I took my new P650 into the rocky mountains yesterday (my back yard lawn is just not good enough). All I can say is wow! My wife was riding my father-in-laws Artic Cat 375. I know that it is not worth comparing the two, but I am going to. I took the AC up a hill, and it barely made it to the top in full throttle. My 650 went straight up without a hitch--at less than half throttle. I will be honest with you. My 650 is more safe. I thought that with all of that power, that I would be overwhelmed. I felt totally in control the whole time. A couple of hills on the artic cat made me pretty nervous (like I shouldn't even be going there). I can only imagine how good this 650 will be with good tires.

Are Bearclaws good for hardpack with lots of rocks? That is mainly what I encountered yesterday. Both machines did great on the downhill. Engine braking to the point where I wanted to give it gas a few times. I didn't notice any freewheeling like I have heard others complain about (previous 650 posts). These were downhills with loose dirt and rocks all over. Very impressed with the engine braking (both machines).

Anyway, going back up tomorrow.

 

I forgot to mention that I took a good hit on the back left rim on a BIG boulder--only a small dent to show for it. Not too bad!

 

I have 26" bearclaws, I ride on a lot of rock actually I ride on almost everything and I love my bearclaws they do a fine job,if I had to buy over I would still get the claws

 

Glad you liked it.

 

3TV,

Were those the stock skid plates? I have been wondering about how necessary it is to get the available full length aluminum ones from buy kawasaki. Sounds like a rough day, I am glad you were able to get out eventually.

 

pcpacker-- The stock "driven pulley" spring won't give you any K-EBS freewheeling, the "black spring" will, to a point. It bothered me until I learned to ride it , giving it a little throttle on the downhills.
I always wanted to ride the Rockies. I have to settle for the Applachian Mtns., and Hatfield/McCoy trails for now!
BTW--- "Any ride is a GOOD RIDE, some are just better than others!"

 

PCPacker,

"hardpack with lots of rocks" sounds like what we were riding on in WV this weekend. (The "Millers Creek" area, just the other side of the H/M trail system by Logan, WV). We were warned to bring along lots of plugs and tire repair stuff, which we did. The only tire problems all weekend however (3 out of 8 riders) were the crappy 2-ply factory tires. Myself and another 650 both had Bearclaws, and didn't even hiccup. (My advice would be to upsize to the 26"; no noticible loss of power, not that it would matter, but a lot more width and they look a lot better) ((Plus, you throw a lot more stuff on the guy behind you)) [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Also, the 26" rear tires will hang out past the wheel and make it nearly impervious to damage.

What a machine....you're going to LOVE it.