Ok, I am real close to getting a new quad in about 4-5 weeks and have a couple of questions about the P650. As you can see by my tag at the bottom I currently ride a 98' Lakota, a machine that works both as an entry level sport bike but can also work as a light utility quad. It does both jobs well but neither one great, I have heard nothing but great things about the P650 with is strong motor and handling. Right now my plan is to get the P650 and sell the lakota in about 6-9 months and get a true sport quad, I have looked at possibly the Z400 or the Raptor (looked at a used 01' Raptor about a month ago but it was to ragged out). I guess my question is this how is the P650 as far as fast trail riding and dirt pit riding? Can you jump the P650 without tearing it up or breaking something, Im not talking about taking that 50' double at the local mx track but some of the smaller jumps (5'-6' air off a jump). With it weigthing about 600 lbs that is a lot of weight to throw around in the air, what is everyone elses experience with fast trail riding. I would say my riding consist of about 50% trail riding, 25% mud riding, and 25% dirt pit riding (jumping, hillclimbing, racing my buddies at homemade track). Are there any "sport" riders out there that have gone from the true sport bikes to the P650, what are your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks everyone for your input and advice, as always it is greatly appreciated.


Dirthead

 

I haven't had a sport machine BUT, the P650 is the sportiest utility you can get. Powerslides with ease, a ball the ride in the sand pits, lots of power and speed, plus it can run through mud holes, haul a load of wood and push a snowplow. I've jumped mine as high as 5 feet high, 30 feet in distance; it flies level and lands softly.

 

Hey Dirthead,

I ride regularly with a bunch of fellas with sportquads. They are most impressed with the prairie being a big utility and being able to accelerate and handle like it does. Before it handles good though, the stock tires must go, the sidewalls are much to weak on the front ones to handle high speed turns. If whoops are your thing, front progressive springs would be a great idea as the stock springs on the prairie are a bit weak for landings. I have jumped the prairie a few times (you can hardly help it) and the good ole girl can handle it fine for the small jumps (3-4') anything more than that, I would want better front springs. The good thing is, that after all the dirt track riding is done, you still have a workhorse that can pull, plow, go through just about any 4wheeler mudhole and most 4x4 truck mudholes, and shine on the hill climbs, drag strip (raced a banshee not too long ago and whooped it until top end) and trail riding. Not only that, but you can carry along enough stuff for an extended outing into the great outdoors and it won't even break a sweat.

 

Hey Dirthead,
I have a buddy who just traded in a totally tricked out Wolverine AND a Lakota for a new P-650. (He however kept his Raptor for summer riding, but I have a feeling that he probably won't be riding it much after he gets his new CDI Box from BEARMAN.) He is in the "over 40" crowd, and he just raves about the smoothness of ride compared to his sport bikes. Says that he can ride all day on his Prairie without getting his internal organs re-arranged, and this guy rides HARD and FAST! (How 'bout you WVBARTMAN?)

I definately agree with Conman though; If you want to really ride a P650 like a sport bike, mods are necessary! (In fact, talk to the dealer about trading up to some <u>real </u>tires before you even pick up your new bike. (I was able to get my bike equipped with the tires and wheels mentioned below for an unbelievable $250 extra! It will cost you three times that to buy good aftermarket tires and wheels, and then your stuck with that crap that you can't pay someone to take off your hands!)

 

I used to have a Polaris 400 Xplorer and one of the reasons I wasnt sure about getting a 650 is because the Xplorer handled so good and I was afraid the 650 would handle like a truck.

Well I bought the 650 and Im happy to tell you that it has even sportyer handleing than my old Xplorer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Andy G

 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replys, it helps to hear from you all, especially before I shell out $6 grand. I was talking with one of the dealers near by and he told me to stop by and take a ride on a used P650 he has to see for myself how it feels.

Anyone else out there who wants to share their experience with the "sporty" side of the P650 just leave a reply. I read an article where they had tricked out a P650 for dune riding by taking out the front wheel drive and droping about 60 lbs, has anyone ever seen a P650 at the dunes and how did they do?

Dirthead

 

In actuality, Kawasaki is coming out with a Sport/Performance 700cc Quad called the V-Force 700. It is the Prairie V-Twin engine pumped up to 697cc and put into a 2 wheel drive Sport chassis weighing about 100 pounds less than the Prairie 650. It comes with the P650's Auto Trany, Shaft Drive, but gets a more aggresive CDI box. They will be out around the end of Feb. first of March.

Just thought I would let you know.

 

Dirthead: I was were you are a few months ago, I have a Lakota also. I debated for 2 years on getting a 650. Jumped in and got one in Oct. LOVE IT, have not been on the Lakota since.

 

the 650 makes a good sport quad, probably better with someone under fifty and thinner.
In sept 2001 i went to have a run with some friends up north, nice run, lots of honda's a soaped up 350 2 wheel drive, pipes, boared out.jetted, and fast yamaha , some offroad bikes. At the end of the day we were up pretty high and working our way back to the vehicles, Yep came upon a trail heading downhill. Seems pretty smooth , trail was worn smooth clear up to the top of banks on eitherside 20 to 30 ft. wide and every forty feet a huge mogal. There were offroad motor cycles flying everywhere, i think while we were going down hill at breakneck speed that one passed me three time, that cat could ride. Any way the yamaha was gone in a flash, he had spent a lot of time here and it was evident.
My friend on new rubicon waited for me and started picking up speed next thing we were racing, and taking these big jumps. I was really taking it easy , but soon cought on how to give it the gas when leaving the top of these bumps and soon was outrunning the rubi, he had to admit the power was unbelievable. the guy on offroad bike couldn't believe how the kawi responded to those moguls. it was then that i understood all the things that kawi did right , no thirdworld crap for a motor and the harder you ride the better the rear suspension got. OH! by the way the guy on yamaha had to have a piece of the new kawi, Later the remarks from the rubi guy were something like this. " it wouldn't matter what gear you started out in , you still wouldnt outrace a kawi 650"

 

I think you need to give this a bit more thought, specifically what you want to do with your machine.

Do you NEED and WANT a 4 wheel drive machine? Will you USE a 4 wheel drive machine? Kawie put the power plant in the 650 to help power the weight and size. The combination works so well, you now have a utility machine classified as a sport bike.

BUT, make no mistake about it, a P650 will not outrun or outhandle a Raptor or the upcoming 700 v-twin. Those are true sport bikes, and are meant for that kind of riding.

All that being said, what is it you want? If you NEED and will USE the 4 wheel drive, then go with the Prarie. Of the Monster Quads, it is really the only sport/utility quad. Read any ATV magazine review...they all say it is the winner. BUT, if you want a sport bike, which WILL give you lower wieghts, and the "motocross feel", then keep looking.

My .02 cents, and I am back to the eggnogg! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Chucky