dpnorth
North adventures south
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DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
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Is that the 500 prowler? They seem like well made machines.
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
Yep. Got a great deal at my local BPS on an 18 Textron labeled unit. Surprised how quiet smooth and comfortable it is. Seating position is a little more upright than I'd like and dump bed Doesn't tilt high enough are my only two gripes. Kymco 450i was about $200 less at my nearest dealer, but wife likes the AC front end much more. Her new buggy, so I'm good with it. Plus saved a loooong drive--bps much closer.
Build quality is superb. Engine braking is really good. Steering is SUPER light. Feels like power steering unless stopped. I think this bike far surpasses the little Ranger we had a few years back as a trail machine.
DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
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I looked at them before. Agree that I like the Textron/AC front better than the Kymco even though it costs more (and the Kymco has a parking brake).
The only things I didn't really like are that it seems low to the ground ( even though specs say it's inline with others in it's class ), and it ran a lot more RPM than I expected when I drove one. They were selling them super cheap at MLS in ky. I think it's a nice little machine.
DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
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Ignore the payload comment...it's not true, but POPO pays the bills...
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
This one doesn't have a sway bar, I think the Kymco may. I liked that I didn't have to remove it! Lol. Yeah it is the same clearance wise as my P5. 10 inches or so. Neat thing on this, it's has outer top shock mounts at all 4 corners that will add some lift. I'm gonna measure before and after. Hope to see an inch out of that, and add some 27" tires like my P5. Be plenty for us.
I'd say revs-wise it's about the same at my buddy's old Ranger 400, but much quieter. It is Waaay quieter than our Ranger 570 was.
Nothing is as quiet as a P5 in 3rd, ideling down the trail.
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
Ok, well... Everything not so great. Was using it in the yard a bit, riding our little trail and prowler started sputtering and stalled a few times. 
Fuel pump was loud as all get out too. Turns out it has a metal tank and 2-3 years in BPS' lot with half a tank of gas was no bueno....
Fuel pump was loud as all get out too. Turns out it has a metal tank and 2-3 years in BPS' lot with half a tank of gas was no bueno....
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
Lifetime Member
Wow! Think I'd be having a discussion with the selling dealer on that one....Ok, well... Everything not so great. Was using it in the yard a bit, riding our little trail and prowler started sputtering and stalled a few times.
View attachment 158326 View attachment 158327
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
Def! First call I plan on making in the AM. Whole new fuel system, or take it back. IDK if I want to drop it off, of have them give me the parts. I dont think any damage was done to the sleeve or rings, but i'll take a peak with my scope just to be sure. It does run alright, the pump just struggles to keep up.
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
Yeah, no issues taking it for a look w/ their service dept. Apt tomorrow. Ill update when I know more. Told them I want a whole new fuel system.
Oh! Got antsy yesterday and moved the prowler's shocks to outer mounting location. Went from 8/8.5" clearance to 11/11.5" (f/r)!!! That is as much as my P5 w/ Polaris Sportsman 500 shocks, and 27" tires!
Oh! Got antsy yesterday and moved the prowler's shocks to outer mounting location. Went from 8/8.5" clearance to 11/11.5" (f/r)!!! That is as much as my P5 w/ Polaris Sportsman 500 shocks, and 27" tires!
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
They didnt give me any pushpack @ BPS. Took it right in. Said I wanted a whole new fuel system. Call friday, service manager said "yep, getting a whole new fuel system. parts on the way." Hopefully all turns out ok. Wife is dying to go riding.
Sounds like they stepped right up, good... interested to hear how the ride quality is compared to the P5 keep us posted
DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
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1border4manu
Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Did u have to do any mods to fit sportsman 500 shocks? Also what year shocks did u get and how much better is the ride?
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
Prowler is perfect now. Whole new fuel system. Rides better than factory p500 but it is wider so that is to be expected. Surprised at kymco build quality. Closer to Honda good, but some design quirks. Blasted driver with hot air from rad. Spray foam fixed that. Steering is super easy, but also slow—wide ratio. It is rack and pinion. Also limited accessories. If I had it to do over again, would’ve got the wife a Yamaha or canam. But hard to find good cvt small machines imo. At least at a non inflated price. Go p5!!!
dpnorth
North adventures south
Lifetime Member
I’ll post an update on the other thread. took me a while to get out and rip it.
DG Rider
Member: Triple Clutch Club
Lifetime Member
What are you looking for? There was a guy/company on the Kymco forums making stuff for them.
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