Besides the fact that the bb has drums, ive driven both machines, and i found that the shift bb is better/in the mud,, its not fast,but it loves mud

 

I ended up purchasing the Kodiak 450. I love the big bear, but after seeing the engine breaking and how well the kodiak rode, I think it was worth the extra $1000. Thanks to everyone that responded, it makes things so much easier with forums like this.

 

Congrats on the new Kodiak, if ya don't mind my asking, how much out the door with it and did you get the winch package?

 

im having the same problem i have a bruin and pretty sure im going for the 450

 

LOL thats a tough desicion the Kodiak 400 or the big bear 400 Both are similar but 1 has an auto transmission. If I were you I would spend a little more money and go for the kodiak 450 ITS ALOT BETTER THEN BOTH. In mud, snow, and offroad terrian the Kodiak 450's front differential lock will pull you throughy ANYTHING! while the kodaik 400 and the big bear only have a limited slip 4wd which seems like only 3 wheels are spining and the 4th is spining very lightly but the locked front differential put full power to both wheels. I have a honda rubicon. a Kawasaki prairie 360 4x4 and a yamaha wolverine. The prairie with the differential lock gets through more stuff then my o4 rubicon because it has a better 4wd system. And its alot better then my wolverine which is just like the big bear except no 2wd.

 

Soulpony, I bought a left over 2004 with winch and 60" snow plow all installed for $6442, Hopefully this was a decent deal, as I tried to stay local and this is a family run shop. Maybe I could have saved a 100 or two by going to one of the bigger dealers around here, but their service sucks.

 

CO,

YOU lucky dog! You have made the right decision and the Kodiak will last you a very long time. It is a good bike to grow into. Did you buy a Y.E.S. warranty? I did and I wish I did not. After speaking with there dealer service shop and local 3rd party repair facilities YAMAHA looks for every little thing not to cover a repair. I purchased a 2yr warranty and i wish that instead of buying the warranty I should have bought the Kodiak...