GET THE PRAIRIE 650!!!!!! IMO, the only thing the Rincon has going for it , is it's looks. Best looking sport/utility ATV on the market. But, I will admire the good looks in my 650's rear view mirror.

 

..There are very few things that are "More" disappointing, than spending big $$$ on an atv.....to find out too late........"Its Underpowered".........Believe Me..Go with the 650 V-Twin...IMO I would never get anything less than 500 cc...

 

Daddy1 Get a honda I bought a 360 same machine has the 650 smaller engine and had it back to the dealer twice already belt problems ........belt problems and always be belt problems. I am keeping this one till the spring and Iam getting a honda again( rincon). I would have it now but they have not arrived here yet and by then I will have enough time to burn this prairie up plowing snow this winter which we get alot of. Again buy a honda pay a little more and save the time going back for repairs[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

After riding my 2000 Kodiak for 3 years I am totally spoiled by the P650. Im saying this because my Kodiak is comparable to the new Rancher. Only reason Im keeping my Kodiak is for the mud and water riding I do. It is completely reliable, besides, I just dont want to put a $7000 atv in mud over the fenders. I didnt mention my wife would kill me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

At the $6000 price tag it would be hard to pass up.

 

We have both machines you are referring to. The Rancher is absolutely indestructable. It has pretty tight suspension, though. I could ride all day on the prairie and not feel it in my back. Not so with the Rancher. I call it the Radio Flyer. The Rancher does run out of power on some of the terrain that we ride on (steep hills), That is not possible for the Prairie. I had a P360 and I liked it when it worked! That was hardly ever. I put ~800 miles on it, and I would never get another again because of all the various problems it had. But we have not had problems with the 650, yet. Personally, I am having the same dilemma you are. The p650 was supposed to be mine before the husband stole it (sore subject), but I think the seat is too wide for me to be comfortable on, so no reason to go get another one. Before I get something else besides the '02 Rancher 350 4x4 ES, I am thinking about the '04 Rancher AT 400 because it is automatic, selectable 2/4x4, etc. and I have liked the reliability of our current Rancher. If money is not an issue for you, you REALLY should go for the p650!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maintenance is probably key, but if you can handle that it shouldn't be an issue. I just ride the heck out of mine, so Honda is great for me. I don't do anything else to it.

Go ahead, treat yourself. Get the 650.

 

I've never had a lick of trouble with my P650. I've owned almost every brand of quad out there and this one has been the most performing and trouble free quad I've owned. I have over a thousand miles on mine and it's been flawless so far. As far as water troubles, I never heard of any others having trouble with theirs. I ride alot by the Wabash River and 2 to 3 times a week ride mine where the water comes over the front racks and its never got wet yet. I don't take it easy on this quad, I do alot of fast trail riding with several jumps in there. I also do alot of work with the 650, I'm constantly pulling everthing from broken down cars at the shop to loads of wood around the house and I've never had a belt problem yet.
Just take your time and try them all out. I purchased the Rubicon and had it for 4 months and had to take a $2000 hit on it to trade it in on the 650. So make sure you like what you buy the first time and not just brand loyalty like I did. Have a great ride!

 

If that killer price is for real on the Prarie and isn't a demo or a returned lemon, ****** it up. The price doesn't get much better than that. However, the reliability of the Honda with the exception of the new Rubicon and Rincon as they haven't had time to work out the bugs yet, isn't touchable. I always say you get what you pay for. One other thing, belts may be smooth running and the transmission idea has been proven in sleds, but belts and water don't mix. Period. The first time you get towed home because your belt got wet, or you find out in two years you have to shell out $1000 to replace your sheaves because of the one or two times you burnt your belt, or didn't clean the clutches often enough,you'll be pi$$ed! Happened to me. Will never go back to belts!

 

I've had numerous problems with my P650. Every time I hit the gas, this big smile appears on my face and even under my helmet I end up with mud and the occasional insect in my teeth. I also think I am getting some hearing damage from all the "yeeeehaaa's" that rattle around in my helmet after I go blitzing down the trail. Also in muddy conditions people can't follow me that closely due to the clumps of tera firma flying up from the rear tires.

Sometimes if I get on it really hard the front tires will come completely off the ground and once even put the back rack on the ground, standing straight up and down. I hit the rear brake and it came back down. ?? I also think I may have lost a friend who had just purchased a Z400 because when we drag raced on wet grass (up to his 3rd gear) I was at least 2 quad lengths in front of him. So if you don't mind these problems you should consider the P650 for your purchase.

That's a good price too.

I have not heard of any of the electronics problems with the P650 that someone mentioned. I don't baby mine either.

You would have fun on either quad, but when you stop for a break I doubt you'd say to your riding buddies, "Man that Rancher rips!!"

I love Hondas but I wouldn't say the Ranchers are perfect. Can anyone say wheel bearings? Replaced both on my little bro's. It's a 2002. (Yeah maybe he needs to quit running in to stuff, but... ) Also the "reverse wire" for lack of a better term (ES Model only) has came off twice. I've got it fixed good now though.
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Hmmmmmmm, buy the prairie 650. or wait for the 2008 Rincon.