Well at this point my feelings are mixed. After spending that past three years riding highly modified P650 and P700's I have become use to a very responsive machine that was more sport then utility. Just this year our race team, FD Racing, run the Iowa Hare Scramble Series, the Minnesota Hare Scramble Series as well as selected GNCC events. We went to Texas and qualified for the 12 Hours of ATV America which will be ran on October 30 and where we will have the opportunity to compare out skills against pros and top A riders from the GNC and the GNCC and many local series from Texas to Georgia. The P700 I have rode this past year was equipped with a Dyna CDI, Elka Shocks, Maxxis tires mounted on OMF bead locks, a Dalton clutch and HMF pipe.

With this in mind it became very difficult to compare the BF750 to these machines; however, I will try to be as objective as possible. First, the BF is no P700! It's a totally different type of machine. You sit on the machine different, the seat is softer, and it seems as tall as a sky scraper. We sat my new BF next to one of our race ready P700's and I thought Prairiewrench was going to die laughing. It's like parking an SUV next to a Shelby Cobra. Once we started riding the first thought that came to mind is that I needed to adjust the shocks to their stiffest settings so I turned around and went back to the shop and Prairiewrench adjusted the shock settings. When I went back out it rode much better but I immediately realized that the BF is an entirely different machine the Prairies. As the day progressed and I became more use to the BF I knew that it was just a matter of time for this 47 year old body to enjoy the plush ride of the BF. That’s when Prairiewrench got the bright idea to put one of DYNA’s CDI’s on the BF. It immediately came alive and when Prairiewrench pushed the throttle the BF stood straight up! I took the BF with the CDI on it back out into the woods and I felt that it was easier to ride for what ever reason. I think it was because the extra powered made it easier to transverse obstacles and when the front end wanted to dive a little gas brought right back up.

PW and I already know what we are going to do to the BF. We are adding the DYNA CDI, replacing the Dunlap tires with Maxxis Big Horn Radials, adding OMF bead locks (this is just a personal preference), Elka shocks that are being made by Yann at Elka, and a wrench.

Overall my first comment is not to expect to be a P700 with 50 more cc’s because that is not what it is. Where the P700 is more sport then utility, the BF is more utility then sport. However, we believe with a few changes we can greatly improve on the experience of riding the BF. You will continue to see P700 dominating the Utility class in the GNCC and at your local hare scramble series, but for a plush, fun machine to ride for fun I believe the BF will have it’s place.

So, am I happy with my decision to trade my race built P700 for the BF? The answer would have to be that only time well tell; however I already see two advantages to the BF. 1.) The plush ride of an IRS machine will be a lot easier on this 47 year oldman!!! 2.) Prairiewrench can’t come over and “borrow” parts for one of the P700’s. All in all I believe the BF will fell a nice market nitch for Kawasaki and for those of us who prefer a V-twin over anything else.

 

Does anyone know the horse power of the king. and i think its goin a be a close shoot out but the brute will take it.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

The brute might take it in acceleration, but in a shootout the King will be a clear winner due to better engine braking, EFI, better 4x4 shifting, better diff lock mechanism, better handling, lower seat, lower CG, cg more toward center of the quad.

I have no doubt in my mind the KQ will stomp the BF in an overall shootout.

If it is just a mud shootout, that might be different. The BF really only has one thing going for it over the KQ, and that is low end power.

 

I would agree with all of that.

 

How is the engine braking and diff lock mech better???

 

The Yamaha/Suzuki belt has a sprag clutch that disengages the belt when you stop, even in gear. This allows the atv to run with the belt tight all the time. No more worry about belts slipping and checking and adjusting for deflection. This design also gives is much better engine brakeing because the brakeing is done internally instead of using the the kebc motor that is prone to tear up over time.

I had a 2000 Kodiak and I know the difference in the two belt designs. The kawi is more tuneable but thats it.

The diff lock on the kawi is cable operated and requires adjustment from time to time. It also relies on how much pressure you pull the lever with as to the amount of lock you get. I have pulled mine all the way to the grips before and it not lock like it should. I also am 100% sure it was adjusted right. With the Suzuki design you just put it in 4wd and flip up a switch and thats it. It engages positive and 100% with its servo motor and is maintenance free. It also allows the rider a free hand if needed else where instead of being required to hold the lever.

 

To much electronics. Just something else to break and need fixen. The king has to much electronics for me and the water i go through.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

That is not exactly true. There are electrical systems on the BBF that the Suzi doesn't need.

The KEBC is electronics that the KQ does all mechanically with a simple one way bearing (and it is smoother). No maintenance either. Advantage KQ.

The 4x4 actuator on the suzi has simple circuitry compared to the controller thingy on the brute. Advantage KQ.

EFI? EFI is contained within the same module as the CDI, and that only needs a few sensors and an injector. It is waterproof. They have been making those things waterproof for years. Injected autos are more reliable than carbs. These systems will probably have a light what will tell us exactly which sensor is malfunctioning. Fuel injection is far superior than carbs as far as durability is concerned. If they use good connectors and use waterproof electrical grease, no amount of water riding wil affect it. In fact, if you submerge, EFI will be easier to get started than a carb because you can get water in a carb, but not EFI. Advantage KQ.

 

I agree with all that. The KQ will be the better over all quad. Ok I don't want to go here but what does everyone think of the new Sportsman 800? I'm a Suzuki guy myself but just want to know how this machine will fair amoung the KQ and BF?

 

NYROC,

I've read post after post of you wanting to stick with a Prairie 650 over a BF, then you decided you wanted a BF, now you want a KQ. Who cares. Just get one and be done with it. You shouldn't make assumptions about quads that you've never thrown a leg over. The KQ is surely an awesome quad as is the BF, the Grizz, the P700/TP 700 and the SP 700/800. The differences between all the big bores are becoming so minute that it's simply a matter of picking one that appeals to you.

I'll clue you in on something you might not believe, much of the bantering about the short-comings of the BF is BS. I've owned a P650, a P700 and now I own a TP700 and a BF. The BF is truly an awesome quad.
I'll jump out on a limb and state that it's at least as good as your beloved but never ridden KQ.

I'm not saying your wrong concerning any of your aforementioned statements, I'm just saying let's see some actual comparisons before you jump to all of these premature conclusions.