I’ve had 3 of them . 2006 650i (faster stock for stock than the carb 750 at that time until EFI) 2009 750, 2012 750. I’ll always have a soft spot for Brutes! The titles stated 50.1 HP on them if I remember correctly. It’s all in the clutching and that legendary kawi v twin . Such a fantastic motor . Feels like 75hp. I’ve had a grizzly and a king 750 recently and they both had 25” tires as well. Only the 2 1000s (sportsman , and currently own outlander 1000R) came with 26s. Sportsman may have been 27s I forget now . Great machine and a great bang for the buck , but they can’t get a penny more expensive without a real update. I raced my 2023 Outlander 1000R against the base model 120hp X3 I had and it actually held an atv length on the X3 until 70mph. Kawi needs to update the Brute badly. Until then, I agree it’s still a machine there guaranteed to bring a smile !
Had a 650 with a tuner on it. Drove with a friend who had a renegade 800. Could keep up until 60-65km/h then you could clearly see the horsepower of the renegade. They are fast until 60-70km then they fall off.
@@ProbeGT2 Spot on , stock for stock I raced an Outlander 650 way back then (2006-07) and it was even til 50s and he’d walk away from me easily . I have 3 can ams now . Rotax is just where it’s at lol.
@@ProbeGT2i know someone with a modded prairie and he is quick af, he is running a hmf exhaust with a cdi upgrade and some other stuff and he gaps everyone, yes they might have less power, but they are waaay lighter than an outlander or a sportsman
Great point about the HP range and nice updates to the brute. HOPEFULLY Yamaha will take their $$$ and resources from the snowmobile department and make the grizzly more badass soon.
I picked up the Kawasaki 2024 EPS Sage, an I must say it's not bad at all and I love it!. It only goes 115KMH but it's not bad at all. And mine came with a winch installed just saying...
I own a 2023 750 Suzuki kingquad. It to is much like the Kawasaki just a few upgrades over the years. Power i feel isn't a problem. If only the Japanese would offer suspension upgrades. Or surprise us with an 850 or 1000cc would be cool.
i often state the same thing as you, if reliability is a concern to japanese then just keeping the same displacement ( CC ) but with the option of a v twin over a single , should be quite enought to feel a noticeable difference between these 2 output! and yes suspension still lacking upgrades
20+ years later, that transmission whine is still there! 😅 I had a Prairie 650, i beat the crap out of it, i loved it, had no comfort whatsoever, but drove like a sport quad with the straight axle. Changing my 20 year old ATV for a new one (if i had an irs model), and having the exact same platform but more Bling, it'd be a hard sell, even if it was reliable. Cars nowadays are more powerful than ever and more reliable than ever, same thing can be for ATVs.
The Japanese brand prices are getting up there. As much as I criticize Polaris these day, one could argue that they have high D&R costs. The Japanese brands have done nothing really over 10+ years, yet prices are jumping up. When you use the same tooling for 10-15 years, pass the savings along to us please.
I'm excited to see the body upgrade with the LED headlights and hand bar light with the new screen, but what clutching upgrades have been done since 2012? Also no power upgrades, cause what makes a guy like me with a 2012 750 es limited edition and lifted, piped, 29.5 outlaws, chipped, clutched and rad relocate, wanna go buy a 2024, unless Kawi throws the 1000cc they are unfortunately missing out big time in guys that don't want to buy polaris or can-am, cause for $3500 I can make my 2012 look like a 2024, and for $5-6000 I can do that and a big bore or full port and polish, have 80 ish hp and not go spend $15-17g just to get newer version of my 2012..... like don't get me wrong great to see they finally made a body upgrade but that's it!!
Thank you. We did play around with it a little bit, which is something I always recommend. You can get this ATV riding pretty good and there's lots of guys on here that own them and think they ride great. However, I still feel the suspension needs an update and Kawi should offer a model with a performance shock.
The cst's that came in my Polaris 850 touring were the cause of me having 2 broken ribs, my shoulder blade broken in 3 places, a collapsed lung, and a chipped tooth. Get rid of those ASAP, no matter what machine you ride.
There are parts of this machine that really need an update and I made sure to point them out. I'm doing the test of the Honda next week and will be sure to present my most honest opinions.
@@dirttraxtv personally, I’m surprised Honda hasn’t really done any improvements to their hydraulic transmission (3 and 5 speeds). It technically is a Continuously Variable Transmission. Except instead of a belt, it’s a hydraulic motor and pump with a swash plate. If they add the low range from the older rubicons to this, it’ll honestly be the best transmission for reliability in the industry. Uses engine oil, so you change it regularly anyway. The pressures it runs at are easily attainable for these hydraulic systems to handle reliably. And it can be mated to almost any engine and survive it. I can honestly see them making a a pure-utility focused machine, similar to the can-am outlander Pro lineup. The Talon 1,000 engine, a 6-speed Hondamatic (Rincon version, not motorcycle version) towing up to 2,000 lbs, cruise control, and optional PTO.
A place by me is selling a brand new 24 brute force at a discount for $6,974. That’s an absolute bargain in today’s market. I thought about picking it up.
My mistake. I draw up a compare chart when I'm doing my research for these reviews and must've just recorded the wrong size. Nevertheless, this machine needs 26-inchers and apparently the KQ does too.
People that don't understand that all japanese stuck to 750cc and less and 50hp is because it the limit for reliability with diff and axle. That why real rider with can am and polaris are always broken. If you beat on it they don't last.
@@Outdoors-and-Sports God no!!! pure garbage. my xmr with silverbacks drove smoother. but frig the brute i had was one tough machine. and so fun to drive except for the tail bone beatings.
Sway bars are good and i felt it remained fairly planted, but use quite a bit of body English in the corners when I ride any ATV. Not sure how you ride in the corners so hard to compare our experiences.
I think the plastics look good, but definitely needs updates to the suspension and brakes and while we're at it, let's get rid of that diff lock lever and just move into this decade.
the rear hand brake is still the *weakest* in the industry -- after 20 years with zero improvement Kawasaki should be ashamed -- its basicly useless in serious mountain terrain -- grizzleys rear brake is 10x stronger - and the brutes cable actuated park brake will let the quad roll off a mountain if the cable snaps , and those cables do snap -- needing to squeeze with 2 hands on 1 leaver just to get 30% brake action is pathetic and verges on dangerous
Two power cycles every two crank revolutions vs. one power cycle in the same with the same cc’s. Gets into the old 500 GP days and the reasons they built the engines the way they did.
A Brute force engine with Grizzly chassis , EPS and with the Suzuki fit and finish would be perfect for me .
One of the best ATV's still.
Agreed! I put some Elka shocks, 14” wheels with 28” Zillas, and a Dalton clutch kit. It’s a perfect machine.
Best bang for your buck quad for so many years and still the best
Mike you are correct of the Hp range - 40-50 hp is where most people need it. Cheers
I’ve had 3 of them . 2006 650i (faster stock for stock than the carb 750 at that time until EFI) 2009 750, 2012 750. I’ll always have a soft spot for Brutes! The titles stated 50.1 HP on them if I remember correctly. It’s all in the clutching and that legendary kawi v twin . Such a fantastic motor . Feels like 75hp.
I’ve had a grizzly and a king 750 recently and they both had 25” tires as well.
Only the 2 1000s (sportsman , and currently own outlander 1000R) came with 26s. Sportsman may have been 27s I forget now .
Great machine and a great bang for the buck , but they can’t get a penny more expensive without a real update.
I raced my 2023 Outlander 1000R against the base model 120hp X3 I had and it actually held an atv length on the X3 until 70mph. Kawi needs to update the Brute badly.
Until then, I agree it’s still a machine there guaranteed to bring a smile !
Great comments! Thanks for sharing!!
Had a 650 with a tuner on it. Drove with a friend who had a renegade 800. Could keep up until 60-65km/h then you could clearly see the horsepower of the renegade. They are fast until 60-70km then they fall off.
@@ProbeGT2 Spot on , stock for stock I raced an Outlander 650 way back then (2006-07) and it was even til 50s and he’d walk away from me easily .
I have 3 can ams now . Rotax is just where it’s at lol.
@@ProbeGT2i know someone with a modded prairie and he is quick af, he is running a hmf exhaust with a cdi upgrade and some other stuff and he gaps everyone, yes they might have less power, but they are waaay lighter than an outlander or a sportsman
Merry Christmas and happy New year DT...
Merry Christmas to you too!
I can wait for guys to test drive the 2025 can am 1000 at 101 hp.
Same!!! 🎉
Great point about the HP range and nice updates to the brute. HOPEFULLY Yamaha will take their $$$ and resources from the snowmobile department and make the grizzly more badass soon.
Yamaha stopped making snowmobiles, those engineers need a job now !
@robqwertyuipp8750 that sidewinder engine would do great in a sport side by side. the 80hp 500cc twin could go in a quad easily too.
I picked up the Kawasaki 2024 EPS Sage, an I must say it's not bad at all and I love it!. It only goes 115KMH but it's not bad at all. And mine came with a winch installed just saying...
I own a 2023 750 Suzuki kingquad. It to is much like the Kawasaki just a few upgrades over the years. Power i feel isn't a problem. If only the Japanese would offer suspension upgrades. Or surprise us with an 850 or 1000cc would be cool.
i often state the same thing as you, if reliability is a concern to japanese then just keeping the same displacement ( CC ) but with the option of a v twin over a single , should be quite enought to feel a noticeable difference between these 2 output! and yes suspension still lacking upgrades
20+ years later, that transmission whine is still there! 😅
I had a Prairie 650, i beat the crap out of it, i loved it, had no comfort whatsoever, but drove like a sport quad with the straight axle.
Changing my 20 year old ATV for a new one (if i had an irs model), and having the exact same platform but more Bling, it'd be a hard sell, even if it was reliable.
Cars nowadays are more powerful than ever and more reliable than ever, same thing can be for ATVs.
Check out Cfmoto. I love my new 1000
The Japanese brand prices are getting up there. As much as I criticize Polaris these day, one could argue that they have high D&R costs.
The Japanese brands have done nothing really over 10+ years, yet prices are jumping up.
When you use the same tooling for 10-15 years, pass the savings along to us please.
I have the first 2 brute force models still......guess I have to get the new remodeled one for the collection lol
Cant go wrong with kawasaki
Not to be annoying but the kingquads 500 and 750 are all offered with 25 inch Carlisle at-489 only. Just to let you know
I'm excited to see the body upgrade with the LED headlights and hand bar light with the new screen, but what clutching upgrades have been done since 2012? Also no power upgrades, cause what makes a guy like me with a 2012 750 es limited edition and lifted, piped, 29.5 outlaws, chipped, clutched and rad relocate, wanna go buy a 2024, unless Kawi throws the 1000cc they are unfortunately missing out big time in guys that don't want to buy polaris or can-am, cause for $3500 I can make my 2012 look like a 2024, and for $5-6000 I can do that and a big bore or full port and polish, have 80 ish hp and not go spend $15-17g just to get newer version of my 2012..... like don't get me wrong great to see they finally made a body upgrade but that's it!!
Good evaluation, did you try different preload adjustments?
Thank you. We did play around with it a little bit, which is something I always recommend. You can get this ATV riding pretty good and there's lots of guys on here that own them and think they ride great. However, I still feel the suspension needs an update and Kawi should offer a model with a performance shock.
30" tires I'd like at minimum in the skeg
Go get an xmr sir this isn't that vehicle
The cst's that came in my Polaris 850 touring were the cause of me having 2 broken ribs, my shoulder blade broken in 3 places, a collapsed lung, and a chipped tooth.
Get rid of those ASAP, no matter what machine you ride.
Unless the lugs ripped off or the bead blew out. How is that possible man?
stock Kinqquad 750 d'ont come with 26 inches tires option. they all have 25 tires. i had a 2022 model and i liked it that way.
Pretty sure I said that. My final comment was about Kawi needing one more trim love that came with a winch, performance shocks and 26-inchers.
Kawi and Honda’s reasoning for not changing the chassis for the 750 and 700 respectively:
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”
There are parts of this machine that really need an update and I made sure to point them out. I'm doing the test of the Honda next week and will be sure to present my most honest opinions.
@@dirttraxtv personally, I’m surprised Honda hasn’t really done any improvements to their hydraulic transmission (3 and 5 speeds). It technically is a Continuously Variable Transmission. Except instead of a belt, it’s a hydraulic motor and pump with a swash plate. If they add the low range from the older rubicons to this, it’ll honestly be the best transmission for reliability in the industry. Uses engine oil, so you change it regularly anyway. The pressures it runs at are easily attainable for these hydraulic systems to handle reliably. And it can be mated to almost any engine and survive it. I can honestly see them making a a pure-utility focused machine, similar to the can-am outlander Pro lineup. The Talon 1,000 engine, a 6-speed Hondamatic (Rincon version, not motorcycle version) towing up to 2,000 lbs, cruise control, and optional PTO.
A place by me is selling a brand new 24 brute force at a discount for $6,974. That’s an absolute bargain in today’s market. I thought about picking it up.
Nah man the suzuki king quad 750 is a beaut
no kingquad 750 that i saw comes with 26" tires
My mistake. I draw up a compare chart when I'm doing my research for these reviews and must've just recorded the wrong size. Nevertheless, this machine needs 26-inchers and apparently the KQ does too.
A few weeks ago I looked at the Brute 750 and the Grizzly and ultimately went with the Brute 750. I like it more. It's not lacking in anything.
Plus you can't beat the sound of a V twin
People that don't understand that all japanese stuck to 750cc and less and 50hp is because it the limit for reliability with diff and axle.
That why real rider with can am and polaris are always broken.
If you beat on it they don't last.
26 tires rob the brute of power and acceleration. 25 tires is best choice for brute. the brute has 51hp but feels like way more.
A better quality 26 inch tire would add to the performance of this machine if clutching is calibrated properly.
so still the garbage shocks, dam one i had bottomed out all the time.
What? I thought Kawasaki’s have the best suspension.
@@Outdoors-and-Sports God no!!! pure garbage. my xmr with silverbacks drove smoother.
but frig the brute i had was one tough machine. and so fun to drive except for the tail bone beatings.
so easy to make it a 1000 but yet nope lets change the plastic put new headlights in it n charge a couple grand more for 2007 drivetrain pass
Is it still tippy?
Sway bars are good and i felt it remained fairly planted, but use quite a bit of body English in the corners when I ride any ATV. Not sure how you ride in the corners so hard to compare our experiences.
Updated yet still outclassed
It’s quite literally the exact same atv it just got an ugly as hell face lift.Kawasaki is so far behind in the atv market it’s not even funny.
I think the plastics look good, but definitely needs updates to the suspension and brakes and while we're at it, let's get rid of that diff lock lever and just move into this decade.
@@dirttraxtv they need to make a 1000cc already if the 750 is this good which I know it is since I’ve had 2 a 1000 has to be great!
That goofy dif lock lever needs to go away.
It works, but I hear ya 💯
the rear hand brake is still the *weakest* in the industry -- after 20 years with zero improvement Kawasaki should be ashamed -- its basicly useless in serious mountain terrain -- grizzleys rear brake is 10x stronger - and the brutes cable actuated park brake will let the quad roll off a mountain if the cable snaps , and those cables do snap -- needing to squeeze with 2 hands on 1 leaver just to get 30% brake action is pathetic and verges on dangerous
Yup, wet brake sucks. Needs discs immediately.
They look a little gay …..
Hhhmmm looks like a waste of money
Two power cycles every two crank revolutions vs. one power cycle in the same with the same cc’s. Gets into the old 500 GP days and the reasons they built the engines the way they did.