buying a used bike for use mainly on South Louisiana hunting lease. Lots of mud!! Have narrowed "probable" choice to Kodiak & Foreman. Also going look at a Grizzly (same price range) this wkend but feel it may be larger than I need. Any Advise?

 

The Yamaha Griz has LOCKING front end which is huge advantage over the Honda limited slip front ends. Plus the Griz will have serveral more inches of ground clearance than the Honda. I would go for the Yamaha over the Honda for the mud. The new 2003 450 Kodiak has the same features as the Griz which makes it a better mudder than the Honda.

 

I have the 03 Kodiak 450 and the diff lock is graet havent needed it yet though save some money and get the kodiak.

 

I have a foreman and i would have to say if you can get the griz or kodiak w/ a diff lock go with the yammys. Honda is an awsome machine but the diff lock is huge when mudding. with out the diff lock i would go with the foreman.

 

Had a kodiak and loved it. I sold it and bought the P650 its a great machine....and I got mine for the same price of a kodiak. It too has an on the fly front locker. It makes a huge difference.

 

I've pulled alot of machines out of the mud with my 2002 Foreman. haven't been able to get it stuck yet. Closest I came was when I bottomed out. I think the Foreman has good ground clearence (9" I think&quot, but the mud was a lot deeper than that. I was going fast enough that I kinda slid thru it. Everyone has their opinions, but I've been happy with my Foreman in mud and I don't worry when I run into some mud on a new trail.

You said you will be riding in south Louisiana. That is not only mud, it is also salt marsh. I don't like to ride any of them in deep water.

Ted

 

I find my '98 Forman 450 great in MUD, lots of power very reliable, nochance of a wet slipping belt in a mud hole. My 27" Blackwater's made a huge difference though!!! Had her up to the racks and wouldn't go any further forward, but reversed out with no trouble!!

 

get a kodiak and throw some 26'' 589s on it and it will do any thing u want just ask my uncles!

 

More will depend on the type of tires and rider ability on the 00-02 Kodiaks. The 03 450 Kodiaks should have an advantage with the locker but tires and rider ability will still play a big role.