Which is better; quality, features and dependability? Plowing, hunting and trail riding.

Thanks

 

The sportsman 500 has a lot more power. Ride is better too. The 05 kodiac is a nice ride though. Will be getting one for my wife in the spring. I'd say the yami is more dependable too.

 

co,

The Kodiak just this year gets an independent rear suspension which it previously didn't. Otherwise I wouldn't even consider it in the same class as a Sportsman. The Kodiak "450" actually has a 421cc engine. The Sportsman "400" actually has a 425cc engine. I think these two machines might be a better head to head comparison. But you said the Sportsman 500. In that case I'd go for the Sportsman 500.

As far as better/quality/features/dependability etc....... A lot of this is subjective and subject to personal bias (which I'm not completely immune to) so be careful when somebody makes a statement like "brand X will be more reliable than brand Y". All I can say relative to the issues/uses you outlined is that the Sportsman is a heavier machine by at least 100 lbs. It is my 'opinion' that the Sportsman is built overall with more robustness meaning heavier duty components such as frame, axle shafts, wheel hubs etc...... This may take away somewhat from it 'nimbleness' on the trail but I think it makes for a better work machine. When I looked at the Kodiak 450 I liked it a lot.....but they hadn't yet given it an independent rearend so I scratched it off my list. I ended up with a Sportsman 400 because I thought it was the best value in the class. Also, I used to have a 1988 Polaris Trailboss 250 that never gave an ounce of trouble and that factored into my decision as well.

BTW, my buddy just fried the drive belt on his Grizzly 660 the other day. The drive belt on the Sportsman has a lifetime warantee.

Good Luck, Bob

 

all depends.... if youre lookin at work, go with the 500.....if ur lookin for a more playful atv, id say go with the kodiak.......

quick q backinthesaddleagain, how many miles he have on it? i put 5200 miles on my kodiak and replaced it once....and it wasnt even broken. as for polaris, theyre guaranteed not to break, but they will wear. IMHO, i think yamaha has got the best belt drive system out there, but for the ride, the sportsmans unmatched.

 

I bought the Kodiak. I love the feel of the Polaris, but I really liked the engine breaking on the Kodiak as well as the break set up. The foot brake gets in the way of my big feet, where the Kodiak gave more room and I like the two hand levers. Thank you for your input and I hope to finally see everyone on the trail!

 

good choice......

i had a 02 kodiak, and i loved it for all the 5200 miles i put on, and its still amazing where that thing went.....w/o the diff lock....i cant imagine a 450

 

Congrats on your new toy!!!

The Kodiak was a real nice machine b4 IRS......now w/IRS it is even better.

Good Luck, Bob



Gopher500,

As soon as I hook up with my buddy with the Grizzly 660 to go riding again I'll get the details on his tranny/hourmeter etc......

Bob