Just bought my first atv last night a Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4 camo. Can't wait to really ride it!!! When I got it home it was snowing. I took it around the back yard and realized I forgot to buy goggles! Oops. Bought a set tonight and a pair of snow mobile gloves so I'm ready for tomorrow. Any suggestions on add ons for the new toy? Or supplies to have on hand when riding, maintiance, tools etc... Would appreciate the advice. Thanks

 

Way to go Rosebud, I looked at the 400 but opted for the 450, bright shiny blue one. I figured if I bought the camo edition one for 400 dollars more it would be wasted as it gets pretty muddy fast. Especially so after I added a set of 26 inch ITP MUDLITES. Did you get the winch with it or the snow plow? I went with the winch but after spending several weeks of digging out my driveway I was mumbling about "should of went with the plow". As for extras for your quad, what do you plan on doing with it? That would help other people to inform you of everything that you did not know you needed, plus some.AlaskaBoy.

 

Congrats on the new Kodiak. One of the first things I did was ordering a set of Highlifter 1.5" wheel spacers. Really makes an incredible difference on the stability of the Kodiak. A winch is always good. I just ordered some Maxxis Bighorn Radials. I do mostly trail riding with the occasional muddy trail. I hear the Bighorn Radial and ITP Holeshot ATR's do really good in the snow. I got a really cool exhaust tip on Ebay for 36.00. It makes the Kodiak sound really good and gave it a few more MPH. Just do a "Yamaha Kodiak" search. I also recommend a K&N airfilter. They still do not make one for the 450[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Happy riding!

 

I guess the add-ons depend on where and how far you'll be riding. You might want a winch or different tires. You could get an aftermarket full body skid or/and a-arm stick stoppers. You might just want to buy a storage bag or trunk for the front and/or back. Some people like to buy the hand guards to protect their dainty hands. There's a lot to choose from.

I usually carry a rain poncho and matches when I ride within a 5 mile radius. You might want to carry a first aid kit, tire plug kit, water, snack, compass, maps, flashlight, camera, extra spark plug, knife, small hand saw, tp, extra socks, tow strap and/or some kind of winch, and ..... that's all I can think of right now.

 

Thanks for the tips on extras. I bought a front rack box havn't found a rear one i like yet. I will be doing mostly trail riding and ice fishing (just in time) don't know about any serious mudding yet Going to take it a little easy till i get the hang of it. I was looking at winches on line Will probably get one this summer. They were going to throw one in on the sale but i opted for the extra off to get the camo. Hopefully for next years hunting season. I bought the front box from www.tamarackatv.com seems pretty nice. Will throw a tow strap in it for now till I get the winch. Well gotta run have my sons baptism in a few hours will hopefully get some riding in tonight. Thanks again.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: Senater
Congrats on the new Kodiak. One of the first things I did was ordering a set of Highlifter 1.5" wheel spacers. Really makes an incredible difference on the stability of the Kodiak.



Hows the reliability of the spacers?...Ive heard they put alot more stress on the axle..Ive been thinking about putting on a set but was worried about bending the axle.

 

Putting wheel spacers on a fourwheeler is no different then those low rider cars and trucks you see running around, you know those ones I am talking about. You see them sitting at a redlight and they are sagging in and in need of some new wheel bearings and handle realy bad and can not figure out why. Putting wheel spacers of 1.5 inches on each side is not going to give you more stability, even though that is what the parts guy tell you. It is going to make you think they are, in reality you are just learning how your bike handles and adjust to it. Spacers just reek havoc on wheel bearings and seals and alter the handleing of your quad. People will buy anything if they are told it will make there life better. Remember those commercials for that hair in a can, it was diluted spray paint and looked like crap but people bought it because they were told it made them look better. Save your money and learn to ride better.

 

One other thing. Wheel spacers were designed not to make your quad handle better but to get the the to wide tire people put on the quad away from the frame on turning{front of course}. When the better solution would of been to go with narrower tire in the first place.AlaskaBoy.

 

Add some sort of beer carring device,Black bungees cords so you can carry stuff on your racks. Maybe a little hand held boat horn (at Walmart its cheap),just in case your down in a ditch in trouble. Get a steel pully for the winch,doubles your pulling power and don't forget the tow strap. A GPS will plug into the 12v outlet............hell or a 12v blender!

 

A physics lesson: Wider stance=more stability. I have had the wheel spacers for more than six months. No problems with bent axles or anything else. I do some pretty serious trail riding with them. My Kodiak always felt tipsey before I had them,. They made a great difference. Have you even tried them Alaskaboy? TeddyTwoFire, I got a great recipe for margaritas for that blender!