Hello, I've got some questions for all of you yamaha experts. I'll be trading-in my 2000 (like new)Honda recon very soon, and will be buying either a 400 big bear, 2003 Kodiak 400, or a 2003 Honda Rancher, all of these will be 4x4. I will be using it for farm use, pulling some things, lots of trail riding and mudding. I've lots of good things about the yamaha's. The big bear seems to be bullet proof, and so does the Kodiak. I think the kodiak has a automatic tranny. Is the yamaha auto tranny reliable? One last question, do any of you have an idea what I might pay difference for this trade? Is it true that you can get a winch for like 69.00. Any information that you can give me on this purchase will be greatly appreciated. I love this site.

thanks for all you input.

Goldenboy55

P.s. My money is real tight and need to get this best deal possible!!!!!!

 

Anybody??

 

Welcome to the site
I say go for the Kodiak 450. The tranny is rock solid and is extremely reliable. If you are gonna be pulling stuff you are gonna need the low range which is only on the 450. and with the 450 that Diff-lock is awesome for mudding and climbing. My 450 has ZERO problems and starts in a jiffy even in -25C(very, very cold). I see money is tight so maybe you might want to look at a the Polaris Sportsman 400. They seem to be a pretty solid machine with the auto tranny and the low range and true 4x4.

 

I would like the 450 but I don't know if I can afford it. I really don't know what the dealer will give me on my 2000 Recon, It's like new, but when I get there I will get them to figure up a price on all of them and go from that. anyone else have a opinion on these bikes?

thanks,

 

bump

 

have you considered a suzuki eiger 400?? manual shift?? its a very nice powerfull low cost bike, my buddy just bought a 2003 out the door for just under 4700 dollars. with a geared machine you wont need low range because you have 1st and secong gear for that. it is selectable 2/4 with is nice for the fun factor. and it comes with a speedometer. (very very nice when it comes to keeping track of maitence and for resale) right now is the time to get 2003 machines, with dealers selling cheap to clear them out for the soon to arive 2004 models. cheaper price, full warrenty. the only thing it hurts is when it comes time to trade them in because they will be viewed as a year older than they actually are. many of the mag shoot-outs are having the eiger tops (but many on here discount shoot-outs due to biased decisions from advertising $$$) a belt machine will pull good but it seems the secreat (for my polaris's that ive owned) is to not creep into it, you need to give it some gas to get the belt to engage without heating it up to much. auto trannys have there place ,ohh how nice to cross water and deep mud with your feet on the front fenders nice and dry. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] you need to talk to the dealer and see what they will give you on trade for a machine. call the bank and see what the book is currently for your recon (its not gunna be much) high and low, if the machine is absolutly spotless they will still give you low or below average for the machine. i just looked on kelly blue book and for a 2k recon this was the high value (trade in)$1775- figure on getting about 1400 for your machine. i hope i dint lose ya with my constant rambling

 

i have a rancher es, and have been extremely happy with it. never had a single problem, except that it wont beat my raptor up the long hills[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] the electronic shift has been the best part, all the convenience of an automatic, and all of the control of the manual tranny. i would buy another rancher in a heartbeat.