just trying to gather some info for my parents. the smaller bike would be for my mom and the 660 for my dad. what problems you have experienced , maintenence issues etc.. any input would be helpful.

Thanks

 

IMO the grizzlys will never die just like the banshee (well uhh u know what i mean)...just because of the simple fact that they are good all around...trust me many idiots will tell u it sucks because its not a 750 v-twin
just ignore it

 

both the kodiak and griz are good machines with the only significant difference between the two being about 12 mph and 1200 bucks...I've ridden both but opted for the kodiak as I am both cheap and slow. Actually I just ride a lot in the mountains where speed will only get you into trouble--my buddy's 700 prairie might kick my butt on a dry, straight road, but not when it comes to steep slopes and deep snow. Anyway, aside from the well known squeeky brake (mine also), my only gripe is another issue with the rear brake...it ices up after lots of snow riding. While this is generally not an issue, if you find it necessary to stop while climbing a steep, narrow, icy trail, the reverse/turn can be really interesting. whoa!
That aside, it's a great midrange atv with lots of low end power. Last week I hauled myself, my girlfriend, my dog and over 100 pounds of backcountry gear to a wilderness trailhead for a couple days of flyfishing/grizzly bear avoidance. 2600 feet straight up a boulder-strewn non-trail before topping at 9900 feet. no problem. As for myself, hauling a pack at 10k+ had me sucking wind pretty hard...the fishing made up for the pain.

On a seperate subject, you forum guys have been pretty helpful regarding the debugging of the 05 kodiak--and we all know which bugs I'm talking about. Until now, I've just been too lazy to say thanks.

 

so do you think the griz really may be over kill then . My point for it was we hunt a lot and trying to carry and elk out on a Grizzly would be easier on the machine and the rider vs the Kodiak but if you feel that the 400 or 450 would handle these ok i would like to know. My dad thinks the kodiak would be fine for him and he isnt a go fast guy anyways. im just a no replacement for displacement type.

What problems have you been having with the kodiak? is this with the 400 or 450 model.

Thanks fellas

 

all else equal, I would take the griz...atvs are kind of like boats, more power is great whether you need it or not. That said, there isn't much the griz can do that the kodiak can't. I dragged an elk out last year with no difficulty and regularly pull a trailer with 1000 pounds of hay. At low speed and, if necessary, low range, the kodiak will lose traction before running out of torque. The truth is that I decided to go with kodiak because I thought it would be easier for my girlfriend (and other inexperienced relative types) to handle...and it is. One of these days I will probably be unable to resist the temptation of a big bore.

As for the troubles with the kodiak, most have been discussed at length on this forum. squeeky rear break, pain in the **** greese zirks, the iced brake, kind of loud(I use a stealth exhaust when hunting). Nothing that would keep me from buying another.

 

I have the kodiak my friend has the grizz. Both very nice machine and seem to be able to go the same places and haul the same amount. Differences would be the grizz goes faster and picks up speed faster and the kodiak seems a little less tippy and the perfect size for me. I'm 6'1". Also the kodiak is smaller and able to fit places the griz can't. Although the grizz will usually just run over what I'm trying to fit between [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] I got the 450 cuz I wanted to get the locker and low range which has already got my unstuck in snow as a last resort.

Only problem was a squeaky rear brake that has now seemed to of stoped. I have around 400 miles on it now. Also in order to grease the rear zerks they need to be replaced with 90degree zerks. Very easy to do. Other than that no problems. You will notice a slight clunking noise also with them when rear braking hard or going down steep hills. This is normal they all do that.

Great machines. Will be happy with either choice!