I'm getting tired of pushing my Polaris so it's time for a new quad. I want a Sport/Utility but leaning toward Sport.

The Foreman is mostly all buisness and I wouldn't even consider it if not for the new selectable 4wd feature but it still doesn't have much clearance or suspension travel. Still it's tempting because it's a Honda.

The Big Bear seems like a good value and has everything I want. I'm concerned about how much power it will have and what the top speed is. I read an article that said it needed one more gear. I ride a freinds Four-Trax 300 is the same way, I always try to shift one more time. I'm not looking for freeway speeds or anything but I'd like to be able to outrun joggers, poodles, tricycles, etc.

The Kodiak has high-low range which would be nice. I'm a firm believer in the KISS philosophy, Keep It Simple Stupid. If the air cooled motor does everything I need then the liquid cooled just has that many more things to go wrong. Does the Kodiak have a lot more power and faster top speed than the Big Bear? Or is the exra power from the bigger liquid cooled engine robbed by the auto tranny? I'm not opposed to an auto but am leaning towards the five speed.

If anyone has any experiance with one or both of these machines I'd appreciate your input. Also let me know if there's anything else in this class that I'm overlooking.

Thanks

 

I have a 2000 Kodiak and I love it. I have driven an older Big Bear that is in excellent shape and it handles nothing like my Kodiak. I honestly do not know how the new Big Bears are or the Honda's. All I can tell you that you would not be disappointed with a Kodiak. Some of the things that I like about it are full floorboards, auto tran. in/out 4wd. good power and very maneuverable in tight places. Good luck on your choice.

 

I'm looking at getting the Big Bear or Wolverine. Kinda like both. I know the Big Bear (02) runs around 50 or so. Been talking with a guy that bought a new 02 model and loves it. Slides around good and has good ground clearance. I think it has 9 inches or so. It is also a fairly light machine at just around 550lbs.

The Honda is nice but a little more utility than sport but still cool. Has drum brakes and not article in the last 6 months I have read say the brakes are great. That is the only real complaint that they are just ok but not great. THe Big Bear has dual disk front brakes and drum rears.

The Honda is air cooled has never been a problem and so is the Big Bear. It is a toss up but I like the lighter weight and brakes of the Big Bear.

The Kodiak has been ATV leader in is class for a few years so not much needs said. Liquid cooled is nice if you ride in extreme heat but these air cooled atvs have been around forever so I would say they are bullet proof if you do normal maint.

 

Chainman, check my pics for performace of the Kodiak. You wont be disapointed in it. The 2002 Kodiak are even better than my 2000 model is. Let me know what you think.

 

You might want to consider the Wolverine also.
I bought one not long ago and was concerned about the full time 4wd.
After riding it a few times it is not as bad as I thought.
It is very nimble in the woods and steers lightly.
The full time 4wd is a lot nicer than I expected.
Never need to worry about getting it into 4wd when needed.
Its always there. Only disadvantage is it doest spin a donut easily.
It would also have equal ground clearance with the Big Bear with equal size tires.
Although stock is 23's compared to the Big Bears 25's which gives it 1 inch less.
There is also a zillion aftermarket parts and mods. available for it.
I have never clocked the top speed on mine but I am told that average for the
Wolverine is about 55.

 

Chainman, you really can't go wrong with any of these machines.It really comes down to what YOU want.I have an early 2000 kodiak and it has been excellent(except for the brakes).I have ridden all three you have listed and the kodiak is the sportiest by far with the foreman at the end of utility and the bigbear somewhere in the middle.With the dual range tranny the Kodiak covers it all.It is by far faster than a foreman.I have a buddy that has a Rubicon which is a 500 and I can beat him every time in a drag race no problem.The one thing the water cooled does do for you is keep the power consistant all day long and it does help it last longer.
I saw the new Kodiak will have the diff lock like the grizz also which is VERY nice.I looked at a 2002 Kodiak yesterday and yamaha has also changed the rear brake somewhat,there is now a shield on the rear disc.I am not sure how much this will help with the pad life but it can only be better.
Hope this answers more that confuses LOL[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]Just curious....what kind of polaris do you have??
2000 kodiak
1995 wolverine
1988 big bear

 

I don't think you're right about the Kodiak's diff being the same as the Grizzly. Unless you're talking about the '03 models.

BTW, if you're leaning towards sport, the Wolverine is, by far, the better choice. Myself, I'm getting ready to trade in my Wolverine for something with a low range.

Also, I have a very hard time believing that a Kodiak can beat a Rubicon in a drag race, though if it could, Yamaha would likely sell another one pretty quick.

 

Thanks for the input.

I have actually considered the Wolverine but I think it's leaning a little too much towards the sport side of things. I want low range or at least a granny gear 1st, and It's got to be able to shift out of 4x4. The Wolverine costs almost as much as a Kodiak so it's pretty much out.

My Polaris is a Trailblazer, not exactly the flagship model I know, but it shuts down when ridden hard at all. It's either overheating or has a bad thermo sensor thing??? It's in the shop now. I spent a couple hours on a Sportsman and loved it, that's why I got the Traiblazer and planned on upgrading to a Sportsman 500 but after my experiances so far and talking to a few Sportsman owners I've decided against it. People either love them or hate them but they all seem to agree that they are high maintainance, which isn't for me. I hate not being able to trust the Trailblazer, I don't dare take it anywhere.

Kiss,
Nice Dillon, the Kodiak isn't bad either. I don't think I'll be needing the snorkel and mudders, not much mud around these here parts.

So does anyone have a Big Bear??

 

Well,I guess you can believe what you want about the Rubicon thing but it is true and it was not a one time thing.The Rubi is only 100 cc bigger (not actually) and there is a weight issue.As far as the diff lock deal it is stated in the article that is now listed on the grizz test in this very website.It does not say the year it will happen but I am sure sooner than later.They make changes midyear all the time at least he can ask about it.
Chain,the Big bear I have is an older 350 model which is no comparison but I can say it is bulletproof,hands down the most reliable quad I have owned.The wolverine I cannot say the same about.
Like you were thinking,it is not for towing or load hauling.It is a nice trail machine but you will soon dislike the 23 inch tires.
2000 kodiak
1998 wolverine
1988 big bear[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the compliment. The Dillon is like heaven compared to the single stage LOL. I have rode two Rubicons and both were slower than my Kodiak when my Kodiak was stock. So I would believe thats true about the drag racing. Also I seen that shield on the 2002 Kodiaks rear brake rotor. I also wonder if the timing is different on the 2001 and 2002 model Kodiaks than the 2000 models.

Kodiac1, what, when, where and who did you hear anything about the 2003 Kodiaks having a locker option like the Grizzly?? If this is true then Im holding off on the 500cc big bore kit and getting a new one. Let me know ASAP!!!