[fxtech12110]

So I'll be purchasing a new ATV soon and think I have narrowed it down to either the Rancher or Kodiak. Looking to see what others think of the two? Was originally thinking Honda but feel I can get much more for my money with the Yamaha... The Kodiak also includes an additional 18 month warranty which interests me more. The stock IRS for the Kodiak is also a bonus.

I know the reliability of the Hondas but are the Yamaha's that far behind? Also as for cost of ownership, I'm assuming the Yamaha.

So shopping around I was already quoted 5600 for a 2017 footshift Rancher SRA with camo.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[alloutdoors]

Depending on what you are ultimately wanting to do with the unit, then you are slicing hairs in terms of overall craftsmanship as both manufactures have outstanding followings. If primary work, then I would get the single arm for pulling loads, etc., but if light work with plenty of play, then no denying the independent rear shocks will be a nice feature. You will find thoughts +/- regarding belts vs driveshaft driven units and keep in mind, I’m a Honda guy, but if I were doing significant trail riding and not worried about getting a belt wet, then the CVT may be a nice fit given the continuous smooth/acceleration. I would not hesitate to own a Yamaha.

In closing, I would hop on both and whichever game me that “gut feeling of YEAH” then I would buy it with confidence.

 

[wheelsquad]

I own both. Would buy both again. X2 to what @alloutdoors says, sit on each, see if you can test ride each, and have confidence knowing that whichever choice you make you can't go wrong with.

 

[Goober]

Kodiak is fully auto right? I have two of them as work rigs an 03 and 08. They are dependable and well designed. I prefer the gear selection setup on the Kodiak

 

[wheelsquad]

Kodiak is fully auto right? I have two of them as work rigs an 03 and 08. They are dependable and well designed. I prefer the gear selection setup on the Kodiak

Yep from 2000 on up Yamaha has used the Ultramatic CVT in the Kodiak. Since then they've also made them 400's, 450's, called them Grizzly 450's for a few years, some with solid rear axle, some with IRS, some with no diff-lock, some with, 2016 on up there is a Kodiak 700, and now 2018 on up there is now a new model Kodiak 450....

So about as well defined as a "Honda Rancher" through the years.

 

[fxtech12110]

Thanks for the replies... It'll be mostly for play... Hunting, ice fishing, trail riding and so on. Leaning towards the Kodiak at this point with the addition CCs, power steering and is cheaper than the Rancher IRS.

How about maintenance? Will the Kodiak required more / do replacement parts cost more?

 

[Goober]

I also have two Grizzly 2wd.
The Kodiak also has a push button 4x4 selector I think all have this similar feature. I’ve not had any trannie problems.
My work rigs are all hand me downs from the cop department you’d think the rigs would be used up but they run fine with a full service.

 

[wheelsquad]

Thanks for the replies... It'll be mostly for play... Hunting, ice fishing, trail riding and so on. Leaning towards the Kodiak at this point with the addition CCs, power steering and is cheaper than the Rancher IRS.

How about maintenance? Will the Kodiak required more / do replacement parts cost more?

Oh so you've been meaning the Kodiak 700? Yes if you're thinking mostly play, you'll appreciate the IRS and extra hp. And the Kodiak 700 is a great work machine as well.

Edit: from thread title you said Kodiak 450, which I overlooked. But you also said "for the added displacement". But don't let the "420" and "450" designations fool you.... The Kodiak 450 is actually only 421cc....and the Rancher is 420cc...

I also have two Grizzly 2wd.
The Kodiak also has a push button 4x4 selector I think all have this similar feature. I’ve not had any trannie problems.
My work rigs are all hand me downs from the cop department you’d think the rigs would be used up but they run fine with a full service.

The Yamaha Ultramatics are incredibly easy to service, modify, tune, incredibly reliable, and can handle all sorts of abuse. Yes it is a belt, but if used in the right primary gear, the belts pretty much never slip, and the wet clutch takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Wet clutch is very easy to service if needed, and slugs can also be added to make them even more durable.

 

[Bryan]

I would go Yamaha, but I might be biased lol. I bought the 4 year extended warranty and had a front differential seal go bad and the 4wd switch was being goofy, besides that in all my miles no issues.. I replaced the belt at 5k miles just cause I had it taken apart to do the shim mod. Both will be nice trail machines. Ride each one, dont be scared of the CVT.

 

[fxtech12110]

So your right... guess no additional CC's for the Yamaha, but I am looking at the 450 Kodiak.

Not a huge fan of the green or red for the Kodiak 450's, they have a armor grey machine which is new this year which is only available with Power Steering I believe from what I have seen. Trying to justify the additional cost!

I'll keep you posted on the purchase.

 

[Bryan]

So your right... guess no additional CC's for the Yamaha, but I am looking at the 450 Kodiak.

Not a huge fan of the green or red for the Kodiak 450's, they have a armor grey machine which is new this year which is only available with Power Steering I believe from what I have seen. Trying to justify the additional cost!

I'll keep you posted on the purchase.

EPS is worth every penny, I wont ever go back.. Let us know what you pick up!

 

[fxtech12110]

So I checked out the Kodiak again today.. Why dont they have protector plates for the CVT boots!?!? All the other ATVs have them, sure it not a big deal but why wouldnt they have it!

So anyone want to convince me to get a Honda Rancher??

 

[alloutdoors]

I am a Honda guy, but drove a Suzuki King Quad today, nice unit and may be worth lookin at....

 

[fxtech12110]

Oh the last thing I need is other options at this point lol...

 

[wheelsquad]

So I checked out the Kodiak again today.. Why dont they have protector plates for the CVT boots!?!? All the other ATVs have them, sure it not a big deal but why wouldnt they have it!

So anyone want to convince me to get a Honda Rancher??

You said early on it will be mostly for play, including trail riding. So right there I would move on from SRA and go IRS, whatever you get. And it sounds like if you stick with Honda, you want footshift. So the footshift Rubicon is the only thing that fits that bill. But how much does your dealer want for that?

And it also sounds like you can get the Kodiak 450 for same price as the footshift Rancher? How much more can you get the base model Kodiak 700 for? Because if you're doing a lot of trail riding, you'll like that 708.

 

[KBacon]

Lots of left over Kodiak 700s out there for $6-7000 w/ EPS

 

[fxtech12110]

Yea so I have an 18 picked out and plan to pick her up tomorrow. No 17's left around me unfortunately!

Have you guys opted for the extended warranty? Price doesn't seem bad.. 4 years for $460

 

[c1v1c966554]

Have you guys opted for the extended warranty? Price doesn't seem bad.. 4 years for $460

I didnt with my 13' Rancher. Im not a gambling man, but i took my chances on Honda reliability and still good today! Use mine as 50/50 work tool/play. Plow every winter with it aswell. Just my .02

 

[wheelsquad]

Yea so I have an 18 picked out and plan to pick her up tomorrow. No 17's left around me unfortunately!

Have you guys opted for the extended warranty? Price doesn't seem bad.. 4 years for $460

Had an experience buying a car one time where it became clear that extended warranties are almost pure profit for the ones selling them. So I never buy extended warranties on anything. Dealer profit = customer expense

Post pics of your new ride tomorrow!

 

[mac102004]

I wouldn’t buy the extended warranty unless you are buying a Can-am/Polaris/Arctic Cat.....lol


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