IN MY HUMBLE OPINION:

I think those that sunk the bucks into a P650 are probably those that are a bit more "machine saavy" than the average ATV buyer. Further, they are a bit more mechanically inclinded than most. As a result, we are probably more sensitive to feel, touch, and sight than your average rider/user.

In other words, we are just more "sensitive" to these issues that the average rider might not see, hear, or feel, thus it would not be a problem to them.

Does my belt chirp? Yep. Do I wish the snorkel were easier to get to? Yep. Is re-jetting a pain? Yep.

Would I trade for another machine. NO WAY.

Just my meager little opinion.....

Chucky

 

The 650 is a great machine period!! A few minor adjustments will be necessary. My thinking is if something isn't broken sooner or later, you aren't riding it hard enough. The 650 is a beast and can take a lot more than your normal quad before it starts to sqwauk. You will be happy with the 650 for sure.

 

I have to agree with the other posts. My P650 has had no problems other than "owner/operator induced" ones. Two broken brake levers from poor pilotage and a few scratches on the plastic. But it is a work and play machine. That is expected.

There have been ---> NO <---- problems in the following areas with my machine;

1. Clutch
2. Belt
3. Choke Cables
4. Shifter adjustment
5. Front Differential
6. Air intake
7. Any electrical problem

I have played with the jets, put on a HMF Slip on pipe, and changed tires and wheels. That is what I do, ride it, clean it, work on it a little when there is something I want to investigate, and have fun. It has been a great tractor, got the lawn mower unstuck a couple of times, and taken the g/f out for a evening ride, and so on.

I have no regrets and you should have no fear of getting a machine that is a maintenance nightmare or a hangar queen (as we joke about airplanes). Figure out how to pay for it, buy it have fun.

Bob

 

Bonza-- Is a DC-3 called a "cargo queen"? LOL
I think you hit it on the head with: "ride it, clean it, work on it a little....". I believe most P-650 owners are mechanically inclined, and like to do performance/speed mods. These machines do demand some maintenance, which I am happy to provide. What an AWESOME toy!!!!!!

 

SMITTYWOOD;
Look at all the other big bores... none of them match the KAWI'S reliability thus far. I know of 2 guy's with POL 700's in my area and ask them what they would rather have...both can't keep their bikes out of the shop! One of them is on his 3rd 700!!! He blew the engines on the first 2!!! His father own's the local POL dealership so I guess it's no big deal to him!!! But if it was me... that would be a story for the evening news!!! The P650 was in developement for I think it was 3 years and take it from a very PROUD OWNER they got it right!!! This machine is the standard by which all other big bores are measured, It screams quality!!! If you rode one you already know what the machine performs like ...2ND TO NONE!!!
I ride mine very hard and it just smiles at me and asks for more!!! Pretty much every magazine has acknowledged that this is the best 4X4 big bore made ever ( except one rag that gave it to the POL700 , read the mag closely though and you will see that they actually praised the KAWI more than any of the other quads in the shootout !! go figure!!) Buy it and be the happiest you can be. If you don't there will always be a part of you that wishes you did!!!

ROB

 

SMITTYWOOD;
A while back I done an exhausting search on all the problems associated with the KAWI P650 ...I just posted a reply just for you so it will now be at the top of the KAWI forum ( I hope anyway ) enjoy!!!

ROB

 

Conman you are right PERIOD.


Kawirob is right to....for the amount of hard play and work put on the P650...I honestly beleive no other machine on earth could perform as well and be as strong.

Guys I will be honest with you my 650 scares ME...I have rode everthing hard for years, but this @amn thing takes it....then shows me WHO THE BOSS!!!! I my never tame this beast! (it does everthing good if not better)

 

this kawi is the BOSS HAWG!! mine runs fine, even after i did the jet change! its one bad **** machine. i do some trail riding, but most of the time we make the trails! we beat them pretty bad....


happy riding!

 

SO, Smittywood--- Did we set you at ease? Are you a little more comfortable with the P-650?
When I bought my P-650 in March '02, I went into the dealer looking for a brochure on the Yam Grizz. The sales mgr. strides up and says : "you don't want a Grizz, you want a Kaw P-650". Then he says, "let's go ride BOTH ". I was able to "hop" back and forth on the two machines, testing them under real trail conditions! The rest is history.............I never looked back(except to see if my pal's Grizz is still BEHIND me)!!!!!!

 

Ok... You have me re-thinking my position. I guess the Grizz and Polaris have their share of problems too, and considering how many of these things have sold in the past 11/2 years it's only logical that you're going to have some problems. I love the sportiness of it, but I wish it had more ground clearance. I guess if you get more clearance you will sacrifice center of gravity tho. Incidentally, I asked my friend that has the problem 650 if he would buy another one if he had to do it again, and he said yes.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] Thanks for all the input - you've got me thinkin'!