for the 650, my dealer give it to me for free...

 

rockymountainatv.com
Cawoodtire.com
denniskirk.com
theatvstore.com

Thats about all I know that have any selection. It will be a couple months before the big dogs have any accessories available, and I would figure HL to be the first to offer stuff. Those guys are on the ball! But then again, I guess thats what they do.

 

You've read about the hitch and HP issue, I'll give you the skinny on the intake issue. This is in my experience the most waterprof automatec quad available. It will even go deeper than the Honda Rubicon but not much I ride with 2 rubi's and they have sputtered where I have gone with no problem. I think the Honda riders entered the water too fast a few times but they still had problems and I didn't. Basically you can go into water up to the lowest point of the top of the seat without worry. Your backside will be wet before your Kaw 650.

Ride Safe, All
Prairie 650

 

If a Rubicon sputtered, then it was because the intake for the engine wasn't too high. A rubicon should be no different than a 450s or any other manual shift in the water.

 

I never took the time to really examine where and in which direction the intake on the Rubi is facing but I have to tell you I was surprised that they sputtered like they did that's very un-Honda-like. They never completely quit but they had to stop and rev the engine for several minutes a few times after the " pound crossing challenge ". This is an event we often get into at our farm in central Illinois and requires more money than since or just no since at all, it servers no purpose other than to say I did it. But then again that is what really helped create the high performance (sport or utility) quad; good old fashion senseless acts.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

I must also report on the first quirky thing that has ever occurred on my Prairie 650. Last night a buddy was in town and he was checking my quad out and decided he needed to take it for a spin. I jumped on to fire it up for him and it turned over a few times then quit. I would hit the starter and it would just make a solid thug, I then tried the pull starter and couldn't pull it out. My first thought was oh-no it's locked up but then I thought for a minute and knowing how the electronic engine braking works thought maybe it some how engaged. So I turned the key off waited for it to get done making it's gyrations and turned it back on and viola she started up with no problems and restarted several times with no problems. I'm almost certain my theory is correct and for some reason the engine braking mechanism engaged and then of course the starter could not turn the big dog over. I'll chalk this up to unusual and hope it doesn't happen again and I really don't think it will. I have a five year old son and he has ten buddies who are constantly on and off the quad and trying to push the ATV’s around and working the shifters etc, their just doing what kids do. I figure with all the monkeying around they do they must have put it in a bind some how and probably couldn't repeat the procedure if they tried. And no the key is high in a garage cabinet that they can't get too so they can not get it started.

If anything happens again I'll post, but I'm not worried I don't think it will.

Ride Safe, All
Prairie 650
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Bigwave,

How do the Ruby's compare to the 650? How much faster is the 650 to 40 mph? Is the ride on the 650 as soft as the Ruby? Does the 650 handle the turns better at speed? Which seems to be more stable over bumps at speed? And most important of all, is the real 4x4 of the 650 getting you through stuff the 3 wheel drive of the Ruby can't get through? Or can the 3 wheel drive of the Ruby get through as much as the 650's 4 wheel drive? I'm sure everyone is waiting for this comparison. They'd probably believe you over the magazines.

Thanks.