Looking at Arctic Cat 400 or Yamaha 450? Any preference?

 

I would say the Kodiak 450 has the edge for mudding and sportyness because it has a locker and it has a solid rear axle. The 400 give a much better ride and is great in the mud too. Ask the Yamaha people about their 450 Kodiaks. Forgot to say, make sure the 400 is an '03, more power in '03.

 

After watching ATV TV and seeing the non-articulating rear axle on the 450, it reminded me how much I like my Kawi 300 bayou 4X and my AC 500. I don't know if I would ever want to own any thing without the swing axle or independent rear suspension. I live in Mississippi where it's relatively flat but I still appreciate my articulating rear axle. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

RobAlford, atv tv? Is this on the web and what is the address? Or is it on tv and on what station? Thanks.

 

hey big cat. i watch it all the time. its pretty good. its a televistion show. its on the outdoorchannel. look at outdoorchannel.com to find out the times and excact channel numbers. i know its on monday 3 central, wednesday 8 c and thursaday morning at 8:30 c.

 

American TV, we Canadians get the Outdoor Life Network.

 

I would go wiht the Kodiak for lighter weight, reliability and speed as well as not having the tendency to feel "tippy" in turns or off cambers. I rode one and wish I bought it instead of my Honda. I don't even like auto tranny's, but the thing ran fast so easily and felt very light. Very quick for a 450 4x4. Just my 2 cents

 

I just traded my 02 500act for a 450 Kodiak last week. They are really in different classes. The Cat being more work oriented and a great puller also a great trail rider as long as you don't want to go too fast. The 450 is a great trail rider fast or slow real agile and light feeling on the trail. I'm sure it won't be quite the puller the Cat was there is about 100lbs difference. But it will be a decent worker too. You should go and ride both and see what features you like the best. The reliability question is there also, I had 900 miles on my 500 cat and had to replace brakes all the way around and wheel bearings on the front right wheel. My first Cat had over 3700 miles on it and still had the same wheel bearings, tie rod ends, and ball joints.
I do like the 450 Kodiak better for myself and the locker is great possibly the best part about it. Allthough the agility is good too, I have been riding faster lately. Good luck in what ever you get, they are all good, some appeal to people more than others. Just get what you like the best and ride it.

 

I have to agree and say the two machines are in different classes. A better comparison would be the new outlander and the 450. The only thing I personally don't care for is the 450's rear suspension, this is strictly my opinion. Go ride both and see which one leaves you smiling the most. Heck go check out an Outlander too.