I am considering a second machine. Already own a Honda 400 Rancher. I am basically looking between the Suzuki Eiger and the Kodiak in the auto transmission model. Both a very similar in features and cost. I was wondering if any folks out there had experience with these machines and could give me any advice.

I use the bikes for off road pleasure riding only and am not a very aggressive rider, however have lots of steep slopes, mud and snow to contend with. Reliability is as important as performance because of the remoteness of the trails I go on.
thanks for any advice.

 

I don't know much about the suzukis but am very familiar with the yamaha line. Why not upgrade to the 450 kodiak?? I believe it is only 2-300 dollars more and you get more displacement, low range, selectable 4wd drive with differential lock. The 400 only has drive and reverse while the 450 has high and low range. I dont believe the suzuki has a true locking front diff which is a real asset in deep snow and mud when required. (if the suzuki has a limited slip diff the front tire that has the least amount of traction or one of the front tires come off the ground on steep slopes you essentialy have a 2wd quad. and going up a steep slope it's nice to know that all four wheels will be engaged at all time like the kodiak 450). As for reliability in my personal experience the yammy is the more reliable quad. Have a friend with a vinson 500 that spends more time getting warranty work than it does on the trails

 

the price difference,based on the MSRP is $800. check Yamaha's Canada web-site. I bought the '03 400. It cost me $1500 OTD to upgrade to an "03 450 demo. I did it mainly to get the low range. I think the diff lock is overrated. Just gets me more stuck.

Eiger floorboards suck. I think Yamaha is better name, better re-sale. also heard avid riders trash Suzuki more than Yamaha. Same people that bash Polaris atvs. I can only compare quality to kids atvs as that's what I've pulled apart. I think yamaha stuff has been better built, more reliable.

now you've had the entire western side of the country respond to ya!!

 

yea right i have a kodiak and i love it but yamahas floar boards stink they need to be metal

 

you're right, the material is horrible and cracks when you bottom out on somethin . I meant the design configuration. the Suzuki has a foot peg and the boards are quite a bit lower in front of the peg and behind it.your foot is never on them. Their boards must get the same or worse abuse because they're also plastic, but sit lower than the foot peg. you know the "good, better, best" thing, well this would be a case of "bad, worse, worst".

I also notice where my front fender meets the plastic footboard, it often catches there and pulls back, because the top area of the footboard plastic is flared out a little. It ends up causing damage elsewhere ( to the fender plastic). I've often thought of tapering/cutting that area of the plastic back so it's not so prone to catching and tearing back. I haven't because i figured it probably catches some crud from being thrown up on me.

have you guys had this problem, or cut it back?

 

Thanks folks; gives me a bit to think about. I heard that the skid plate on the Yamaha was plastic. Is this related to the floorboad issue. I have plastic floor boards on my Honda which is not a problem as they are reinforced with metal underneath.
I have a tendancy to agree with comments on relaibility in general as well, although this particular model (Eiger) is supposed to be very reliable.

 

yes, the skid plates are plastic. I've bashed mine up pretty good and intend to replace soon with some alum.they've held up good though. For the type of riding you indicated, I wouldn't worry about the skids, or check them and change later.

 

The Eiger has metal under the plastic in front of the footpeg, and open behind it. The shidz underneather the Eiger are plastic also.

 

Hey confusedbuyer,

I used to have a two wheel drive quad. I own a kodiak 450 now. I know what you mean when you say its overrated. then again, I never really got stuck until I bought a 4x4. LOL

I suggest trimming the black fender part back. I didnt do this at first. Then I Ripped it a little. Now i have trimmed both sides!

 

A diff lock is not overrated when in your in real mud it could get you more stuck or actually pull you through the mud hole. There is a reason why diff locks are so popular because they work. Get a normal 4-wheel drive quad in a off chamber situation you might as well have a 2 wheel drive. Or maybe 4wheel drive in general are overrated