before leaving the dealership i installed mudlite 27" tires. they rode like a tractor. i realized my riding style needed the stock type tire size. i bought my stock tires back from the dealer and am i am happy. it rides like a lexus compared the mudlites. i blame myself for not researching different tire types. in southeast tennessee we ride more technical type trails than mud.!! i have ordered some titan 489xt's for punctered resistantced. the ride is not quite as smooth as a polaris but is better than a straight axel kodiak.
loafie

 

I have to agree with you on that one. Anymore I use my stock dunflops more than I do my 27" Claws. They ride better and they work better in dry terrain than the Claws. Mud Tires are great in mud, but lousy at just about anything else. They look cool though.

 

The stock dunlops are junk, they are only 2 ply. I believe the new ones are coming with maxxis tires though, I hope they are better. Otherwise a set of holeshot atr radials or carlisle radials are going on. The atr's are 6 ply and are every bit as soft as the dunlops or softer..

 

Sorry for jumping in, I didn't think a new thread was needed for my question. I just sold my Kawa Mule and I am about to put the cash on another quad to replace it. My wife will be riding it mostly, but I will get plenty of time on it too. My wife and I are trying to decide between the 05 Grizzly and the 05 Kodiak 450. I am thinking the Grizz will be to much for her, but I know other women who ride the Grizz with no problems. How is the power on the 450 Kodiak? Which do you recommend? When did the IRS Kodiak come out? We have looked at every brand, and have gone through the wife filter (She ruled out all other quards due to color, plastic shape, racks. etc)

I want her to ride with me and not be scared of her quad so I am thinking the Kodiak will fit her better. The Grizz is looking good to me but I've got to keep telling myself that this quad is for her not me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

We are buying one of the two this week, I want her to ride both. Then decide.(Me too, since I haven't ridden either of these)

I am just looking for other's opinions.

Holla Back

 

04leraptor - I am buying the kodiak as a second quad for the same purpose. I see your wife makes buying decisions on ALL of the important girl factors lol - color, looks, etc.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Looks like a blue kodiak may be in her future [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

The IRS came out for 05. The reason I'm getting a kodiak over a big bore (the grizz is so obsolete to anyone but yam loyalists), is because the steering on the kodiak is much easier for smaller people to handle. A girlfriend of mine rode my p650 (with the 25" atrs) around for a while and said that the steering effort was a bit too much for her for a whole day of riding. I've read a few posts from women who got 05 kod 450's and they praise them for easy manuverability/steering, smooth on/off throttle response, and comfortable ride. For the price and category, you can't find a better bike. I considered the honda rancher 400AT but it doesn't have low range, locker, or IRS. The outlander 400 gets good reviews but after racing and blowing up sea-doo's for years, I simply will NOT buy another bombardier product with a rotax engine. They are junk. My advice to you is to get a kodiak 450, or if you decide to go big bore, get a real contender - like the new twin peaks, brute force, or some of the latest and greatest. The grizz was past its prime as soon as the prairie 650 came out [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Yeah, I got her to look at the Brute, she didn't like the headlights. Sportsman, didn't like the racks, Twin Peaks, well we tried to look at that one but got to the dealer right after a customer rolled the only one they had on a test drive, that ruined it cause she said it had to be too tippy.

We are both leaning toward the Kodiak 450. I think with the IRS and other features, it is on top of the 400cc class. Really I want to try the Grizz to see if it lives up to the hype. Also I know it is probably about to get a update so we probably will be buying a out of date quad.

I guess we will have to ride them both. But right now Kodiak is in the lead.

 

The Griz wouldn't be too much for her I don't think. As far as speed, I'm sure she can administer throttle to her own ability. Steering ease should be about the same on both. The Kodiak is a hair smaller, and that might benefit her.

Between the two, the only thing I see is that the Griz is faster. If you don't care about having the faster of the two, I would go with the Kodiak. Its going to do anything the grizzly will other than outrun it.

 

WOOOHOO I got it boys! I picked up my 05 blue kodiak 450 a few mins ago. Only have ridden it around my driveway for a few minutes so far, but initial impressions are that it's infinitely easier to steer than my prairie, and quite comfy. Thanks to those that helped make my decision, I think I'm really gonna like this bike, although it's a bit early to tell! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] Woohoo!

 

Lightman get back with me on how that thing corners.I am really interested in that.Does it dive or push when
going thru a turn???..
02 650 camo

 

I'll report back when I get a few miles on it.

Guys with Kodiaks - how fast do you typically consider the maximum speed in low gear to be? I know with the Prairie, it's advisable to ride in low for speeds under 30 for the sake of belt life. I've wondered since the yam is a centrifugal clutch, if it's really necessary..? Do most people ride in high all the time?