Hey guys,

I'm a Polaris Man at heart, but am currently looking for a quad for my wife. She doesn't want one "too big", and isn't interested in 2-stroke. She also wants an automatic. I have looked at the smaller Polaris models, but I think their 325 is underpowered. Too bad they don't offer a 425 magnum. Anyway, my requirements are disc brakes, shaft drive, and selectable 4x4, if we don't opt for the 2wd. Looking at my choices, I have narrowed it down to the 400 Kodiak. I would like to know the price ranges(2 or 4wd) you guys have paid, and anything other suggestions. Thanks in advance.

Waylan

 

I paid $6,000 for my 2000 Kodiak 4wd. I see you want all disk brakes. Just keep in mind the rear disk brakes on the Kodiak are crap. Even if you don't use the rear brakes, you will find that you are having to change the pads on a regular basis.

 

I have a 01' Kodiak - paid $5800 - if you are willing to drive to MS they have good prices. The 2wd/4wd works great and makes manuevering the bike a lot easier. Went riding for 3 hours this past weekend; muddy logging roads and swamp, never had any trouble. Good luck on your decision.

FKNA - have you found any brake pads that last? Let me know.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

A good friend of mine has a new Kodiak, and I have ridden with him a few times. Honestly, all and all it seems like a good quad to me. He beats on it like crazy (does donuts on dry pavement, goes through rack high water...really tests it out).

Another friend on mine has a Polaris Magnum 500, and in a race the Kodiak and the Magnum are about dead even (top speed as well). A couple of things that I did notice (compared between the two) is that the Kodiaks belt seemed to slip while going through fairly deep water, where as the Polaris' belt did not. Also the Polaris has true 4wd, and it seems as if the Kodiak only had "3wd". However, both seemed to perform about the same in the mud that we encountered.

Please keep in mind that I have VERY LITTLE seat time on both quads, but both of my friends agree that the Polaris has a much better ride and feels snappier (but it's more expensive, and you are comparing a 500 to a 400). Hmmmm...I can't really think of anything else about them.

Also, have you checked out the Polaris Sportsman 400 (actually 425)? The MSRP on that is around $6000. It doesn't look like a bad quad.

Like I said, I don't have much experience with any of these quads, and I am going by what my friends say when comparing their two quads.

Take care.

-Josh

 

I really like my Kodiak. Everything you mentioned was a big selling point for me also. My wife love the Kodiak and want to drive all the time now. Last time we went on a big ride she drove 75% of the time. Needless to say its not very fun ridding behing but she had a great time and Im happy she rides with me. IM sure your wife would love the Kodiak.

 

Have you considered the Prairie's? I bought my wife a Kawi 300 Prairie 4x4. This thing is great! It very easy to drive, fully automatic, full four wheel drive with hi-low and reverse. It doesn't steer like it is in four wheel. We also use it as a second machine for friends etc.. No one has had any problems keeping up.( Unless its a drag race). It was better in the snow than my 99 Grizz. The frontend is limited slip, once it starts spinning the power is transfered to the other tire. It gives a nice soft ride. I am really impressed with it! They lowered the price to $4900 brand new. I considered buying the 650, because I liked the 300 so much. But I went with the 2002 Grizzly because I wanted IRS. I think Kawi made a bad decision by not having IRS. They would have been the leader!

Good luck

 

The 300 Praries are probably good atvs but one thing I do not like about them is that they do not have engine breaking. Unless they have changed their entire line up for 2002 only the 650 has K-EBS. Am I wrong? The Kodiaks EBS is excellent. Put it on low 4x4 and it will crawl down a hill.

 

how about the honda 450 es with that selectable 4x4,i know it's not a yama sorry

 

I just bought a '02 Kodiak Special edition black plastic and paid $5,400. If you live somewhat near Canada you should definetly look into buying one there. I bought mine from the Performance shed in Kingston and saved more than $1,000 and it included a winch. It's a great all-around machine. It's sporty,fast,reliable and a great go-through-anything quad.