Stopped by the local K shop and asked them the price of a new drive belt for the 650. $90.60 + tax!! What a hose job. Hell, the belts for my RMK are $52.95(Polaris) and they're twice the size. I still maintain that Kawasaki has the wrong size belt on these scooters.

I had way to much deflection, so I removed the secondary and took out one of the spacers. Mine had 2 spacers at .030 each. The width of the belt is lower than the service limit and I've read previous posts that said the width of the new belt was just a little more than the service limit. Kawi is screwing all of us.

Anyway, as soon as someone comes out with an aftermarket belt(Gates, Goodyear, Dayco, etc.) lets get it posted and let everyone know.

I've got 800 miles on my unit, so I just hope the belt holds up. I sure as hell don't want to pay Kawi's price for a new one.

Ride hard and safe.

 

Are you having problems with your belt? I've got over 1,200 miles on my 650 and it still seems to be working fine. I know the day will come when it needs changing so maybe an aftermarket belt will be available by then.

 

I think your right Zrider. The belts Kawasaki put on these beasts are JUNK!!!
Here is the reply I just got back from Gates. " We are hoping to have a line of ATV belts some time before July. At this time the application you are referring to, the Kawasaki Prairie 650, is not included in that line. We are gathering information and plan to extend the ATV line and will include your machine in the future. Please check with your Gates distributor in the next 6 months."
Maybe we should use this thread to help the people at Gates " gather information" on how dissatisfied we all are with our factory belts. What do you think 650 owners? Write it down and we will send it in.

 

Preacherman:

At 600 miles, I was beginning to get some belt squeal in high range 2wd. Took the converter cover off and noticed the belt was about 1/16 inch below the top of the secondary. Should be even or a little bit above. I slipped the belt off by pulling it over the secondary(which you shouldn't be able to do), took the clutch off, apart, removed one spacer and put it back together. Now the belt rides at the top of the secondary.

I'm overly clutch and belt conscious(20 yrs. of snowmobiling) and that's why I don't think these belts are the right ones for this unit. I've asked several different dealers and they all say the same thing--"we haven't heard about anybody having any problems". Hell, I even asked the Kawasaki rep at the motorcycle show in San Mateo, CA last November and he didn't acknowledge anything. I think the width of the belt is the problem. They're to narrow.

If someone can get an address, name, etc. for Gates, we should all start bugging them to come out with a decent belt and not at $90 a copy.

 

I totally agree with you that the belts on the P650 are overpriced junk belts. I had to replaced mine at 1000miles at a cost of $130.00!! MJSTX

 

There are belts for the 300 and 400 on ebay for about 12 bucks Hopefully kawasiki will wake up about the 650 belt!

 

mine be chirpin on take off. i take it, this is a bad thing...

 

Sccotdog, yours is just loose. Mine did that too. I took the cover off and measured 1.5 inches deflection. I took the only shim out, and it went down to 1.2 (or so). Squaks less. Supposed to be .87 to 1.06 deflection.

It only took an hour and a half. It will take me 30-45 minutes to do it next time, since I already made tools and learned how to do it.

I'm going to get a new belt and a selection of shims next time I see the dealer.

I wish it had lasted longer. I will try the gates belt when it comes out. The short belt life is a piser, since you can't really get get rid of it like you can the Dunlops.

 

will the belt from any other bike work? can you cross refrence the demensions of the belt with other bikes and find one that will work?

 

i was thinking the same thing