I am ready to buy a new quad. Can you people help in deciding between a Artic cat and a Kodiac. Right now I am leaning toward a Cat 400 4X4 but issue is still up in the air. Do you people know of any reliabilty issues with either? Is the Kodiac true 4 wheel drive? Is it all time 4 wheel Drive? Also could you post prices paid for new kodiacs this year or early last year. One thing I do know is I like the looks of the Kodiac. That thing just looks plain mean. Any help you people can give is very much appreciated.
Thanks for all your help

TbStone
Future Quad Owner

 

A buddy of mine, a staunch Arctic Cat fan, and I rode both bikes last May. The dealer caried both brands so we were able to do a mini side by side comparison. My buddy has big time AC loyalty, but settled on the Kodiak anyway. The reasons that come to mind follow:
1. Kodiak steering seemed lighter
2. Kodiak turning radius was smaller (we measured it)
3. Kodiak shifts on the fly and you engage the front end with a button mounted on the handle bars. The AC has a lever mounted down by the front fender, and the dealer told us to stop it to put it in 4WD.
3. AC front end dipped on turns
4. AC transmission takes up more foot space
5. We liked the Kodiak seat better

We went to Canada in June and bought 3 Kodiaks. The price, with a Warn 2000 winch, was $5100 American each.

A note of caution,if you buy the Kodiak be sure to get the skid plate that protects the swingarm boot.

 

tbStone,
I picked up my Kodiak March 1st of this year. I can't give you a comparison on the AC because the only AC I've riden is a 300. Here's some of the deciding factors for me going with the Kodiak.
- Can be put in and out of 4 wheel drive (lots of fun in 2 wheel)

- I don't know about your area, but in ours an AC dealer just moved in last year and the business has already been taken over by another dealer. I figure I can always find a local Yamaha dealer but the AC dealership doesn't seem very stable here.

- Yamaha reliability

- Best turning radius of the 400 class 4x4 machines

- Belt drive Automatic with engine braking feature (By the way, the engine braking works great)

These are just a few of the reasons, but I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Kodiak.

I paid $6250 out the door, title, taxes, prep. etc, with A2000 warn winch installed. 2001 Kodiak.
My dealer said I beat him to death and said to tell everyone where I bought it but don't tell anyone what I paid. (Yeah, right!!)

Hope this helps.

 

If you get the chance ride both of them. That would be the best way to tell which one you liked. Compare features too. I have a friend who owns a 1998 500 AC and it will wear you out on days ride. AC 400 has the same frame as 500 with a 400 motor in it. I like the Kodiak "which is why I have one".

 

I have to agree try them both. I was looking at the ac500 and the kodiak and I went with the kodiak and love it. I would reccomend trying the ac500 not the 400. The 400 is a dog and feels sluggish. The 500 has a lot of power but doesn't handle as nice as the kodiak in my opinion. Good luck have fun.

 

I would go with a arctic cat unless you are just into sporty trail rides. you should be able to get a manuel five hundred with a winch for less than a kodiak bare. The ac has a better ride and suspension, much better four wheel drive, much more stability, gauges, and have proven very durable. going by list price the kodiak is the most over priced three wheel drive out there.