Kawasaki Mule 550...anyone know anything about these things?

[Eddo Rogue]

So I got a utv for the yard, and it has been coming in really handy. Nice machine, just needs a little love.

I'm sure some of you out there are familiar with these things....I am not. Figured maybe I can get some info here.

Seems to have a common 286cc engine.

I want to do an oil change, can I use the same stuff as I put in the motorcycles? I have a variety of good moto oil.

Its runs like its suffocating. I heard theyre jetted very lean. Can I make adjustments or do need to buy jets/kit?

Also its hard starting, do these have a fuel pump/prime system of some sort?

Any info is appreciated. Cheers.

 

[Curious Hound]

How new is it? Is it fuel injected or carbureted? Nope. I'm not an expert on these things. I know nothing. Check air filter. Check fuel filter. Use the oil recommended in the book.

 

[Blmpkn]

Yeah, download the owners manual and just give er what it calls for.

Talk about some wonky marketing though yeesh.. calling it a 550 when it has a 286cc motor. Seems really small.

Depending how hard you want to work it I'd almost suggest try trading it for a regular wheeler. My kodiak can haul something like 1200lbs on its hitch and it's only a 450 (actually 421) moved a 5x8 trailer carrying about 1k lbs of axle around my yard pretty decent.

 

[Snoranger]

I don’t have any experience with the Mule 550, but I’ve owned a few quads and UTVs…
If it has a wet clutch, make sure to use a JASO rated oil.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

How new is it? Is it fuel injected or carbureted? Nope. I'm not an expert on these things. I know nothing. Check air filter. Check fuel filter. Use the oil recommended in the book.

I think its '01/02

Its a carb, and looks more like something on my pressure washer than a motorcycle.

Air filter looks good. Not sure what checking the fuel filter means on this thing yet lol.

I read using lighter viscosity oil (5w30) helps.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Yeah, download the owners manual and just give er what it calls for.

Talk about some wonky marketing though yeesh.. calling it a 550 when it has a 286cc motor. Seems really small.

Depending how hard you want to work it I'd almost suggest try trading it for a regular wheeler. My kodiak can haul something like 1200lbs on its hitch and it's only a 450 (actually 421) moved a 5x8 trailer carrying about 1k lbs of axle around my yard pretty decent.

Lol yea on these things the model numbers have nothing to do with engine size lol...The designations in general is wonky all over the place

Meh I got it for free (traded something I dont want). Does what I need, just want it tip top, and its not a labor of love....so I'd rather just cut to the chase fixing it up...

 

[sgtsandman]

I agree with finding and downloading the manual. I know that some motorcycles share oil with the transmission and others don’t. The same may apply for your ride here. Better to have the manual and know for sure rather guess and guess wrong.

If the engine oil and the transmission oil is separate, a synthetic 5W30 for an air cooled engine often is ok and has a better temperature range. I run it in all my air cooled 4-Stroke engines since I already have some on the shelf. But I would verify with a manual first before hand.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I found a jetting kit. Found some generic info but yea I need to track down a Manual. So far I love this thing, super handy.