I will be getting the 650 here in a week and I was wondering if you need a winch mount. I have seen the winches mounted in 2 different spots. If you look in the pampelet from the dealer the 1 pic it shows it coming from between the grill and the bottom of the atv where the three larger holes are and the other pic shows it coming from the 3 holes. which is the best way to mount it and do you need a mount if you mount it coming from the area witht the 3 larger holes??? Thank you for any info.

 

montess, it'll probably depend on which winch you buy.I mounted my Warn 2500 myself, I used the Warn winch bracket that came with an old A2000 I had.It will bolt right into the frame and places the winch in there just as neat as can be.I don't know why Warn changed their brackets, but the new one would do the same thing if you cut a slot in it for the cable to run through.If you don't quite understand what I'm trying to say, I can draw a sketch and send it to you if you like.This setup is both lightweight and very strong. If you get a superwinch, It'll probably be different.

 

I put a superwinch on mine and used a warn mounting plate, had to drill two holes in the winch bracket not the mounting plate, used warn fairlead and it slipped right in under the grill out of the way, mounted the switch in top of the airbox lid cover, I also keep the hot wire unplugged on the switch until I have to use it, Just use the key and pop the air box lid off and plug it up and go.

 

But y do I see it comming out of both places in the front???

 

Montess, I have't seen any setup with the cable coming out of those holes in the front.It wouldn,t work cause they don't give enough room for the cable to go side to side on the reel. On mine, the winch fairlead sits tight just above that piece and flush with it.

 

Look at the Kawasaki Sales brochure compare the one in the pictures if you have one around.

 

I won't disagree with the guys that say the winch cable comes out of the little holes on some 650's just because I haven't seen it yet.

But, what I will say it that if anybody did have it go through one of the small holes, it would wear the cable faster. Can't see any smarts to that at all. Maybe the three holes are cut out and are one hole? I gues there's nothin wrong with that other than the cable is even lower, which I don't want anyway.

Here's a closeup of mine:

http://atv.dnsalias.com/atv/prairie6...dir=&pic=7

My grill has been bent inward since that photo from driving through ice puddles with thick ice. No biggy, just left it.

click the next arrows a few times to see my relay and my toggle switch on my handle bars.

 

Thanks I will be gettting the winch mount the dealer told me I didn't need one that is why I was wondering.

 

I could see that it might work if the cable went thru one of those little holes, but you would need a very tight fitting fairlead to keep the cable from wearing. I don't really think the holes are there for the cable, just looks like it is a brace. Kawasaki really did a great job with the winch location, it looks really good, the only thing that sticks out is the hook and fairlead.

 

I got a winch mounting plate, fairlead, and stick stoppers at candssales.com I mounted a warn 2000 winch and it fits perfectly. My fairlead sits right above those three holes. I wouldn't recommend an installation the routes the cable through any of those three holes. Good Luck!

Bruce
2000 MotoFast Banshee
2002 Prarie 650