I currently have a YFM 350 big bear 2wd & thinking about upgrading to Kodiak automatic 4 wheel drive. I use my 4-wheeler for hunting & pleasure. I ride in mud some & lots of hilly & rough terrian. 1st question is the 4 wheel drive
Kodiak in 2 wd mode is as easy to steer as my 350?
2 nd question, does anyone know what the top speed is? Last question, I keep hearing about belt
slippage & is that a real problem? Thanks!!

 

i had a big bear also 99 4x4 sold it and bought the kodiak ..by far the best thing i ever did the handling is just like driving a sport quad its great...you wont go wrong,second ive been in some pretty big mud holes and the belt has never slip for me, they say if you get water over the racks your belt will slip,top speed for my kodiak is about 52 or 53 it wil blow the big bear away easy..if i were to do it all over again i would buy another kodiak... by far your best bet . the only complaint were the rear brake pads but big deal really,

 

i bought my kodiak 4x4 last August and i absolutely love it. I wouldn't trade it for any other quad out there. top speed i believe is anywhere from 52-56. as far as belt slippage goes, as drincbud has said, if you are in water up to the racks it might slip. i don't know from experience, just what i have read from other people. as far as the handling in 2wd goes, it is as smooth as any other 2wd. if you do any trail riding, i would recommend putting it in 2wd because it is alot more fun. i cannot say enough good things about this machine. once you buy one,and i believe you will, you will understand what we are talking about. afterall it was 2000's atv of the year. that says alot about it. good luck.

2000 kodiak4x4
warn snowplow
yamaha speedo kit
2000 beartracker(wife's quad)

 

I was in Milwaukee between Christmas & Jan 3rd. My wife is from there. Wanted to do some 4-wheeling or snowmobiling but didn't get too. Lottsss of snow on the groud though. Thanks for the info on the Kodiak. Sounds like everyone really loves them.
I love my big bear, but really do want 4 wd.
just don't want to lose the handling of the 2 wd.
Thanks again !!

 

I couldnt agree with these guys more. Top speed is in the 53-56mph range and the 2wd is perfect. I can do dounuts in 2wd. Honestly I can go most places in 2wd but when it comes to mud riding and log crossing that "3rd" wheel helps out. It has more than enought power "in low range" to turn big tires in deep mud if you wanted to mount them and thats in stock condition too.

I know form experience you will get the belt wet if you get in water over the racks. Im talking about for more than 5-10 seconds. A quick dip wont get it wet. I do a lot of water riding and have built a snorkel for the front and rear breather tube for the tranny. If I get my belt wet now I will probably loose the Kodiak LOL. Check my pics for detailed snorkel pics. I should also have new pics of the air intake snorkel and the K&N air filter adapter I made tomorrow if anyone is interested.

Later all

 

schunter,
I've only had my Kodiak about two weeks now, but a can't imagine having anything else. I went riding with some friends that have Suzuki's and Kawasaki's, the Kodiak will cut circles around these machines with ease. Even in 4x4 the Kodiak steers pretty light and tight (my wifes driven it in 4x4 and didn't complain). No experience with belt slip, only what I've read about getting in water over the racks. If you take the time to understand how the belt and clutch system is housed in a sealed area with ducts for cooling air running up underneath the front and rear racks, you'll gain confidence that the belt is going to stay dry unless you go in over the racks. I read a great article on the web from an independent test lab about the reliability of the belt system automatic. The writer explained how the system was designed to transfer large amounts of horse power (100+) in snowmobile applications and explained that in the ATV area (25 to 40HP) these systems are so understressed it wasn't even funny. By the way, the engine braking feature of the Kodiak works great thanks to a sprag clutch design that keeps the clutch engaged even when there is no throttle being applied. Go with the Kodiak you won't regret it.

 

Hey schunter,

I found the article I was refering to in my post. I had it bookmarked on my computer at work. check it out if you want to know more about the belt system automatic. You'll have to cut and paste the url into your location bar.

http://www.atv-mag.com/articles/0102ms/9911ms.htm

 

I absolutely love my Kodiaks. With one exception: the rear brakes have a tendancy to pick up tiny little rocks or mud and squeak like crazy. I usually put it in reverse and ride the brakes a little to clean em out. But for speed, climbing, easy of steering handling on side hills, and everything else, it's great.

I raced my Y2Kodiak against by buddys 2000 Sportsman 500 and ended up about two lengths ahead after a quarter mile.

You won't regret upgrading.

 

Well it sounds like I'm saving up for a Kodiak now. Thanks to all for your input !!
SC hunter looking for a Kodiak

 

Got to throw in my 2c's worth. Forget the stock rear brakes and get the aftermarked harder ones, can't think of the brand name but racing brakes work, the Dunflops are duds. Check the air pipe on the front of the belt housing often, it will come loose and admit lots of water and stop you cold. But most important and please pass this on to your buds especially if they ride 00 Kodiaks. There is a location on the left side of the tranny towards the front where the speed-o drive goes on the 01's. Some machines like mine had a cover pressed in. My cover came out, and this lets the engine oil run out. We caught it in time(saw the oil in the snow)otherwise would of cost an engine. This is a horrible design, and Yamaha should do a recall and fix it. Other then that, a good machine. At 3,000 ft cannot get the speed others has posted.