I am in the market for a new ATV, previously I have had sport machines, but want something with some utility prowess, but still be fast and fun on the trails.
I am wanting input from Wolverine owners and Kodiak owners on trail riding with each machine. I like the idea of switchable 2 and 4 wheel drive, automatic, and low gear on the Kodiak. The Wolverine is a little lighter with a smaller engine, but I do not like autoclutches. All opinions are helpfull!

 

I have a 00 Kodiak, and love it. I was looking into a Wolverine before I bought the Kodiak. I felt the Kodiak was a better deal. I just think the features are better for your money. The auto tranny, ebs, 2wd/4wd option, and gas gauge all appealed to me. The Kodiak is good for work and play. If you are looking for more performance, the Wolverine is probably a better choice. One more good option on the Kodiak has impressed me. The ability to put it in park. It is great not to worry is the brake will hold the quad on a hill, because I have seen them fail after a period of time. I was suprised on how good the auto tranny responded on it. It has great power throughout the throttle. The 2wd option is good for gas mileage, and for that occasional doughnut that just has to be done. I think you just need to do some research and find out what is best for you. Good luck on your purchase.

 

up!

 

I had a 99 Big Bear. I had it a total of two months. I hated the autoclutch, and full time four wheel drive is miserable if you enjoy trail riding. As you can see from my signature, I ended up getting a 2000 Kodiak. This quad is the ultimate sport/utility model. You can use the 4X4 for work, then hit two wheel drive for sliding the butt end around, and for doing donuts. It also performs extremely well for deer camp, or riding with the buddies.

 

hello, I went ridin last nite with my neighbour he has a 2000 special edition kodiak 4x4 and I was driving my brother's 99 wolverine, we live in alberta so there is about 8 inchs of snow and some big drifts in areas. He killed me everywhere he passed me in the fields like I was standing still, I was even telling my brother that he should sell his wolverine and buy a kodiak cause it is a really awesome 4x4. anyway I hope that helps because I'm very impressed with the new kodiaks I think it would even go through stuff that my griz would have trouble with.


BUB
95 Warrior (mine)
98 griz (dads)
99 wolverine (brothers)

 

I just got a 2001 kodiak (red), and i have a 2000 foreman es. I crashed my foreman es trying to keep up with my brother on the kodiak and i am a way better rider than him, it was in the dark though. I bent the front bumper. The kodiak is awsome, the best trail riding quad i have ever driven. It is also faster than my Foreman es. It is the best quad for tight trails, hands down. But ofcourse that is just my opinion. I had a grizzly, but it was to big for the trails i ride so it was nouse to me and i got the kodiak. I Love My Kodiak.

 

I have never ridden a Wolverine but I have a 2001 Kodiak. The machine is a blast to ride on the trails. You can kick the rear end out at will, it's a great hill climber, and it's a little narrower than other 400cc bikes in it's class so it's easier to get into and out of tight spots. It has awsome power in low. I used it to plow 10 inches of snow today. The machine pushes like a train. I use it to pull a cart that I use to clean up the property for trees I cut and to pick up rocks. It has a suprising amount of power. If you think I love my Kodiak, I do. You can't go wrong with this bike. Trust me, you want to have the ability to go from 2 to 4 wheel drive.

Al

 

I have a wolf and think it is ok for its' engine size. But I have a friend with a 00' Kodiak and we ride down on the rivers. If he even looks at the water his belt gets wet. We have tryed to build snorkles for it and they help a little but not much. It wouldn't be so bad it wasn't so hard to take the cover off the tranny, but it is really a pain in the butt even with the right tools. Many weekends I have to drag him bake to the truck with my wolf so we can fix his bike.

 

I have a 99 Wolverine that I use for both work and play and I absolutly love it. There are things about it that could be improved for work, ie. it needs a lower 1st gear in order to pull really heavy loads in rough stuff, but it does manage to get the job done. I guess it depends on what you plan on doing with your quad.
Have a close look at the Kodiak. If you're going to be riding it in really rough situations it is going to get beat up. The plastic fenders and foot rests won't stand up to the abuse. If you're going to be pulling really heavy loads on fairly smooth ground, with no stumps and stuff, the Kodiak would be ok.
The other disadvantage of the Wolverine is how dirty you get riding it. If you don't like to get muddy, don't by the Wolverine.
Advantages of the Wolverine? Speed, response, handling, sportiness, the list goes on and on. I think anybody who it the least bit honest or realistic would have to admit that the Wolverine is as close as you can get to having a 4x4 sport machine, at least at this point in time. For sporty trail riding it can't be beat, and will kill the kodiak or the Grizz in rough trails. It also rocks for hill climbing.
Decide if you want a sporty bike that you can work with, or a utility bike that you can trail ride and your decision will be made for you.

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