I'm pretty much set on the 5 speed Vinson, but just noticed that the BF 650's MSRP is just a couple hundred more than the Vinson's. Now I'm unsure again. What do you guys think? The main difference is power of course. From what I heard the Vinson is a better all around quad and will handle much better than the BF.

I am still leaning towards the 5 speed Vinson b/c I like the idea of a manual shift 500cc quad and I thought that would add to the sportiness of machine. But the BF has more power! If I get the BF 650 now, it will be the same cost as buying a pipe later on for the Vinson but with more power and a locker up front!

Sure, more power is good, but will I be giving up some versatility/handing with the BF?

What do you guys think?

Monday afternoon there will be a new quad in the garage!

 

Also, how fast can you go in reverse on the Vinson. I was upset to find out it doesn't have a reverse override button. I definately need it to be able to have some ***** in reverse.

 

..we have both a 03 Vinson 5-spd and an 03 Prairie 650..love the 5-spd vinson !! nice power on the prairie..BUT be prepared for the 3rd world design clutching on the prairie...squeaky belt.....re-adjust, re-adjust, and re-adjust...after awhile it really gets old... !!

 

i cant add anything about the vinson, but my brothers 02 kawi prairie 650 is unbelievable. he tortures that poor thing and it only asks for more. thats why i bought a brute force 750. as for the belt he has 2000 miles on it and he only changed the belt once and i dont think it really needed it. never has adjusted it either. good luck with whatever you get. they are all great to ride [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Well to keep the belt from wearing you can add different cluth springs and that makes it not slip as much so that helps wiht the belt on the prairie

The locker is a big help but if you decide to go with the Vinson a Detroit gearless locker isnt that much

I think the deciding factor is the power and the handling. Have you driven both or just going on opinions of others?

 

No manual machine has a over ride for the reverse that I know. The only reason auto machines do is because it can be dangerous if there was not a override button because the pulleys on a auto changes the pulley ratio when RPM and load change which means if there was no over ride button on a auto and you were sitting on a dry flat surface and you punched it you could be able to go almost as fast in reverse as you could in the forward gear which is unsafe. The manual uses a pre set gear that only will put a cretin gear ratio out that will not change when the rpm and load change. With a manual will still get power and wheel speed it needs to get out of most situations but it is more controlled and the gear will limit wheel speed to a safer level when rpm are maxed out. The Manual Vinson has plenty of power and speed in reverse High/Low range and I have never had a power problem with the reverse bogging down and 98% of the time I can back out of most nasty spots as long as I don't get hung up. Hope this helps

 

MudHunter69,

You've been a good help. I'm used to autos and when I didn't see a reverse over ride I kinda got worried. Thanks for clearing that up.

Syrupdawg,

I haven't driven the BF, I'm just going by what I heard. It's a toss up. I can get more power and a locker with the BF, but if I stick with the Vinson I get the option of a 5 speed (which I like), more adjustable suspension, and a better handling quad (from what I heard).

One thing I don't like about the BF is the pencils for drive shafts. I dunno...maybe all that Polaris advertising got to me. I just hate how puny they look.

Thanks.

 

I'm not trying to knock any machines but there is no comparison. My girlfriend has an 04 vinson and I have an 04 prairie 700.
The vinson doesn't have throttle response, poor brakes, no locking diff, and low range is too low. The two quads ride pretty similar.
the kaw just has soooo much more power with the locking diff.

 

offrder15,

I ride a lot with kawasaki's and really like them. The prairie 650 and 700 are very reliable and handle well. We ride in swamps and mud a lot a I haven't seen a belt slip yet. My best friend has a P650 and has changed the belt once. He had 1800 hard miles on it when his belt went. I have a 5 speed manual Vinson and it can hold its own with the bigger quads but the v-twins are very powerful. I just wanted a manual shift so I went with the vinson and love it. I like Suzuki and Kawasaki and don't think you will go wrong with either. However before you buy a BF 650 check the location of the intake to the airbox. My brother has a BF 750 and got a lot of water and mud in his engine thru the intake. I not talking about sinking his quad either. I mean in water around as high as his tires or lower. The intake is behind the steering column and is exposed to the front wheel fender wells. My brother has mudlites and when he turns the tires can sling mud, water and other trash directly up to the intake. By the time we realized this it was to late for him. He practically had to have his motor rebuilt and had less than 20 hours on it. The good thing is Kawasaki took care of it and it did not cost him. To me this is a major design flaw for Kawasaki and most won't admit it. A snorkle will fix the problem but you shouldn't have to have a snorkle to ride in 2' of water/mud or less.

The BF 650 may not have this problem but you might want to take a look. Just thought I would share this info with you.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: Syrupdawg


The locker is a big help but if you decide to go with the Vinson a Detroit gearless locker isnt that much

q]


its only $300 acually
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