OK, I lurked long enough, and searched hard for answers, here goes. I'm buying my first ATV real soon,(this week maybe!) but am still a little unsure of the auto belt tranny. I've narrowed my choices to the Kodiak and Rancher ES (both 4x4) with a slight edge to the Kodiak. My question to the group is this: Has anyone that has owned one of these auto belt driven trannies had any problems with slippage or breakage in any circumstance or am I worrying about something that will probably never happen? My dealer claims he hasn't sold a replacement belt yet for ANY of his(her) machines.(I take that for what its worth, he's trying to sell me one). I hear this debate over and over yet I haven't heard anyone fess up and say it has happened to them. Granted, I haven't read every post but I have searched long and hard. Please Help me Decide, I wanna ride!!!
TIA
Gizz (not grizz!)

 

Ok, Senior Member, sounds like you want to hunt and just play on your 4-wheeler, I've had or ridden with most of them and can tell you that the Kodiak transmission is unbelieveable! I ride in some very steep mountains in East Washington in the Blue Mtns., I ride with a friend a lot that has a 500Sportsman with the CBS system and when he's breaking and sliding down hill I about have to give it gas when in 4X4 Low range. In High range 2-Wheel drive I can stay with him at top speed, I've never had or even felt any slippage of the belt system. All you would have to do is take the Kodiak out and drive it on some trails or tight places, up hill, down hill and you will fall in love with it!

2-Y2K Kodiaks
1-Big Bear

 

Ive had a 2000 Kodiak for a month now and so far so good. I wouldnt trade it for anything, Ive been in water, dirt, rough terrain and it handles it all great. It has great suspension and the belt isnt an issue cause it just wont slip.

 

The belts work great. as for the SP with EBS not CBS, it works as good as a Yamaha. I have driven both. Are you sure he has EBS? I have the same thing happen to me I have to actually give it gas when going down a hill in 4x4 low range.

 

Hey gizz, first of all, nice handle?! I am going through the same dilema as you right now. I put some $$ down on a Kodiac as I thought it was the best machine out there for my intended uses. I was talking to a friend of mine this morning who bought a Kodiac about four months ago. He says he loves it. He uses it mainly for playing around on DRY trails and is not much of a bog runner. He's only had his machine in one bog and he had to get towed out because of excessive belt slippage. He was only up to the foot rests in water. The dealer said that there must be a leak somewhere in the tranni and the only time the belt would slip is if the bike was up to the tank in water. As I love the mud and intend on spending my fair share of time in it, I'm now a little hesitant about the Kodiac. I hope this is the exception rather than the norm. You don't hear of Polaris automatics slipping like that.

 

Hey grizz,

I bought my Kodiak in April, and have had no problems with it so far. I have been in some deep water and plenty of mud, and the belt never slipped once. The auto trans is great, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Just remember you won't have to worry about being in the right gear when hill climbing.

 

I have had my Kodiac in water to the tank and swamp just as deep, and have not had any slippage. I have been to the dealership when the Kodiacs arrive, and if your dealer does not tighten all the clamps, you may get some slippage. They pulled on out of the box, and it had water in the tranny from the factory, drained it out and tightened the clamps and it stopped slipping. I have only had my Bike for 3 months, but have put close to 1000 miles on it in all kinds of terrain, and besides the rear brake pads being replaced, have had no problems at all. It is an AWESOME Machine.

 

I agree with the other posts, have read about others having belt slippage problems when the air vent hose clams are lose. Checked mine and were tight. I ride with a couple of SP 500 and follow them until they get nuts and really jump off into deep holes. Have had no problems, I ride in very steep hills and love the low range. Seldom do I have to use the brakes, let off the gas and this thing comes to a stop. Unless I was an extreme mudbogger the 00K is a good choice for my use. I ride it much more than any other atv I have owner because it is so easy to steer and a blast to ride. I am not a kid either 57 years old and kicking.

 

A week ago I and another y2k crossed a river just over the wheels and no belt slippage. So far everything is working perfect. I'll also take my brake set up over a Polaris any day.

 

From one lurker to another... I bought a Y2Kodiak about 2 months ago and have had no problems with it slipping. I rode up then back down a the concrete slab under an overpass (ok, stupid trick but it was on an abandoned road.) With the Kodiak in 4-low it skidded the tires all the way down rather than slip the belt. I've had it in plenty of water and again no slippage. I liked it so much I took my deposit from a Rubicon and bought another identical Y2Kodiak for my wife. Yamaha has the special Warn 2000 lb winch right now for $69.95 with a new purchase. My son rolled the newer one down a hill the first week (not 5 minutes after we completed the Yamaha safety course) and I only had to replace a brake lever that cost $11. Had it been a quad with a speedometer pod on top like the Sportsman 500 or the Rubicon I would be looking at some major repair costs. Something to think about.