Mule 610 Brakes

tom4416 · 10-17-2005

New Mule owner and new forum member. Bought a 610 and have about 4 hours on it and am very happy with performance, fuel economy and the dealer I bought it from. The only question I have is about the brakes. Seems like I really have to stand on them and there is no way they would lock up the wheels on any kind of packed road surface. The rear parking brake works very well so I'm wondering if it's something in the hydraulic system or is it just the nature of the system. Or, are they so new they aren't seated yet and will improve with time? If there is something wrong, didn't want to wait for the 50 hour service to get it fixed. Thanks for any input.

g45 · 10-31-2005

I am glad someone other than myself finally complained about the inferior brakes on the 610. I was told by Kawa that it is a "utility" vehicle and not designed for steep off road usage. I have to pull on the parking brake to slow down or stand real hard on the pedal to feel comfortable in slowing dow. The drum brake shoes are even narrower than the old 550's. Maybe they have a better compound but as far as I am concerned - still not adequate for off road. Have 44 hrs now and still the same. Other issues though, see new thread.

DrPeeb · 12-05-2006

I agree. Just got a brand new 2007 Mule 610, and I have to push pretty darn hard to stop normally even when I'm just putting around a flat meadow at probably 2 mph.

What's up???

briankinley · 12-17-2006

I have a 2007 mule 610 also. These are definitely not "anti-lock" breaks lol as I have tried to stop quickly and it just wont lock up.Best you can do is hope to slow down enough to lessen the impact. Parking brake does hold good and I had mine in shop to have brakes checked and everything (they said) was fine. When I brought them in and told them what it was doing they said they may need bleeding but then said it was normal once they checked. Luckily I dont drive in the mountains but was planning on taking to Colorado one year. Also read in the manual that engine braking was not efffective at an idle so guess that rules out putting it in low gear and coasting down those steep winding turns. Guess when you get to the bottom with no brakes you bail out at 25MPH max. speed or wear the seat belts and hope the ROPS works.

Jon723 · 08-18-2007

I want to install an "Ah Ooo Gah" horn in my 2007 Mule 610. The space in front of the nose storage area seems right to locate the horn.
Can anyone suggest how I can tap into power without running wire back to the battery?
I agree about the brakes - we use the heck out of the hand brake in our avacado grove.

Thumperacres · 08-19-2007

Should be an accessory tap + & - under dash near steering colum.

10-17-2005	#1 (permalink)
tom4416 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 14	Mule 610 Brakes New Mule owner and new forum member. Bought a 610 and have about 4 hours on it and am very happy with performance, fuel economy and the dealer I bought it from. The only question I have is about the brakes. Seems like I really have to stand on them and there is no way they would lock up the wheels on any kind of packed road surface. The rear parking brake works very well so I'm wondering if it's something in the hydraulic system or is it just the nature of the system. Or, are they so new they aren't seated yet and will improve with time? If there is something wrong, didn't want to wait for the 50 hour service to get it fixed. Thanks for any input.

10-31-2005	#2 (permalink)
g45 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 5	Same Braking Issue 610 I am glad someone other than myself finally complained about the inferior brakes on the 610. I was told by Kawa that it is a "utility" vehicle and not designed for steep off road usage. I have to pull on the parking brake to slow down or stand real hard on the pedal to feel comfortable in slowing dow. The drum brake shoes are even narrower than the old 550's. Maybe they have a better compound but as far as I am concerned - still not adequate for off road. Have 44 hrs now and still the same. Other issues though, see new thread.

12-05-2006	#3 (permalink)
DrPeeb FL UTV Trail Rider BTK Beginner Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 40	Mule 610 poor brakes I agree. Just got a brand new 2007 Mule 610, and I have to push pretty darn hard to stop normally even when I'm just putting around a flat meadow at probably 2 mph. What's up???

08-19-2007	#6 (permalink)
Thumperacres Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 131	Should be an accessory tap + & - under dash near steering colum. __________________ Max from Thumper Acres, home of the single cylinder 4 stroke motorcycle.

12-17-2006	#4 (permalink)
briankinley Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2	I have a 2007 mule 610 also. These are definitely not "anti-lock" breaks lol as I have tried to stop quickly and it just wont lock up.Best you can do is hope to slow down enough to lessen the impact. Parking brake does hold good and I had mine in shop to have brakes checked and everything (they said) was fine. When I brought them in and told them what it was doing they said they may need bleeding but then said it was normal once they checked. Luckily I dont drive in the mountains but was planning on taking to Colorado one year. Also read in the manual that engine braking was not efffective at an idle so guess that rules out putting it in low gear and coasting down those steep winding turns. Guess when you get to the bottom with no brakes you bail out at 25MPH max. speed or wear the seat belts and hope the ROPS works.

08-18-2007	#5 (permalink)
Jon723 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	I want to install an "Ah Ooo Gah" horn in my 2007 Mule 610. The space in front of the nose storage area seems right to locate the horn. Can anyone suggest how I can tap into power without running wire back to the battery? I agree about the brakes - we use the heck out of the hand brake in our avacado grove.

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