I bought a 2000 2X4 Kodiak as a girlfriend machine. It is an all-around wonderful and sporty bike. We were riding in the mountains this last weekend and she got into a situation that was over her head, so we swapped rides and I jumped on the Kodiak and negotiated the hill. As I was riding the Kodiak for the first long ride in rough terrain I noticed vibrations and tough handling.

I first backed the pre-load off of each spring/shock assembly to keep the bike more managable for my girlfriend. This made a noticable improvement and the bike is much easier to ride for my girlfriend. Since I don't use this machine for heavy work nor racing, I'm not worried about decrease in weight handling performance.

I also noticed what I think is a lot of engine vibration. Is this common to Kodiaks? I purchased a 2000 Kodiak 4X4 for my father, but haven't ridden it much so did not notice vibration issues.

I must say that I ride a Honda Rubi for myself. We had ridden about 60 miles that day and I rode about 5 of them on the Kodiak. With the vibrations of the Kodiak, no wonder she was exhausted when we got back to camp.

I have recommended the Kodiak numerous times over even the vaunted Rubi to numerous riders. Great machine.

Any ideas about the engine vibration?

 

Yes, slight vibration from the right side of the engine where the clutch cover is located is normal for the Kodiak. It tends to decrease after time. I think it's because the clutch weight grease needs to break down. Because after I installed a clutch kit I had a real bad vibration. So bad that I took it apart again to make sure I had put it together right. It was put together right. After time that vibration started to disappear.

 

My 00 Kodiak has 240Km on it and has vibrated like a dog defecating razor blades since day one. I was shocked when I compared it to my smooth running Honda 300 fourtrax, and initially thought something was wrong. Then I rode two other 00 Kodiaks and they vibrated as well. If it smooths out over time, as FKNA says, so much the better.
I rode an Arctic Cat 500 auto this weekend, and it vibrated too, but not as bad as the Kodiak. All the same the Kodiak has so much going for it I can overlook the vibs. Hey Harleys vibrate, and people love em'.

 

454....considering I have never been on another quad, I don't have anything to compare it to. But you're right, the Kodiak does have a lot going for it and the vibration that is there doesn't bother me one bit.

 

I also have a bit of vibration. Just like all the other owners of the Kodiak I can live with it.