700 or 800 that is the question sounds like a soap opera. Mind you if it is an 800 would make sense because Duncan Racing sold off their 800 and I am sure they would not sell this baby to the general public because the motor would not hold under regular use. Even if it were an 800 it will be detuned and a 650 with an updated cdi will run all over a 700 or 800 just my thoughts.

Prairiewrench,
Will see what I can do about the modulator may have some news about the cdi then too.

 

1. I don't think it makes sence to use a P650/ V700 when they could use the 700 in both machines. The only way I could see them making an 800 is if they were to make an entirely new machine to be above the prairie 650. There have been rumors of Suzuki making an 800 so maybe it is the first true joint venture between the two companys. Logically it would seem that they will put the 700 in the Prairie.
2. If they do in fact follow these forums, they should have switched the Prairie tranny spring to the black one that almost all owners do, and they could have gave the front struts pre load adjustments. Also, in case they didn't hear or see on these forums, the Mojave needs updated. lol.

p.s. I am not bashing your post, just looking at it from another angle.

 

Well, I would curtainly love a 700 in my machine but I spoke to Mike Penland the other day and happened to ask him what he knew about the prairie 700 coming out and he said "you can't believe everything you here". That was good enough for me. If it does come out, I don't think it will be anytime soon. Just my opinion Though.

 

Prairiewrench, wow, that would be awesome to have a new machine even before the race! Is that to ensure that they finish it? LOL

Alltoys, thanks. I have a lot of fun!!!!!!

 

ATVGurl,
I can see you holding your machine just far enough behind Priariewrench then at the last second you pull ahead leaving Priariewrench along with some others long behind you. I had to do that Prairiewrench no matter what the outcome just as long as you can still call each other friends at the end........ATVGurl can douse everyone with champagne LOL!!

 

My 2 cents
before they make a p700 .Kawi should figure out how to make beter plastic. My 650 plastic is all ripped and looks like S*&t.
My hoda plastic is still like new
Just my 2 cents

 

My thinking is this, wait,see and don't make any plans around anything being new. No-one has any hard information about what may or may not be happening, everything is just supposition at this point. Most peoples Kawasaki sources are employees at the local shop, and let's face it... by and large these employees are not any more informed than any of us. Many are less so as once the clock out they are done w/the bikes and have no interest in research or even playing on the forums.

There has been no mention of it from truly informed sources like the media, no spy shots, no "leaks" that kawi has released to get the juices flowin' and intimidate the competition. These kinds of rumors are constantly floating around about everything from quads, to bikes, cars... It starts off with person 1 telling person 2 it would be cool if Kawi upped the engine to a 700, since the Polaris is a 700 and Kawi should try to beat everyone in engine size. Person 2 tells 3 he was discussing it w/1. 3 tells 4 he heard it was happening. 4 works for a dealer, tells everyone it's likely to happen, and eventually this gets back to 1 and 2, and voila we have confirmation. It never happens but we are forever stuck with the same rumor, like that stupid JATO on a car legend. God, how I hate that story.

I figure kawi spent millions of dollars on developing a new never before used engine just for the prairie. Millions on R&D and testing, millions on making the machines and castings to put it all together. I can't see them scrapping all of that just to build a slightly bigger engine. Supposing they want a 700, bore would be the cheapest route, although stroke would be a better power investment. For an 800, I believe they would need to up both. So either they scrap the basic engine after only 2 years, or at least scrap the crank, pistons and cylinders, again after only 2 years, and retool for new parts. They then need to continue making the old parts for the better part of a decade to support the machines that are already out as well as all the new parts. This would cost lots of cash especially since the 2 year old engine would not have even paid for itself yet, much less shown a profit. That's bad business.

Especially since a small increase in size is likely only going to net a few hp and torque points. Why spend that much money for such a minor return when the engine already in production is capable of significantly more power just by removing a little of the timing retardation in the CDI. That would take only a minor time investment to reset the chips programming on new CDI's. If Kawi wanted to be truly undisputed king of the mountain, all they have to to is start putting the original CDI in the new bikes, giving them substantially more power than anything else in existence. That would end all argument about speed and power in the big bores, at least until the other companies start releasing their twins. Then the war would be on again, and I can see the need for a larger engine. And let's face it, if we need a larger engine and kawi wants to save a little cash, they could always drop the inline 4 out of the zx12R into a quad. That would be worth saving up for. But in all honesty I don't think the people who decide what will be produced want to build a more powerful sport/ute right now for liability if nothing else. They know that right now they are more powerful, and that if the competition tops them all they have to do is mod the CDI and they're back on top. They can do this for quite a few jumps before any actual engine work is needed, and it costs them nothing. That's good for business.

Don't take me wrong, I'm not an imformed source and I'm definitely not saying anyone is wrong. I'm just thinking out loud basically, and this is my viewpoint. If kawi does release a 7 or 800 with an actual power increase in the near future I will be more than happy to say I was wrong. But I don't think we'll see it until Yam. or Suz. release a v-twin that's capable of being real competition. Sorry I get so long winded once I'm on the soapbox.

 

alltoys,

I can see that, too....but only in a dream [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img] After all, I ride a Rancher. I'm racing with big dogs on p650's! As soon as we hit a straight stretch.....they're gone. But the woods sections are okay. Prairiewrench will still be my friend in the end because he knows this [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] It'd be fun to ride with them on an equal machine, though just to see what I'm really made of...good or bad! In the meantime, I have a blast riding wherever I am, so break out the champagne anyway!

Prairiewrench,

If you got a V-Force, is that what the guys would be riding in the race? If so, that would mean that they are in the sport class instead...is that what you're thinking? Or would you not trade the p650 and have both in that case?

 

Prairewrench...the question you asked and let's forget about what the dealers are saying for one second, if you are in no hurry to have a new ATV then wait and see what comes out on the showroom floor . There will always be improvements on a product that we thought was almost perfect to begin with which means we could wait forever! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]
PS: I did read somewhere that the new 2004 Praire's will have better plastic, I do have to admit that I wasn't too impressed with the skin on my "03" P650, my "98" P400 plastic seems more durable.

 

I don't think that anyone should hold their breath waiting for a bigger, baddder Praire.They are still selling like hotcakes and I think that means they'll pretty much stay the same for a while yet.They longer Kaw can hold off changing assembly lines, the larger the profit margin.THAT is their # 1 concern. Besides that, don't forget how reluctant ATV manufacturers are to change product lines.

Kinda hafta wonder how big they can go before it bites 'em in the rear, anyways?