I have a friend who is selling his SP500 '96 model and is definitely buying a Yamaha. The dealer here is great and he wants some opinions. He is going to use it on a ranch/farm and is not concerned with larger tires or top speed. He does want an auto tranny. I doubt he will even get a winch, although I am trying to get him to at least do that. This bike is for tail riding and work. He does want a 4WD.
What should he look at and ride? A 400 Kodiak (I think) or a Grizz? Is there a big difference in the ride quality between these two?
Thanks for the help.

 

The Kodiak is a more nimble machine. And if your friend gets themselves onto some tight trails they will probably prefer the Kodiak over the Grizz.

 

Thanks for the reply FKNA, I will pass it along.

 

Does anyone own both of these ATVs?

 

We ride alot and own a Kodiak. There are Grizz. Polaris, Big Bear etc. The last time we rode we all went through a mud hole and the grizz. was the first one that got stuck. I do believe it is the ground clearence on the grizz. and they are so big you will have trouble in the woods because of the size compared to the Kodiak. The Grizz. is faster on the road. I Love my Kodiak and it handles like a dream but when I go to buy a new one I will probably buy a Polaris because of the true 4-wheel drive and the ground clearence. The Polaris made it through all the mud holes because of the true 4-wheel drive and the ground clearence. Which everyone else got stuck.

 

Ok Tx here is my take
First of all i own both and to be honest there is not alot of diffrences overal. They have the same trans and are very comparable in size (the grizz looks alot bigger because its taller).
Now for the uses you describe i would have to recomend the Kodiak the watter cooling would be the big benifit for farm use. All the slow going and constant idling would make a Grizz unpleasantly warm to climb on to. If lots of fast pace trail riding was in the plan i would go the outher way. For ALL AROUND use the Kodiak is hands down the best Yamaha to get. I think some people would disagree but i would bet they dont own both.

 

Okay, he is going to try both and be leaning toward the Kodiak. I forgot about the heat off the Grizz engine. I will let you know what the decision is. Thanks for the help.

 

Kodiak is more practical and better suited for puttering with the water cooling. Griz seems to be made to always want to go faster & will cook your legs when puttering, especially when pulling/hauling anything from the engine heat.
farmr

 

Hey TxDoc2, I drove that Kodiak before and it is a awsume quad. The Kodiak would have been my third choise for buying an atv. I loved it.

 

ATV of the year: Kodiak

all the way.

it's only a matter of time that the majority of the market will be automatic. I feel Yamaha just happens to make a very good automatic vs. Polaris.

99 wolverine
98 SRX 700