Test run for my '02 P-650
Dec 2, 2002 | 01:34 PM
#1
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Trailblazer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 55
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Test run for my '02 P-650
Just got back from a nice 3 day weekend run at Shiloh Ridge in Texas with 11 other guys. Was able to put the new Prairie thru all the paces and compare it to a fairly wide variety of machines. I was very pleased with the overall performance (man, what power) but was displeased with the shi*ty black plastic (which did not hold up).
For the record, there were 2 400ex's, a raptor 660, a blaster, a scrambler 400, a 300ex, a warrior, a sportsman 500, a explorer 400, a kodiak 450, a recon 250 and the mighty prairie 650.
Almost all of us lined up to drag, including 2 modded banshees and a bombardier ds-650 that were already there, and let it rip. Guess what, the big ole fat, heavy, 600 lb, 4 wheel drive Prairie 650 got the holeshot every single time. At the 150 - 200 foot range, the raptor, banshees and ds-650 would catch up and pass me, but nobody else. Ha-Ha-Ha!!!
But you know, speed ain't everything. What about handling on the trails? Smooth!! It didn't soak up the bumps like the Sportsman did, but it did a fine job nonetheless, and it jumped great. Good balance in the air for such a big machine. The front end never felt heavy. I ran all the trails in low range and used the engine braking to great effect. Only had the use the brakes going down long, steep and rough hills. Was easily able to keep up with sport machines and I am not an experienced rider. Handlebar angle was very condusive to riding while sitting or standing. Riding while standing is ackward on my wife's sportsman 500.
I found that the low range worked for almost every situation except extended high speed runs and provided the best combination of power and engine braking. This thing had tons of torque and power and is so responsive that I dam* near operated the throttle like you would when you feather a 2 stroke. Great acceleration.
No belt squeak at all thanks to the black spring and only one 6mm shim. Wheelies very easily.
Got into some minor mudholes (mud is not really my thing, yet) and found that it did great in 2 and 4 wheel drive. The locker is awesome.
Drawbacks or problems?? The belt drive sounds like a jet turbine whining (kinda cool after you get used to it). Black plastic is too fragile and flimsy. Front end would push going into some turns at a higher speed. I attribute this to the dunflop tires and the fact that I ran them with 6 pounds to try to reduce the sidewall flex. Some new ITP Holeshot ATR's or Kenda Bearclaws would take care of that. Turning radius is not as sharp as the sportsman.
Sometimes, I had trouble shifting from low to neutral or reverse without blipping the throttle. This may be a linkage thing. If anybody knows for sure, let me know. When I would engage 4 wheel drive, I had to be stopped and not have tension on the drivetrain. For instance, If I stopped on a hill and shifted to 4wd, it would not always engage unless I worked the throttle a little bit. There was also a delay in the display showing that I was in 4wd. Sometimes, I would be spinning all four wheels but only showing 2wd in the display.
Overall, I loved the machine. Plenty of power and performance along with a super ride. Go buy yourself one, you won't regret it.
For the record, there were 2 400ex's, a raptor 660, a blaster, a scrambler 400, a 300ex, a warrior, a sportsman 500, a explorer 400, a kodiak 450, a recon 250 and the mighty prairie 650.
Almost all of us lined up to drag, including 2 modded banshees and a bombardier ds-650 that were already there, and let it rip. Guess what, the big ole fat, heavy, 600 lb, 4 wheel drive Prairie 650 got the holeshot every single time. At the 150 - 200 foot range, the raptor, banshees and ds-650 would catch up and pass me, but nobody else. Ha-Ha-Ha!!!
But you know, speed ain't everything. What about handling on the trails? Smooth!! It didn't soak up the bumps like the Sportsman did, but it did a fine job nonetheless, and it jumped great. Good balance in the air for such a big machine. The front end never felt heavy. I ran all the trails in low range and used the engine braking to great effect. Only had the use the brakes going down long, steep and rough hills. Was easily able to keep up with sport machines and I am not an experienced rider. Handlebar angle was very condusive to riding while sitting or standing. Riding while standing is ackward on my wife's sportsman 500.
I found that the low range worked for almost every situation except extended high speed runs and provided the best combination of power and engine braking. This thing had tons of torque and power and is so responsive that I dam* near operated the throttle like you would when you feather a 2 stroke. Great acceleration.
No belt squeak at all thanks to the black spring and only one 6mm shim. Wheelies very easily.
Got into some minor mudholes (mud is not really my thing, yet) and found that it did great in 2 and 4 wheel drive. The locker is awesome.
Drawbacks or problems?? The belt drive sounds like a jet turbine whining (kinda cool after you get used to it). Black plastic is too fragile and flimsy. Front end would push going into some turns at a higher speed. I attribute this to the dunflop tires and the fact that I ran them with 6 pounds to try to reduce the sidewall flex. Some new ITP Holeshot ATR's or Kenda Bearclaws would take care of that. Turning radius is not as sharp as the sportsman.
Sometimes, I had trouble shifting from low to neutral or reverse without blipping the throttle. This may be a linkage thing. If anybody knows for sure, let me know. When I would engage 4 wheel drive, I had to be stopped and not have tension on the drivetrain. For instance, If I stopped on a hill and shifted to 4wd, it would not always engage unless I worked the throttle a little bit. There was also a delay in the display showing that I was in 4wd. Sometimes, I would be spinning all four wheels but only showing 2wd in the display.
Overall, I loved the machine. Plenty of power and performance along with a super ride. Go buy yourself one, you won't regret it.
Dec 2, 2002 | 02:31 PM
#2
Range Rover
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Test run for my '02 P-650
Sounds great, glad you had fun.
The delay from 2wd to 4wd is normal and thus noted in your owner's manual. It takes a few feet or so to engage and show on the digital display.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
The delay from 2wd to 4wd is normal and thus noted in your owner's manual. It takes a few feet or so to engage and show on the digital display.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Dec 2, 2002 | 03:54 PM
#5
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,277
Likes: 0
Test run for my '02 P-650
That was an excellent, informative report.
The whine is the straight-cut gears in the trans./ The hard to shifts are just a linkage adjustment, OR maybe as simple as a idle speed adjustment! YES--you are right...the tires $UCK BIG TIME! I'd like to try the ATR's myself
The bikes are awesome. I'd buy another.....if I had to! Enjoy the ride!
The whine is the straight-cut gears in the trans./ The hard to shifts are just a linkage adjustment, OR maybe as simple as a idle speed adjustment! YES--you are right...the tires $UCK BIG TIME! I'd like to try the ATR's myself
The bikes are awesome. I'd buy another.....if I had to! Enjoy the ride!
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Dec 3, 2002 | 10:22 PM
#10
Trailblazer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Test run for my '02 P-650
HEY RTY
I GROUND A LARGE CHISLE DOWN TO THE SAME SHAPE AS THE LIP ON THE RIM. SO WHEN I BENT ONE IN I JUST DRIVE THE CHISLE DOWN BETWEEN THE BEND AND THE RIM IT WORKS GREAT. ALSO THE ITP HOLESHOT RADIALS WORK GREAT AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERANCE.
I GROUND A LARGE CHISLE DOWN TO THE SAME SHAPE AS THE LIP ON THE RIM. SO WHEN I BENT ONE IN I JUST DRIVE THE CHISLE DOWN BETWEEN THE BEND AND THE RIM IT WORKS GREAT. ALSO THE ITP HOLESHOT RADIALS WORK GREAT AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERANCE.