After beating two modified p650's in a drag with my stock machine, we had to collectively ponder how this could be possible. My theory was that the clutch kits took away from the top-end power, and also maybe they couldn't deliver all that power to the ground (they were running maxxis all tracs). The owner of one of the machines had a different take: he says, "Brand new machines are like virgins and run faster the first time. As they are broke-in, they slow down." Could this be true?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] I thought like $ex, ATV's got better with time. What do you think?

 

Thats not true unless there engines or clutches are getting tired. I have the same dilema with my p650. (only 2 motnths old and modded) Not sure why but for some reason modded ones feel faster and are more fun to ride but in a drag they are slower. The reason for this i find is when modding them you increase torque giving better throttle response and wheelie ability but the HP gains are higher in the RPM range which is taken away from due to the nasty CDI unit in the P650. After the new CDI comes out mods will work much better on the 650. If you talk to bearman i am sure he will tell you the same thing. The CDI should also make the 650 start better and run smoother at lower RPMs. Also aftermarket tires suck alot of power out of the 650's. Which by adding a clutch kit helps out there some what.

 

Do you do any racing? I was wondering how a stock 650 would compete in a race against one that has all the mods. Even if it feels faster and more fun, when it comes down to it who will win. Does it all come down to ability? I will be finding out this weekend. I wish I had a couple more weeks to get used to the new machine though as I am still not 100% comfortable on my new 650. This weekend there are going to be two 650's with mods and good riders in a local hare scramble. It is going to be on part of the course that was used for the 12 hour race in October in Iowa. Should be a good time!

 

A stock p650 does great in the races besides the stock tires suck. The aftermarket tires would be well worth the loss in power in a harescramble. Racing in the woods is all about handling. The only time the extra power pays off is if there is a long strait.

 

If I were going to race my 650 in a hare scramble, the two "must haves" in my book would be new tires and front springs. All Tracs or ITP ATR's for tires, Progressive Suspension front springs, to be precise. After those two mods its all up to driver ability (and a little luck)!!

 

I agree about the need for different tires. I have also heard a lot of complaints about the front suspension, but I don't think the front suspension is a problem on my machine. Did Kaw change it from 02 to 03? Also, should throw in that this isn't a normal hare scramble. The track is only 3 miles and 2/3 of it is a MX and TT track. There is only about a mile of woods and they aren't that tight. This is a course designed for speed. There are a couple of spots where i'll hit 60 plus mph.

 

Springs are the same from '02 to '03. Start running the machine hard in corners and downhill grades and you will see the need for better springs.

 

springs are a must. my 650 leans big time in corners. the dunflops suck big moosec#** also. that is my next investment for sure. tires and springs. otherwise an awesome machine.

 

You ask, are modded 650's slower then stock. I am a little concerned with the speed of the 650's with age. We have two 650's and one is modded and the other is not. The unmodded was faster when they were both stock. Now the modded one is much faster. However, they both use to spank my 500 Scrambler when they were new. Now the scrambler is faster then both. Some of it is due to the larger tires. I recently bought some new 25" tires and mounted them on the stock wheels. The next time I will have to run the Scrambler against my modded 650 with stock size tires. I hope the 650 is faster then the Scrambler again.

 

I've found that a worn down belt, even when shimmed correctly, makes a big difference in the performance.