Buy the 650 and you won't regret it

 

I agree w/ Chucky. If you are not going to have any utility need for the quad, whatsoever.... Wait for the KFX700 to come out and test it alongside the Prairie. You may be more suited to a true sport quad. No doubt the Prairie is a true SPORTutility machine, but the utility side, ie. the weight and the weight distribution, will show through in true sport situations. A Prairie is not designed to run on a motorcross track. It can do it for fun, but would never be competitive against a true sport quad. Good luck w/ whatever you get and Happy Holidays!

 

Dirthead: I understand your dilema. I just sold my Lakota and tricked out Wolverine. I purchased a 2003 Prairie 650 and love it. I have done the usual modifications, exhaust, black spring, jet kit, progressive springs, bear claws and twist throttle. The 650 has about three times the power of the Lakota and rides like a Cadillac in the woods. I also have a 2002 Raptor and it is tricked out as well with 22 inch holeshots, PRM Skid plates front to back, bumper and six pack rack, K & N Pro-Flow with a jet kit, Full Yoshi exhaust, Speedo Computer, twist throttle and several other things to make it one fast bike.

As you can tell from my list I like to go fast and the bikes I own fit the bill for me. Now, based on the type of riding you enjoy the most will determine what you should buy. I ride the Raptor in the summer and the 650 in the winter. Due to the heavy mud and snow on our trails up here a sport bike has its limitations and I get tired of being soaked to the bone in 30 degree temps on the Raptor even wearing a rain suit and my buddies on their 650 aren't even wet/dirty.

With that said, there's nothing like the feel of the Raptor on a nice dry sunny day hauling a$$ in the woods. BUT, if I had to buy one or the other, I would buy the 650. The smooth ride and versatility make the 650 my bike of choice if I had to own one bike. One thing to remember, the Lakota has great swing arm clearance, most sport bikes today do not have that. You will find this to be critical going through mud holes. Anyway, good luck with your decision, I hope this helps.

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I have 99% made up my mind (that can always change once you get to the dealership) and I will go with the P650 for now and wait and see what sport bikes will come out this next year. I just recently heard that Yamaha will be coming out with something to compete with the Z400, and also that Bomb has something in the midsize sport bike in the works, and of course there is always that crf450 powered EX that everyone has been waiting on for 2 years now. I am also real curious about the new 700 V-force ccoming out soon, it may just change how the industry and market views sportbikes. Anyway, this next year will be great for the consumer who is looking for something new. Thanks everyone for the replys.


Dirthead

 

Lucasville lobo

Whats the story behind your avitar? Is that you?

 

Hey LucasvilleLobo,

Your are one handsome fellow. It's a good thing you have a big bore machine!

 

AndyG - I think you have me mixed up with someone else, I have no Avitar. Prairiepuppy, thank you for the compliment.

 

The only choice to go with by far, you will not be dissapointed!

 

I'd have to agree with Bartman. There's no replacement for a manual clutched lightweight sport quad, BUT...... if you could only have one quad. The P650 is the best combo I've ever seen. It's easily the baddest sport ute available, and can run with sport quads in a drag if traction is not good. The acceleration is unreal, the KFX700 V-Force should just be flat out whicked! No racks though....

You will definitely stay cleaner on a P650 also. I also echo the sentiments of dumping the stock tires. They are pathetic. I have also thought of getting the progressive spring kit. Front springs are soft but I've only bottomed them out once. (Brain fade... forgot I was on a 600+ pound quad).

If you rode ALL day on a sport quad and ALL day on the Prairie, your body, regardless of your age, would know the difference.

There was a guy on a P650 at the dunes at Silver Lake when I was there this summer. He had heavy 589's on it and he was still ripping it up there. He launched off several of the hills and was throwing a wild jet-boat-lookin rooster tail. Made me wish I had mine there.

Get one, you're gonna need it!! ;-)

 

Great comments about the Prairie everyone from the earlier posts on the board. Would anyone who has had their Prairie on the dunes WITH PADDLE TIRES, please post your comments and tell us about the hills that it would climb and the quads that you could eat alive.

From all of us up here in Oregon, please pray with us so the rain will stop and we can hit the trails without getting covered in mud from head to toe! - in about 10 minutes

Craig