Thinking about getting a scooter for next year since I get full run of the 150 acres I've been hunting on. I've heard from different ppl and some say buy Polaris, some say suzuki, others Kawi, bombardier, arctic cat, honda...and so on. I dont know allot about them and want to make a good decision. I need something in the 350-450 cc range because A)I'm not rich and B)I dont care about top end speed. I will be using it for hauling trailers, deer, corn, feeders, rocks, basically a utility type vehicle. There will be some steep hills, and thick woods and lots of mud
I've scratched the crap out of my truck and I'm getting tired of buffing it out and dragging deer out of the woods trying to get them to the road.

Seems to me the Yamaha grizzly is one of the top dogs in the ATV world from what I have read, and the Kodiak is just a mini version of the famed grizzly. Does anybody have any reccomendations? I dont want this to turn into a pissin contest on who has the better machine, but I am interested in hearing about personal expiernces with different scooters, and very interested in anybody that owns a Kodiak.

I own a 2000 model kodiak (400cc) and if I was to buy another atv it would be a kodiak or a grizzley.

Now I would buy the 450 but it wasn't offered in the 2000 models. I took my 400 to colorado this year and it climbed everything I wanted to go up (with two people riding it). It has enough power to haul my 300lb a$$ and 400lbs of corn on it across the lease in the hill country. I would like to buy a grizzley now but mine does everything I need done and then some.

I have a 2001 kodiak 400 that I bought new. This machine will do anything I ask it. The only thing that I have had to work on is the carb, I had a gasket go bad, other than that routine maintenance is all i've done. My step father a runs grizzly. Yes his is faster, more powerful, not to mention more $$$$$, but he and I go to the same places, go through the same mudholes and climb the same hills. I love my kodiak and would recommend it to anyone. I also have a friend that has the same model as me and would give the same testimony. Kodiak or Grizzly you can't go wrong IMO.
just make sure its 4X4. good luck.

Oh yeah it will be 4x4....

I'd like to save as much dough as I can, so the 400 is more in my price range. Looks like it has the same automatic transmission and all, just doesnt have the HI/LO range on the shifter the 450 and grizzly has and the 450 has some real 4x4 lock for true 4x4. Nor does 400 have the digital dash...but who cares? The 450 is only about 21cc's more as well, dunno why they call it a 450, its more like a 425.

It does have the IRS all the around, and it seems like it is pretty much bullet proof...and cost effective.

sometimes all those bells and whistles are needless and only cost more,it's also more to go qrong and work on (and that's bad JU-JU). the whole reason i purchased the yamaha over other makes is that it's equiptment was simple and functional. I bought the thing use. To me less was more with this purchase.

I must speak on behalf of the Yamaha Bruin (350cc). I bought a 2005 (4x4 on command) model in Oct. last year and it has been a fantastic rig! It's fully automatic and it climbs, hauls, runs and pulls with the big boys for about $2000.00 under the price of them.

Ok here is my .02.... I just bought a new 2005 Honda Rincon from Al Lamb honda in Dallas for $6200 out the door. I shopped around and found them for $5800 in Indiana and got the dealer to make a similar deal in Dallas. I noticed that the Yamaha is close in price to that and if you are going to spend this much money go ahead and get the Honda. It retails for $7800 but they are closing them out right now at great prices. You have to just tell them hey that is all I will pay and then they will sell it at that. I have owned a Polaris and a Kawasaki and let me say the Honda is the way to go. Another plus is the Honda has a Hydrostatic transmission and no belts to replace or have to mess with, also an electonic shift that is cool too. One more thing is the fully independent rear suspension. Man I will shut up I am just susper happy with this machine and I feel like I stole it. Good luck remeber just my .02.....
Matt

I have the Grizzly and it pulls trailers like a truck in the woods. I did not get it for the speed, I got it for the pulling of stuff in the woods instead of scratching my truck all to sh*t. No matter which wheeler you get burn the factory tires off right away and get something with some grip. I hunt in Texas, louisiana and Mississippi, I found the ITP Mudlights work very well in all areas. Smooth roll self cleaning and mud traction. Good luck with the many choices out there on the wheeler purchase, it is a tuff decision and no matter what you never make the right one according to everyone else.

Fatalwishes ran across this posted on the fishing forum


posted 01-13-2006 02:07 PM
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2002 Yamaha Kodiak Camo 500 4 wheeler
asking $3500 obo...........Best to call me at (817)648-1879 See pics at website below....

[ 01-13-2006, 05:37 PM: Message edited by: exagteach ]

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www.woolleyauction.com

Thanks, sounds like a good deal, I didnt know they made a 500cc Kodiak. After riding I dont know how many scooters, I'm pretty stuck on the Vinson. I prefer a solid rear axle over the IRS rear, its more stable on corners and its better for pulling trailers on the smaller machines. If I had 8 grand it wouldnt be an issue. I think the best bang for the buck is the Suzuki Vinson. That thing is stable and exsplosive. It has more features for the money then any other scooter out there. Its more comfortable, and fun for me then Honda, Bombardier, Yamaha, Artic Cat, Polaris, and Kawi. Yeah I've been riding lots of em. For 6 grand and under the Vinson is da 1.

I have a 2003 Kodiak 400. I have had no problem with it so far. My hunting partner has the '05 Kodiak 450. We took both of them to the Mud Nationals last year and went all over the 2500 acres. There are alot of good atv's out there to choose from. If I had to choose another one today, I would stick with the Yamaha. I would suggest to all, invest in a good tire such as the ITP Mudlight (excellent tire). Good luck.