Hello Everyone,
After doing a lot of research and reading these forums I decided to purchase a Kodiak 450. I was looking for a machine for plowing so I could get rid of my old Bronco Plow truck which is fast becoming an eye sore. I wasn't able to get a good deal at my local Yamaha dealer so I end up driving to the next town which also has a Yamaha dealer. The dealer shows me the Kodiak and sitting next to it he has a Bombardier Quest 650 XT with a 60" Moose plow. This machine stood out so much I couldn't help checking it out, I end up basically ignoring the Kodiak. I had him price out the two machines with a three year warranty. The Quest XT was only two hundred dollars more. To make things short, I ended up purchasing the Quest XT with the plow, and there delivering it tomorrow. I just hope this is a reliable machine but after all the machines I looked at Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, I don't think you can go wrong with anything you purchase. I really didn't want something as big as the 650 but I just couldn't pass up the three year warranty, low financing and 500 dollars off. As much as I liked the Kodiak, the Quest seemed to be built more solid.
Regards,

 

they are built like tanks, like you said looking at them side by side they don't compare, and for plowing you got a much better machine. and the rotax engine is great. the quest i think has one of the best pulling out there. and they are fast for what they are.

 

Congrat's Sluggo - you will be very pleased with your new Quest.

I own two Quests (2002 and 2003 650XT's) and they have been outstanding - I'm really pleased with them. ColdNCruel once described the Quest as plowing "like a possessed mule" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

You may find your transmissions shifter a little stiff to start with, sometimes you need to "rock" the Quest slightly to get it to shift. This can be a hassle when plowing, but it should disappear after break-in. You may also find the Quest will "fart and backfire" when new - again this will disappear after break-in.

Be sure to have your dealer do the first (10hr) "dealer only" service - if they don't do it, it can void your warrenty. After that, you can do most of the service yourself. If you are interested in running Synthetic Oil, wait until you have atleast 500 miles on the Quest before you switch. Bombardier recommends only "Bombardier Brand" synthetic oil be used in the Quest, but if you check with your dealer he may say it's fine to use other brands.

With running a plow, you may want to install some spring spacers on the front shocks to help with the "sag". I can send you information on that via email if you want.

Cheers,

 

Got my Traxter the same way. I was prepared to get a Honda Rancher when the dealer told me I could get the Traxter for the same money. Never regretted it. You wont either.

 

ColdNCruel Here,

Yes you made a good decision for your puposes, My Quest XT 650 Does Plow Like a mule possesed! I have moved some pretty large and heavy mounds of snow and the only thing that has stopped me at all was Ice under the snow and fixed that prob with rear chains. I have a 60" plow and had a ball last winter plowing with mine. The tranny is a little tricky at first but with some finess (rocking) and and raising and lowering the plow to to take the tention off the trans seems to work well. If ya have some probs shifting do make sure your chock is not on, this will create higher rpms and the quest will seem like it doesnt want to shift right, had this happen once when my choke was hit buy a branch. Is yours an 03 or left over 02? I ran mine in a pull this summer I did very well considering I was all stock when my competition was not. I was only beat by 5 ft by a polaris 700 with a lift kit and big diggers on it. The guy owned the local polaris dealer and who knows what other tricks he had. I love my Quest and wouldnt trade it for any other machine (except ds650 if only it plowed snow) Now if only I can find out where Canadian Viking got the black fenders, lol. His 03 Quest is very nice, I'm jelious!

 

Hi,
Cold, the Quest is an 03. Canadian Viking are there any benefits to using the synthetic oils? I think it will take me forever to break the motor in. I didn't realize they require a break in. I am not crazy about breaking an engine in while I am plowing. I have several acres of wooded land and have to plow about 300 feet of driveway and a parking area. I would also like get a spreader for grass seed and fertilizer, it takes forever using a walking spreader. I will also use the plow to push a compost pile. This was pretty tricky with the Bronco because of all trees. I am a little aprehensive with the weight of this machine. I think its close to 800lbs, and it seems very wide. I am use to riding dirt bikes, I think the heaviest was about 250lbs. I told the dealer I wanted a machine more for power and I don't care how fast it can go. Will running this machine in low range for extended periods of time damage the transmission?
Regards,

 

Hey Sluggo,
If it makes you feel better, I broke my machine in plowing last year, didnt hurt a thing other that it brought on an issue that needed to be taken care of on the first batch of Quests concerning the trans, but that has been taken care of on the newer machines. I take mine out for a ripp on the trails every once in a while but most of what I do is in low range, even in low its pretty darn fast. Ive had mine for a year and I only have 190 miles on it still,but it seems to be breaking in, note: if your going to do any brush busting with the plow on it get the CV boot protectors, one of mine was ripped pretty easily by some branches, there cheaper than a replacement boot.

 

Sluggo~

you will be very happy with the Quest [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I would not worry about the break-in - I don't think plowing will cause any problems during your break-in. The biggest thing to remember is to vary the trottle, and you will be doing that anyway while plowing. Using low range will no cause any problems - I use low range for most of my riding - the only time I'm in high range is on fast ride roads. ColdnCruel's suggestion about the boot guards is an excellent one, something you may want to consider.


ColdnCruel~
I just ordered the black plastic trim through the dealer that supplied my 03 Quest. Fire me an email if you want the part numbers.

Cheers,

 

Wam~

I love your new gif!

 

Hey Canadian Viking,

I nolonger have your email addy so heres mine, coldncruel@hotmail.com If ya get a chance send me that part # < i hope you dont feel like I'm copying the look yours has.........but I am, lol. Think of it as a compliment! I ahve to say The pics I seen of your 03 makes me wisk I had an extra $1000 laying around. Are thos 27's or 28' you have on, the dealer said I would not need a lift if I go with 27's.