After much thought and penny pinching, I am ready to purchase a Y2K Prairie 400 4X4 - and I was wondering if there is any extra equipment that is highly recommended to buy right away. Like, for example, a larger wheel/tire kit. I'm very green at this so I don't really know much about it - I just want to get the maximum pleasure out of this machine. I am using it mostly for recreation, exploring the mountains or PA, and hunting. Any advice - thanks!

Stymie

 

Don,t touch a thing and enjoy.When your tires finaly wear out go for a more aggressive tread pattern such as Tri claws or bear claws. Big wheel kits are for serious mud running not the once in awhile encounter.

 

Well said, Tim!

I'd recommend anyone wring his quad out stock FIRST; the "nice to haves" obviously surface with time and experience.

'Less'n mebbe somebody rides alone in an area where a winch 'n ****** block might be useful, or where an obvious accessory like a rack storage bag or box comes in handy, I'd go slow on "accessorizing" and customizing; "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," and it's often going some to out-think the factory designers and engineers.

Tree Farmer

 

Thanks guys for the advice. Kinda what I was leaning towards since its my first time. I think that getting myself a winch would be a good idea since I will likely be doing my riding alone at first, and I am a newbie, so I'm bound to get into a sticky situation sooner or later that a block and winch might get me out of (haha). I think that rack extension would be a real good idea too - looks like its a lot easier to keep things on the back rack with the extensions. But other than those 2 things, I'll take it slow. Thanks guys

 

Rack extensions, and the Kawasaki GUN boot/ mount combo if you plan on carrying a scoped rifle. The after factory gun boot's usually don't work to well with the composite racks. You'll love it, and seeing how your new to fourwheelin, you won't know how spoiled the Prarie make's you, sometimes it's like being on "autopilot".

 

Just hearing you say that excites me. But, being a first time buyer, I do have a few second thoughts as to whether or not I am buying the right machine or not. Is this machine really as good as I "beleive" it is?

 

Hey Stymie, I have a '99 Bayou 400 4x4, which is basically the same engine as the Praire. The Praire's 400 has about 2 more horses I believe due to a different head design. My 400 has about 40 hours on it and I have had no trouble with it at all. Actually I like the engine in my Bayou 400 better than my Grizzly's 600. Hope you have lots of trouble free miles on your new ride.

 

I would say that rack extensions are an excellent idea. I also have a Kawi tank bag and it's nice to have accessories at your fingertips, and it's relatively cheap. Not that these are accessories, but, I would also have a short bicycle pump and a patch or plug kit, it's a must.

 

Just my two cents worth.........If your going to get a gun boot /rack I would suggest not getting the Kawasaki rack that mounts on the right side.
I have one, and it sticks out to much and gets hung up in tight spaces. Get the Kolpin composite mount, you'll have to drill a couple holes in the composite rack surface for the u bolts to clamp to the tubing underneath but it is far superior.

As far as Prairies go, I bought mine (99 400 4x4) last October and don't regret choosing it one bit.

 

Stymie,
I've just returned from a great day of riding on my '00 Prairie 400 4x4. With only 18 hours on the saddle I'm still on my honeymoon, but I've added rack extensions, a cargo bag, hand guards and a winch. That'll about do it for mods. It's power never leaves me wanting more and the tires work so well I'll probably replace them with OEM's when they wear out. Great machine- you'll love it!