My brother-In-Law has a 2000 2x4. I love to watch his machine throw the mud. The stock tires provide pheonominal traction. If I was in the market for a 2wd automatic machine that would be the direction I would go. He can take that thing through mud some 4x4's could not overcome. Although he is a very good rider.

 

Yeah, I can't believe how quick those back pads go. With the excellent engine braking that Kodiak has, I rarely even use my brakes. And at only 3 months old, my back brake is shot. Where can one find those EBC brake pads that you speak of?

 

Get the Blue Kodiak if they have it there in the U.S. yet....I saw a blue one...they look very sharp.

 

I have a y2kodiak 2x4 and have had no problems. This thing goes anyplace any rational person would want to go. I've had it over the headlights in mud bogs, and though it coughed a little, it came through. The machine is a blast to ride because it is relatively light, it carves through woods like a sport machine. The automatic trans and engine braking are things I would never go without again. Rocky hills I used to look at with aprehension with my 300 ex are now yawners. Go with the auto and engine braking, you'll never look back.
You only need to spend the extra $1,000 bucks for 4 wd if you want serious mudding or farm hauling.