captainkodiak...(or whoever) sounds like u have some decent experience w/the kodiaks including the '03 450's (421's...shame shame). anyways, im only tossing around about 5 4x4's i want to buy right now and my buddy wants an '03 kodiak 450. what im wondering is.....in ur experience between the 02's adn 03's is there that much of a horsepower and torque difference in them? have they proven to be reliable? (i think i read somewhere u were a trail guide). i personally don't have to have an IRS model and would settle for a swingarm model like the 450 if it had a smoother ride than my rancher.

i just might settle for the 450 kodiak and pass on the sportsman 500 HO. the 450 i can get cheaper anyways and even considering the 500 HO puts me near the griz or prairie 650, but there are 2 places i can get an 03 sportsman 500 HO for 6200 OTD.

ur experienced info and input would be appreciated.
it just may help me quit beating my head against the wall, too.....trying to figure out which one to buy. i think i just like them all.