i am pondering on the 04 kodiak 450 and the 400AT i like the locker feature on the kodiak. Is the 4wd system on the honda as good as systems with lockers, how do they do in the mud. which wheeler would you rather have...any input would be appreciated.

thanks!

 

In all honesty, the locker is going to be much better in the mud. The 400 AT also doesn't have a low range. The 450 Kodiak does and that will help it greatly in the mud also. The 400 AT just isn't made for mudding, it's a trail bike. Just like a smaller version of the Rincon.

 

I presume the Rancher AT has the same front diff as the other Ranchers. While it doesn't lock, this differential is pretty good. I have run up on stuff where I had one front wheel in the air, and had the wheel on the ground (the wheel with traction) still gets good power. I wouldn't imagine that it is the ultimate mud machine, however.

 

The rancher AT actaully does have a low "gear" it uses and oil pump like the rubicon(not rincon) rather than belts and gears so it really has a low ratio rather than gear...it has alot more low end punch than the kodiak has ...with the engine set up honda uses.and a locking diff. is terribly ineffiecent because turn the wheels at all and your jsut draggin the other wheel along while hondas setup give power to the wheel with the most resistence..but depends on what you want

 

I own an 04 Rancher AT and can attest to having gotten stuck in serious mud on 3 occassions when I thought I was going to require a tow. Switching to ESP mode and remaining in 1st gear pulled me out each time. The "auto" mode does not provide the low wnd torque, but that ESP 1st gear definitely does. I have never ridden a Kodiak, so I can't tell the difference, but the AT has yet to fail me. It simply provides so many options for all conditions. I read a shoot-out between 400's, and the AT won overall by being good at everything, where as the 450 Kodiak was stronger in some areas but definitely weaker in others. My opinion - You can't beat this AT.

 

Putting it in ESP will NOT make the gears any lower. It just allows you to hold 1st gear for as long as you want, probably making you think it's lower but it's not.

 

No argument, b/c I realize the AT is "gearless". All that really matters, though, is that ESP in 1st "gear" acts like a "low end" torque gear. It has pulled me over boulders, through mud, even up my trailer when the Auto selection would not. It works very well !

 

Your auto selection mode wouldnt pull you up your trailor??????? You made up my mind on not looking into honda quads anymore!!!! I wished the new AT was like the ES Ranchers, I love those bikes, fun little machines!~!

 

No, it's no different. Putting it in ESP only allows you to hold that first "gear" for as long as you want. Where as in Auto mode it was probably already in it's 2nd "gear" or somewhere around it and that's why you couldn't pull the trailer in auto mode.

Automatic mode takes off in the exact same gear ratio as ESP 1st does.

 

Yeah, I was shocked myself when the auto wouldn't pull me up the trailer, but I tried to "creep" up, and didn't try and "hammer" it. Switching to the ESP allowed it to pull right up, and like I said, the versatility of the ESP has pulled me through a lot more challenging areas. Personally, I love the AT. I do think it may be underpowered, but overall it is a fantastic trail bike. It has excellent engine braking, handles like a dream, and fits me like a glove. I rode Polaris (I've only owned Polaris sleds), and the Yamaha Kodiak 400, and neither compares to the AT. SO don't be too quick to dog the Honda. It's overall package allows the most flexibility of any bike in its class, and that's what I like about it.