I posted a topic a while back about the pro's/con's of the new 400 vs 450. I was just wondering who had a new 400 and how they liked it. All the replies I got were on the new 450 or the older SRA 400. Shopping around it looks like I can get a new 400 for about $500 cheaper than a 450, although I know the 450 has alot of nice extras. I really don't care about the diff lock, I guess I was wondering if a low range is really all that important. Is it mainly for hauling and mudding? Should you even haul anything without a low range?

 

I use the low range for when im hauling heavy loads or for technical trails because the power comes on much lower. But for muding and 70% of hauling i use high range and the bike has no problem. I think it is well worth it but its up to you.

 

How's the power of these Kodiaks? I've heard they hit around 52 mph or so. I'm not as worried about top end as acceleration. Do they get off the line pretty quick? I'm looking into the Rancher or Foreman as well so I was curious.

 

Come on over to Garden City and take a look at a 450. You might not think the diff lock is important today but I guarantee you will be glad once you purchase a machine with it on. Also, you will also want the low range. If you get the best goodies today you won't be getting the itch to trade in a few years. Other than EFI (that has yet to be proven) the 450 Kodiak has it all.

 

Spend the extra $500 man it is the best upgrade you will ever make!

Regards

Knights of Ni

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm really leaning towards the Kodiak. I like the looks of the new Foreman, but it's so big I doubt it would fit in the back of my shortbed pick-up without leaving the gate down. I don't want to have to strap it down all the time. The Kodiak is only 78" compared to alot of the big bores that are 80+".

 

I just picked up a 450 for my wife. I doubt she will ever use the differential lock - but I will [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

She will seldom use the low range. But I have a habit of picking trails that get pretty rocky. She can then throw it in to low range and crawl along at her own pace.

Eventually I hope to get a plow, and I suspect low range will make that easier - especially if I go with an electric lift - it will keep the revs up more, keeping the battery charged better.

For me the extra $500 was easily worth it - even though we will seldom need those features. But if you don't do steep, if you don't do rocky, and you don't do snow; the 400 would probably be just fine.

(Keep in mind that I just picked up our 450 last Saturday - so this is what I "think" - not what I "know") But I would rather error on the "better" side so I am not tempted to upgrade yet again.

 

beside the added goodies of the 450 .......
two words to think about : RESALE VALUE

you may not need the features now

with all the added goodies on the 450 , nobody would choose a 400 over the 450 when shopping for used ATV> unless the 400 is priced way too low.

just a thought

 

Besides the low range, diff lock you also have a nce digital display whicj is very nice. Ove rthe life of the ATV $500.00 is nothing. I am not sure why they even make the 400.