Ok, I got a chance to ride one today (parking lot) and here's my question. When turning sharp at moderate speeds do ALL Prairies tend to dip the outside front and lift the inside?

The reason I ask is because the one I rode was an 01? and while it only had 300ish miles, it had been run in ATV pulls, and ridden hard. Guess I'm hoping someone will say "Yeah they are all like that until you change springs" or "the old ones were soft up front and Kawi changed..." or something like that to explain this away.

Found a low miles 2002 for $5500 that I may go look at. Still seriously considering the 650 or 660...

 

there are heavy duty springs available for the front I had them on my 400 and it was a must have. On my 650 I got use to it and I did not feel there was a need to switch. stock tires have to go.. that causes more roll.

 

It is mostly due to the horrible tires that come stock. Try one with ANY upgraded tire and you will see the difference. I don't feel that I need the springs now.

 

DieselPro...The front springs are a bit soft but in my opinion alot of the roll for trail riding can be taken out with a upgrade in the tire department. The tires absolutely suck and thats being VERY kind. With a tire upgrade I felt that the 650 was much more stable cornering with some speed. There have been a few times when I was really hustling down a trail and still felt the soft front to be a problem but (IMO) for most riding conditions a new set of GOOD tires will take care of it.

 

Excellent replies.

Truth be told, I never rode my SP with the stock tires! The 700 that I rode the other day exhibited some of the same tendencies which caught me a bit off guard as well.

I guess a good set of 589's and maybe heavier springs would be in order.

My SP is too soft in the front as well. I put the HD springs on it, but now need some valving. Of course the SP is so daggone heavy it really doesn't lift...


Scarm 500man,

How do you like the less aggressive 489's on the front?

 

Dieselpro,

I am assuming the p650 your talking about is the one at Crafts Trading Center that Larry Strangfeld pulls? If thats the one i would buy it for that price. It has barely been ridden and i dont think that a few pulls would hurt anything. I wish i would have known about that one before i bought mine. It is in cherry shape i think. And yes all prairies pul up one tire. It aint bad once yah get used to it. If yah ever wanna hook up and ride some time let me know. flint900@tds.net

 

jpiier1 is RIGHT ON THE MONEY. Those Dunflops are terrible. Try riding one with "real" tires on it! You'll see a world of difference.Progressive Suspension offers a spring and spring pre-load kit for the P-650. I am told that it is well worth the money.

 

mtecate,

That is the one that I rode, but not the used one that I spoke of. The tabs are broken on the plastic the grille pushed back, and the tires, of course are pretty worn, but the machine seemed generally solid. It has a part throttle "burble" in it too.

The used one is an '02 green (Think Larry's is '01) and has 500 miles on it.

New '03 Prairie at $6650 is too much IMHO...

Possibly riding with a bunch this weekend in Minocqua area. Welcome to join us if we go!

 

People that do have the progressive springs about what hieght do you have the adjust ment set at??

 

Diesel,
On thing that some have been doing in their bargaining is to trade the tires in to the dealer before you roll it off of the lot and he can sell the Dumflops as new. I wish I had, mine have about 100 miles on them and are worthless now.

In fairness, the stock dunflops would be fine on a lessser powered quad that is used for tooling around a farm or something (like my father does). They just don't belong on the prairie. I truly believe they are dangerous becasue of how the sidewalls fold on hill sides.