Hello Everyone,

To all the Kawasaki Prairie 650 owners, I'm thinking about buying a sport utility ATV and selling my Yamaha Raptor. I'm more interested in riding on fireroads, hills, mud and riding over rocks and some small jumping. Will this machine suit my needs? Does it have good acceleration/power? I know it's not going to be as fast as the Raptor. They are 2 different machines with 2 different purposes. I'm looking for a machine where I can basically do a little of everything.

Also, has anyone had any major trouble with their machine? I know that Kawasaki makes a quality product because my fiance` owns a Kawasaki Bayou 220 and it has been great.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank You,

IronBear

 

Yes, and you can get some serious air on it too. No big problems yet. It's the best of all worlds.

 

Can't say enough good about it. No problems. Tons of fun. It is the first year of production for it, although some people have had problems with a sticky choke, I feel that overall the machine much better made than the competitors to the 650. Other brands are poping up with more serious problems than a sticky choke cable. Rubicons appear to be reliable too, but rubicons are slower, less comfortable seat, harsher ride than the 650. I would buy this machine again. I am real glad I did not get a raptor because the type of riding my friends and I do would not be as good on a raptor. This is my first belt drive. I love it. As far as I can tell from other people, the 650 is the fastest accelerating, best brakes, best engine brake, and by far the best differential locking 4x4 system. The solid axle is better for horseplay, more stable. The groud clearance is almost the only thing this quad does not beat the others on. The griz 660 has easier steering.


My bro has a 99 prairie 400 and it is very reliable. Talked to a guy with 13,000 miles on his prarie (that is no typo). He has had some problems, but he feels that he has had fewer hassles with kawasaki than he has with honda foremans. I can't argue with a guy with that many miles. He lives near a lake and uses it for whatever work he does around the area. He plows with it too.

 

IB, if I were going to primarilly rock climb, I would get IRS. If I were primarilly going on fire roads, hill climbs and mud, the prairie would be tops on my list.

 

Iron Bear...I'll give you my first impressions after this weekend. I pick my 650 up on Friday. The type of riding I do sounds pretty much like what your describing. I cant wait.

 

you only need IRS if your doing SUPER technical stuff. out of all the rocks and hills i have climbed, i havent found a place where IRS would help me.