Heres my story. Went riding at one of Iowa's fine OHV parks last weekend. There were a lot of fast quads all talking about who was fast.....who was not...ect. Then they started to drag race so I joined in.

First I will tell you what mods I have:
HPD Trail pipe/RCR muffler aka damn loud!
HPD clutch kit
K&N filter w/modded air box
Boyesen Power Reeds
Wiseco piston @ .040 oversize running 92 octane fuel

Anyway the first race was between me, a piped 400 EX, and a stock Kawi 650. We took off racing to the end of the 100 yard race on very dry hard dirt.(We need some rain)

I was shocked by the results. The Kawi led the entire thing, but I was catching him at the end. I am positive I have a much higher top-speed, maybe around 70+ mph. I did beat the 400 EX thought!

The next races were crazy!! Everyone seen us race so more joined in. We were 8 quads wide. It was the same results each time. 1st. modded Banshee. 2nd. Me or the 400 EX or Kawi 650. I was very impressed on how close I stayed with the Banshee.

But the Kawi 650 impressed me the most. It would take off with little/no wheel spin. I think he was in 4WD. Then he just quietly motored to the finish. WOW! pretty cool.

I spun a lot on the take-off as did the Banshee. The 400 EX would wheelie each time he shifted. If I would have used 4WD I would have pulled a bigger holeshot and maybe beaten the Banshee in the 100 yards...then he would have caught me no problem.

Like I said I was impressed with the Kawi....not bad for a utility!

'96 Scrambler 400 4x4
HPD Trail pipe
HPD clutch kit
K&N filter
Boyesen Power Reeds
Wiseco piston

more to come......

 

They seem to have very good low end, but the Kawi650's top speed will be about the same as the xplor400 in the high 50's very low 60's. But excelent take off power!

 

My 650 will run 67 mph on the top end. I only weigh 145lbs though, so that may help. I have just recently removed the racks from my 650 as I never haul anything on them anyway, and it lightens the quad up by about 30lbs. I haven't had the chance to race anyone yet. I do love this machine [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I have read numerous times that the 650 will take a 400ex in a drag race, glad to hear it confirmed from someone who is unbiased, and just witnessed the event.

 

Yeah....it has good take-off. I am pretty sure I would have taken him if I would have used 4WD, I just spun way too much.

But hey...it was fun! I just wish a Raptor would have been in the mix!

 

How about an LT500R Quadzilla? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Guys, first off I like Polaris as much as Kawasaki. I almost bought the Polaris SP700 because of IRS. I ended up with a 650 based on a buddy and me dragging a 700 and 650 at a Kawi/Pol dealership in Fargo, ND. The 650 won by at least five lengths or more no matter who drove it. After paying for the 650 but before picking it up, I got buyer's remorse thinking the 700 would be better for my hunting activities. But then I got my new 650 and took it offroad. I truly cannot say which I would like better because I certainly have 130 offroad miles now on my 650 and zero on the 700. But the 650 proved to me that with locking differential and the VTwin power I do not necessarily need IRS for my particular ATV needs. I can go through anything thus far that my IRS friends are going through.

But it sure is fun spanking them in drag races and YES, its quiet. Out-of-the-hole speed is phenomenal. Throttle response is instant and full of torque from zero to 45mph. But from what I understand, the governor system kills torque above 50mph. My 650 accelerated considerably slower than a SP700 at 50mph and above. But my top speed is 68mph with stock tires on pavement and that too is slower than the SP700.

These are just my opinions since I own a 650 and have experience with it. I could have flipped a coin and been happy with a 650 or 700. If I had bought the 700 this experience would have been one-sided that way too! They are both great ATV's and it made deciding hard.

Daryn

 

The Kawi is kinda in a nitch of it's own. "Sport" speed, and utility 4x4 and power. Just a note, with the addition of a 40mm flatslide to the 700, you gain about 3-4 lengths in a drag.

Ken

 

I sort of think of the Prairie 650 as a scrambler with better mud protection, racks, and shaft drive. Sort of a sport 4x4 wearing a utility outfit.

 

Sort of 92LT but you forgot locking differentials that rock. Escaping mud or escalating steep, muddy, inclines is quite easy with the locked diff.

Daryn

 

Well guys, I have one of each. I was considering a 500 Scram 4X4 or a Magnum 500, untill I test rode a 650. That test erased any doubts I may have had. The Pairie would probably run neck and neck with my 400 Scram when it was stock. The quad is simply incredible. I have not been stuck, stranded or had to get off of it.

If you only could have one quad, and you need racks and some utility use, this is the quad to own.