Im looking at the 4x4 Kodiak for my girlfriend. I would like for some of you kodiak owners to tell me what you like/dislike about the Kodiak.

 

This topic has come up a lot, so I'd suggest doing a search on the yamaha forum for everything about kodiaks. You'll get tons of thoughts on the machine.

 

The Kodiak would be a good quad for her. My major complaint (others will agree) the rear pads do not hold up very well. Kodiak owners are constantly replacing the rear pads.

Since the Kodiak is a narrow quad (narrower than most others) it makes it a tad top heavy.

 

The Kodiak is a great atv for anyone. They are so easy to drive. My wife wants to take over mine. She can put it in 2wd and make it easy to steer and put it in 4wd when the going gets rough. She never has to worry about being in a correct gear with the auto tranny. The brakes seem to be a problem but I will have to judge for myself after putting on a different set of pads than what the factory offers. The water pump is another troublesome part on the Kodiaks. I believe though that Yamaha has updated their pump. Im pretty sure mine is different than the older one I had. Good luck with your purchase, she would love the Kodiak.

 

The Kodiak is AWESOME in all aspects but one...WAY WAY WAY TOO TOP HEAVY. It's the scariest atv I have ever driven on a slope. I don't mean going straight up the hill (Does that just fine), I mean driving crossways along the side of the hill.

 

You ever rode a Grizzly?? But the Kodiaks are top heavy because of their narrowness. It also has its advantages too.

 

I bought my kodiak last year and I have never had any problems with it. It is an awesome machine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The 2wd/4wd option is something that every 4x4 should have. I went riding the other night and had it in 2wd the whole time. This machine can really handle on the trails. I absolutely love it and can't say enough good things about it. You're wife will love it.

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

 

I bought my kodiak last year and I have never had any problems with it. It is an awesome machine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. The 2wd/4wd option is something that every 4x4 should have. I went riding the other night and had it in 2wd the whole time. This machine can really handle on the trails. I absolutely love it and can't say enough good things about it. You're wife will love it.

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

 

I'm pleased with mine. I don't get all the top heavy talk. It's light enough at 545 lbs that a simple shift of your weight, easily controls the quad as most other atvs. If you want to try top heavy, try a sp 500 or similar. I had a front shock break on mine which I think was a fluke, but Yamaha relaced it free after 1.6 years and 1000 miles. The best thing about it is the throttle, it just keeps picking up speed.

2000 Kodiak 4x4, beige
2000 warn winch
Escavators x4
alum rear skid
maier hand guards

 

I started with a 2001 Kodiak 4X4 last July and still think it is one of the best all around quads available. Handles better than any other utility quad that I've experienced. Love the on-demand 4WD option, makes steering much easier and I don't get stuck (often). A fully automatic transmission is the way to go for most people - no risk of hitting neutral and you are always in the powerband on hill climbs and when sliding around corners. Do not put a winch on the front - too much weight when steering and jumping over obstacles. It eats rear brakes in muddy conditions so get the Severe Duty EBC brakes from Rocky Mountain ATV. I ride a sport quad now because the suspension/handling is much better but keep my friends on the Kodiak because it is much safer for beginners especially when climbing steep hills.