Just recently purchased a brand new 03 prairie 650 (as in last tuesday) and it's already in the shop for a bunch of problems. when it ran it ran great....lots of power, handled good, great 4wd etc., but now I'm starting to remember why I have never bought kawasaki products in the past. The only other kawasaki products I've had were street bikes and those were no better. The only reason I bought the p650 was because Kawasaki had real attractive financing and I had heard so many good things about the bikes. Starting to regret my decision not to buy either a Grizzly or a 450 Kodiak. Can anyone give me any advice or personal experiences with either of these two machines vs. the Prairie? The dealership says they'll give me my money back for the 650 and let me purchase either a Grizzly or a Kodiak. Any input/advice would be appreciated.

 

I had a 400 big bear (now my wife's) but I wanted an automatic.
I rode both the Griz & the Kodiak 450 several times at the dealership on numerous days. (They were sick of me before it was over)
The griz was awsome but I decided on the Kodiak 450 because of it's smaller physical size. I ride mostly in the woods on tight trails and I felt the Kodiak would serve me better. I don't regret my decision at all.
When I get my Kodiak paid off I will probably trade in my Big Bear, give my wife my 450 and then buy me a griz. When hunting or riding on tight trails I will carry the Kodiak, when riding more open trails I will carry the griz.
No doubt about it the griz has a smoother ride.
Either way I think you will be happy!!!

 

i was always hard -core kawi, but they are a little.... rattle-trappy. A tad too thirsty for lok-tite. And a little unreliable. Go screamin back to the dealer for a 450 kodi or well a 450 kodi. take the cash back thing because your virgin kawi is now in need of a pit crew and it probably still smells new. Go now and get a yami. With the kawi-you will always be worried when you take her on extended trips or are far from civilization. I know .....i have owned PERSONALLY A.... KDX 200 /'90 KX 250 /'93 KX 125/ '89 ZX-600/
'89 ZX-7/ '00 KX 250 (NOW) i ALSO HAVE OWNED THESE TO COMPARE TO....'92 KTM 300 EXC / A 1980 CR 250 ELSINORE/ A'99/GSXR 750(NOW), A '90 CR 80 AND USED A 200? FOURTRAX EXTENSIVELY. tHE KAWIS ARE JUST A LITTLE TOO HIGH MAINTENENCE. tHIS KODIAK 450 '05 WILL BE MY FIRST YAMAHA.

 

THAT POST IS A BIT OLDER THAN I REALIZED. ALL FOR THE RECORD THOUGH.....

 

475 miles on my 03 prairie and all I have done is remove one shim from the secondary (dealer should have) other than that its just addictive upgrades. These machines fly, way faster than a Griz and one hell of a lot less tippy.

 

800 hard miles and not one trip to the dealer on my Prairie.