Just purchased an 05 Kodiak 450 and was hoping some of you guys who have one could give me your thoughts and things I should know about. Obviously it is used with about 85 hours and 165 miles. I kind of bought it without doing alot of research but I gave 4700.00 OTD. You think that's a fair price? It looks almost new with only a few minor scratches and seems to run perfectly. Thanks!

 

You might want to get the service with the valve check just to be sure it is adjusted.

 

You just got probably the most reliable,best handleing,best 4
wd Locker on the market. You did ok on the price, not bad.
Have fun on it, change the oil regularly and she"ll last forever!

 

85 hours and 165 miles. Thats alot of time idling.

 

I picked up a new '05 as a left over last May. I've got about 45hrs and 140 miles on it, when I first got it I did a ton of yard work on about 3 acres. I thought I was being too hard on it pulling a york rake, trailer full of debris, logs, brush, etc. I took in for scheduled service at 25hrs and explained to the shop guys my scenario, they said as long as I wasn't to hard on it should break-in just fine. They were right, I've had no problems. Now I have a few buddies to ride with and it runs great, keeps right up with the BruteForce my brother-in-law has and the 700 Sportsman a buddy has. I can out maneuver them on the trials with little effort. Great Machine! Like the others said, have it serviced and you should be in good shape.

 

Thanks for the replies. Is alot of idling time something I should worry about? Also the dealer who is not a Yamaha dealer said to keep it in low range if riding under 15 mph. He is concerned with belt wear. Is he right? He actually is a Polaris and Kawasaki dealer. I know I have read that the Yamaha belt system is less prone to wear and break.

 

Your right, yamaha belt system doesen't need to be in low like a polaris or Kaw. Theres no better belt system than Yamahas.

 

I second that! I've never heard of belt issues since manufacturers were pioneering the technology back in the day (I think Polaris was the original?) Also I agree on the low gear comment by CamoKodiak. That dealer is not familiar with Yamahas. Both fellas I ride with have the Polaris and Kawi, they drop into low for deep mud and rocky/hilly terrain. I find it annoying when I'm too close behind and have to stop for them to up-shift. I use the low for heavy trailer towing or when I'm actually stuck in the deep stinky Adirondack mud I ride through. I love the Kodiak, my only complaint is the lack of storage. My under seat storage is taken up by the winch solenoid. The compartment could be larger and rear accessible but that space is taken up by the rear snorkel vent, I'm still shopping for a small add-on storage bin system.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: hondabuster

85 hours and 165 miles. Thats alot of time idling.</end quote></div>

No.... Yamaha's Hour meter runs if you leave the key on. I need to leave the key "on" when I ride as that powers my GPS.

Personally that is not a good indication of actually run time... I wish Yamaha wasn't so stupid on that part... oh well....

 

I agree with the above replies. The two Kodiaks I had never ran in low unless pushing gravel with my plow. Hard to get use to my new Ruby which needs in low for hills and deep mud.
Buck