Hello Everyone,

Does anyone know when the 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 V-Twin is coming out? I would be interested in a 2003 model. Also, does anyone know if there are going to be changes to the 2003 model? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!,

IronBear

 

Don't Know yet, but Mike Penland has one. He won a race on it (he is a racer, and has access to all kinds of stuff).

It is darker red (like the 360).

Don't know when it is coming.

 

They should hit the dealers in August. Even as early as late July.

 

Thanks for the info Nyroc!

IronBear

 

Hi NyRoc,

Would you know if there are pictures of Mike Penland and his 2003 Kawasaki Prairie 650 V-Twin? I'm very interested to seeing one.

Thanks,

IronBear

 

NyRoc,

I like those wheel and tires (Pictures 34-36). I would like to get the same combination of wheels and tires when I get my machine. Can you tell me what the cost was for them and what is the size? Is it the same size as the stock tires? And how does the machine slide with those tires?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

IronBear [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

IronBear-- Thanks for the compliments on my wheels and tires. See my signature for details. These tires are 26X9.5X12 frt. / 26X12X12 rear. Awesome combo, very good in the mud of S.E. Ohio, W.Va.!

 

Ironbear, those aren't my tires, but close enough. Yeah it can slide, it is better than new. Handles better, has more clearance, and no power loss because these tires are light. Awesome combo.

Those pics are of trx450's 650. Those are ITP Spider trax 26X9.5X12 frt. and Maxxis Surtraks 26X12X12 rear. The surtraks are really only 10" wide, and the spidertrax judging from the photos are not 9.5 but narrower (closer to 8"?).

I posted trx450's pictures on my site because I liked the combo idea a lot, and I bought tires similar to his.

I used 26x9-12 mudrunners in front. They are a little lighter than spidertrax, and may be more diggin in the mud. They ride soft, handle and steer perfectly. I am overly impressed. The mudrunners are only 8" wide. The diameter on this combo is so perfectly matched, that there is no drag in 4x4 (even on pavement), and you can't hear the 4x4 engage.

I can't say whether his fronts are better than mine on hardpack, someday I'll ride with him and see. Take your pick, they are the 2 lightest fronts you can use with the surtrak rear tire.

Believe me (or us, since trx450 convinced me, and the guy that convinced him in the first place), using this combo is smart, since the rear tire really does not need the same kind of traction characteristics as the rear. The sur track is excellent as a rear tire. The front tires need to steer and handle, but don't need drypack forward traction.

It cost me $66 per tire at www.treadepot.com. I just mounted mine (myself) on the stock rims.

Awesome tire combo. I would do it again. Careful about getting 25" tires, cuz they are almost all 24" diameter. I like a little extra clearance.

 

IronBear-- I missed the Q about "how does the bike slide". The Maxxis Shur Trax inspire confidence. The rear stays put, unless you use a little throttle and break'em loose. I echo nyroc's conclusion that the combo is excellent, and I will buy these again, for sure! The Spiders in frt. get rid of a lot of that "650 push", going hot into a turn. So much so, that I am wondering whether I should bother buying the Progressive kit for the frt. now!(probably will for the preload adjustability)