I am looking at buying a new atv, and I was wondering how the Kodiak 4x4 performs. I know it is a limited-slip diff. I was wondering if one of the front tires gets in the air or looses grip, will the other one pull? Also, do they have good pulling power with the 4wd? Thanks.

 

I was wondering about that myself. I've been thinking about getting a Kodiak, and I was wondering if it would be worth putting a full time diff locker in it. I mean, I wouldn't want one in a bike that was full time 4x4 because it makes it too hard to steer, controll, etc., but on the Kodiak, your usually in 2WD until you need to put it in 4x4, so wouldn't it be advantageous to have a locker in the front? Would there be any downsides? I imagine that bike probably kicks @$$ in the mud & snow anyway simply because of the ground clearance, and the fact that you don't have to lose momentum to down/up shift.

 

When one front tire is in the air it will be the one with power, the tire with traction will not turn. But don't let that influence you to buy other than the Kodiak, it's more than i expected from it. I have a set of Bear Claws(26-12X12 and 9X12 on the front) and they pull me through some nasty stuff. As far as power goes it has lots! I tow cars and full size trucks all the time at my dad's shop, not to mention trailor loads of scrap steel. As far as a locker goes i know nothing about them, i don't even know if you can get them for the 2000 Kodiaks... But I'd like to find out too

2000 Kodiak, Blue.
26" Bear Claws
Warn winch with roller
Kimpex ft/r bumpers
Back seat w/ fender guards and pegs

http://www.geocities.com/y2kerplunk/kodiakleft.jpg

 

About Lockers,
you must have a special purpose application for a locker to justify it. It will wear you out. Even if you are in 2x4 the front diff is still locked.
So, now what you have is no neutral position for the steering to return to. If you take a turn in full lock and let go of the bars it will stay there. You have to pull the wheels back to center or to the direction you want to go.
I tell you choosing an ATV can be difficult these days. My story is that I was SOLD on the Rancher after reading a review on it. I had no idea the Kodiak was an all new machine. The dealer sells both. I went to see and ride the Rancher in the dealers parking lot and a small field. I rode it around and HATED the Eletric Shift. I know, lots of folks LOVE it but I didn't. I eye-balled the Kodiak and rode it. There was no turning back.
I read some posts on the Honda forum a couple of months ago, give or take a week or two, about the front diff not being as up to par as advertized. But there is also posts swearing by it.
Take your time and make every effort to ride them both some how.

Good Luck

 

I was very reluctant to switch back to the old Limited slip diff. Having a 425 Polaris.I liked having all wheels turning. So the new Kodiak might not have the AWL but I seem to be doing just fine without it. First understand what YOUR type of riding well be and try to match the machine to you. Ask everybody you see what they think of their machines.And test ride a bunch. Also use this forum to ask more questions. Its a lot of work to sort through hype and BS. Good luck

 

hey, someone told me that you could tap the front brake when one wheel is spinning or in the air and the other one will start pulling. Does anyone know if that works, or of any other little trick to make the wheel with traction or even both wheels pull? I am wondering this b/c I want the fourwheeler to go through a bunch of mud. I wouldn't like to know I spent this much on a fourwheeler that would get stuck in the mud. Not to mention having to hear it from my friends. Thanks for the information.

 

I have used the front brake to fool the differential method with 50-50 results. It is a method that is hard to master because you have to throttle at the same time. I have not practiced it much but I found that if you realy sqeeze hard and let off slow but not all the way it will work....sometimes. I would like to see a complete blow up of the differential. Maybe it can use stiffer springs or shims to taylor it to individual needs. I love mine and will leave it alone.

 

I haven't had any luck with the brake tapping method yet. But everytime i get stuck I get lots of practice ;-) (please work, please work, please work...Common just work dammit!) hehehe....

 

Been there, Done that...........

 

Well fellows,
I must say the new kodiak can be a find trail machine with some minor tire changes for muddin conditions like here in the Upper Michigan area and northern Wisconsin ATV counties.
I did owned a 97 Big Bear SE 4X4 until a work comrade wanted to buy a four wheeler, so I sold him my bear. I too wanted a softer ride and performance similar to the wolverine. I like what I read here on the forum, in the mags and discussion I had with the local Yamaha Dealer. I still like the dependability I had with the Bear compare with honda quads but still like the reverse systems that polaris and yamaha has. So,I bought the Y2K Kodiak in red and just before a long planned gathering ride to Huley area for the Memorial weekend I did a nerving thing by taking a brand new machine in stock condition thru some nasty trails with rock,mud,waterholes and dust galore.

Results: Filter changes twice,which was expected; lots of scratches,scraps,4 dents on two left wheels,also expected; but no flats from those undependable stock Dunflats, which wasn't expected; and no breakdowns,made the weekend very enjoyable after going 400+ miles.

Yes do compare the type of machine to the type of riding or usage you are going to do with it.

Mac Y2K Kodiak The Red Rhino