HA HA dust I never thought about it that way!! but your right ..people know its something big and fast and move over accordingly!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

The 650 has straight cut gears in the transmissions , they whine and have a lot of slack but should last very well and are lighter than regular angle cut gears , for you Nascar fans , notice how there cars have that whine , it is the same type of gears. I do get enoyed some times ,can't enjoy the sound of the awesome motor as much .

 

well i just received the bad news...after asking the dealer to check it 3 different times...from about 125 miles when it started to now with it having 500 miles...they informed me the belt has worn grooves into the clutch and would need replacing at 700 bucks...now despite it starting at about 125 miles they claim its rider abuse...i have driven it in low at speeds of 50-55 or have it stuck in mud and tried to rev it out...they claim that is really the only way the belt can get grooves...i have never done either...in fact whenever i am on trails i know that i will be going slower then 25 i put the bike in low...they say they can shim and adjust and it will minimize the noise but it will still be there...they also informed me that i can ride it like it is if i dont mind the news but they dont know if it will effect other parts of the bike or not and therefore thinks it should be replaced now...anyone have any input or experience here...recommendations or advice??? I like the bike but it is really dissappointing to know you paid 6k for a quad and the clutch and belt goes before you hit 500 miles on it...this tags me

 

Do you have your service records of where you complained of the noise at 125 miles, and the second reporting? I don't know about there but here in WV we can make them fix it or did you say three times here that would be considered a lemon under WV law and they would either have to repair the problem or replace the bike. Call your consumer protection agency and inquire about this I would, that is why they are there.

 

Dokyo:

That is a real bummer. This sort of thing will invaladate Kawasaki's efforts to become a true contender in the ATV world. I've a few posts like your's and hoped the trend would not develop, but seems like it has. Kawasaki should stand behind this product, and if they have a defective system, like the clutch system they should redesign the thing or make it very clear upon purchase of the machine that it has a soft spot. It would seem to me that whatever heat that could be generated should be, including action in small claims court, because if you could convience the judge of your side of things you could get a verdict, and here, it is only $50 to file a claim, and some time. This sort of thing would get the companys attention. Everyone knows of Polaris' efforts to put to rest their bad reputation for dependability(not bashing, it is just a fact) and to a large extent their new products are a lot better as far as I know. Kawasiki had better get their act together in this matter or they will have a real customer relations problem, again!!

When I bought my machine it had a real tough act to follow, and to a large extent, I didn't expect it to.(A 98 Honda 450-s with 17000+ tough miles on it)and mostly I'm pleased with the 650, it has been pretty much trouble free. I guess I'm spoiled because I was thinking somewhere around eight thousand miles before clutches became a factor.

Good luck

98 450-s
1700+ miles
stock, Titians

00 Kodiak
stock, Titians

02 650
2700 miles
stock

 

Dokyo,

Sorry to hear the results. I would hope that Kawasaki would take some responsibility and fix the "achilles heeL" of thier flagship model.
Another genuine concern I have is the schmucks who call themselves a Kawasaki dealership. I believe there are more incompitent /dishonest dealerships than good ones. I believe I have found one or two dealerships that will be fair and honest but in the process I have found several who have stuck me... I have talked to Kawasaki Customer support about this and they will do nothing to aid your cause.

When you get your P650 fixed let me know so we can ride

 

well..i went riding today and that high whine is gone..I rode it pretty hard on thursday in deep water and just parked it over the weekend while I was at work and today itr sounds 100% better.Weird.

 

I wonder if this is why they changed the clutch and engine braking systems in the 03's? My dealer said he never out of 30 sold last year had one come back or had problems with his or his sons 650. He says that his and his sons were rode hard and put away wet with no problems. I rode his to see if a prairie is what i wanted and his felt like it was new besides the plastic was severely beat up. It has over 6500miles on it too. He says probably were people that didnt know how to operate the auto tranny?? I dunno. Im picking up my 03 prairie tomorrow. Hope i have good luck with mine.

 

wait till ya see the smoke roll off the new engine..its really impressive.

 

Dokyo,

Don't replace the clutches. They will wear again just the same. I have a polaris, and it is my second one. The automatics will wear grooves in the clutches, but will still operate fine. I really doubt the noise you hear is from grooves in the clutches. Anyway, the only thing the groove will affect is maybe acceleration to a very small degree. Don't waste that $700, you'll regret it 500 miles later. Spend that $700 on some new tires/wheels or performance hop ups.

Waylan