The 450 wolverine has more suspension travel than the old kodiak I believe. I don't really like it and think that they should have used the 660 powerplant but they did put some thought into it.

 

A salesman at a Yamaha dealer that doesn't know the product they are selling. Why is that not a surprise? LOL

daduhdummy,
I see in your other post that you are also considering a few other 650cc ATVs. Just in case you are interested, ATV Rider Magazine just did a 650cc to 700cc 4x4 shootout. ATV Rider Magazine is actually a pretty decent magazine (unlike Dirt Wheels, or some of the other magazines). They ranked them:

1. Bombardier Outlander 650
2. Honda Rincon 700
3. Kawasaki Prairie 700
4. Yamaha Grizzly 660
5. Suzuki King Quad 700

I would rank the Wolverine 450 that we own well behind all of these ATVs.

 

But if you don't want one of those big bulky 4x4 utility quads. The Wolverine can fit the bill fine.
I got mine for my girlfreind. It is great! I would not want her on a quad that is over 100 lbs heavier.

 

Desertviper, read cc1999's last post. It is obvious that there was a miscommunication between he and I and I thought he was comparing the new Wolverine to the older 350. So you need to pay attention. Also, I do and always have known what I am talking about. There was not a machine that I sold to anyone that I didnt know inside and out. So where are you coming from saying that I don't know what I am talking about? Judging from your last post, it is you that may not know what you are talking about. You just said yourself that the article that you read ranked 650-700cc atv's. Then you ranked the 450 with them at the end??? That makes no sense. Heck why stop there. Where do the 80cc atv's fall in compared to the 650-700cc bikes you mention?
You cannot rank a 450cc machine on the same scale as you rate the big bores. Performance is a ranking of a machines power to weight ratio, handling, braking, acceleration, etc. I have ridden several big bore machines. They are awesome.... for what they are made for. I also feel like I am straddling a jeep when I ride one, and prefer a smaller lighter bike. This guy was asking for an opinion between the Prarie and the Wolverine. Not which one is faster or more powerful. In very tight trails, a smaller lighter atv will perform better. So it depends on the application. Thats all I am saying.

 

yes and no 7.1 rear on both but the old Kodiac had 6.3 front travel compared to the 7.1 of the new wolverine. I suspec that they changed the spring rate and the lack of weight over the front end do to the loss of the rack, bulky front bumpers are the main reason for the 1/2 inch differnce in front travel.

 

braddsn,
No need to get offended. I don't suspect many other salesmen know the Wolverine 450 is a reskinned six year old Kodiak either.

 

In any case, I don't think the 450 wolverine was well thought out. The original 1995 wolverine was state of the art. It had more top speed than any 4x4 of the day. It had a long travel suspension, plenty of power (at that time), and really cool plastic. It won a multi-bike 4x4 shootout beating out the honda 300 4x4 as well as 2 polaris bikes, the kodiak, a bayou 400, and a suzuki king.

The new wolverine is kinda like an 80's model chevy nova. It's just getting away from its roots. No offense to any owners out there. I've never driven one and I'm sure I'd enjoy it. It's just not (IMO) a machine that is better in all ways than the original 1995 model. I guess what I'm saying is that the new wolverine should be tough competion for all 4x4s in any class and it does not appear to be. A 660 wolverine weighing around 450 lbs would be competition for any 4x4 including a BRP 800.

Back to the original question: You really need to ride both (or all three if you are considering the 350 4x4). They are totally different bikes with different manners. The prairie is awesome; but even the little 350 wolverine is not bad.

Maybe someone on the forums could be helpful and offer to let him ride their Prairie or Wolverine.............. That would be productive in the decision making process. I'll let you take my wife's 700 for a spin if you wanna come up to Seattle. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

daduhdummy......I was once in your shoes deciding which quad to buy but I was comparing the Wolverine and the Big Bear. I did all the same research your doing with the exception of this forum. (I'm new here) I ride an 04 Raptor but my wife refuses to learn how to work a clutch yet she loves to ride as much as anyone. We wound up buying an 05 Polaris Scrambler. I have not seen this quad mentioned in any of the other replies....it's worth checking out. You get the sporty look and ride with the on demand four wheel drive. This quad is plenty fast with the 500 HO. It will pull a wheelie with ease and it jumps awesome. I have yet to get it stuck in a mud hole or the snow. I really love my Raptor but for trail riding I'm not sure if they make a better quad than the Scrambler. I wasn't looking to buy a Polaris but I'm sure glad I did. My wife loves this quad as well. Just something else to think about.

 

If given the chioce I am not sure if I would take a new 450 vs. the old wolverine....I sure would want to test both before buying