After being a Yamaha guy all my life , today I switched to a Honda (after much ribbing). My Kodiak 450 has given me more trouble than any ATV I've owned. Don't get me wrong. The ATV was comfortable and performed well but the IRS was a trouble. After 2500 miles I had changed all my wheel bearings, one CV joint and another one going(rear), my rear bushings, and numerous rear boots. I went back to the simple and durable SRA Rubicon. Though it doesn't seem as comfortable I believe the SRA will be more durable.
GOODBYE IRS troubles.
Buck

 

You picked the wright quad for the change. I own a 2001 Rubicon and I have never had any probles . It has been use in mud desert and snow , I have pulled a lot of stuck quads and trucks with it and the quad it is still goog as new. I have done minor mods to it ,FMF Pipe,Jet Kit,Warn 424 Select and a 2500 Mile Marker Winch. This quad will run forever!.

 

dam i looking for a kodiak 450 cause my 06 wolverine 450 4x4 doesnt have enough cargo space to carry what i bring on the trails. i would have traded you lol. If you dont mind me asking what year was the kodiak?? looking at an 05 right now just wondering if it would have the same problems. thans

 

It was an 05. Just remember that there are many on here who love their Kodiaks and I liked the feautures. I just didn't like the IRS because of the rear boots and bearings (I really don't ride crazy). The other thing was yesterday morning I woke up to find gear fluid on the floor. The front diff rear seal was leaking. After 2500 miles I had replace all the rear wheel bearings, one rear CV joint, and numerous boots.Who knows...maybe I got a lemon but I'm trying the SRA again. I'm sacrificing comfort for better reliability (I hope)

 

Hey, there's nothing wrong with a Honda. Just look at all the other stuff they make and how reliable everything they make really is.

 

I hear ya on the IRS though.. I am trying to get used to it.. thought, I only ever owned an old school 1984 Honda 200s so that is the only SRA I know... I have been on dirtbikes since 1988... Hondas are good rigs you will enjoy it.. quite reliable for sure. My 1990 XR 250 went solid until I sold it in 2004.. One of the things that helps Hondas going is their HP4 Motor oil, that syntheic stuff rocks!

One of the main motivations for me getting the Yamaha Kodiak/Grizzly 450 honestly was that is actually FITS in the back of my pickup truck and I can Close the tailgate! (I have a 6.5 foot bed, Grizzly is 78.5 inches long! Most other quads are 83-88 inches in length.)

I am a bit surprised you had alot of rear-end problems... I ride my '07 Grizzly 450 a bit crazy - well mostly technical terrain (my footwell floorboards are beat down) Only problems I have had after 350-ish miles is a loose bolt here and there, which I quickly fixed and I tore a front inner CV Boot. So after replacing that I bought some CV Boot guards. I still want to make rear Cv boot guards. I am running stock tires for now, but will upgrade to 25" Bighorns at some point.

Good luck with the new ride - new is always nice!