is there any noticable speed gains/lossess with the addition of the high/low range. what exactly do you gain with this?

--mcbride

 

I heard the dealer say also that there wasn't any noticable difference in power between the 450 v/s 400. I have read that it is wider also. The diff/ lock would be nice though not sure how much it would help with the same clearance. Did they take the low range out of the 450's or just the 02 400's? Cause that was a big mistake. Low range lets you crawl down STEEP hills without sliding due to engine brake in the front wheels.

02 Eiger 5sp 4x4/ Very nice quad so far, outruns my Kodiak except for top end.

 

i think they should widden the kodiak, they aren't as stable as others (450 honda) so if they did it would only be an improvement!

 

Mcbride I definitely think it is worth $500.00....especially at trade in or selling time.The low range is nice like ham said for crawling down hills and if you ever thing you will tow or even use a snow plow or anything like that.As far as comparison to the 360 I would have to say still the kodiak.The 360 does have that sealed rear brake which is nice but the Yamaha is water cooled which does equate to longer engine life and keeps the power stable on those hot days.From what I have seen in the other posts the 360 is a major vibrator and top end is around 45 if thats even important to you while the Kodiak is low to mid 50's easy.The yamaha also has adjustable shocks which is nice.Basically the 03 400 is like the older ones just without low range.Hope that helps.
2000 Kodiak
1998 wolverine

 

My 450 has been in shop for three weeks. Broken front knuckle assembly, part on back order no estimated delivery date

 

The new Kodiaks were widened 2 inches over initial model. They are more stable then a honda 450 front to back. Hondas will come up on you going up STEEP hills due to the overly stiff front end or something. I've seen it happen too many times.
02 Eiger 5sp 4x4

 

I like the narrow track of the Kodiak. It looks like it would be top heave or unstable but it really is more stable than almost any other quad I have ridden. The weight is really low in the chassis probably helps a lot. I have a buddy with a 00 400 Kodiak we have drag raced several times and the 450 kickes it's butt every time even when we change quads. There is a noticable difference in the power in these two quads. The diff lock and low range is worth thr $500 difference by themselfs. I looked at the 360 Prarie when I got my Kodiak and was not happy with the power at all. I thought it was a real slug. That is ok but I was looking for something a little more sporty than my Cat, the Kodiak 450 fits perfect.
I put it in some pulls last weekend and really did good, better than any other quad there in it's class. We were pulling in the same weight class as the big bores 1050lbs. But a second in 2wd the 4wd class got all screwed up because a lot of guys were not weighing in and were over weight. But it did very good for the first time out the main thing is that it didn't power out like most of the others, it just lost traction. Move the weight around a little and it should be able to hang with the others real well.