I'm thinking about buying a new machine and the Kodiak is tops on my list. With this being a newly updated machine I would like to hear from owners or anyone else with information regarding it's performance and reliability. How well do you like the auto transmission on the Kodiak ? How about the engine braking ? How well does the 2 wd / 4 wd selector work ? How comfortable is the ride ? How about trail handling ? What did you pay out the door ? Thanks for any info or comments.

 

Wow we get this question allot. Do a search under Kodiak and you will get loads.

 

The Rock is right, search under Kodiak and you will come up with a ton of answers. I will tell you that it is one bad machine!!

00' Kodiak

 

I have only ridden the 2wd version of the Kodiak. The handling is excellent. The engine braking was very good. Very nice quad. The accelerations was good but it probaly needs rejetting to make better. One thing I did notice is the transmission is not as noisy as some of the other belt drives that are out there.

Next year if my wife moves up to my 4wd then I see a 2001 Kodiak in my future.

 

I bought a 00' Kodiak last august when they first came out and so far its the best bike i have ever owned, and I have owned a quite a few. The bike is super comfortable. I am realy partial to the riding position and that seat is the most comforatable in yamaha's or honda's lineup. Just have a seat on a Big Bear or Grizzly and you will see what I am talking about. Its handles great for a 4x4 and that part time 4 wheel drive makes it realy steer easy in two wheel drive and not bad in 4wheel drive. I paid 5700.00 last August but it was one of the 1st. ones out, so I am hereing 5300 to 5500 is a good buy these days.

 

Interesting to note the prices on the Kodiak! I paid $6100 here in Upper Michigan out the door which includes: hotgrips, warn winch, and speedo ( Speedo is std on the 2001 model now). I bought mine before the memorial weekend and took it to the Iron County Wis. During the hurley Memorial Rally. I put on about 400 miles and the things I encountered was overheating due to the radiator getting plug up from the severe dusty conditions after going thru water holes to the hight of the tires; the rear rack's upper frame section bent backwards from my Kempex gas can rack with a 5 gal can with 4 gals of gas wastoo much and I spent 60 bucks at a machine shop to add and reinforce the lower portion of the rack. It has held up so far after riding again on rough tree rut trails. I enjoy the comfort compared to my 97 Big Bear Se 4X4. Really handles close to the Wolverine. feels light and nimble on switch back curves on the trail. The 2- 4 wheel selector is recommended in the book to stop to engage the system but the dealer says you can do it on the go at low speeds but this will add wear on the electric severor sooner than average if done repeatedly. I will be using the Kodiak to plow snow this coming winter and trail ride the rest of the time hoping to ride some this coming winter too!! I'am starting to see why the machine is lighter in weight, the racks, frame and more plastic are what makes up this fun riding machine. Time will tell if the rest holds up. Better tires to withstand punctures would be great too! Good Luck on decision!!

Mac The Red Rhino

 

You can see my reply to another post "Is the Kodiak for Me" above. Very satisfied, I spent weeks debating over the Griz and the Kodiak, Finally decided on the Kodiak and was pleased when I put it to the test. Power was no problem, I was afraid the auto would not have the power to climb the steep dirt(no rocks)hills where I hunt. Since the engine is low and canted forward this machine climbs better that any I have ever owner. Everyone has a special purpose for the machine they buy, for trail riding and hunting I love this one. Not a single problem yet. I upgraded to the Warn 2500# winch & roller fairlead(Warn 2000# was $69.95 special) front and rear baskets installed and paid $6000 out the door.

 

I was wondering about the new Kodiak too. I was thinking about getting one, so I started asking around about them. I only know 2 people with them, and I didn't hear good stories. One guy told me that his first day out, he got mud in his belt compartment, and had to be towed home. The other guy's story was even worse.... he said that HIS first day out, he got mud in his belt compartment and had to be towed home too. Then his second time out, he had an electrical fire, and almost lost the bike. He then had to wait for a few months for a new wiring harness. Finally, less than a month after he got it going again, his engine blew. He insists he wasn't abusing it, and doing everything right. I guess it is possible that these 2 guys could have just bought lemons..... just a fluke.... but it makes me nervous about paying $8000 Canadian for one.

 

I went to the Marengo La. on my 00 kodiak 4x4 and made it through plenty of mud, granted i did not even try some of the BAD holes that had swallowed big Hondas and SP 500's by the dozens. I have looked at my trans housing and it has a very good gasket sealing the cover. I have not had a problem but thanks for the info, I will keep a watch on the trans cover gasket.

 

Go ride one..and not in the parking lot. Gab the rear rack and lift it As..you well be surprised how light it is.Then do the same to a Polaris or whatever.In my group of riders I'm always the first to go down any hill. The all wheel breaking works excellent.