Let me give you the background info.

My 650 has been handling really squirrely above 50mph on gravel. The handlebars sort of jerk back and forth a lot, due to the uneven gravel road I ride on to get to the mud pit. They seem to jerk in a kind of cadence, not really correspnding to anything on the trail. It does not do this on pavement.

I have 28" mudzillas, which do make handling worse at high speeds, even though they are great at 45mph and below.

I noticed that my toe was off (toed out .75), when it is supposed to be toed in 0 to .79. When I changed it to .19(toe in), the really bad stuff stopped. It is not really great, since mudzillas do not pooch at all, no matter what the air pressure.

Now, although it does not handle as good as the stockers, dirtdevils or something like that, I can much more easily keep the throttle pegged and go 64 down that gravel road without feeling like I am gonna die if I go any faster. Although I can't adequately describe the feeling in my stomach when I went over a slight mound that lifted me 1 foot off the ground at 64 mph. I guess I sorta felt like I was gonna die there. But, I landed straight and kept up the pace. I usually slow down there, but forgot this time since the handling was better. Maybe I will take it fast every time.

Man this quad is awesome. I can't believe how well it screams with HEAVY tires on steel wheels. Handling is not bad, now. (My speedo really does not read 64, that is my actual speed, I correct the number for the difference in tire diameter).

I just though I would tell you all my toe in story, just in case someone else has really crappy high speed handling with bigger tires.

 

Great story NYROC. I had two scary episodes that past two days. I just finished my break-in period this week and let loose a little. As you most likely know, spinning cookies is fun on the 650. They are great for turning around on tight trails. Well, my wheel caught on me and I went for a fly. My 650 tipped and broke off my choke switch. $9 fixed that at the dealer. But I almost lost my 650 in an engorged, fast-moving river as my 650 flew out from under me and tipped just two feet from going over a steep bank into the river. I insured it today.

And earlier today I did an accidental wheelie. I was going down a ditch, stopped in the bottom as there was some standing water. I throttled hard to set up a rooster tail. My 650 started up the other side and did a huge wheelie. I am sure that passing cars thought it was cool but it scared the crap out of me. My mother-in-law happened to see it from my back living room window and she told me later that she thought it was some young hot rodder and did not know it was me. I told her that I am only 33 and she should know that I still have a lot of kid in me. I can finally afford my toys now. But throttling while going uphill is NOT the thing to do I learned. Luckily I survived the wheelie without wiping out.

Dryn

 

NYROC,

I also finally opened up my throttle today on pavement. I have stock tires and the speedo read 68 MPH. I had a helmet on and was crouched low to be aerodynamic. It was fun though. I do not feel confident on gravel since the 650 has such a short wheelbase. I know some 650's vary in speed and I am glad that I am not one of those who has a 58 MPH dog that some 650 owners are claiming.

Daryn

 

You know, me and a lot of other people on this forum keep talking about stuff to make more power.

But, when I think about it, I really can't use any more power. It has more than I need anyway. If it went any faster I feel it would be just that much more dangerous.

If someone beats me because I have heavy tires, so what.

 

Nyroc, I couldn't have said it better myself. I am a big guy, but the 650 has plenty of snort to do whatever I want it to do. I'm not gonna jet it, pipe it, cam it, etc. This thing has so much power, a guy doesn't need any more. A friend of mine took my 650 for a ride today. He was all set to buy a new 660----till he rode the 650. He has ridden the 660 already, and he couldn't believe how much power the 650 has. He also took it over some big whoops and was amazed at how it just soaked up the bumps. He said that the ride was not as smooth as the 660, but it wasn't harsh either. Now he has a big dilemma, cause he can't decide!!! His problem. I'll take my 650 anyday.

 

I always recommend getting better tires.

However, a lot of grizzly owners are complaining about the instability of their 660 after putting big tires on. 660's are great in mud, but the IRS is less stable. My friend got 27" tires for his 660 and hates them and wants to take them off.

 

I kinda agree on the power thing.Sometines I think it be cool to have a little more grunt.But yesterday I took my girlfriend out with me.It was her first real good run with me.With her on back I pretty much wheelie at will, with nothing but throttle!!No pulling up, leaning back, nothing.Just gas it anywhere from 0-15 klicks and up comes the front end.

We had different opinions about that being a good thing.

I'm just over 500 KMs now and I can't get over how amazing this thing runs.