I looked at and rode both then I rode a Sportman HO and never looked back. Great ride gobs of ponies great trail runner and good looking to boot. Just a little excited just got it delivered tuesday and it been a blast!

 

Looks like everyone votes for what they ride. I'm no different of course I vote for the Grizz, and have a funny (and true) story for you. When I called the dealer he tried to talk me into the Kodiak, said it was more nimble and just as fast but I, being 6'1" and 250 lbs, decided a Grizz was just more comfortable to sit on and the power was pretty impressive. So when I was picking up the Grizz there was a guy there who had just bought the Kodiak a few days earlier and he looked at me loading up my Grizz and just shook his head and said, "I should have bought the Grizz". Needed more power than the Kodiak could provide.


Point being that I have never looked at a Kodiak and said "I wish I bought the Kodiak".... Just not for me. Good luck.

 

I own a grizzly and my dad owns a kodiak. They are both great machines. The kodiak it more nimble, but not to the extent of the people are talking about here. Also, if you ever intend to put on a lift kit and a bigwheel kit, you will be very happy to have the extra power of the grizzly. Tires 26 inch and larger aren't even recommended for machines under 450cc. Either way you should wait a few months until the new grizzly comes out. It will have independant rear suspension, 660cc five valve liquid cooled motor (sound familiar), and I'm hoping for a new front differential. Heck, I might even sell you my grizzly for a good deal.

 

I have ridden a 2000 model Kodiak several times. The Kodiak really handles & turns well. Its engine braking system is one of the best on the market. If you plan on doing work & play then the Kodiak is an excellent choice.

If you plan if mainly work & you need pure power then the Griz is for you.

 

I have ridden both machines and selected the Grizzly because it better suited my needs. when riding hard I find myself always standing on the grizz because I feel more in control that way. when I rode the Kodiak I stayed on the seat more often.
The Grizzly had better acceleration but the Kodiak was no slouch either. Top speed seemed to be fairly close. I seem to be a minority in the fact that I prefer the oil cooling over the liquid cooled Kodiak (just my prefrence).
The kodiak was more nimble but I have no problem scooting the grizzly around on tight trails.
The brakes on the grizzly are drum whereas the kodiak has rear disk.
Either way you go I think you will be satisfied.

 

Get the Grizzly! You can always keep your hand off the throttle to be weaker, but you can't make a weaker engine stronger by giving it more gas. I have ridden with sport bikes several times,(Banshee's, Raptors, 400ex's) and have been able to stay with them everytime. Many times out doing them in certian trails conditions, and always killing them in the mud. I've had mine for 7 months now and put 600 miles on it without a single problem, this bike is a brick!

Rick

 

Simple answer KODIAK 4X4 I took them both out for a test day on the trail, Grizzly not even close to the ride , comfort , and handling of the KODIAK... You really have to try them both out , and there will be no doubt. I could have got the grizz leftover, for the same price i got my KODIAK 2001, but i loaded the prize...Never looked at the grizz again!! YAMAHA DID US RIGHT WITH THIS MACHINE