I'm torn between the Kaw 650 and the Kodiak 400. After reading this forum I was sold on the Kodiak for many good reasons. However, after test riding the 650... wow... it has power, and the price point is not much more than the Kodiak.
1) do I really need all that power/speed for trail riding (single and double person)
2) is the 650 fully locking front differential all that important in mud and snow?
3) the Kodiak feels much sportier. Is it tough enough to handle a snow plow?

 

I haven't had a chance to try the 650 "Yet". But I will tell you that My Kodiak is awesome. I have no issues with the power. It will spin the tires on dirt and do speeds of 90km/h. W It is all the bike that I need. It has a lite feel to it, and is very manoverable in the trails. I am concidering a diff lock for the front of my bike. I do have a plow on my Kodiak but haven't had much chance to put it to the test because I bought it late in the season. However I've plowed through a pretty tick crust and had not problems. I would buy another Kodiak without a doubt.

 

I feel the same way. I tested the 650 last week and can't seem to make up my mind either. I'm torn between it and the Vinson 500. I was interested in an Eiger, but saw a post in the Suzuki forum about a major recall for some type of shaft problem. There is only a few hundred dollars difference in price, so its a tough decision.

 

Arriva1, your post was like DejaVu. A couple of week ago I was looking for a Kodiak 400 and actually had my heart set on it. My cousin has one and raves about it. They're great machines. I been trying different machines, then last week.... I went to a local Kaw dealer. I took a new Kaw360, Kaw400, and Kaw650 for a drive and like you, WOW. This machine will do a wheely in reverse. I ended up buying the Kaw650 and I love it. I exchanged the stock tires for Mud Bugs.

Do you need all that power? Does anybody? That's just a bonus. This machine is an "Animal". I love the diff lock, the power, and it's a very stable machine for it's size. I've only had it for a week and its an animal in the snow, breaking ice and climbing muddy hills. Its like a little tank. They're all good machines, just some are better and you found it. No regrets so far. Go for it.....

 

I lllooovvveeee (love) my Kodiak, but I drove my neigbors 650, and WOW it had some acceleration.

 

This is a cool Kodiak