Hi to all, first time user of this forum. I have an '03 450 Kokiak and the battery has recently died, and I have yet to shell out the $75 for a new battery. I've been using the pull starter and it has been running OK until today. When at idle, the speedo reads 10-11 mph and increases with the throttle in park or neutral. I can run 35 mph sitting still! Also, everything is fine in forward and low range, but in reverse the motor starts cutting out. It will barely move and the motor sounds like it is about to die, but only in reverse. I don't want to take it hunting because if I get in a spot where I have to back up, I'm in trouble.

Any suggestions? Will a new battery mysteriously cure my problems or has running it with a dead battery screwed something else up?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

It will do that if you do not have a battery installed. Being that your old one is still in the bike make sure all the connections are tight and it should act normal again

 

Thanks Captain Kokiak,
The old battery must have been completely, absolutely dead. Put in a new battery tonight and everything is right with the world again. Now for the those oil leaks on the left rear and both front output seals! Always something!! Thanks again!

 

I have the same leak on the rear axel is this a common problen with kodiaks?