I'm thinking of getting a new kodiak automatic. The only thing is that i do alot of fast rides for a few miles all the time, is this good on a quad? Does the belt drive have any disadvantages besides wearing out? I like to get into some mud and deep water, will this make the belt slip and get me sitting there not doing anything? Or is the kodiak not the best way to go? I plow snow, haul things, and ride trails for sport a lot. any help would be great.

 

Sorry that I can't give you all the info you want, but this is what I can offer.

My Dad just bought a Kodiak. We both love it. Rides smooth, turns easy and quick. Extrememly "nimble". We haven't gotten to try out the 4WD, but sure it will do fine. Although I'm sure, not as well as true AWD.

Don't know much about the top end, but in the quickness category, it's not bad at all for a utility. Could probably say that it's pretty quick. We did a few drag races today, and here is how the Kodiak did. Against a 300 Honda 4x4, the Honda got smoked. Against a 2000 SP500, much to my suprise, the Kodiak runs with it neck and neck. If the Kodiak gets the hole shot, it wins. These were only 100 yard dashes, I think the SP will probably take it on top end. Maybe not. Should also mention that the Kodiak rider weighs 290 lbs, and the SP rider weighs 240.

As a Polaris rider, I can say that I am very impressed with the Kodiak.

Dave

 

>>>>>Against a 2000 SP500, much to my suprise, the Kodiak runs with it neck and neck.

+ Better get that Sportsman worked on.

>>> I think the SP will probably take it on top end.

+ That's true, as will a Magnum 500 and an Xplorer 400

 

Thor,

He is right! I can take a Sportsman off the start every time with my Kodiak. Remember he was only talking about a 100 yards. It would be very close at 100 yards, but anything after that, the Sportsman takes over. Just remember, that is the only time a Sportsman would win against a Kodiak. Once you get in the trails, forget it, the Kodiak will run all over the Sportsman.

 

The Kodiak is an excellent quad. Its a great trail/wood riding machine. I haven't heard of that many Yamahas belts slipping compared to other brands.

The selectable 2wd-4wd is very nice. '01 model has a speedometer added to it.

 

Take it easy Thor !!! What part of my post made you think I was slamming Polaris ? Did you read the whole thing ?

I was only stating some facts.

You listed all the Polaris 4x4's that'll beat the Kodiak. There's one that you forgot. It'll also smoke the Magnum. Bring your's on down to Indiana, and I'll introduce you.

Dave

 

No I didn't forget the Magnum, its right there in the 4th sentence.

I had the opportunity to drive the Kodiak over the 4th of July Holiday and found it to be nimble and zippy quad in the woods and on the trails. I like the shift on the fly 2wd/4wd and the automatic transmission. The underseat storage area and battery access is also a nice feature as are the adjustable springs.

The only thing that should be improved on was the 20 mpg and the low top end. The area that I was riding in had a lot of fire roads and under those conditions the Kodiak always brought up the back of the pack behind the Xplorer 400 and the Mag 500.

Most of the posts that I have seen in the historical archives list the top speed as 50 to 51 wwith one gentlemen reporting 57MPH. But maybe he weighed 135 lbs soaking wet.

No... I read your entire post and it was well written and I understood it.

You were just the victim of selective editing. Just like the evening news with Dan Rather.

As one forum member used to say, "Everything you say will be misquoted, taken out of context, misconstrued and used against you."

I like the Kodiak, it is a very nice 3WD quad.

 

Thor,
I don't know about the 2000 Sportsman, But I ride all the time with a 99 Sportsman 500, and He will not even attempt to keep up with my Kodiac. No, I do not weigh 135 pounds, A little closer to 250. I'm Not syaing that the Kodiac by any means is the fastest Quad out there, But it will hold its own with the polaris's I ride with.

 

The kodiak a 3x4? Maybe we should call Polaris's a 2x4 , because that's what it is going down steep hills. Hate to tell the Polaris secret but there is NO engine brake in the front wheels at all going down STEEP hills unlike the Kodiak. I've seen them go into unnerving slides down WV mountains. Not slamming them though, Polaris does have the true 4x4 in mud and are tough to beat in that regard and also a smooth ride. My buddy who has a yellow 00 SP500 will attest that I can outrun him at any rpm. Not bad for a 400cc v/s a 500cc.

2000 Kodiak,beige
2000 warn winch/from Polaris
25-10-12 Escavators
alum rear skid plate

 

Hey Thor,

Just out of curiousity, what is the top end of your Magnum ? I've never ridden with a Magnum, but plenty of Sportsmen, and I've yet to see one hit over 56 on flat ground.

Even if you could run 59 or 60, how long would you do that, and how often ? I don't think 5 mph is such a big deal.

Beside that, we ARE talking about a different class. And if it is still okay to compare across classes, I re-extend the invitation to bring that Magnum to the Badlands. I guarantee, the only place that you MAY POSSIBLY outdo me, is in mud. Or maybe a super steep rutted hill that you can't go fast on, that I wouldn't have the cajones to go up anyway.

I could be wrong, the Magnum could outdo me everywhere. Maybe even on take off and top end, but I doubt it. Might be fun. But it really wouldn't be fair. They are in different classes.

Dave