Well I've been looking at the P650 and can say that i'm pretty impressed with it. But I've also just started looking at the sportsman 700 and am starting to wonder whitch is the best atv in ALL filds. Now I know that each atv has its owne advantages and disadantages but I want to know witch is the OVER ALL better atv. I'm not saying that I dont want to know what one can do better than the other because I do, so tell me that and then tell which one wins in your book as the best over all. I'm sure every one will have there owne openion but I want to hear them all.

 

Although I cannot vouch for the SP700, I have ridden an '02 P650 my buddy bought 5 months ago. It is one sweet bike! The motor rocks, smooth running awesome power, and zero problems to speak of. The only things that need improvement on the P650 IMO are the solid rear axle, and the crappy under-sized stock tires they put on it. Also from what I've read on the forums, you have to watch the belt tension pretty closely. My buddy hasn't had any problems with it as of yet. Good luck, maybe someone can offer some info about the SP700 or do a search, there's tons of info here...

 

I'sent there any one here who has some opinons on the subject I'm sure someon has or knows someone who has ridden them both?

 

here ya go..
the 650 is faster, but nothing a few mods to the 700 wouldn't help even things out.

650/660/600 test ride review by polarismech.

 

If the prairie has more torque the the sportsman (thats what every one has told me) how come the sportsman has a higher towing rateing?

 

Ask which ATV is better in the Kawasaki forum also and then compare the replies.

 

the kawie has 17% more power based on weight to power. I own the sp700 and I am in love. Although it is new so ive not had enough time to break anything. The sportsman is definitely a cush ride. My two choices would be the same as yours the kawie 650 or the sp700. The sportsman has had a few problems. See how the kawasaki is fairing and maybe that will help your decision. I bought the polaris because it is the most powerful and well thought out machine on the market. I have two complaints about the sp700. The 4x4 disengages when you are going down a descent. 4x4 on demand is cool but that is a problem if its steep and there is loose gravel or soil. Fortunately the brake lever on the handlebars is for front and rear. Also it is a very heavy machine. It has the highest weight capacity and towing capacity with a very powerful motor. So I forgive it for being heavy but it could be a major problem it the mud doesnt have a bottom. Which is par for the course to 4wheel in alaska ,bottomless mud.

 

I have actually rode all three bikes and no matter what it depends on how you like to ride...

Overall best ride would have to go to the Pol 700...very plush and heavy enough to be a true worker...Kawi is to quick and light to pull the same...despite what is said above about the POLS weight it is a very good mud machine...it is very difficult to handle coming down steep hills...and doesnt go up hills as well as the griz or kawie...as we rode the Pol never seemed to zip up the hills as quickly or effectively as the Kaw and the Griz despite which one of us was riding it...so rider expertise was a no player in the judgement...my partner with the pol said there was maintenance problems and he did NOT like the weight of the machine...said when he test drove thought it would be OK...but now that he has been riding it thinks otherwise as it seems a little unstable in tricky off-camber situations and hill decent...he likes the 700 and will keep it as he does alot of utility work with it...but believes the other two has a slight edge in aggressive recreational/trail riding

Grizz is a nice rider as well and I think plays better then the Pol...it seems zippier through the trails and handles real nice going up/down hills and in o/c situations...I will say that the quad does seem tippy and has body roll if you have any speed in tight turns...my friend bought himself a grizz and his wife a prairie...says he prefers the grizz...he is more the hunter/trail rider...doesnt do alot of utility riding...friend loves taking it in any muddy area he sees...had a little problem when he first got the quad but dealer fixed and it goes like a champ...he doesnt have stock tires and the POL seems to hang pretty well with him in the mudholes and riverbeds. Kawi has the stock tires and despite this fact has gone every where the griz has...griz just seems to make it through the real thick stuff a little smoothier (again it could be tires) Griz is a very nice bike and the best looker out of the three in my opinion

Kawie in my opinion, and for my riding, is the best of the three and the one I chose. It tops all three in recreational riding...the straight axle isnt as plush a ride but does out perform the others for gunning it throught the trails...it accelerates, corners, and handles the technical, off-camber situations the best out of the three...my partner with the griz has rode 2-3 years longer then i and we periodically race through the trails and i beat him on a regular basis and he smokes me when we exchange bikes...straight forward rock crawl is the lone exception with the griz probably taking it there due to ground clearance and the independant suspension...now i have not had all three in 4x4 with lock differential on...but in 4x4 and 2x4 i thought, along with the other riders I ride with, the Kawie handled the best...brakes are the best hands down...now we dont drag them...but the consensus is the kawie would win...but again this is unproven as i cant see anyone buying a quad like this because it does well in drag racing...i have had some belt problems requiring adjustment before the 500 mile mark...i personally dont like that...but other aspects of the bike more than make up for it...and when we are out riding it seems like everything migrates to the kawi and it is the machine that everyone wants to compare to...the KVF 650 does do the two aspects of the sport/utility identifier the best of the three and would have to be my pick as the favorite of the three

 

In the drag @ about 400 yds. the kaw wins every time. The sp700 throttle response just feels "time delayed" I don't know if anyone else has noticed but you hit the throttle and sit there the revs come up you think something is wrong but it eventually pulls out. A previous post asked about towing cap. maybe that's why because the 700 cluthes engage @ higher rpm(not for sure but maybe)

 

Just a thought on that last post. A clutch kit will always help acceleration and backshifting, what a big heavy 4x4 needs. I would see if the dealer would "throw in" a clutch kit to seal the deal up. On a machine that pricey, there is a little more room to bargain. My dealer will cut off at least $300 for paying cash. The complete clutch kit is only $160 give or take. Whatever model you choose, see what they will throw in as far as accessories or extras. Tell them you are looking at the "other brand" and let them try and sell to you. Remember, you are giving them the business, you are the customer, and you can buy it from anyone you choose. Too many times the dealers think just because you are there you will buy from them. Let them know up front you are looking at something else. Good luck on whatever you get.Bubba