It's been about 2 years of owning the 00 Kodiak 4x4. It has been a great bike with few probs. Problems were a headlight bulb fell out and a front shock broken which was a fluke. Yamaha replaced it free after 1 year of use. My choke had gotten stuck once from lack of use because it is a one touch of the button starter and I forced it in the wintertime and broke it, ($17.00 to fix). I need my 2nd rear pad in a few more rides, has about 1300 miles so far. All in all I'm satisfied and no plans to trade because it is such a good bike. I still think it is one of the best looking quads around as well. I would consider a Griz but the top heavy talk has me skeered. The main thing about the Kodiak is it's size allows me to take it in the woods and drag out deer in tight conditions and has been watertight so far. Basically it's the best wheeler I've had but would consider a Kodiak 450 or even better, a 500.

recently aquired 01 Honda 250 ex

Have owned:
94 Polaris 4x4 (nice but chain bike)
95 Kodiak 4x4 (nice)
99 250 quadrunner (nice but no top end)
98 Honda recon 250-new (good quad, cold natured)
95 suzuki 80 (takes on water)
90 Yamaha t-wolf-new (great 4x2)

 

I too have a 00 Kodiak and love it. I gave serious thought to the Grizzly but feel that it is rather large. (I'm going to think a while longer). I had a couple of little problems like my water pump, a known problem on the 00 model. Got it fixed with little expense. I have around 2200 miles on it. I'm going riding first thing in the morning. Can't wait. Machine runs great after two years. I too would consider a 450 or 500 in near same size machine. I wonder if this may come true some day of the Kodiak.

 

I have a 2000 Kodiak. I have had no problems with the water pump. I have had to replace both front light bulbs, along with the whole choke mechanism. The front hood buzzes like a swarm of bees when you ride it. Other than that, it's a great deer camp quad.

 

I've had a 2001 kodiak for about a year now and i have to say it's been a great year. it just about always gets me to where i need , or want, to go. i did hit a small stump that was covered in grass and i bent up my lower a-arm in the front end. All we did was take the wheel off and heated it up and bent it back to where it was supposed to be. i still watch it closely but it's working fine so that's all good. i'd say it's a perfect machine for most situations. the only thing i'd like is more power.. but ahh well.. it's good enough

 

I've watched my water pump pretty close, never had to add any fluid. I changed it the other day but couldn't get the coolant out of the overfill holder under the fender. They have the hose in the back where it would be an ordeal to get off, so I just changed all the other coolant, radiator, etc. My hood buzzed some at first but I took the front rack off and made sure it was pinned under the rack bolts when I put it back on, no more buzzing since.

 

Hey Solocam wondered what you did to fix the waterpump mine just started leaking. I have heard it's better to put on the 2002 upgraded water pump instaed of replacing the seals on the original.For $130 I was planning on just buying the 2002 pump, looks pretty easy to change. What do you think? Did you do it yourself?

 

I just traded my 2000 Kodiac on The Grizz. I had no problems with the kodiac. But when I traded it in they had to replace the choke cable, It had frozen. The Grizzly is everything that the kodiac is missing. I have only had it out a few times, But I have not noticed it being top heavy or tippy. And all my rides have been in the snow, or muddy roads. But the 2003 Kodiac I would wait and see..

 

I have heard the same thing. That it is better to replace the pump. However, at the time, I knew nothing of this and I had it repaired at the dealer. I think it cost aroud 60.00. That was a year and a half ago and I haven't had any more problems. If I were you, I would just go with a new pump.

 

I've owned my 2000 Kodiak 2 yrs this month and I'm still amamzed by it's durability. The rear brakes wear out too fast as everyone knows but no other major troubles. I've had a few burned out dash lights and as Quadfather said, that hood rattles like a can of BBs!! Last fall I added a Warn winch to it and also have put on a rear hitch reciever, front rack gun holder and a K&N air filter and other than that no other modifications. In fact I still the factory tires on it but I'm overdue to get new ones-probably in a month or two. I guess I have between 1500 and 2000 miles on it.

As far as the new 2003(?) Kodiak: I could care less about a bigger motor-the 401cc is plenty for me but I would be interested in the IRS and locking front diff. And while we're at it, would a digital dashboard like the Grizz's be asking too much?? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] As long as they can do all that and still keep the light weight and tight steering I'll probably be trading in on one in the next 12 months! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

We own 2 of the 2000 kodiak 400 and both have had the water pumps replaced now we are having to overhaul both of them smoking.
Emma