Anyone know when the new Kodiak 700 will be arriving on dealer lots? I am in a pickle, I was dead set on trading my 2008 Rancher 420 for a Can-Am 500L then Can-Am goes and announces they are upping the the engine size in the 500L to a 570. Then a day later I learn that Yamaha is going to sell the Kodiak as a 700. So what's a guy to do? Can-Am 570L or Kodiak 700. In short I am looking for better than average power in a midsize frame and it would seem by the spec sheets that the L version of the Can-Am Outlander (570L) and the Kodiak 700 fit the bill.

 

I think the Grizzly 550 would another good choice. Not quite as much power as either of those but considerably more than a Rancher 420 or everything Honda makes except the Rincon and the 550 is about equal in power to it. And a bit less expensive as well, I've seen non-eps Grizzly 550 models listed for $5999 at a local dealer. Add $800 if you want power steering.

 

I have read that the Kodiaks are already showing up at dealers: Difference Between 2016 Grizzly and Kodiak - Page 3 - Yamaha Grizzly ATV Forum

 

I think that same local dealer also has Kodiak 700s in stock. I wonder how much under the $6999 retail price for the base model they're willing to go. I think you should be able to get a 500L without power steering for around $6000, that's about the price another dealer quoted a friend of mine but he went with the 450L with power steering instead which cost a little more than that.

 

The 500 , 570 outlander and Kodiak 700 are full size chassis.
Even the 450 outlander is a full sized chassis like the 850 Outlander. If you compare dementions. 2016 Can-Am Outlander™ L 450 Green ATVs Remember the 850 has larger 26" tires which accounts for the 0.5" height difference.

 

So I dropped by my local Yamaha dealer and to my surprise they had a Kodiak 700 right there on the floor. Sales guy said they just got it in. It was sitting side by side with a Grizzly 550. It was immediately clear the Kodiak is smaller then the Grizzly. Still the Kodiak is not small, it makes my Rancher look small. The Kodiak is a good bump up in size and in my mind it falls in the mid to large frame size whereas the Rancher is mid size and the Grizzly large sized. Since I am 5'8" the Kodiak seemed to fit my physic very well, I also hopped on the Grizzly and I found it very large and might I say intimidating (I guess I am use to my Rancher which I have had since 2008). Anyway I truly like everything about the Kodiak with the exception of the rear rack, it seems awkwardly large in that extends rearward well past the trailing edge of the rear fenders. My concern with the Kodiak is that Yamaha advertises it as a "work" when compared to the Grizzly. If I purchased the Kodiak I would be doing so for the sole purpose of trail riding. Again the Kodiak is in my price range and more importantly it feels to be the 'right' size for me. Anyway those are my thoughts. What are yours?

 

Both the Grizzly and Kodiak are both rated at 48hp but the Grizzly is clutched different.
Either way, the jump from your 27hp OHV 420 Rancher will feel like a leap in performance.

Even if you went to Honda's flagship 680 Rincon both the Grizzly and Kodiak would dust it in every way.

Cant see why a 550 Grizzly would seem bigger then a 700 Kodiak since they have the same dementions http://www.atvreviewnetwork.com/enth...2=370186&go=Go unless it was a 550 with larger 26" tires?
Plus the 550 is lighter by 15lbs.

 

From what I've read the Grizzly has much more aggressive clutching. It "feels" like it has more power because of that. They both have the 708cc single that first appeared in the new Wolverine side by side. Still, if you're used to a Rancher 420, it will feel like a rocketship. I have a Grizzly 660 myself and I think its basically the same size as the current Grizzly models. I had a Rancher 350 recently and yes, the Grizzly is much bigger. But only weighs about 100lbs more with about twice as much power, its night and day difference in performance. You would see a similar increase from your Rancher to the Kodiak 700. I'm guessing it performs similarly to the previous 686cc Grizzly, which still had a very strong bottom end. I assume you haven't taken it for a test ride yet. You need to ride it to decide if its powerful enough for you. Reading specs and reviews aren't the same as getting seat time on the machine.

 

I definitely need time in the saddle. Unfortunately my local deal is in the middle of the city and there is literately no ground to ride on. I will be looking around this weekend for another dealer that has one in stock and has room for me to take it for a spin. I can't wait for the you tube reviews and comparisons between the Kodiak, Grizzly, KingQuad, Outlander, Foreman, Sportsman, and so on. I anxiously waiting for Dirt Trax Television to get one and review it hopefully soon.

 

There never going to compare a 700 Yamaha to a 500 Foreman the power class is just to great. Honda makes the only 500 that under 30hp ,most are 35-40hp with that displacement.
Even the 450 Outlander is 38 HP now,that what the Honda 680 Rincon has.