I have been to my Local Yam dealer and got the latest sales pitch.

After all due discussion about my wants and needs he suggested the Kodiak 350 vs the 400 or 450. - interesting fellow that is trying to sell me a smaller machine...

His point - I am not concerned with speed, the wife and I do trail riding (no mudding), I have only do light work to do with the machine (Snow plowing and moving 800 lbs trailer), I'm just a delicate little thing (5'10" @230lbs & 51 yrs) so the bigger bikes are not required.

SO; what are the opinions on the 350?

 

I would still rather have the 450 myself

 

there is no kodiak 350..atleast new..
grizz 350 or bruin 350?
anyways..
for what you want to do w/ it, it will be fine. I plow my driveway, and beat the pi$$ out of the 350 bruin and it still fires right up. It hauls wood fine too. I would get a big bear 400 though if I were you, it would probably be better to tow w/ having gears, the big bears 1st gear is very powerfull

 

Ctateusa1 - I would prefer the 450 too - BUT for the extra $1K for power that I'll never use and a digital display - I have to think on the matter.

west350bruin - In Canada they call it a Kodiak - perhaps next year they will rename it to the Bruin / Grissley...
I was looking at the 400s - I didn't think the extra 50 cc in the engine would make much difference... how is the ride - what other features do they offer on the 400? - is it worth the price difference?

 

big bear 400 atleast 07 usa model..

has diff locker semi auto clutch. displays, mud lites stock and IRS

irs and the diff locker are worth the extra money..and its only $500 more then the 350cc straight axle.

so for $500 more you get IRS, speed,odo fuel and hour gauges, a locker.
Instead of a auto you get a semi auto(that is personal preference)
nearly a foot more in ground clearance

had I done more homework before my spur of the moment purchase I would of got the big bear.

 

I REALLY detest doing this, I bleed Yamaha blue, but....
Take a look at the 2008 Arctic Cat 366.
Cheap cheap and IRS, digital display, 1050lb tow rating, blah, blah, blah...
100lbs lighter than the AC 400 and only 10cc less (366 vs 376)

 

I couldn't find a price on articcat's webpage but a dealer around me (MA) has it listed for 5199 in CT and the big bear msrp's at 5599

Not sure if there is a volume dealer around you but troy city garage in new york lists the big bear at $4,899

So they are both basically the same price, depends where and what you want. doesn't sound like you could go wrong w/ either one. Only thing I notice right away is the cat comes w/ 24" tires stock vs the big bear and kodiak/bruin/grizz350 25"

 

Hmmm. It would seem that there are a number of differences between the models being sold in Canada and the US.

The Kodiak 350 comes complete with IRS, Speedometer (analogue), gas gauge, automatic, hi/lo neutral, racks and stock tires - as do the 400 and 450 - which is why the choice is so difficult - for the money - the differences are minor.

Have a look at the Specs;

http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/pro...ft&group=A#contentTop


But the price... you win..

 

yeah, wow the kodiak 350 is totally different the usa bruin/grizz 350.