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KAWASAKI PRAIRIE® 650 4X4 ATV
DOMINATES SPORT UTILITY CLASS
 After
conquering the all-terrain vehicle (ATV) world in
2002, Kawasaki’s Prairie® 650 4x4 is returning for
2003 to dominate the sport utility ATV market in
a way few models have.
With the ATV industry’s first V-twin engine and
numerous exclusive Kawasaki features, the Prairie
650 4x4 has been awarded Popular Mechanics Design
and Engineering Award for 2002, and has received
accolades as Best Big Bore 4x4 ATV in the nation’s
leading ATV publications and television program.
Vince Iorio, marketing manager for Kawasaki ATVs,
said the Prairie 650 4x4 has more than exceeded
the company’s expectations.
“We knew the Prairie 650 4x4 was going to leave
people breathless,” Iorio said. “It absolutely leapfrogged
over everything else that was available. Nearly
every magazine article reiterates what we’ve been
saying—the Prairie 650 4x4 is the first true sport-utility
ATV and has set a standard for the industry.”
 Specifically
targeted at hunters, farmers and adventurers, the
Prairie 650 4x4 is available in all-new Aztec Red,
REALTREE® Advantage Classic® camouflage or traditional
Hunter Green. Its most notable features are its
V-twin four-stroke engine, selectable four-wheel
drive with variable front differential control,
electronically controlled engine braking, and sealed
multi-disc rear braking system.
The heart of the Prairie is the 90-degree, liquid-cooled,
four-valve 633cc engine. While large single-cylinder
engines are often unable to combine low-end torque
with high rpm power, the V-twin has a linear torque
band, providing the rider with seemingly limitless
low-end pulling power as well as exceptional smooth
running for higher rpm operation. To give the Prairie
650 4x4 ATV the ability to make deep water crossings,
its dual 32mm Keihin carburetors draw fresh air
from a snorkel intake located high in the frame
near the steering head. The engine also features
electric starting and a dual-coil CDI system.
Power from the high tech V-twin is transferred through
a fully automatic, continuously variable transmission
(CVT). The specially designed gear selector permits
the rider to choose high or low forward gears, neutral
and reverse. The rider can also start the engine
in any gear provided the brakes are applied.
Complementing the transmission is a switch on the
right handle bar that gives the rider a choice of
either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive operation,
and power is delivered to the wheels by dependable,
low-maintenance shaft drive. Under normal four-wheel
drive operation the front wheels provide additional
traction for adverse terrain, yet the limited-slip
differential allows the rider to make tight turns
and reduces steering effort.
The Prairie 650 4x4 also features Variable Front
Differential Control—an ATV first and a Kawasaki
exclusive. By pulling on a small lever on the left
handlebar, the rider can deliver full power to both
front wheels, a decided advantage when encountering
deep mud or slippery uphill trails.
To maximize dependability and reduce maintenance,
the Prairie 650 4x4’s drivetrain and chassis utilize
sealed bearings and joints, eliminating the time-consuming
chore of greasing dozens of fittings.
 The
Prairie 650 4x4 braking system has stopping power
equal to the V-twin engine’s torque. The front disc
brakes feature dual-piston calipers, a feature commonly
found on high-performance vehicles. Rear wheel braking
power, however, is provided by a sealed, oil-bathed,
multi-disc braking system. As an integral part of
the drive shaft, the braking system is sealed in
the Prairie’s aluminum swingarm where it operates
in an oil bath. This provides extraordinarily long
brake life because it helps protect the system from
water, mud, dust and debris, yet it requires only
minimal maintenance.
Complementing the Prairie 650 4x4’s high performance
brakes is the Kawasaki Engine Brake Control (KEBC™).
KEBC electronically monitors ground speed and uses
the engine’s compression to help slow the ATV.
Kawasaki ATVs have a reputation for having smooth,
comfortable rides and the Prairie 650 4x4 continues
that legacy. MacPherson struts with 6.7 inches of
travel grace the front end while an aluminum swingarm
featuring a fully adjustable spring with a piggy-back
reservoir and 7.2 inches of travel blesses the rear,
making the Prairie 650 4x4 the first sport utility
ATV to feature a high-performance yet durable design
normally found only on sport ATVs.
Adding to the Prairie 650 4x4’s comfort list is
a large saddle and adjustable footpegs mounted atop
full-sized floorboards. To help reduce unsprung
weight, the Prairie 650 4x4 rides on aluminum wheels.
 Other
features include front and rear steel racks that
can carry 264 pounds of cargo, and a towing hitch
is standard on the Prairie 650 4x4 so it can tow
1,250 pounds. Kawasaki designers also provided space
inside the front guard to mount a Warn 2000-series
winch.
The Prairie 650 4x4 is an exceptionally light, big-bore
ATV with a 604-pound dry weight. Because the V-twin
engine is shorter than most upright single-cylinder
designs, it has a low center of gravity for added
stability. And Kawasaki engineers went even further
to design the best handling, lightest possible sport
utility ATV by placing the 4.5 gallon fuel tank
low in the chassis under the seat. The combination
of low engine height and the location of the fuel
tank gives the Prairie 650 4x4 a 53:47 percent front-to-rear
weight distribution for optimal chassis balance
and maneuverability.
The Prairie 650 4x4 also features dual 45-watt multi-reflector
halogen headlights to provide the brightest beam
possible. And like all Kawasaki ATVs, the Prairie
650 4x4 has a taillight and a brakelight.
Other convenience features include a full-digital
instrument panel that includes a speedometer, odometer,
dual resettable trip meters, clock, hour meter,
fuel gauge and 4x2/4x4 indicators. There is also
a DC power outlet.
The Prairie 650 4x4 has a suggested retail price
of $6,999 and is also available in camouflage for
$7,299. Plus, the Prairie 650 4x4 comes with a six-month
warranty that can be extended up to three additional
years.
2003 KAWASAKI PRAIRIE® 650 4X4 ATV
 The
Prairie 650 4x4 is Kawasaki’s flagship sport utility
ATV. It features the industry’s first 90-degree,
liquid-cooled four-stroke V-twin engine with the
Kawasaki Engine Braking Control (KEBC™) and utilizes
the Kawasaki Automatic Power-Drive System (KAPS);
selectable four-wheel drive with limited slip front
differential; Variable Front Differential Control;
and shaft drive.
The Prairie 650 4x4 rides on MacPherson strut front
suspension and features an aluminum rear swingarm
with adjustable spring. Dual-piston front disc brakes
and an exclusive sealed, oil-bathed, multi-disc
rear brake provides abundant stopping power. Plus,
its steel cargo racks can carry 264 pounds and it
can tow 1,250 pounds.
The Prairie 650 4x4 ATV is available in Aztec Red
or Hunter Green and has a suggested retail price
of $6,999. It is also available in REALTREE® Advantage
Classic® camouflage for a suggested retail price
of $7,299. Some of the top features include:
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90-degree, liquid-cooled, four-valves per cylinder
633cc four-stroke engine produces massive torque
yet is exceptionally smooth running.
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Electronically controlled Kawasaki Engine Brake
Control (KEBC) helps to slow the ATV when traversing
steep downhills.
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Fully automatic transmission has high and low
forward gears plus reverse, so no shifting is
required.
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Selectable four-wheel drive gives the rider
the ability to choose two-wheel or four-wheel
drive. The limited-slip front differential permits
easy turning, yet the rider can utilize the
Variable Front Differential Control to “lock”
the front wheels for maximum traction on difficult
terrain.
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Dual-piston caliper front disc brakes provide
aggressive stopping power and are complemented
by the industry’s first sealed, oil-bathed,
multi-disc rear braking system.
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Aluminum swingarm is sturdy and lightweight,
and the shock features adjustable spring preload.
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A fully digital instrument panel provides the
rider important information at a glance.
2003 KAWASAKI PRAIRIE® 650 4X4 ATV SPECIFICATIONS
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 Engine:
Liquid-cooled, 90-degree, 4-stroke V-twin
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Valve system: SOHC, four valves
Displacement 633cc
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Starting system: Electric or manual (pull
start)
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Bore x stroke: 80 x 63mm
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Compression ratio: 9.9:1
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Carburetion: (2) Keihin CVKR-D32
Ignition DC-CDI
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Transmission: Dual-range CVT plus reverse
with
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KEBC™: (Kawasaki Engine Brake Control)
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Final drive: 2x4/4x4 shaft
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Frame: Double cradle, tubular steel
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Suspension, front/wheel travel: MacPherson/6.7
in.
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Suspension, rear/wheel travel: Aluminum
swingarm and single shock/7.2 in.
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Tires, front: AT25 x 8-12
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Tires, rear: AT25 x 10-12
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Brakes, front: (2) Dual-piston disc
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Brakes, rear: Sealed oil-bathed multi-disc
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Overall length: 84.8 in.
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Overall width: 46.1 in.
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Wheelbase: 51.0
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Ground clearance: (at center of chassis/at
rear axle) 9.5/7.6 in.
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Seat height: 33.7 in.
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Lighting, headlights: (2) Halogen 12V,
45W
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Rack capacity, total: 264 lbs.
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Towing capacity: 1,250 lbs.
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Dry weight: 604 lbs.
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Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
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Instruments: Speedometer, odometer, dual
tripmeters, clock, hour meter, fuel gauge, 2x4/4x4
indicator light, neutral indicator light, reverse
indicator light, low fuel warning light, low
oil warning light
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Colors: Aztec Red, REALTREE® Advantage
Classic® camouflage or Hunter Green
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Suggested retail price: $6,999 and $7,299
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