GOOD QUESTION,
I HAD A HONDA TRX 450 AND NOW I HAVE THE GRIZZLY
I RODE BOTH THE P650 AND THE GRIZZ AND I DONT JUST MEAN AROUND THE SHOWROOM. IN COMPARISON TO THE PRARIE YOU MAY AS WELL BUY A HONDA .
THE PRARIE FRONT END WILL BE DRAGGING ON THE GROUND LIKE A TIRED PUPPY.
KAWAI HAS TO DO A LOT OF WORK ON THEIR FRONT END TO SUPPORT A WINCH AND PLOW. ALL AROUND THEIR IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO NOT SAYING THAT THE GRIZZ IS PERFECT IN ANY WAY.I AGREE THEY HAVE TO FIX A FEW THINGS BUT YOU SHOULD RIDE BOTH MACHINES AND DECIDE FROM THERE. IF YOU WANT A CADILLAC BUY THE GRIZZ .

 

Yea a whole lot of work to the front ends on the Kawi like just replace the springs. How much work do you have to do to a Grizzly to keep it from rolling as much in hard cornering???

If you want a SPORT/utility buy the Kawi, if you want a UTILITY/sport by the grizzly and if you want a UTILITY by the 700 Polaras

 

Yeah, if you want a Cadillac, buy a griz. If you want a Porche, buy a Kaw.

 

<< [i]Also if you want to get bigger rubber on the Kawi you need a lift kit and/or wheel spacers, depending on the tires. The Grizz handles 27&quot; rubber with no spacers or lift kit quite easily.

This is not true.
Our p650 has 27 inch bearclaws and they never rub with two people and the suspension at its softest.
Just to let ya'll know.

 

I have 27&quot; 589's on mine. I weigh 225 &amp; ride with wife who weighs 116. No rubbing what so ever.

 

I have 27 inch dirt devils on factory rims and there is no rubbing and that is with me 200 lbs, my dad 190 lbs, 5 gallons of water 40 lbs and chain saw and other ods and ends 20 lbs about 450 lbs and no rubbing and it was set on the soft seeting from the dealer

 

If you want Utility with Speed get a Traxter XT, they are the kings of uitlity and they have good topend, if you want Sport/Utility, get a 660 Grizz, they can handle a plow with NO problems, atleast you get a winch with them. The Kawi is no good for real utility as the press has said it squashes under load. It is more sport then anything.

I have just got a 2002 Traxter XT and boy am I happy with it, can it pull and be loaded up. This thing gives confidence when working I tell ya. When it comes to real work, I go for the traxter, as GEARS are the way to go, belts, well look what happens with Polaris when you work them. Bang, belt burns, just read the Polaris forum. Even my 600 grizzly can't even come close to the traxter in working conditions.
The thing with the XT, is you get 1800.00 of addons for about 900.00 more then a normal traxter, oh ya if you don't like the step through get the BAG that eliminates it like I did.
Topend is about 55mph. Not bad and how fast do you want to really go.
The front end locks up hydrolically, electrical garbage.
Gas mileage is insane, i've put over 100 miles on 1 tank of gas.
Go back to back with any other ATV and you will pull them, just look at the August Dirtwheels, a 500 Traxter XT pulled the 700 Twin around and an 18 wheeler.

 

Yam8,
To mention a Polaris and a Yamaha in the same sentence with respect to comparing belt drive auto tranny reliablity in a quad, without mentioning that one of the two(Yamaha) is clearly and convincingly the better of the two, are the words of a person who is severly misinformed! At the same time I know some friends who own AC's, and Yamaha's who work the hell out of their belt drive auto's, without a problem. Gears are better when it comes to doing hard work. But, comparing a Polaris to any other auto is like comparing a Yugo to a Cadillac! Know what I mean?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Rick

 

The best value in the Sport Ute class is the 500HO. A proven design with nearly as much performance as the best out there.
The great part is that you can buy them new for around $5900 now that Polaris is pushing the 700 Sportsman.

 

Though MegaCrash makes a good point in the previous post, I would have to disagree. Mind you that does not make me any more right or wrong than MegaCrash. I have spent more time on my friend's SP500HO and my Prairie 650 than any other ATV's. The HO is a sweet, smooth ride and I feel it leans more to utility although its sporty applications are apparent. But for $6,100 I believe that the Prairie 650 is the best value of the sport/utility ATV's. If you look in my link you will see I have it decked out for hunting. I use it for pulling a trailer full of rock or dirt to landscape my yard. But get rid of all that garb and it rocks on the sport end. Powersliding is a hoot on the 650. I am finally mastering wheelies now that I have lost the fear of it. I leave my buddy's 500HO in the dust on trail rides. He is a way more aggressive rider than me. When he takes my 650, it takes forever for me to catch him in his own 500 HO. We both have 27&quot; tires and so far there is not one mudhole that his HO has gone through that I have not been able to get through with the same efforts or vice-versa. But all in all they are both a lot of fun and I would not hesitate to get another 650 or consider a 500HO for a second ATV.

Daryn