I will be purchasing a 4 wheeler in the next few weeks and have narrowed it down to these 2. Any advise on what is better about one than the other would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

i dont know to much about the kodiak. Ive heard good things about the yamie but every 500 HO ive ridden has been a great machine, i love HO engine, plenty of power the, polaris variable tranny is awesome as well and those sportsmans get around everywhere, ill give em that one to

 

The Kodiak 450 probably matches up more accurately to a Sportsman 400. The Sportsman "400" actually has the same engine as the 500HO except is has been given a smaller carb and a smaller bore and stroke so it displaces 425cc. The Kodiak "450" actually displaces 421cc. The Kodiak is, however, over 100 lbs lighter. I think the Sportsmans are more heavily built (it's obviously reflected in the weight disparity) and the Kodiak is easier to "toss around" on the trail. But really the Sportsmans handle very well with their excellent suspension and are in no way lacking dispite the weight. (A buddy of mine just bought a Sportsman because he loved the way mine handled when he drove it)

To answer your question relative to the Sportsman 500HO vs Kodiak 450.......I like the Kodiak 450 a lot (particularly that it now has IRS)........but I think the Sportsman 500HO gives you a whole lot more for the $$$.

Good Luck, Bob

 

its a hard call...it all depends what features you are looking for....I would just suggest that you go to the dealers, look them over and try riding both of them.....

 

I test rode both models. I went with the 500 H.O. (buy a polaris) It just had a better feel. It looked badder, (buy the polaris) pulled harder, and the under (the 500 HO is better) rack storage is what sold me on the (the way out) polaris. Ride them and pick what you (future polaris owner) like best.....or it might have been all the subliminal messages when I asked what to buy on the Polaris forums.....I really couldnt tell you.

 

All depends on what you want. On the surface they appear to be much the same, but in the details, they are alot different.
Take the 4wd system. The polaris can be enabled...then after rear wheel spin, you get 4wd. Thats all you can control. You can not have 4wd with engine braking. For a beginner or inexperienced rider, engine braking with 4wd is alot better than engine braking and rear only. Depends on the steepness of the hills you go on...if they arent very steep, then either machine will work ok. But on very steep hills, theres nothing like the security, of 4wd engine braking.
The polaris doesnt have a differential in front, it has electric hubs. Which means, that they are locked together, or not...no differential.
Yami lets you decide how you want the 4wd to work. You can have 2wd,3wd,or 4wd, anytime, anywhere( even high traction surfaces)...uphill ,downhill, around corners, on pavement...no excuses. Flick a switch and you have it...no waiting for loosing traction in back, to have the front pull.
The trannys are both belt drive, but they are different in how they work. The polaris belt goes slack at idle, and because the drive pulley is spinning, and the belt is stationary, starting out from a stop, is stressful on the belt. The sudden closing of the drive pulley on the belt, especially in high range, can cause burning and slippage in the belt. Thats why, polaris needs to be in low range for doing about anything, except high speed trail riding. The belt, is the clutch, and is comsumable, on polaris.
The yamis belt, is always in tension, between the two pulleys. No slippage, and no need to be in low range ...unless thats what you want. The tranny wont care if your going slow and in high.
The yami has separate front and rear braking..polaris is a single lever , front and back braking. Your preference...some people like linked brakes, and some people like to have a choice, of both or front only, or back only.
Obviously, the 500 is quicker and has a higher top speed. I think it also has more ground clearance.