any one know what quad is better. I have a 99 kodiak4x4 but I like the Honda 450's better they have more power and can spin those big tires. please feel free to write anything you want I'm not favoring either one.

99kodiak4x4

 

Hi,
You better get your hands on a Dirt Wheels December issue. It has a shoot out between the 450ES and the 2K Kodiak. The Kodiak Kicks it's BUTT! I had the issue but it's gone now. I hear that some Yamaha dealers have made a brochure out of it. Check it out.
I have a Y2K Kodiak with 4.9 hours on it and just can't get enough. Man, why would anyone want to shift if they don't have to. Why would anyone want to be stuck in 4 wheel drive all the time? Drum brakes? Yuk!
The 450es is a farm machine.

I highly suggest you read that test.

therock

 

Therock, the '99 Kodiak that this dude is talking about is not an automatic like yours, it is a 5 speed. It is also air cooled. It doesn't have the awesome features the new Kodiaks have, like yours, plus it is full time 4 wheel drive!

 

The one thing hondas are legendary for, is their reliability record. People look at the old 3 wheelers that are still kicking after 15 years of abuse, and many, without even an oil change. Honda still builds a very reliable engine, but Yamaha has learned a thing or two over the years, and builds just as good an engine now. Hondas have a few short comings that would stop me from buying one, such as lousy suspension, and especially low ground clearance.... and most riders will tell you, when it gets down to the nitty gritty, in rough terrain, ground clearance is what will determine which end of the tow rope you find yourself on.
I did a lot of investigating and question asking before I chose my bike, and for me Yamaha was the right choice, but if my circumstances were different, for example if I only wanted it for farm work, I may have chosen a Honda.

 

BEFORE YOU THINK ABOUT BUYING A FORMAN - GO TEST RIDE THE NEW REVAMPED 2000 KODIAK. THAT MAY HELP YOU IN MAKING YOUR DECISION - DONT COMPARE IT TO THE 99! GOOD LUCK

 

Ok, I definitely like the 2000 Kodiak, I really think it's the best engineered 4x4 that's ever come off of Yamaha's assembly line. I don't know how one rides, but I do know what a ForemanES is like since I ride one regularly. I'm gonna go with what the outcome of that shootout was, and say the Kodiak is the best overall machine. But that doesn't mean the Honda isn't cool either. I love that LCD display on it, they have (in my opinion) the best floorboard design on the market, and the ergonomics are really good on it.

Derekjes, I just want to say a few things about your last post. You said that Honda has a few shortcomings that would stop you from buying one, like suspension and ground clearance. As for the suspension, I hope you're only talking about the Honda utility machines, cause they're sport quads have awesome suspension. True, Honda's utility machines don't have much suspension travel, but they probably make the most out of what they have, cause they have good damping and rebound rates. But I do not like the back suspension of the Foremans. Too stiff. Did you ever take a look at the Honda Ranchers? They have 9.7" of ground clearance, which is slightly more than what a Kodiak has. Also, they have that cool new front differential that helps in traction, which is something Yamaha should do: find something similar. I think it's cool though that the Kodiak is lighter than the Honda Foremans, I didn't think anyone was going for lighter ones these days! So I just wanted to clear some things up. It's hard to say if your talking about the Honda Foreman, or all Hondas in general. I think the Kodiak 400 is a better animal than the Foremans though, but technically they're not in the same class.

 

Well I maybe a little one-sided but I got four Honda's to 97 300s and a 450s and es both are 2000 models. the two 97s have been Rhode hard and put up wet. I would hate to guess how many hours these two units have on them. They have both been very reliable units. We have worn out the stock tires. We have vampires on them now. We have only done regular maintenance own these quads. The two new quads have only been on a couple of trail rides we are really having fun with them. We got these for mudding!!! I'm sure these Quads will be just has reliable!!! we did look at the kodiak but I was concerned with the belt drive transmission! we did purchase a 2000 big Bear we disliked it so much that I've got it for sale. I hope you enjoy your Kodiak ! I will not buy another Yamaha !!!!!!

 

Triclaw, what didn't you like about your 2000 Yamaha Big Bear?

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Honda...they take a lickin' and keep on tickin'

 

ROSTER to start with me and the wife went to the dealership i told the salesman the big Bear was for my wife. He didn't mention anything about it being hard to shift. when we went to pick up the big Bear they had the wrong wheels and tires on it. we don't know how this happened calls we showed them pictures of what we wanted. we had a ride coming up in two days . so my wife decided we would take the unit as it was. That was our first mistake!! when we were loading the unit my wife told the man that was showing us how the unit worked that it was hard to shift he said it would break in. We have been in on two more trail rides and it seems to be getting harder to shift. My stepdaughter road the unit last weekend in the north Georgia mountains when she would have to stop she would have to use her hand to shift the unit. I have talked to the service man at the dealership he said you may have to rock the unit well that's hard to do when you're on a mountain side + its a little dangerous. Also on the first ride the right front fender broke we paid 300 more dollars for the buck master's addition. We are now preparing a letter to spend too the dealership and to Yamaha letting them know how dissatisfied we are with this unit!!!

 

My Best friend and his brothers 400 big bear have never had a problem. Plus they are really smooth shifting.It also has alot of ***** and goes at a desant speed for a 400. You must have really hit something really bad to crack the plastic, atleast you didnt by a polaris.ha ha