Hey guys, I used to visit this site alot a couple of years ago and I finally joined after finding it again. I was raised on dirtbikes but enjoy quads just as much. I've got a 400EX and love it. I also have 2 YZ 250's and a CR 250. I have a question for Prairie 650 owners out there....How does it perform in deep snow in reguards to the solid rear axle (ground clearance) Some time in the "semi-near" future I plan on buying one of the large bore sport-utility 4x4's. I want something that I can use for "sport" riding but also somthing my dad can use for hauling things and plowing snow. I know that there isn't a 4x4 out there that is going to behave like a pure sport quad, but the Prairie 650 seems to me like the closest thing to this. I have a few riding buddies that have Polaris 500 Sportsman's and I like to ride with 'em but when the snow gets deep I'm left behind. Have any of you Prairie owners noticed a difference in going thru deep snow or mud with your machine compared to others with IRS like the Grizzly, Sportsman, Rincon etc. Maybe some of you ride with people that have these other quads. Also, Another question I had about the Prairie 650 is about the lever to engage the diff lock. Do you have to be fully stopped to engage the lever? Or can you engage it while moving? I assume you can't pull it if you're about to get stuck and your wheels are spinning or am I wrong? I'd appreciate any info you guys could give me.
Thanx,
InsaneApe

 

I'll let someone who owns a 650 tell you about the deep mud and snow stuff (I have ridden a couple but not in mud or snow), but from what I've read and been told, it can handle both very well with better quality tires than the Dunlop stockers. I do know that the front locking differential is really just a wet multiple disc clutch in the front differential. The harder (or farther) you pull the handlebar lever which is joined to the clutch pack actuating lever by a cable, the more solidly the axles are joined because you are squeezing the clutch pack together and reducing slippage (or difference in axle speeds). If you pull it fully back, the front is locked (axles turn together like a solid axle). The beauty of this design is that you can "feather" it so you can let the pressure off to steer if needed. It is very simple and can be activated at any speed or in any gear although Kawasaki recommends that it be used at low speeds. I imagine this is strictly for safety as it makes steering very difficult if the front end is locked in true 4-wheel-drive. So---yes you can pull it if your wheels are spinning.
Just so you know---the rear sealed "brake" on the Prairie 650 (on the driveshaft in the swingarm) is basically the same thing---a wet clutch pack. Again, simple and effective.

 

I'm in the middle of a drought, so I can't help too much with deep snow or mud. I've been in 3-6 inches of slick stuff and had a blast, but I wasn't too concerned about high centering. The prairie is a kick *** sport-ute. It soaks up landings like a cadilac cruising the interstate. I've only jumped as fast as 50mph, others might be able to offer other opinions. For the front diff. You can engage it if the front wheels are spinning, but it is easier on the equipment if you engage it before. If one wheel is spinning and you lock it in, there can be some accelerated wear and tear.

 

I drive mine in very deep snow. It is wonderful fun. The solid axle is a plus because it doesn't collect snow like the irs machines do. That isn't a very big plus, since every machine gets packed full of snow everywhere they can.

 

I was just out to a test run on both my wifes 300 and my 650 to see if we could take a ride this weekend. No go. Both of them got stuck within 100 feet. We have a lot of snow though. I'd say a minimum of 26 inches on the trail. The quads both just pushed snow up in front and eventually dug in and then down.

I have to wait until my snowmobile friends pack it down a bit.

Chris

 

Put some money into decent tires and the machine will go just about anywhere you will ever want to go. You can't find a better SPORT/utility out there!

 

Tire width is very important in the snow. My mudrunners do really well. My Mudzillas suck in the snow unless I break through ice in a puddle and get into the mud, then they are really good.

 

Insane

I ride with fellows who have banshees, raptors, honda ex's, even 500 polarisis for the best sport ute the 650 is by far the nearest to these machines you can come across. If not for the weight I can run with the hot rods on the bush trails. When they do manage to get in front of me they usually get stuck and I have to pull them out LOL. I will get some ribbing for that one for sure. The four wheel lockup is excellent you can engage it while on the run and disengage it the same way. This works well when comming to the mud and just before leaving it to ragain steering ability. As for snow it works well up to 12in depending how packed it is, if it is powder it is great fun especially with 28in Outlaws. The rear brake internal system is by far the best as it wont freeze up when you travel back to home from playing in the snow. I have a Honda 450ES and the rear brake freezes up after playing in the snow so you either have to heat it up to brake it loose or try to move it hopefully not breaking something. Drum breaks suck in the winter snowy, mushy season. The Kawi 650 is the best sport utility out there far as I know. Irs is nice but can't hold a candle to a solid rear axle. You will make the best choice for your riding situation, I rib my friends as much as they rib me we have fun no matter what the machine.

 

i have 27" mudbugs on mine , works great in a foot of old snow and even up to 2 ft. in some places. The straight axle is a plus under these conditions but the front end packs with snow that turns to ice later. You cant just leave your quad out to freeze overnight , you have to get it all cleaned out before it freezes. Most times after a ride like that some has allready froze and you have to make sure your boots can turn free. Failure to do so will probably get you a torn boot.
The fun factor is there, a nice heated garage would come in handy. wife wont let me bring quad into cabin so i have to clean it out.

 

Hey man, thanks for your help in reguards to my questions about the Prairie 650. The info you gave me helped out alot.