No, actually I think the 650 EBC is better than that of the Grizzly.

 

It needs to be emphasized that the fron wheel drive on the Prairie 650 is vastly superior to the Griz.

You do not have to stop to grab it. You can grab and release any time. I thought I liked the griz's button better at first, but experience has shown that the on command lever on the prairie is much better. I can grab without taking my thumb off the throttle, without stopping, there is no anoying rev limiter, I do not have to pass go first, I do not have to apply for a permit, nor am I taxed each time I grab that lever.

Yup, the brakes a are better too. I would suspect that the kawi engine would last longer. The machine seems really well made. Mine has no factory flaws. I have scratched it and made holes in it, though.

Buy the Prairie. But I bet you'll like the griz if you get it. It was hard for me to decide between these two, I just liked the power of the kawi so much. Experience has shown me the kawi has plenty of other vitues that are now just as important to me as power. The steering is heavier, but that is not important to me. However this may be very important to lightweight people, or small boned people, strength challenged, or whatever the politically correct term is.

 

The diff lock on the 650 is far superior to the 660 in mud. I can see where the 660 push button lock is better for riding rocks, but in mud the 650 is better. You have to stop and lose all momentum to engage the diff lock on the 660. Also, you can't steer as well. The diff lock limiter engages and you can't spin the tires fast enough. I witnessed this first hand while riding with a 660. I was able to spin my tires clean while the 660's tires just caked up with mud and he got stuck.

The overheating issue scares me too. Mine has overheated several times. If it continues to overheat on long runs, then I'll have to say goodbye to the prairie and hello to a 660 or rincon next spring.

 

I don't know why some of these 650's are overheating. This summer, during the hottest part where it was in the high 90's with high humidity, I rode fast and hard for 50 to 80 miles many times and have never had any overheating problems. I do make sure to clean out the radiator thoroughly if the machine was buried or taken through liquid mud.

 

Any machine can overheat if it has a problem. Clogged radiator (inside or outside), lean, rich, incorrect timing (not likely with these newer motors). If it overheats easy, it is busted and needs to be fixed.

My 650 has never overheated.

I ride lotsa mud, maybe not quite as sticky as the mud other people see, but I have not cleaned the machine once. I have never clened the radiator. But this is because it has never overheated. I change the oil and clean the filter like I should. I just don't clean it because I get it dirty again. The rainy trips I have been on have taken a lot of mud off of it.

My 650 runs a lot better in hot sunny weather that I do. I have almost overheated, but I drink plenty of liquids, and sometimes lift my helmet to cool off.

 

Hello,

What is the top speed of the Prairie 650? I was thinking about purchasing a utility quad. I was going to wait until the new Honda Rincon is realeased before I make my decision.

P.S. mega4 The Raptor engine is not junk, my machine pulls hard throughout the powerband and it is very difficult to keep the front end down.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Knock on wood, I've had no problems with my machine.

Thank You,

IronBear

 

mega4 if you had a Griz660 and one of your riding freinds had the Kaw650 and he constantly took you off the line while on a wheely,and keep pulling away from all the time,would handling really matter? Would you be able to handle being beaten every where on the trail.Buy the griz660 it wont out handle or out run the Kaw650 seen it first hand, and remember faster is better.

 

quad400 ,,,thats funny what you say about handling,what good is speed when your stuck in the side of a oak tree, or your k650 is over heating on the side of a trail, the650k cant have the reliability of a yamaha>>>you lost [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

NICE RIDE REVIEW GATORBAIT, GOOD AS A MAGAZINE!!