You wanted some Vinson owner feedback so here goes: I have an 02 Vinson which I bought for one reason only, back in July they had a great finance deal going on and I got it at a good price. It's a great machine, but compared with the Praire it is not even close. The list prices are only $400 apart and for that you get the Praire which has better construction (look at the details especially the engine protection) and larger engine, a locker, bigger rack capacity and the list goes on. You will still have to do some mods including the tires and replacing the plastic cv protectors with the alum ones, but after it is all said and done the Vinson can not compete. Regarding price, you need to get yourself as far away from a city as possible and get it from that dealer. The closer you are to a high population area the less dealers seem willing to negotiate in price. Get the Prairie not the Vinson.

 

The P650 is the way to go, hands down. Nothing else in a 4 wheel drive machine can touch it in power, performance and quality. I have several friends who ride/race them and they have had no problems other than the stock tires. If you don't get it, you will wish you had.

 

Hey bbertram,

Do you have any Yamaha dealer around your area? If you do why don't you go buy Grizzly. It has the power, IRS, suspension and so on! Grizzly rides much smoother than P650 but I am sure that P650 is slightly faster but Grizzly can keep up with it very strong and close. I would go for Griz because of POWER and IRS. Grizzlys have good records of reliability. I know that P650 is awesome bike but it's far for you but if you have closer yamaha dealer I would recommend to look at the Grizzlies. They have the smoothest ride out there. GOOD LUCK!

See ya,
Dusty

 

you have to think on this one?

NUFF SAID.

 

AV959: belt tensioner? on the 650? where?i must have missed that one...

 

the ony think i don't like on vinnie is the noisey brakes and how exposed it is. Now exposer can be addressed but brakes? I think you have to live with that one. P650 requires regular belt care, it's care that you can do. When I switched to kawi five years ago I travelled 2 hours for service and had no complaints... now a new kawi dealership is amout 5 min away.

 

<< Hey bbertram,

Do you have any Yamaha dealer around your area? If you do why don't you go buy Grizzly. It has the power, IRS, suspension and so on! Grizzly rides much smoother than P650 but I am sure that P650 is slightly faster but Grizzly can keep up with it very strong and close. I would go for Griz because of POWER and IRS. Grizzlys have good records of reliability. I know that P650 is awesome bike but it's far for you but if you have closer yamaha dealer I would recommend to look at the Grizzlies. They have the smoothest ride out there. GOOD LUCK!

See ya,
Dusty >>




I have a very close Yamaha dealership but IRS is not for me anymore, its not tough enough for me. Thats why I want a solid axle quad, if I goto Yami I may as keep my 500i.

 

Have any of you prarie owners had trouble with water getting in the belt case?It would be nice if they had a prarie 650 manual.