Just picked up my Prarie today. I havn't got a chance to ride it much, just in circles. Can't wait for spring so I can go on some trips. I hope the guys in the Yamaha forum aren't too upset with me, I was all set to buy a Grizz but talked myself into the Kawi. I'm anxious to try out the suspension, so far it seems really good and I think I'll be happy that I chose the solid axle over IRS. The thing I like best about the Prarie is how tuff it's built. It has a real/functional bumper, excellant CV boot and radiator protection, and lots of plastic sheilds behind the wheels to protect stuff. Every 4-wheeeler should be built like this one. The engine brake still suprises me, it works very well with no lag or hesitaion before it kicks in, it's like riding a manual in a low gear, when you let off the gas you about go flying.

So far my only complaint is those stupid little mud flaps that extend under the floorboard. I about ripped my fenders off pulling forward off my trailer when I got it home. Some snips and a hacksaw will take care of them. My only other gripe is that I had to pay $50 for a stupid hitch... ...and another thing I need to adjust the back brakes, after only a few stops the lever is almost bottoming out. Do you turn both wingnuts an equal amount or adjust the foot and handbrake independantly? It does like to be rolling when you shift to 4x4, I noticed the clicking sounds going in and out of 4x4 too but those seem to be the norm.

I'm going to replace the tires in hopes that my wheels won't get all dented up. Very little mud around here so I'm thinking of going with Dirt Devels. Should I get the Dirt Devels or the Dirt Devel XTs? The XTs have longer lugs, does that mean that they will last longer or does it just make them better in the mud? Also, since I'll be using my factory wheels, is there any problem with using 26x10x12/25x12x12? I don't want my tires sticking out so far that I get mud flung all over me but I like the tuff look of the bigger/wider size. If anyone has any other suggestions for a good 6-ply all around tire let me know.

Picking a quad was a hard decision. You really can't test them out much before you buy, and can't really trust the magazines. This site was tons of help, I've been reading every 650, Grizz, and Vinson post for about the last two months. The experiances of people who actually own the machines is the most valuable resource I found in helping make my decision. What I'm trying to say is, "Thanks guys".

yer welcome

I too considered the Grizzly. But the center of gravity and shorter width swayed me away. It sure looks great though. I am very happy with my 650 and I a plan on getting a new set of wheels and rims specifically for mudding.

Daryn

Very nice machine! I have two neighbors who have purchased 650s in the last month. They both HATE the stock tires! I have heard from many on the forum that the Goodyear Mudrunner in the 26" size really made the machine MUCH better. I like both the Mudrunner and the Titan 589. Be safe and good luck with your tire decision.

50 !!!! bucks for the trailer hitch???

boy i'd be going back to your dealer and asking for 20 of those back
those hitches are only 29.95 so they took you on that one

if you don't do much mud riding look into the Maxxis AllTrax....they are great for trail riding without much mud. A step up in traction would be the bearclaws. they are what i have and i recommend them to everyone if they want a great general purpose tire. If you have more mud then you could look into the Dirt Devils/589s/or MudBugs.

prettymuch any aftermarket tire will be a step up from the stockers. Eccept for maybe Blackwater [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

later
cart

Was that $50.00 for the hitch plus installation?

About the brakes, adjust the foot and hand brake seperately, you want them both snug, but not to where the other one has slack in it before it engages. (I think, good question)

Congats on your new 650, it's a fine machine, good as any of them. I'm looking for new tires too, but not really mud tires, everybody talks about getting taller tires, but I've thought about getting shorter tires ( about a 1-1 1/2 inches shorter) so it would handle better on the tight trails that I ride.

Thanks to all for the congrats on my new 650. I initially was going to get a Sportsman 500 or 700. My main purpose for an ATV was for hunting. But I also have access to some trails right outside my house and I really fell in love with the 650 and its speed. But I will need a good tire for a combination of trails and mud. I do have a friend who wants to try to school me in mud with his 500 HO. I also plan to use my ATV for muddy fields during spring and fall goose seasons in additions to my sporting around. I spent a lot of time last night researching 589's, Dirt Devils's, and Rawhides. Anyone have any experience. I still want to maintain my out-of-the-hole speed, dirt trail driveability, and have a good mud tire. What are your thoughts?


Daryn

Chainman. I still have the stock tires on my 650, and they do suck. A couple of guys I ride with have Bearclaws on their 450s and have had very good luck with them. Another couple of guys have Titan 589 M/Ts. Very impressive traction in the mud. The bearclaws seem to wear real good as one of my buds has 4000kms on his and they have only worn about 3/8 of an inch. Don't know how the 589s will wear as the guys who have them have just put them on. I think I am gonna go with the 26 inch Bearclaws as they are about 100 bucks cheaper than the 589s up here in Canada. Note to all the guys, I put Amsoil 20w50 synthetic V-twin oil in my front diff and it seems to go into 4wd way easier than it used to. Also, the front diffy lock seems to grab better too. Have fun on your 650 Chainman. Once you break that sucker in and get to crack er wide open, you're gonna be hooked for life!!!!

I knew that $50 was pretty steep for the hitch, I actually talked them down from $60! At least it included "free" installation. By the time I drove to another dealer or ordered one from Kawisaki it wouldn't have been worth the hassle anyway. Stupid hitch...

I guess I'm a sucker for advertising because I saw an ad for Bear Claws and they look pretty good too. They are 4-ply where the Dirt Devils are 6-ply. The ad said the the Bear Claws have a built in rim protecter which sounds good. The Dirt Devils are a little less money, about $60 for the set, but the Bear Claws are probably lighter. People who have either Bear Claws or Dirt Devils seem to like them. Should they wear about the same or do the Bear Claws hold up better? By the way I'd be getting 26x9x12/26x12x12 in the Bear Claws or 26x10x12/26x12x12 in the DDs. Interesting idea to go shorter but I don't want to give up any ground clearance and the extra width and stronger tires should more than make up for a 1/2" higher CG.

That Amsoil sounds like good stuff I plan on switching to synthetic at least in the front diff after the break-in. Where to you buy Amsoil?

I mounted a set of Maxxis All-Traks on 12" OMF Bead Lock Rims and absolutely love the combo. Both ITP and Maxxis are coming out with 12" Radial tires that looked awsome - saw them at the Dealer Expo. Radial tires will provide you with a bigger foot print, better grip and a smoother ride. Neither company would saw when they planned on introdusing them.

Maxxis just came out with the Bighorn, which is more general purpose, but only comes in 25" (and 21). Dang them for not making them bigger.

Did Titan just came out with the mud monster? It only comes in 26".

I can't find a new itp tire anywhere.

chainman, I'm running the bearclaws on my machine now.I can tell you that they are a really good all around tire.I ride everywhere from snow and ice , to fire roads , to quad-eating mud bogs.I had bearclaws on my last machine('98 Q-runner 500) and they wore very well.I never punctured a tire with them on , and I also spend alot of time in choppings and running rocky ,hilly trails.The stockers on the 'Zuki only lasted 300kms, whereas the 'Claws went 4900kms and were still going strong.

I wouldn't say they were the best simply because I haven't tried them all, and I know I never will.Just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents since you are considering this particular tire.

Oh, I'm running the same sizes you are looking at, too.

I saw a demo model 650 at one dealer that was basically new and had noticable wear on the rear tires already, probably 1/2 to 3/4 tread left. Not sure how many miles it had because the key wasn't in it.

I'm leaning towards the Dirt Devils. It's hard to find decent info. but according to one site (www.4atvtires.com) the 25" DD have 5/8" lugs and the 26" and bigger tires have 1 1/4" lugs. So I'm thinking I might stick with the 25" since I don't do much mudding, but then the big lugs might be great for snow. Any thoughts? Also, another place sells the Bear Claws for less than the DD. ATV Magazine did a test on mud tires and tested both, neither were great in the mud but they said on hard pack the Bear Claws tended to catch and grab. That's mostly why I'm leaning towards the DDs.

Do a search on the 25" dd's, some people were complaining that they are way shorter than the advertised height. It was either on this forum or highlifters forum.
Myself, I think I will always ride mudrunners for now on, they are just great all around tires.

I am a new 650 owner, also. I think that I will try 26" Maxxis Sur-Trac on back and Spyder tracs on frt. this combo was recommended by a friend with LOTS of tire experience, and rides the same terrain I do.
Any one tried the Progressive Spring/Preload kit yet?

Okay here's another question. I took a little bit longer ride tonight, went about 10 miles just in the hills behind the house nothing too technical, and noticed a couple noises. Hopfully they are all just normal and nothing to worry about. You know the thing on the top front of the belt housing? It whirrs and clicks around a little when you turn the engine off. That's normal right? Is it normal to have it whirring and clicking while your riding? Mine does when I make a change in speed or stop too. I also here a soft clicking which I think is coming from the front diff. It seems to just do it when one wheel is slipping or sometimes when I turn, is that normal? It's pretty amazing that the thing is so quiet that you can here all the little clicks and whirrs, the gear noise is way louder than the engine, at least when you're riding.

All my riding was in snow, there hasn't really been anyone up there yet so the roads were pretty much just crusty snow. The 650 did great, it puts right up anything, can't wait to open it up. Although, I don't know why anyone would need to go 60MPH on a quad, I got it up to about 25 and thought I was flying, I've never had a speedometer on a quad before.

There's another thread going on Dirt Devils and someone, Digital 650 I think, has 26" DDs on his 650. Said they measure about 25 1/2 all mounted up. I'm still a little concerned about the exra width, my prairie got pretty muddy with just the little mud I went through tonight. hmmmmmm

Yes, that whirring is the electric brake actuator motor, and it moves every time you let off the gas, and when you turn the key on and off.

There is an electronic box that continually figures out how far to move the actuator in and out, since the drive pulley adjusts in and out with engine RPM. Every time you let off the gas the actuator has to sneak up to the pulley and push it together. It makes the engine speed up and compression slows you down.

It works great, but since you can hear it you wonder if something is wrong with it.

You are on the right track, if you are looking at getting tires. Since the stock ones stink, anything you get is better. The interesting thing about tires is figuring out which one is the right one for the trails you ride. People that have dirt devils really like em.

I don't have to tell you that you need more aggresive tires than devils if you ride a lot of mud.

Most of the tires mentioned are decent but you guys are leaving out the Titan 489s, they are probably the best pure all terrain tire available, and you have your option of 4 ply AT or 6 ply XT.

I want clearance too, and those 489's aren't made in a tall enough size.

Your right about the size selection with the 489s Nyroc. I never could understand why they didnt make them in a few taller sizes. You would think they would make at least a 26" size.

Remmeber that tires are terrain sensative. In other words the best tire for you may not be the best tire for the next person simply because one rides primarily on clay dirt and the other rides on rocky, mountains terrain. Riders ability, type of ATV also play a big part and selecting the proper tire.

How do you like those All Tracks, Oldmanwheeler?

I'm still shopping for summertime tires.

For where I ride they are perfect. The bead locks are a key because I can run less air pressure.