I guess opinions will be a little tainted since i'm posting in a Yamaha Forum but here goes... I am a first time buyer and can't decide between an '04 Kodiak 450 and an '04 Polaris Sportmans. I love everything about the Yamaha BUT i found that the Sportman has independent rear suspension and a higher ground clearance of 1.3". I know to some this may seem like an easy decision but to a guy who knows little about quads any advice would be appreciated. The machine i purchase will be for recreational use only (trail/mud riding, mabey pull a moose or two!!!) I test drove both machine but the terrain was pretty flat, except for a few little hump. Will the single arm suspension on the Yamaha Kodiak cause it to be a little unstable (tippy)? I don't know anyone who's tried both machines, so your opinions would mean a whole bunch. (and also the Polaris is $1000 cheaper.....i know it's not all about the money!! lol)

Thanx alot,

Yamster24

 

Well, I have riden both the Kodiak 450 and sportsman 500( I know you are talking about the 400, but they are very similar). I was in the market to buy another quad last year, and was basically set on getting the kodiak, that is, until i rode the prairie! But anyway, from riding both the sportsman and kodiak, I can say that the sportsman probably is the best riding atv around. They are really smooooooth! I love the irs, but with the more moving parts, the more things that can break. With IRS, the sportsman will not get hung up on obstacles in the trail like straight axle quads. If you look at both quads side by side, the sportsman actually looks like it has a lot more ground clearance. Straigt axle quads such as the kodiak are actually more stable ( from my experience ) than quads with IRS. IRS quads tend to be tippy in high speed corners. I also do not like the 4wd system on the polaris, although it does have "true" 4wd. For me, the sportsman is just too big and heavy! This is just my opinion though. I also have heard that the sportsman 400 is a little underpowered. Now onto the kodiak.... The kodiak is a really fun, light, and a powerful quad! I really like the 2/4wd and diff lock setup too! Yamaha also makes probably the best automatic belt tranny on the market. With its low center of gravity the kody is very stable, although it still maintains decent ground clearance. I do not know about maintenece, but the yammy should be better than polaris from my experiences. You would not regret any decision, but you would probably enjoy having the yammy a little more[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I never played with the sportsman 400 but I just bought my first quad the other day and it is the Kodiak 450. Man I love this thing powers threw what I have put it threw so far. Seems pretty stable to me I have had it up to 55Mph so far and seems to handle very nicely. I have been in mud upto the seat with no problem and have climbed up monster hills with it here in Washington. I don't think I would buy anything different then Yamaha but all I have riden lately is Honda so I can't say much. Except I LOVE my Kodiak!! I got the Blue one it is ten times cooler then the picture. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

SoXx, glad you like your new ride, just make sure you break it in properly so it will last longer, and to get optimum performance from your engine! Only if they made a blue prairie.....

 

Yeah I have been going through the Break in process right now. I need to go threw the motor now since it is now time for the first shop vist [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

SoXx, is 1st visit back to dealer after 20 hours?????????

 

I rode a 03 450 Kodiak the other day. It seem to have plenty of power. It was very stable and felt like it is a solid machine. I'm not used to autos but it seemed to work well. I liked the 2 wheel or 4 wheel option. I've never rode a 400 Sportsman but I have rode a 400 Scrambler. It was fast and rode OK. It belonged to a freind. He says he has had a lot of dependability problems with it. Just my $.02

 

The 400 scrammy is nothing like a sp400. The ONLY area a sp400 has the 450 KOD beat is in ride quality, and that's not to say the kodiak's is bad. Power wise the 400 kodiak has more than the sp400.

If you want ride quality and power get the sp500, if not get the kodiak 450

 

let me add a bit more to this, having just purchased an 04 sportsman 400 after looking at everything else.. I had an 02 Kodiak, and I loved it, But I also love the Sportsman, BOTH are great bikes, the sportsman has a better 4x4 system in my opinion, the ride is second to none. The kodiak is lighter, a tad faster, and has less moving parts. I wanted the sportsman because most of my riding was going to be done 2 up. The seat and Ride of the Sportsman really helped sell the bike. I wont be riding anywhere where sheer acceleration will be a factor, mor tight wooded trails, and a good bit on Low range. Judge your riding style, the sportsman is more of a Cadillac, the Kodiak, kind of more like a Sport Utility. Both serve the purpose, depending on the task at hand, If you will be spending more time blazing down fast trails, the Kodiak will be a better choice. Riding at a more sedate choice, then the sportsman.. Just my opinion.

Ron
04 Sportsman 400
03 200 EXC
02 520 EXC
00 CR 500
97 CR 500
85 Eliminator

 

Well decision was made and i went with the Kodiak 450. What an awesome machine this is, i think that the SP400 was just as good with a smoother ride but i found that the kodiak had a little more power. Now, i was wondering what special attetion should be given during the break in process. (Other than what is in the book) I have also looked for grease fittings and could not find any!!! If anyone has any suggestions please let me know. I now have 200km and approx ~18 hours.
Thanx and ride hard..

Yamster24