Howdy folks. I currently have a 2001 honda rancher 350 es, 2x4. I saw a 05 YAMAHA KODIAK 400 4X4 on craigslist. Am considering upgrading to 4x4. Personally, I prefer the manuals (semi automatic) however i may go to automatic. Are the cvts less efficient since the engine generally tends to rev higher? also, does turning the extra axle when you are in 2wd burn more gas? Any feedback is appreciated

 

Greetings! If anything, my guess would be that a cvt would burn less gas because you are technically always in the "right gear" so to speak. Neither is beter than the other, it just takes some time getting used to the switch

 

i see. I rode a cvt before, and it seemed to me that i had to give it more gas to get it to want to accelerate, perhaps however you could be right in saying that they are the same

 

well, actually it depends. On a cvt machine, the RPM level is directly relative to the speed, unlike a manual. So, on the low end, it probably uses less fuel, and on the high end, it probably uses more than a manual cruzin low RPMs in a high gear.

 

There all clutch different,it depends on which one you rode. My first 3 ATVs were manual 5 speeds, a 250 Moto4 ,350 Big bear and 450 Foreman, I would not go back,constantly shifting gears on the trail to be in the right power band is a annoying chore after awhile.

Maybe a 5 speed on a sporty race ATV makes sense but not on a Utility.

 

Another thing, and I don't know why, is the Yamaha's have a tendency to get a little worse gas mileage. I have had a Kodiak 400 and a 450 and that seemed to be the case. Not sure if it was the gearing or the carb. I loved both machines though. I think you will love the upgrade though. The extra weight on the front helps keep the front down on hills too. Just another added thing!

 

yeah. i personally prefer shifting, and i dont do anything intense with em...i might stick with the rancher es

 

shifting is pretty fun.. I have a rancher same as yours and i have a rincon.. I always choose to shift the rincon when I ride it..

 

yeah man, im also thinking, do i really need the new quad you know? i think its just the idea of gettin a new one