Im looking at the 2003 Sportman 400 and the 2003 Kodiak 450 and 400 and the features are similar to each other but I need some help with telling me which model is better or what each model's downsides are. If you own one could you tell me a little about it?

Thanks

 

I recently had the same delema about a month ago. I bought a 04 sp 500 h.o.. But if those are you choices this might help. The kodiak 400 has a peppy motor but thats about it , it has a real short wheel base no low range and a limited slip 4x4 system. The 450 has a peppy engine all the bells and whistles of the griz 660 except for the indepent rear suspension. but you do have to push a couple of extra buttons to get the 4x4 to engage. the sp 400 has all the goodies and true 4x4. It has great low end torque for pulling or pushing, but is not all that fast, mostly because the extra weight it has. I'm very happy with my 500h.o.. hope this helps.



04 sp 500h.o.
2500lb warn winch
60 in. snow plow

 

Ya thanks because from what i read and when i made comparisons i found similar things like the 4WD and the IRS.

Thanks for the help

 

I agree with Iggy completely. While I am not going to run down the Kodiak at all, I'm sure that you would be pleased with the sportsman. I would recommend that if there is any way you could pop for the extra bucks I would go for the 500 or even the 600. If you looked around you probably find a 03 500 or 600 at a reduced price since the 04's are out now. I went into the dealer to buy a 500 and he had a 600 marked down to the same price as a 500 retail price, so I bought a 600 and love it. Go drive them both ( The Sportsman and the Kodiak) and compare, and I think that you will be sold on the sportsman's ride, ergo's,power, and ease of use. ATV television did a test on the atv's in that class about a month ago, go to their website and compare the two. www.atvtv.com .[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

get a 500, the 400 is a dog.

 

It all depends on what you do. I have had a SP400 for 6 months now and it has been a perfect machine for me. I paid about 800 less over the Sp500 and used that money for a trailer and other extras. I use mine for light trail riding and pulling deer out of da woods. Just my 2 cents but definately test ride all that you can.

 

 

I believe that the sportsman is bigger than the kodiak. When I got my SP 700 I was looking at getting a Kodiak or a Grizzly but after I saw a Kodiak sitting next to the Grizzly I new it was going to be to small for me. I then looked at a SP600 and liked what I saw. I went to another dealer and get the SP700 in the color I wanted for the price of the SP600 from the first dealer. The Kodiak might be faster but I think you will be much more comfortable on the SP400.

 

Go and ride both before you decide, but I'd look at the 500 over the 400 because of the power to weight ratio. I rode a few weeks ago with a couple of Kodiaks who followed me on some rough trails and both of those riders made comments off and on during the day about how impressed they were that I would smoothly go over rocks and ruts with easy while they wouldn't.

 

ATV Magazine and Dirtwheels both did shootouts last month between the 400s. Though the articles aren't perfect they might help you decide.