Hey guys. I'm looking for a slightly smaller, more easily manuverable second quad for friends, girlfriends, and other inexperienced riders. At this point I'm 95% sure that I want the new kodiak 450, and was just hoping some folks that owned them would comment on their experience with them so far. How is the power, how does the IRS ride ? How is the IRS on off camber, tippy? Any sort of impressions would be great.

 

the irs isnt the easiest ride but when your on trails in mud sand etc... its awesome but just cruzin around on the road naaa any bike would be good for inexperienced riders but dont exceed 400 ccs on beginners thats a little insane if yur just gonna trail ride sport quads r nice
for beginers stay in the 250cc areas their fast good for trails but their not monsters and their adult size quads i got a recon and a quadsport but im sellin the quadsport to much power and no 4x4 for muddin
2999 if yur interested

BOTTOM LINE= get a recon i have just changed the battery once and changed the oil had it for 5 years and it starts every time still gos through the mud good to but i love my gas gas used to raise now it just sits in my garage till i ride it

GOOD LUCK

 

Ok let me clarify. I am not looking for any posts trying to get me to buy a different quad. Thanks but no thanks. I'm looking for input from 2005 IRS kodiak 450 owners.

 

sorry, can't comment on the 05. to get an answer on this site is like pulling teeth sometimes. i would try HL.

 

i just bought an 05 kodiak 400 camo got about 160 miles on it,the only complaint i have is the engine seems to be noisier than you would expect,i took it back in to inquire about(sounds like a rod knock) but two different yamaha dealers told me that is the normal sound for this atv.riding this thing over rough terrain is very smooth,but it doesnt feel as planted at high speed turns,but keep in mind its not a sport quad,it has loads of low end torque and the quality and the suspension layout is top knotch.you definetly get your moneys worth .i paid 5799.00 with the camo and he threw in the warn winch.i would highly suggest test riding it before you buy one,i just wish the engine was quieter.....by the way the camo is sweet and almost impossible to scratch.

 

Thanks BIP. I'm considering the 450, I'm not sure quite how the engine differs from the 400 in sound or power. I'm assuming the new 400 has IRS as well. Glad to hear it rides smoothly, but interested to hear more about the non planted feeling in high speed turns. Does it feel like it's going to tip/roll? My solid axle p650 always feels planted.

 

Its going to ride just about the same as a Grizzly. You can just about bet on that. It won't feel like the Prairie will in turns, but it won't feel bad either. I've heard so much about all this handling crap ever since the Griz/Prairie war started in 02, and that difference is something you are only going to notice when pushing both to the limit. The Prairie will push farther.

I have no problems with my 660. And I do ride it fast in turns quite a bit, and still no problem or feeling that I'm going to turn over. Yes the suspension will dip some, yes it has adjustable shocks and when set stiffer it takes away from this. I would assume the Kodaik would be rather nimble due to the shorter wheelbase and height (I guess its shorter at least). The old straight axle 400's always got good marks in the handling dept.

If I was buying a quad in that engine class, the two I would look at would be the 450 Kodiak and the 400 Arctic Cat. I would give the Kodiak the nod due to its steering ease and handling characterists. They both have lockers, the AC would have the ground clearance, but it wouldn't be enough for me not to pick the 450 over anything else in that class.

Best way to describe it would be to say it rides like a yamaha. Most of them have a similar feel.

 

I have a 2004 Kodiak 450 (bought Jan '04) and so far so good. While I can't tell you about the IRS, since it is new for '05, I can tell you it has smooth trail riding, great climbing ability, good enough clearance on rough wooded/rocky trails. The one set of trails that I frequent has a considerable amount of turned up rocks throughout. The '04 handles them well, when hit from all angles. There have been a few occasions when I don't see the rock, but feel it. I am sure the IRS would help in those situations for an inexperienced rider, keeping the bike more stable and minimize the "tippy" feeling.

It is a little more fun in 2wd on the trail, as I like the additional maneuverability. However, it is a very stable ride in 4wd. I think it would be fine for non-experienced riders as my wife and daughter sometimes ride it around my property, which has some small hills. In fact, my daughter (13) feels much more comfortable on the Kodiak than she did on my old Lakota 300. She feels the throttle is easier to control, which gives her more confidence. Plus the benefit of downhill engine breaking really helps with confidence.

Hope this helps.

 

when i say planted feeling,let me compare it to a car...planted feeling like a low to the ground ferrari ,not planted feeling like a top heavypassenger van. the irs gives more than a straight axle suspension,which alsowould have a tendency to slide in the corners more where the kodiak does not. i have the springs adjusted to the softest ride setting,i have not yet experimented with stiffening them up yet,it may give it a whole different feel.but like i said ,test ride it first everybody has their own opinion of how they want their atv to feel and respond,personally the more i ride my kodiak the more i love it...i am still trying to figure out a way where i can do everything while still sitting on my quad, i dont ever want to get off,man is it comfortable.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I've heard they have refined and slightly redesigned the IRS since the grizzly's release. Apparently they have done something to alleviate a bit of the tippiness, at some small penalty in comfort. Supposedly it's a bit sportier in comparison. We'll see, I think I'm going to pick up a green one tomorrow!

Bip, did you pay $5799 plus tax, frt,prep etc or was that the out the door with tax price? Ahh I forgot its a 400, i'm pricing a 450. Still curious.