I am about to buy a Kodiak for my wife and a Grizzly for me. I do 90% trail riding (woods, mud,rocks) but would like to be able to enjoy the dunes without buing a different bike.

Will my 600 pound grizz get me up a tall dune? would Paddle tires help? What about the 425cc Kodiak?

Any input would be appriciated.

 

You will not make it up the bigger/loose dunes without paddles on either bike. You eventually get to a point where you just sink in and can't move anylonger. I'm sure with paddles you might have a better chance but it will still be tough with all that weight.

 

As Dunepilot858 posted, the very loose area's will be your downfall. However you can cruise around most of the dunes in Oregon without to much trouble. Stay off the steep hillsides w/scattered trees growing as these are the loosest. Paddle tires will help out a lot, but if you don't have them, try airing your tires way down say to 3-4 Lbs as that will help. Also I have a friend who has the same quads as you (w/o paddles) and took them to Pismo Beach. The Grizzly got around fairly decent (made 80% of the hills) and the Kodiak did okay. Again steep, loose hills were their enemy, but they had a good time that weekend experiencing a different type of terrain.

Rude Dog

 

I took my xplorer to the waynoka, oklahoma sand dunes. I ran the stock tires and just turned them around. It made a big difference, but it sucked in reverse. You really have to watch it because you can find yourself in a deep hole very quickly. I ran mine in 4wd most of the time. It does fine in the sand.