Searching for a new quad and while at a dealer testing (i'll be honest Honda...lol) the sales guys said have you thought about a Kodiak? My response was - thats a cvt? He says yes? I said I have no problems with a belt drive persay I have one at the lake (Pullaris) but they don't seem to be able to handle the grunting work of my main concern for this quad, that being hunting. By this I mean hook on and dragging a bull elk or moose whole through some tough conditions back to camp where the job of dressing is always more pleasant! He said oh really, come with me to my office and proceeded to show off pictures of his kodiak doing this very task...plus a lot of cool mud/muskeg hole shot as well. Ok you got my attention now give me the speel was my reaction, of course he explained feature for feature the Kodiak and let me test drive (I was very pleased with how it handles and rides). Then compared what I had come in to look at Honda Foreman 500S and said it will do all it will do, plus give a better ride/handling, more ground clearence, LC and the fact I had the option to lock the front diff - in his opnion go through more and haul more/easily with a true 4 wd option not just limited slip. The real eye grabber was the cost..the Kodiak is much less and they are offering a free 2500 warn installed...so the only extra I would need to purchase is upgrade the skins and roll bar for the gauge/electronics (although he said he didn't thik it was required). Making it significantly less coin than Foreman 500s. He indicated the only plus to the Honda was it's ability to over load the quad b/c of SRA but seeing I have a H/D ATV trailer for the heavy log/rock/sand/gear and running bear baits he said she'd have no problems pulling what I figure would be upto 1200lbs or so worth worth of trailer hauling!

So guys what do you think? Any other biggame hunters use a Kodiak for yanking 600-1000 lbs animals along the dirt? How do they stand up or fair? What would you do CVT or Manual? Top end isn't a concern for me, just get me their and back with the ability to do some grunting when required! Small thing to ask I know but according to this dealer who happens to sell Honda, Suzi, Yamaha and Artic Cat, the Kodiak leaves nothing on the table!

Second question tires? What would you reccomend for the Kodiak in terms of a decent all around tire? I was looking at Mudlites and Gators -26" model. I have Kenda BC's on my Polly and had them on my 95 foreman as well was pleased, but nobody stocks them anymore and as result the cost is higher than either of these 2 (at least the places I have called). So looking for something similar as these worked well for my riding conditions. I am wondering about power loss and suspension stress if I go the route of an IRS..so please tell me being I don't own an IRS ATV now!

thanks

 

have you put into consideration a honda foreman 450 or the new 475? they would probly be alot better in towing heavy loads across rough terrain they have extra low 1st gear and 2nd gear will give you about 10 miles an hour while towing something 600 to 1000 pounds easy i have one they tow heavy loads good they are manual.

 

Kodiak 450 05 is a great bike for all around. I have one and I 26" mud bug tire and I never ran out of power to turn the wheels .Last fall at hunting I took a bull moose complete out of the bush no problem. I love the ride and we always ride two up and we do lots of mud run.I now have 1600 km trouble free. If you want a Kodiak 450 go for it it's a great bike.
Thanks
Mike

 

deerbuster, I was at this dealer look at the 500Foreman S - manual when the saleman mentioned the 450 kodiak to me. That was originally my thought process until he through me for loop with yami Kodiak. He stated the fact I could lock the diff on the front and put it low it would pull as good, plus it is way better in mud/muskeg..again that is his opinion/experience but he really has nothing to gain buy steering me to the Kodiak seeing he sells both! Thus I came looking for thoughts on the 2 quads.

RnR, Thank you and thats exactly what I want/need out of tow/drag capabilities. Basically what he said but I wanted some real life input!

 

You cant go wrong with a Kodiak. It will climb a tree if you let it. I looked around for tthe best all around tire and came up with the Dirtdevil XT 26". We don thave any Moose around here but in my picture you can take a look at a little buck my Kodiak yanked out of the woods for me. I cant say enough about these tires. I really gave them a test this weekend doing a little mudding and hill climbing. They bite down and hold! check"em out in my pictures, let me know what you think.

 

I love the dirt devils... But if you want some awesome traction in mud and dirt and some sand you must go with the ITP 589 i would get ether 26 or 27 if 27 fit not sure but i think they would... I have 25 on my 250 and they hardly ever loose power to turn them that is how light they really are... ok well good luck and for sure get Kodiak that belt is fine...