MOUNT:
I have the stock rims with 26" Kenda Bear Claws. They ride excellent, hook-up is awesome in almost all terrain. I would save the $$$ and keep the stock rims for now. The 25" Kendas are smaller than the stock tires...go with the 26" they are a shade bigger. There are lots of good tires out there now...but becareful when selecting size. Not all are created equal. Some 25" tires are smaller than the stockers...even some 26" tires are smaller. The new I.T.P mudlites look good as well. Same goes for the Hole shot ATR'S(these may be the sportiest...but not as well in mud and snow as the mudlites or Kendas. As for my speedo being thrown off...I don't know...but she still rips!


ROB

 

My 25" bear claws added a little more than .1" of ground clearence at the rear diff with 4.5 psi, vs the stock tires with same air pressure. The 26 inch claws will give you about .3" more ground clearence at the rear diff than the 25 inch ones. Also keep in mind a 26x12x12 rear tire weighs quite a bit more than a 25x10x12 rear tire.

I am not saying kawirob is wrong.

Kenda Bear Claws are great tires. I love mine, but they are notorious for having large variations in manufacturing within sizes. One set of 25 or 26 inch tires will sometimes vary from another set of the exact same size. If you can, try and get a local shop to match the internet mail order price so you can actually measure and compare the exact tire you are buying. All bear claws I have ever seen are shorter than claimed.

I would also suggest keeping the stock rims. If you have some extra cash. I would suggest getting progressive suspension instead of aftermarket rims. Its a great upgrade for the $$$.

 

Mount,
Regarding your question about Tires/wheels: I love the combination that I have selected, no complaints at all. I actually ordered with the new bike after hearing from buddies what junk the stockers are (Not worth the powder to blow them up; downright DANGEROUS!) I paid $250 additional to the dealer to have them installed, and that way I didn't have to worry about getting rid of the useless crap or have it sitting around. You might see if your dealer will do the same. I just rode a Prairie with the new ATR Radials last week and I LOVED them. They will be my next set when I wear the Claws out.

I regularly compare the speedometer readout vs. my GPS At 25-30 mph, the speedometer reads approx. 1 mph faster than the GPS. However, I don't know if this is due to the tire change as I have talked to several others who have made a similiar comparison with similiar results, who are riding various model quads from various manufacturers. For some reason all of the speedometers seem to show a bit faster than actual.

 

I agree with many here. The "C" series wheels and the Bear Claws. If your wallet is fat, and you don't run DEEP mud a lot get the Holeshot/ATR's. I have many friends with them, I plan on buying a set, too. Good luck with your decision. IMO, the P-650 is the ONLY way to fly.(literally!)
See my signature for my combo. This works well in the Appalachian Mtns., for me, anyway!

 

If you're looking for Reliability go with the Rincon. I had the Prairie 360 new in October and basically babied it. I've had nothing but problems with it. I blew the engine twice, body panels keep coming unhooked, cables seem to need adjustment daily and it's loud to ride. I paid $9400 Cdn for it and have had more than the value of this done in warranty work. If the 650 is anything like this avoid it. Also, bear in mind resell value. Kaw's just don't have it.

 

I don't know anything about the new 360, but I had a '99 400 Prairie prior to my new P650 and I haven't had a minutes problem with either of them, and I "ride em like I stole them". I am a stickler for PM (Regular oil changes with high quality synthetic oil, and air filter cleaning and maintenance, wash it after nearly every ride) and that's about it. I don't know much about re-sell value. I sold my old 400 to a buddy for $500 less than I paid for it a year after I bought it, and he hasn't had a minutes problem with it either.

However, I can't argue with Honda's reputation for reliability. All I'm saying is that the RINCON is not in the same league with the Prairie if someone is looking for a true "sport/utility". The RINCON may last years longer if it is ridden like most are ridden (ie: putting around a farm; hauling bails of hay; pushing snow with a plow, etc.) But from what I have seen, it is my to buddies who have the new RINCONS who are taking it in the shop after nearly every weekend ride for repairs. And again, I will be happy to give anyone who is interested names and phone numbers of these two guys, both of which will be more than happy to "tell it like it is".

 

HEY MUDZILLA:
Where is Neils Pond? I live in Paradise,Nfld...and there is a pond just across from my house called Neils Pond!I also will take the opportunity to welcome another "NEWFIE" to the forum. I have a KVF650 (P650) and I absolutely love it! I never have a problem and needless to say it's a beast! Too bad about your 360 though...I have a friend with one and he loves it. Matter of fact most dealers around here are selling them like hot cakes, and are getting rave reviews...plus converting alot of Honda riders to boot! My friend owns Pardy's recreation in Marystown (thats where I bought mine) even though it's 3hrs away. Before I bought Kawi I was not brand biased in the least...After owning a Kawi for about a year I AM VERY BRAND BIASED! I love Kawi! I would buy another in a heartbeat! Besides being reliable they are as tough as nails. I flipped mine completely over 2 weeks ago ...doing donuts in the snow. All that was broken was a mirror off my fairing($10.00) big deal. I have a sore hip though. My friend completely rolled his 360 over twice! down a icy embankment...where it rested back on it's wheels and stayed going! All he broke was a mirror as well ! Kawi takes a licking and keeps on ticking! I have a pic of my accident but won't post it in my album ...so my wife don't find out! I'll E- mail it to anyone who wants it though. Take care.

ROB

 

mount have you considerd the grizzly? if you read more posts on the 650, it sounds like they are full of clutch and belt problems. the grizzly is almost as fast as the p650 and it has independant rear suspension, and a lot better reliability record. read all the p650 posts before you make your decision!

 

Belt and clutch problems?? I think the only problems about the belt or the clutch is that the belt comes from the factory on the loose side, but that's easily adjusted. Once it's adjusted correctly, there are no belt or clutch problems. But your comment brought up something I'd like to mention. People talk about the IRS and how it has a higher ground clearance. Well, it does when you climb under it and measure it. But no one seems to mention that the ground clearance is variable. The ground clearance of a straight axle like on a Prairie is always the same except for a little spring in the tires. But the IRS will squat under weight and especially hitting a bump. I weigh 250 lbs. and I'm wondering what the ground clearance is on a Grizzly when I'm sitting on it.

 

Its a no brainer for how you say you ride. Just ride them all and you will buy the Kaw its that simple . I run the local ATV club so I get to ride them all. ( sold 2000 Grizz to get mine best thing I have done yet ) The 650 great work quad and on the weekends I get to smoke all my buddys to boot what more could you ask.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]