Do any of you 4 wheeler owners out there have a Yamaha Kodiak 450 or a Suzuki King quad?
I'm going to buy a wheeler this spring and I am trying to decide between the Kodiak 450 and the new Suzuki King Quad 450. Both have independent rear suspension, and very similar features but the Suzuki has fuel injection.
Has anyone had alot of problems with either one of these machines?
Thanks.
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I have an older King Quad, so I can't tell you much about the new ones, but I really love the old one. Good luck, I think they are both great machines, and you'll probably love whatever machine you go with.
I would suggest Vesco's in Brigham City. They sell both Yamaha and Suzuki, so you can try them both side by side, then make your choice. They also seem to have the best price around.
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I have owned about 12 wheelers in my time and the suzuki's and polaris machines have been best for me and all of my friends. product support, sales, service, reliability, ou name it.
I had an older king quad and regret ever selling it...the move from AK was the only reason, otherwise I would have kept it. It was a hard core, little maintenance, go to type of machine.
JMTCW (just my two cents worth)
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Buy a sled. You can always walk where a 4 wheeler goes, not the same with a sled.
Me personally....buy beer and hitch a ride!
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I had an older yamaha years ago and in my younger days it got the crap beat out of it, but at the same time it was a solid rear end and it beat the crap out of me over the course of a day. I think they are solid machines. I've got a big Honda 650 right now and I love it. I have a ton of confidence in anything with honda written on the side of it. I really don't know anything about the Suzuki, I'm sure someone else will chime in about them. One thing to remember about fuel injected machines is that they don't have a pull start. Hopefully you'll never need it, but it is nice to know you've got it just in case you ever need it. There are advantages to the EFI, they start alot better cold, which is something to think about if you are going to use it for ice fishing.
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I think you would be happy with either. If you can't find enough difference in features that matter to you, go with the better price.
You might also want to look at Arctic Cats. We have 2 of them and they are really great machines! They run Suzuki and Kawasaki motors and are very reliable.
I, personally, would steer far from the Polaris machines. I have had a LOT of different, unrelated, people tell me that the Polaris machines need constant work. The maintenance costs are sky high on those machines.
I would take it with a grain of salt if I only heard that from one person, but that has come from several different people on different occassions and in different situations.
I have also talked with mechanics at some of the shops and they stated that they work on far more Polaris machines than any other brand....many have said they would never personally own a polaris.
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I agree with fish1on, I'll buy the beer and hitch a ride. I would love to have a sled, but they ain't worth a pinch of $hit durring the summer and hunting seasons.
I probably wouldnt take it ice fishing, just incase of problems with soft spots. I don't think insurance companies will cover that.
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I'm looking into getting one too! I've been looking at the Polaris Sportsman 500 efi with the track system to use in the snow then I wouldn't need a sled, their a little spendy though but I figure in the long run it will be worth it!
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I dont think there is a bad machine out there now days. We have 3 Polaris 98 500 Sportsman 97 400 Explorer and a 03 325 Magnum only problems we have ever had was the 500 had electrical problems when it was new but it was covered by warrenty. We ride with people that have all kinds so what ever you decide should be a good choice! MMH
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My father in law has a Yamaha Kodiak and he really likes it. I don't think you can go wrong with Yahama or Honda IMO. I'm a big Honda fan and would add the Rancher to your list. It's in the same category as the ones your looking at. Personally, I own a Rubicon- great ride.
F4F
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I have to second the honda thing... I have two rubicons and I love them.. I have found some real advantages to the hondas... I ride with my friends throughout the year and find that I am very rarely lacking with the honda where some of the other wheelers have showed some real negatives..
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I won a Kodiak 400 (essentially the same as the 450) it was a really
good machine. Very easy to manuever. However, I decided to sell it and keep my Polaris 700. They are all good machines. However, the Polaris are heavier than most; if not all. I like the Polaris because of the ride. If you do any long day trips absolutley go with the Polaris. Personally, the 500 I believe is plenty big for what anyone needs.
Go test drive them and don't believe the dealers when they say "their" brand is the best.
Absolutley go with independent suspension.
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I like everyone else has my personal prefrances. I grew up with Honda's. BAck then they were bullet proof. I went through the ice at bear lake with it and it just floated there until i got out and then we got it out. Third pull it stated up and ran fine. IT was rolled and rolled and kept going.
I now Have two polaris's. I have not had all of the mechanical problems that others have talked about. They are wonderful. Yes they are heavy, But the ride is like no other. I have taken deer and elk out on them and have rolled them to. Yes, I do regular maintaince on them both and they atr very well taken care of. Used but not abused.
I really dont think you are going to go wrong with most any machine. It boils down to what your prefrance is and what you can get the best deal on and mostly how are you going to use it.
Just my two cents worth.
RILEY
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I went to Vesco's on saturday and compared the yamaha and suzuxi side by side. That was a good idea. While the 2 machines were very close to each other in size and features, the ride and handling is a bit different. I decided I liked the Suzuki better than the Yamaha. Mostly due to less felt vibration from the motor, and the throttle responce in the fuel injection is very noticealbe. I'm still waying the plusses and minuses on both but it looks like the Suzuki has taken the lead for now.
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