i need and want some input on some experienced riders/owners on these machines and whether they feel that the extra options on the 450 are worth the extra cash. also i need some info on the maintenance and life of the belt. thanks for all the help
--mcbride
--mcbride
i also may be considering a prairie 360, but heard that it was slower. anyone got any opinions on the speeds of these machines. i heard that the prarie was geared lower?
--mcbride
--mcbride
one more thing to mention. i just did some more research, for the kodiaks i think that my only deciding factors between the two will be the diff. locking feature and the high/low feature. What will i be losing if i choose the 400 which doesnt have the high/low feature? will i lose top speed? or will i lose slow crawling power? thanks for the input, i plan to buy one of these very soon and want to make the right decision. also, does anyone happen to know the dealer cost on these machines so that i can make a reasonable offer. the local dealer is offering the 2003 400 Kodiak for 4995.00 plus the winch/plow for 70.00.
--thanks a million, mcbride
--thanks a million, mcbride
Weekend Warrior
I RUN A PAIR OF Y2K KODIAKS, AND THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY IS MISSING IS A LOCKING FRONT END. ALTHOUGH USE OF LOW GEAR IS SELDOM, IT IS NICE TO HAVE WHEN NEEDED. GO WITH THE 450. ENGINE BRAKING IN LOW GEAR WORKS GREAT FOR GOING DOWN STEEP INCLINES. ALSO NICE FOR DOING HEAVY WORK SO YOU DON'T FRY YOUR BELT. 450 IS A LITTLE WIDER TOO... LESS SIDE ROLL. I HEARD 450'S HAVE BETTER TIRES THAN THE OLD DUNLOPS TOO. NICE MACHINES. PRETTY QUICK FOR UTILITY QUADS. LOTS OF PLAYING AND WORK... NO MAJOR PROBLEMS YET..
Pro Rider
If you want to go fast the AC 400 may not be what you want, but for '03 they are using a different motor which is better than the '02. For the money '03 400i is hard to beat. Ride what you're intrested in and remember how you'll be using it and make your decision base on that info. Will you be in any rough terrain if so you should definatley consider the AC. Good luck and happy trails.
Trailblazer
My wife has an 03 400 kodiak and I have the 450 so I have some experience with both. If you are comparing a new 03 400 to a 03 450 the 450 offers these differences; 20cc increase in displacement, digital gauge package, low range, park, locking differential, and a disc rear brake. Other than that the machines are identical. They use the same frame, tires, bodywork etc. The gearing of both machines with the 450 in high range are the same so any difference in speed is due to the 20cc increase in displacement. We haven't tried any top speed side by side runs with our quads but in general trail riding it is hard to tell much difference between the two. The low range is nice for utility work but not necessary for general trail riding. If you plan on putting oversize tires on or do a lot of mud riding or rock crawling you would probably appreciate the locking diff. and low range. If you really don't need these features don't be afraid to save some money by going with the 400. I think one of the reasons many people want or reccomend the 450 over the 400 is for the testosterone and bragging rights of owning it! ( I can feel the flames coming already ) [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] You might want to check the Yamaha website but I think the winch deal expired on december 31.
Pro Rider
Well it's always easier to spend someone elses money[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] but I would get the 450.All the options you get over the 400 are worth it.....especially at resale time.If you plan on ever towing,pushing snow, getting bigger tires you will wish you had low range.The locker is nice but so is the park option too which the 400 does not have.As far as the belt I am at 1000 miles on the orig belt and have had no problems.Yamaha says inspect at 1500 miles.My dealer says he has sold only one yamaha belt and that was for an older 600 grizz with alot of miles.