Abused 2005 450 kodiak with 1000 plus miles and 234 hours for $1250. got bad brakes, no air filter, little oil in differentials, and a little metal in the oil.

GOOD- everything works (4x4, transmission, starts on first flip of switch, purrs, diff lock) and i mean everything.

BAD- abused by a teen

Did I get burned?

Got it from a neighbor that HAD to have the cash for noble reasons and I had it to give. I really just need a reliable hunting/farm ATV.

Never owned one before but so far I'm hooked.

 

Give it a COMPLETE service all fluids,etc and enjoy I would do another
oil change after a few hours and then you can strech them out!

 

I don,t think you can abuse a ATV in just 230 hr to trash it even if it never seen a oil change. Like Coyote said give it a good going over and you will get years of use out of it.

I drove my 89 350 big bear for two years without a air filter,i should of been charged with ATV cruelty,but its still going good today for the new owner.

 

Thanks. Been a little worried about it.

 

With a little TLC LOL they can usualy run forever!

 

Sounds like you have a good grip on the mechanicals. If it runs and doesn't sound like a diesel or throws off a cloud of smoke that makes you think you bought a mosquito fogger, then for $1250 it sounds like a good deal. Just do like coyote170 said and give it a full service and have fun.

 

so far I changed all fluids (what little it had i.e. brake and diff.) except the coolant. I need to pull the plastics this weekend and wash out the radiator which looks pretty muddy. Kinda want to get it out and finally get to use it first. Funny that I have had to replace about any bolt heeded for servicing. Guess the previous owner couldn't figure out it was a YAMAHA meaning METRIC! Needs tires sometime too. Thinking Maxis 2.0 if I can find a deal on some. Gotta be a deal got my first baby due in March and I've been instructed not so spend on it.

 

This thing got a FUEL FILTER? Didn't see one.

Thanks for the encouragement also!

 

the metal in the oil is something to keep a close eye on, but maybe it's the original oil from the factory, and thats just break-in shards. TLC, as stated above, and keep an eye on it for any unusual noises or smells. price-wise, you stole that thing! good luck!

 

A great way to deal with metal in the oil is to find a small rare-earth magnet and stick it on the drain plug. (If you have any old computer hard drives, the magnets inside them are incredibly strong and work great).

In addition to keeping any steel out of the oil, it'll also help you gauge how much is actually in there...