Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, has unveiled the all-new 2018 Kodiak 450, the highest value mid-class 4×4 ATV:

https://atvconnection.com/articles/y...ew-kodiak-450/

 

I find it funny that Yamaha had this quad already, dropped it from their lineup and then brought it back. Its not exactly the same as it was before, it obviously has its styling and chassis copied from the bigger Kodiak 700. I do foresee a mid-size shootout coming up though. It will have stiff competition from the Outlander 450L, Sportsman 450HO and Arctic Cat(well now Textron) and the Kymco version 450cc quads. Yamaha used to own this segment, with the only real competition being the Honda Rancher 420. Yamaha should have developed a new engine in my opinion, the old 421cc single is a bit lacking compared especially to the Outlander 450L. They also could have brought back the previously used 550cc single and put it in this mid-size chassis. That would have been a game changer in this class for sure.

 

Hello, first post here. There's no front diff lock on either Kodiak 450 model, so I'm guessing that it's aimed at the Rancher. I need a utility ATV in the 30 HP class, and so far the Polaris 450 looks like the best value.

 

Unless you are going to sink it in mud holes, diff lock probably not needed most of the time. I rarely use it on the side by side and even then it is more preventative (as in don't get stuck in the first place). This is also a smaller chassis so aimed more at smaller riders.

 

I agree with not needing a front diff lock. I have 2 Arctic Cats, my 400 has no diff lock. As long as you have good tires, it's not a big deal. On the rare occasion when 1 front tire starts to spin, a light tap on the brakes gets both going. My Diesel has a front differential lock, only time I've needed it was plowing deep snow,. That looks like a nice ATV!

 

It would be hard not to speed the extra grand to get the kodiak 700.

 

The 700 has 287cc more engine and weighs only 24 lbs more.
The 450 has some basic instruments and On Command "4"WD instead of the lever.
If the base Kodiak 700 had some basic instruments and front diff lock, I'd buy one.
Some dealers still have 2016 Kodiak 700 base models.

 

There is a reasonably priced aftermarket diff-lock available for installation on the Kodiak 700. I suspect the company will also come out with a diff-lock for the new 450 as well.

I also suspect reasoning behind why the 450 disappeared then reappeared was a primary result of fuel injection, getting away from carbs. Isn't carb reduction the new trend?

On a serious note, having to produce lesser emissions was a valid theory why Yamaha discontinued the previous 450 because it had a carb run fuel system.

 

I'm going back and forth between the 700 and the 450. I'm basically going to be using it for plowing 500' driveway, hauling some wood and messing around a little in the trails.

I'd like the power and size of 700 (I'm 6', 225lbs) but I really like having the instrument panel that the 450 offers. Any thoughts?

 

The 700 has the same instrument panel. The base model does have a mechanical lever to activate 4x4 with a cable instead of a button. No diff-lock unless you step up to the SE Model which costs a lot more. The lever seems to work well and if it does ever fail, its probably about a $25 part to replace instead of an electronic module that costs several hundred dollars. I had that part fail on a Grizzly 660 I used to own. I think you're thinking of the Arctic Cat VlX 700 that has basically no instrumentation at all. I don't think it even has a gas gage, have to actually take the cap off and just guess how much is in there.