It should tow more seeing as it is a Kodiak from the top of the frame down.

 

Wow you guys are really bashing the new wolvie! With this new model, Yahama is taking the wolverine in a different direction than it's predecessor. Like someone else said, that direction is to better compete with the Scrambler. If you compare they two, they are hauntingly similiar now!!

Having seen what my best friend's Scrambler is capable of, I have to say that Yamaha is taking a huge step in the RIGHT direction with the '06 Wolvie. Guys what I'm saying is my buddy's Scrammy 500 with K&N filter and some octane booster will walk ALL OVER the top of his brother's Polaris 700 TWIN SPORTSMAN racing, but in the mud the twin has us all beat. But comparing the Scrammy 500 to my '05 wolive is absolutely no contest in EVERY way. The ONLY thing that my wolvie does better is get better gas mileage, and also does much better in the water due to my driveshaft vs. chain drive.

The ONLY complaint I have with the '06 Wolvie (other than the styling and color selection... which I can get used to), is they should have made it a 500cc or close to it. I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that in a heads up race, the '06 421cc wolvie WILL STILL BE FASTER than the 05 348cc wolvie! Even with an extra 40lbs and auto, 73cc more displacement is enough to make the quad faster. Some upgraded features between the two models is from the factory is that the '06 has better protection at the bottom, better mud protection at the footpegs, selectable 2wd/4wd, liquid cooling, a speedo/odo, and it also retains the shaft drive.

Guys I really see this as a good thing for the Wolverine, especially after knowing that the Scrammy 500 has the '05 beat in nearly every way. As for me, I'd much rather have an '06 Wolvie rather than my '05. But I'm locked into my '05 now so I'm going to wait a couple of years to see what else Yamaha is going to do to it.

<<flame suit on>>

 

Good Opinions to back up your statement. I hope you are right. I personally think I will be disappointed however I hope for the best. I will have to wait for the reviews, and/or ride them, to see if it is better or not.

 

I think it is BUTT A## UGLY for starters. I can't stand an auto tranny. I have a '99 and I have been waiting and hoping for a bigger engine. Finally it came out and other than being blue, I really can't see one reason why I would give up my '99. I like the raptors, but one thing that I can't stand about mfg's (cars, trucks, whatever) I hate it when everything in their product line looks like everything else. I guess when time comes, I will probably be looking at a different brand.

 

I will put MONEY on the fact the old wolvie will be quicker and faster.

Autos take WAY too much power from the motor.

 

Those are some good points FroDaddy but its still just an ole Kodiak with new skin mascarading as a sport 4x4. I am sure it will be a fun quad to play around on but, It won't tuch a Scrambler in a race. Not enough motor. A scrambler will give Prarie 650's and Brute 650's a solid run for there money and the old Kodiak's would't come close to performing in that class. I don't think it looks all that bad, It kinda has some dorcky wheels on it but what 4x4 doesn't beside the SP800. It has a best in class auto so the auto does't bother me, but the 421 utility motor they stuck in it kills it for me. It was need need of allot more muscle to be a sporty ride and fell way short in that respect.

 

Does anybody know if it has the same cams as the old Kodiak motor? Cams can make a little bit of difference.

 

BOOTLEG SCRAMBLER

polaris 4 ever

 

wow, way to dig this one up from the dead.

 

Back from the dead [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Now I am wondering if two years of time has changed anyones opinion, or if there are still many riders still thinking there is a big void in the yami line where the wolvi used to be?