No way the Big Bear hits 55 mph! I know, I have one. It's a great machine for tight woods riding and mud but my biggest complaint is that I'm always looking for another gear. It tops out somewhere around 50 but you'll be screaming the motor to do it. I only cruises comfortably somewhere around 30 to 35 mph. Thats fast enough if you ride in hilly, tight conditions but I do a lot of open trails and the Bear is just not fast enough for my tastes. That being said it is a reliable fun ride in tight woods and in deep mud I would prefer it over a belt driven transmission. Everywhere else I think a Kodiak/Grizzly would be better.

 

Did lots of research and chose the bear. I wouldnt trade it for any machine i've ridden. Yes it does beg for a 6th gear but it's extremely powerful (first gear is almost like a granny gear, you can easily start in 2nd). I've even pulled my friends 1992 chevy s-10 4x4 extended cab out of a mud hole and 3 miles home. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] have a couple pictures. lol. yes the main difference is that the bear is semi auto which is a little more fun in the woods and in the mud. Top speed was around 45-47 when i first bought it (6 months ago) but has loosened up (already has 750+ miles) and will run about 50-53 tops on a good day with one person, NOT because its weak, but because it needs another gear. Good luck. I know the bear and you can't go wrong with it.. but then again u can't go wrong with any yamaha..

 

na a big bear can hit 55 i know my friend took the front drive shaft out of his and it hauls

 

My unk has a 07 bigbear it has tons and tons of low end ive ridden a 400 kodiak auto it doesnt have the low end that the bear has the new bigbear is hard to beat IRS diff lock 2wd/4wd spedo floor boards nice lil set up and you can get em for around 5,000 5,500 on the high side.

 

i have the kodiak 400... i have gotten it up to like 55 mph but it does take a while to get some speed..
oh and it is an automatic.

 

2007 Big Bear
low-no maintenance
low-no worries
low-no top speed

BigBear = Tank
Kodiak = Armored Personnel Carrier

 

Given the choice between the Bear or Kodiak..................I'd go Kodiak every time. It appears that your riding style is pretty much like mine. I have an 02 Kodiak 400 and the only other feature I wish I had would be Diff lock. An extra tire turning makes a big difference.

I use mine to trail ride, hunt, plow and move a fire wood around in a trailer. The only thing that I've done with my Kodiak is breaks and bearings...................but I chalk that off to standard wear and tear.

Good luck and happy shopping.

later

 

I have a 2002 kodiak se ultramatic 400 H.O. and would say it is an all around excellent bike as far as decent power and speed... No problem pulling a truck out of the ditch and racing against a polaris sportsman 500. I do a lot of trail riding thry technical trails as well as the wide open roads full speed ( I've hit as high as 95 km/h). Put a clutch kit in last year and lost about 6 km/h on top end but more than made up the difference on the torque. So i guess it is not say i would go with the Kodiak 4 sure