Ok,Ive just about made up my mind to buy P650 but since Ive never ridden one,I want to ask a few questions.

First off,I have a Polaris Xplorer 400 and one of the reasons i love it so much is because of the way it handles. It feels light and nimble,and is very tossable around curves. Its sporty.
On the other hand,my buddys Magnum 500 and Sportsman 500 are like tanks. They will go anywhere but they're heavy,hard to steer and not very sporty at all.
My Xplorer will turn on a dime but the 500s need forty acres to turn around.

1. Does the P650 handle like a tank or is it sporty?
2.Is it hard to steer?
3. Does it have a large or small turning radius?

A few other small things I was wondering about....

4. Does the P650 have a storage area under the seat or somewhere like Polaris's do?
5. Is it a gas hog?
6. Other than the belt and plastic,does the P650 have any other issues I should know about?

If I could ride one for 10 minutes I could answer most of these question for myself but sinse I dont know anyone that has one i thought Id ask you guys.

Thanks
Andy G

 

I have an Xplorer also, and I have always liked the snap of the two stroke engine until I bought the twin Kawi. It handles close to like an Xplorer, but tons more power. I noticed the front to be a little heavier, but it still pulls wheelies even with big tires. You will not be dissapointed with the 650 if you like the solid axle and the lighter machines. To answer your questions.....

1. Handles sporty if you ask me and I'm only 160 lbs.
2. a tad harder to steer than an Xplorer, but easily tolerable
3. turning radius close to Xplorer
4. Storage area bigger than Polaris
5. Very good gas mileage coming from having an Xplorer, comparable to SP 500
6. The only other thing to consider is this thing NEEDS tires. I recommend buying some ASAP


I really like my Xplorer, being able to beat HO's in a drag, but with the Kawi I can have 27" mud tires and still beat HO's with better gas mileage. The Xplorer has a bit more GC, but nothing bigger tires can't take care of. I have had four 400 Xplorer and Sportsman 2 strokes and the Kawi is the only thing I have liked better.
I say go for it. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

My opinions, worth approximately .02 cents:

It handles like a sport bike. Unbelievably agile for a 600 pound quad.

Not hard to steer. In fact, once you figure out that you steer it best by EASILY breaking the back tires loose with the throttle, slinging that big boy around is a breeze.

Small turning radius? It is a utility machine, with a sport bike soul. The radius, when the bike is slowly turned, is big. But, again, get into the throttle...and it has a ZERO radius!! LOL

Small storage under the seat...but a pain to get to. Get a tank bag or saddle bags. You will be glad you did.

Gas hog? Um, gas mileage was not a concern when I bought this. Kinda like when I rebuilt my GTO....gas mileage was the LEAST of my objectives. You want gas mileage? Buy a moped.

The belt is a pain. Yes, the plastic bends. But, you gotta understand something. Every machine has its problems or issues. If it were not for the belt, we would be whining about the sprockets on the rear axel (if it were chain driven), or the tight throttle cable, etc. I have replaced one belt in one year. This plastic thing, I THINK, is not an issue. Come on, put a big machine int the woods, crease the fender, then complain? Get some cheese for that whine!! Battle wounds I call 'em!!!

Post in any forum, and everyone loves thier machines. But every ATV article written references "the mighty Prarie", or "the king of quads".

Find what you want, buy it, learn about it, then spend more money that you ever dreamed beefing it up and making it better. Just keep buying the wife flowers......!!

Enjoy!!!

 

I have to disagree with the gas mileage thing Chuckybrown. I have been on a few trail rides with SP's and have run out of gas with my Xplorer. Once that happens, you wish you had a machine with better mileage. Ya, you can carry a tank, but who wants to if you don't have to. Now, I have no problems with running out of gas early. The digital gas gauge really helps also.

 

Roofer,Chucky you guys are the man..err men lol

Thats just what I wanted to hear!!!!!!

Roofer
It makes me feel a hell of a lot better that you have an Xplorer and still like the P650 better.

Chucky
Im not concerned about the belt since it seems to be a non-issue after it is adjusted properly.
The plastic doesnt worry me either.
As far as the gas milage, i was just wondering about how far i could go on a tank, but since Roofer says it roughly the same as the Xplorer,Im not concerned.
I'll be ordering a set of Bearclaws as soon as i get it. I have them on my Xplorer and love'em.

Thanks again guys.

Andy G

 

70 to 75 miles?!

Man thats great. Im damn lucky if I get 60 out of my Xplorer. 50 is more like it.

Andy G

 

Remember: Run 93 octane or higher in your P650's!!

 

Regarding the gas mileage thing, I average around 65 miles on a full tank, and I ride pretty hard. Last weekend, due to a minor snafue, I was just getting into the "reserve"/blinking 1/8 tank area on the digital display and had 17 to 18 miles to get back home. I tried my damndest to stay off the throttle (which was the absolute HARDEST thing that I ever had to do on that quad, and I made it, plus rode it into town for a fill up the next morning. I think the manual says that the fuel tank holds 3.5 gallons, but it took 3.94 gal. to top it off.

MORAL: If fuel conservation is a big issue, don't buy a v-twin. But if you want to plow some earth and see some country whiz by, then the sixfitty is a great choice.

 

The p650 has a 4.5 gallon tank. You probably had another few feet before running totally out.

 

Well CRAP! You mean I was holding back on the throttle all that way for nothing? That really sucks.

(I guess the good news is that 20+ miles is really not a big deal once in the "reserve" area.)