Ahh sweet I thought 4x4 meant all wheels worked. Is it ok to have it in diff lock the whole time you ride like for snowy days and such?Or should you just use it for lilke an hour at a time.

 

kodiak 450 all the way, a friend of mine had one of the first 450 kodiaks out before they came with the IRS and Diff Lock and it was still a nice machine, but since then the Diff Lock would be awesome only if you need it, and yeah the Parking gear on them are nice too so you don't have to rely on your brakes holding the quad anywhere you are, and they are water cooled which is nice cause it won't heat up as quick, but i thought they had an electric fan also, at least on the 450 i rode did, and 4 wheel disc brakes is also an improvement over the first year or so. And to answer you other question about running Diff Lock all the time, personally i wouldn't cause that is that much more wear on the front bearing and stuff like that, use it when you need it

I heard of the Eiger being a good machine and i wouldn't doubt it cause Suzuki makes good quads at nice prices, but my choice would be the Kodiak cause it is one of the most reliable machines i've ever rode and for about 600 pounds the 450 engine pulls it around without a problem and all the added features the Yamaha got over the Suzuki, the Kodiak would definetly be my choice

 

I'm looking into getting a Kodiak 450 as well, but I don't know much about ute's being that I've always had a Banshee. I was wondering how much smoother riding an IRS would be compared to a straight axle. I'd like to get something I could fly across the fields with and not feel like I got the sh#t kicked out of me.

 

I'm no wuss but the when the diff-lock is engaged it is hard to steer. I don't have it engaged trail riding until i need it I just leave it in normal 4x4. all it takes is a push of a button and the diff is locked in and it makes a huge difference,( in the snow it does anyways I have yet to ride in weather warm enough for mud). You'll love the Kodiak. My friends have 600 and 700 Polaris's and I have yet to back away from something that the go thru. Not knocking the Sportsman that is one great machine as well.

 

You could dive it with the Diff lock engaged but you will not need it with the Kodiak except on extreme instances. its like 4X4 why use it if you do not need it. As far as steering I have only used it on a few occassions when I was on real steep terrain and wanted to be safe. It is really geared for guys doing a lot of rock climbing. That's when IRS and dif lock shine. Steering ws still confortable and not a problem IMO.