I have the same belt in my bike since it was new and these belts where first made with 100 hp snowmachine in mind and can handle the lower power of any 4 stroke quad.The Kodiak will out pull a Rancher not just because it has more power but it also has a low range option in its tranny.

 

The belt thing I think is a non-issue. I've had no slippage in water/mud over tires to where the front of fender dipped under water. From experience, my kodiak is faster than a 2000 polaris sportsman 500 and a 450s 2000 model. The honda is a good bike I'm sure, but with full time 4x4 its more of a workhorse. The only way I'd trade is if they came out with a 450 or 500 Kodiak. Also, the Kodiak has won every shootout so far between Honda and Polaris. It was ATV of the year in one magazine and runner up in another behind the DS 650, although I think that's comparing apples to oranges.

 

The 2000 SP must be tamed down because my friends 2000 Kodiak does about 50mph and I pass him at a fair clip on the fire roads.

 

I don't know about max top end but the Kodiak has much better acceleration. He couldn't attempt to pass me on a dirt road doing about 50mph. His is stock just off the showroom floor as it mine. I've ridden both and there is no comparison on quickness. His is a nice bike though with plush ride and probably a better mudder with that clearance although it sits high. His is a 4-stroke, I know the Polaris 2-strokes will fly.

 

I have had my Kodiak in a large wide moving creek up to the bottom of the seat. I was following a 450ES across a new place in said creek. It was tricky due to a rocky bottom he had to be carefull not to put one side off a ledge and side dip it. With the water moving pretty good you can get too off camber. I just rode behind him because he was picking the best line. A few times he had to pause and carfully pick the line. A few times he had to look back because he knew he was deep and he could not hear my muffler. Yes I was sweating it but had a do or die attitude. The water was lapping the fender and came over a litte a few times but she crossed. The Honda really exspected to see me stop but was impressed instead.
I'm knocking on wood and will not trade her unless Yamaha makes it a 500 with a smart front end.
AC

 

No one mentioned the ability to switch from 2-4 wheel drive. I had a full time 4x4 Big bear and got rid of it. Full time 4x is miserable. I've ridden a Rancher ES. It didn't come close to my Kodiak, but to each his own. I'll ride with anybody.

 

(duplicated from my post in the honda fourm..)

there was a rancher vs. kodiak shootout i few months ago. it was either in dumnbwheels or atvaction. the kodiak was the winner but the rag admitted that the kodiak belongs in a different class than the rancher. the rag was also suprised at how well the two quads matched up (seeing that the rancher was outclassed).
the price you quoted is quite high for the rancher. i bought mine from an expensive dealer and paid only 5399......shop around. ride both they are great quads. the only things i don't like about the kodiak is the belt drive and the conventional limited slip front diff.

kodiak pluses.....
...401cc==better power
...disc brakes----there is debate as to whether or not discs are better than drums. i tend to think this is a none issue but others hinge thier purchaes on this.

kodiak minuses
...cvt tranny==another personal thing. i don't like them...others do.
...not as dependable as other brand===the yamaha forum has had several posts about problems with the kodiak.
...traditional limited slip front diff.
rancher pluses
...honda reliability
...peppy engine for it's size
...engine braking without a fancy clutch setup (manula gearbox)
...best mid-sized quad (according to all avt rags and most on this site)
...ap-sure trac differential
rancher minuses
...drum breaks (see above)
...not a true 350 (but you'll never notice it)
...sometime it will tend to push in high speed turns (this is a trade off for the ap-differential. if i need to further explain this ask me or do a search of the forum for the answer)

basically the desicion is yours. you won't be unhappy with either quad as long as you do your part mantainance wise. i'm tryin to give an unbiased opinion but i plain don't like the cvt trannys. i prefer to shift my gears.
sorry for the long post.
hope this helps
cart

 

The Yamaha CVT is a funny trans. I hated them till i got on the wifes Kodiak. I figured if you couldent shift gears you shouldent be riding. I still hate Polaris's and Kawis auto BUT the Yamaha Ultramatic is AWESOME. I got a grizz right after i rode hers. The EBS is killer i NEVER need the brakes even on the steepest down hills. It is hard to describe how well the Yamaha Auto works.
If the belt gets wet (hasent happend yet) i will drain it on the trail and ride on. Im shure there are some negative sides to the auto (i cant list them cause i dont know of any). The vent for the Cvt is the same height as the carb so most likley if the belt slips the motor dies anyway. As for the new front diff on the hondas it is cool but it seems to have as many probs as any open diff. They just happen on the outher side.
And as far as reliability is concerned i think Yamaha and Honda are the same.

 

I did not find much differance between a Polaris and Kodiak tranny I tried,you hit the gas and they go infact there is not much differance between the bikes and my Ski-doo.

 

I have had mine alittle less time then rock, But i have been in a whole lot of water, and so far have not had a bit of problems with my Kodiac. I have been in the swamps and in the rivers since the first day I bought it and it still runs like a top. No slippage. This is the first machine I have owned, and to say I'm impressed would be an understatement.