how does the 650 engine brake going down steep hills?will it barely crawl?what is everyones likes and dislikes?

 

I think the engine braking is very good. It will crawl down a hill with no need to use the brake.

Likes:
1.Powerful, torque, and FAST
2.Good handling
3.Diff lock
4.push botton 4x4
5.low center of gravity
6.smooth, no vibrations
7.adjustable pegs on aluminum floorboards
8.suspension is great
9.Awesome front brakes, and rear brake good for 6000miles

Dislikes:
1.No reserve on gas tank
2.Winch mount sucks
3.no railing on rear rack(stuff can slide right off the back of the rack)
4.Plastic cover over radiator cover is flimsy
5.The rear tires could be more agressive, but fronts are pretty good
6.It's a first year model (but that's what the extended warranty is for)
7.Wish it had a headlight on the handlebars

I'm probably forgetting a lot of other likes/dislikes too. But the likes definately outweigh the dislikes.

 

92lt, they installed a low fuel warning light instead of having to turn the fuel pet-**** to reserve. Doesn't it come on about when you would have to go to reserve manually?

 

Regarding Reserve

It's a little funny how Kawasaki described their lack of a reserve in the fuel tank in the owners manual. Basically it says "the 650 does not have a reserve in the tank, instead it has a low fuel light, pay attention to it." And that's about it, I've ran mine down to the point of the light blinking several times and it seems to come on when you still have around 1.25gal remaining. I will say the light is very noticeable and you will not forget you are low on fuel.

Ride Safe, All
Prairie 650

 

Yea, the low fuel light came on for me before and it was very noticeable. I think I still would rather have a manual reserve but I can easily live with this. No big deal.

 

will the 650 engine brake off of a steep hill better than a rubicon?will it go as slow without brakes?

 

I don't know about the Rubicon but I have been down some very steep hills on my 650 and the engine breaking works VERY good! In low range I feel like I need to give it some gas to keep it rolling and not sliding.

 

I can't speak for the rubi about the engine braking, but on the 650 it is great. Test drive one and you'll be impressed.

 

It's a different feel because of the way the Prairie engine brake works but YES the engine braking on the Prairie works just as well as the Rubi's. The only thing to remember is that the Prairie does not fully apply the engine braking system until you are at a lower speed (which you always are when going down a big hill).

Ride Safe, All
Prairie 650
Suzuki QuadMaster 500