I Wanted to order a new 2002 Foreman 450S for $5899 but the dealer is trying to talk me into a great deal on a 2001 Kodiak Automatic 400
$5400 It looks good but I do alot of Mudding and am worried about the belt drive. I always had good luck with my Hondas but what do yall think about this Kodiak 400..
? Is the belt reliable in the mud
? Will the Auto Rob too much Power from the smaller 400
How fast will it Run, my 2000 450S fulltime 4X4 Ran about 49 before being stolen any other advice will be appreciated

2000 Foreman 450S Stolen
2001 250EX Stolen

 

I say go for the foreman..honda reliability..not that auto. transmission..well thats my opinion, i just don't like the auto. Plus you won't have to worry about the belt on the honda..how much does the amount of money matter though? Is it a big issue?

 

I'd go for the Kodiak...and yes I owned hondas too. If you do alot of mudding then you CAN'T beat an automatic anything!! You are always in the power zone and never have to shift down and lose speed and power. as you know if you have to shift down in the mud most times you end up stopping and then you're in trouble. I've NEVER had the belt slip in mine and I have mine burried in the mud and water all the time. The revs will keep up the air pressure in the belt area ans keep the water out. Besides yamaha did a real good job with the ultramatic. But I hear the new Grizz really sucks if it gets anywhere even close to water.

Just go to the Yamaha area and ask if anyone had any belt slippage problems and find out from them. The only thing I don't like about the kodiak is the factory rear pads don't last at all. But that is easily fixed with a set of ECB extreme duty pads.

Feel free to ask me and questions about the Kodiak and I'll tell you all I can. My email is kindsambo@yahoo.com

 

I forgot to answer your other questions....

As for power...the Kodiak has lots to spare. She'll turn the tires in the deepest thickest mud!! You'll alos like the selectable 4wd system. Lets you play in 2wd so you can do doughnuts, powertuns, spinouts ans t makes it easier to turn in the tight trails. Any full time 4wd quad turns like a pig...but in 2wd a shot o gas to kick the rear around and bang you are going the other way...WOO HOO!!!

 

I would go for the Foreman but the Kodiaks belt is sealed in there and it wont get wet and they only slip a tad bit.You can not really notice. But whatever you want but i would go fo rthe foreman.

 

You have a tough choice! A year ago I was in turmoil over a similar decision for the same 2 machines. 02 Foreman S looks good with the 4X2 option & revised front diff. But there are lots of advantages in the Kodiak and with that price you can get a winch and tires before you match the Hondas price. Last weekend I had my Kodiak in water so deep that my stock size Titan 589's up front were floating and paddling! The rears were still biting and I chugged right through, turned around and went back for more! If you keep to stock diameter and go with a more agressive tread the Kodiak is awesome. Also it's water cooled, has floorboards, and that smooth auto with comresssion braking that'll really slow you down. They're both great machines but after a year on the Kodiak I'd never go back to shifting. Whatever your decision you picked two great machines. Do you ride Ocala Nat'l Forest? I went there last year and hope someday to return. Good luck!

 

Since you're crying like a little schoolgirl about Yamahas having plastic skidplates in other threads, I think you'd better stick to your outdated Hondas.

 

Try to ride both of them if you can. I'm pretty tall (6'4&quot, and the 450 fit me better than the Kodiak. Trust me, the comfort factor is a necessary consideration if you plan on spending several hours in the "saddle".

 

The 450S engine makes more power than the Kodiak's, a fact which has always gotten lost 'cause the Honda was driving all 4 tires at once. Now it comes in 2/4wd, which should give you all the sporting advantages others addressed here. About shifting: It puts you in control of the gear ratio whenever you want to be, while the auto negates that option. Having ridden plenty of both, I like the narrower width between feet on the manual shift, and I can always pick a gear as well as an auto trans, usually better. Honda quality is top of the line (generally), with Yamaha close behind. One reason the dealer is pushing the 2001 on you is he or she needs it to go away, to make room for the 2002 models, but I bet you knew that. My 450S is strong and reliable, and when HiLifter starts selling one, it will get an unlocking front driveshaft. Bottom line: ride both and buy the one that feels best to you.