New here, looking for help. I'm looking at buying at 2001 Kodiak. I've been through a lot of Yammy litature and web sites but can't find anything that states if Kodiak has a limited slip front end. While your at it give me your input on the Kodiak. I started out looking at the Rancher but decided I liked the automatic, full running boards, speedo and tripometer and the water cool features of the Kodiak, not to mention the extra CCs. However I notice how all the other manufactures don't miss a chance to throw in the limited slip front end statement in all there ads but Yamaha doesn't seem to mention it one way or the other. If Yamaha doesn't have it , does this effect the machines performance or do they have something else by a different name. Thanks in advance for your input. The post here have helped me feel a lot better about the belt drive auto system. I had a lot of concerns on that one, but after reading the post, I'm sure it's good set-up.

 

The Kodiak 4x4 does have a limited slip differential which applies power to the wheel with the least amount of traction--it results in a spinning wheel if off the ground--never made sense to me. That's why I bought the 2 wd Kodiak. Goes everywhere, and is a true Sport utility machine. Less weight, less complexity. I would only invest in a 4x4 that could actually lock the front end.

 

I have had my Kodiak for 8 months now. when you pick your out make sure you get the 4x4 model. You can always put it in 2x4 with the selector button. The 4x4 will come in handy for slow technical trail riding and mudding if you ever wanted to do that. Also dirtyhowies makes a full time locker for the Kodiak that I believe is only $65.00. The Kodiak has many features, a couple that you left out was disk brakes all around and adjustable shocks. The belt drive tranny is excellent. I kept getting mine wet and it slipped so I made a snorkel for it. Well better go almost time for work.

 

The four wheel drive Kodiak comes with an open differential.

 

What do you mean by open differental?? Also what's the story on the locker available for Kodiaks?? Is this something that can be taken in and out like a hub on a 4x4 truck or once you install it, your diff is locked all the time.

 

Fpilot, I believe an "open" differential provides power to the spinning wheel; a "limited-slip" differential is DESIGNED (not saying they always work that way) to bias torque to the wheel with traction.

For example, automobiles and trucks may be ordered with "limited-slip" differential options, with trade names like "Posi-Traction," etc.

An open differential has no mechanism (like a clutch pack) for biasing torque from a spinning wheel to one with traction; a limited-slip differential has a clutch pack, cone, or ratchet mechanism for this purpose.

Diogenes

 

My response above answers your question about the difference between an "open" differential and a "limited-slip" differential.

I know of no rider-selectable front ATV differential locker except the Suzuki King Quad/Quadrunner 250 4WD, (AC counterparts may be rigged to function in this way), and the forthcoming Kawasaki Prairie 650.

Diogenes

 

I don't know how to explain the differentals but when you install the locker, yes it is locked full time until you take it out.

 

The Kodiak and Rancher both have limited slip differentials. They are designed to direct torque to the wheel with traction, and prevent excess wheelspin on the wheel that has no traction. But, they also have to let the front wheels travel at different speeds when turning. Therefore, they don't completely lock the wheels together and you can have a wheel spinning in the air if it looses traction. Honda is touting the Rancher differential as being better than older designs, but I have seen several Ranchers "3-wheeling" when one of the wheels is in a bind. A local Honda dealer also told me that they have had some service problems with the new differential.
The aftermarket lockers actually lock the front wheels together with gears, which gives more traction in the mud. The trade-off is that the front wheels are always locked, even in 2WD, which makes turning more difficult.
In short, there isn't much difference in the differentials on the Rancher and the Kodiak. But the Kodiak offers and lot more features such as automatic tranny, selectable 4x4, 73 more cc's, liquid cooling, longer suspention travel, 5-way adjustable preload shocks, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear, larger tires, and better looks (my opinion). Hope this helps.
Kman

 

Guys I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that a limited slip design like the Kodiak, Grizzly, all Hondas "except Rubicon and Rancher" will tranfer power to the wheel with the least traction. If one wheel gets in the air it will spin and the other front tire will not pull. I have seen this many times with Hondas and even my own Kodiak. The Rubicon and Rancher is supposed to transfer power to the tire with the most traction. I havent seen this but I have heard it doesnt work as good as Honda claims, even my service manager told me it was just another design and name for a limited slip differential.

Im not going to argue or debate it with anyone. Like I said I have already seen it in action too many times. If you believe me thats good if you dont, well, thats fine too.