I'm debating between the Kawasaki 650 and the Grizzly 660. I'm leaning towards the Yamaha only because of the special financing. $69.00 Warn A2000 winch and 0% for 6 months. But then again I liked the 650 feel.

I went to the dealer yesterday and the sales person told me that in order to get the financing and winch from Yamaha I had to pay full retail. Any truth to this??? I was so furious about his comment I told him to shove it.

Any thoughts?

What's the best price in Minnesota or western Wisconson?

 

One more thing... This will be my second belt drive Quad. The first was a Polaris and I had constant problems with belt slippage. I'm very leery of belt drives but heard they have been improved significantly. Thanks

 

I have to second what 3tv says about the financing. I didn't use that special financing on my 02 grizz, but while I was buying mine, other peoeple were buying grizz at the the same time for under msrp and using that finance option. also, I have a buddy who bought from another dealership who did use that finance option and paid less then msrp.

regarding kawasaki vs yamaha, I can't say. both are prob nice rigs. I however love my grizz!!!!

good luck!!!

ps, I wish the winch deal was on when I bought mine!!!

 

I used to own a Prairie 650 and loved it; it was a great all around sporty 4x4. As far as belt problems, that does seem to be the Prairie 650 weakness. Mine at 500 miles started to "squawk" when I would take off. This did not effect the performance however, the Prairie still performed perfectly. It was frustrating though, as I believe a quad with only 500 miles should not do it. If you check out the Kawasaki forum, you will see that this belt squawk is a common problem, but as I said it doesn't seam to affect the performance. Also, the Prairie 650 belt does seam to be wearing out prematurely, but this seams to be the only problem that the Prairie 650 has. As for the Grizzly, I have read that it has a much better belt design that keeps the belt under constant tension, never allowing it to slip. Therefore, the belts never make a sound, and last allot longer. But the down side is I have heard that they get wet easier than the Prairies. I think that they have a drain plug though. It seams that none of them are perfect. I have never ridden the Grizzly, just looked at it a the dealership. It looks like the fit and finish of the Grizzly, at least as far as the plastic body work is concerned, is better and sturdier than that of the Prairie. I think the Grizzly looks much better as well, but the Prairie is an awesome performer. With either choice, you can't go wrong, they are both awesome quads with the same features, minus "Park Position" for the Prairie. Good luck with you new purchase [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Dealer is Lieing. Make the best deal you can, you can still get the Winch and Financing.

Both the 650 and 660 are great Quads. IMHO, the 650 is a lot more playfull (Axle) than the 660 (IRS). They each have advantages. Weigh the differences to make you decision.

 

Thanks for the replys guys. I just got off the phone with a different dealer (Larsons cycle- Cambridge, MN)and they are selling the 660 for $6599 their OTD price with 6.5% tax and winch installed is $7201.17. They are not charging freight or set up.

Overall I'm still unsure about which I'll buy. I just learned the the P650 has two different financing options. 0 down and 0% til April or 0 down with 2.9% for a year. I was told this equals about $29 a month.

I really like the P650. I would really like to hear more discussion on the plus's and minus's of each machine.

Thanks

Mike

 

Here is another difference. On the 650 you can engauge the front diff lock on the fly, on the 660 you have to come to a stop (loosing all froward momemtum).

 

You also have to hold the lever in at all times. The only advantage of the lever lock is if you constantly ride in mud.

Each has its own advantages for sure. Both have proven to be pretty reliable so far (despite several people picking them apart). You won't go wrong either way. I wouldn't put a lot of thought into the belt squeal on the Prairie. Not something that sounds like its going to be common with every 650.

 

If I could just throw in my 2 cents here...... I had a 650 Kawi this past spring and early summer, I sold it to buy a Raptor but here are my impressions of the machine. One of my good friends has a Grizzly 660, and we did a lot of riding together. The 650 is a great machine, good power, decent ride, however the ride quality just isn't the same as a Grizz because a lack of independant rear suspension. Another thing I did not care for on the Kawi was how there was a delay when you shifted it from 2wd to 4wd. Sometimes it seemed like it took forever to lock in 4wd, where was the Grizzly shifts into 4wd the minute you push the swith. Other than the so-so ride quality and delayed 4wd, I loved the Kawi. Now for the Grizzly, the ride was great, but the machine feels a little tippy. I also hated the shifting lever, it was very awkward. Other than that I did like the Grizzly. This is a tough choice, both bikes are excellent, if I was to buy one again I'd buy a Grizzly just to buy something different but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Kawi 650 either. Either way you'll be getting a good machine.

Mitch
02 Raptor
GYT-R blue lightning graphics kit, polished aluminum front bumper, aluminum radiator guard, full exhaust system, K&N filter and jet kit, hotcam cam.

 

The disc brake on the Griz is not at the wheels, it is a single Disc and it is on the drive shaft. It is a pretty good placement. But I still prefer the 650 rear brake set up.