Who knows about ATVs?

popcan

popcan

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There's gotta be some experts here on ATV's...

I need one, and I am looking at the Yamaha 660 Grizz or the smaller 450 Kodiak, but leaning towards the smaller.

There are a few differences, but the biggest is the power, of course. Looks like top end on the 450 is about 55 mph. I think that is likely more than enough for me. But is it enough?

  • General use - push/pull my wheeled dock in and out of the water.
  • Ratting around the bush looking for fishing spots, checking out trails.
  • transportation to my spots for hunting small game, upland birds, migratory birds.
  • I need a plow and winch system for winter work - driveway etc.
  • No real heavy hauling, or big speed needed
  • the 450 has almost 11" of clearance, the 660 has almost 12.
  • 4 or 5 gal gas tank... doesn't seem like much range?
Anybody got a link to canadian prices on these things?

Any other models I should be looking at?

What do you like and why?

Thanks.
 
I'll see if I can help. I have an 04 grizz my neighbour has the 05 450.
GC on the Grizz is more than the indicated 1" but the grizz is wider so needs more. The 450 will do everything you want but it's a much smaller in physical size so if your a big guy you may not be as comfortable on it. The 450 is much more nimble in the tight bush going but the Grizz rides a little better because of it's size. I average about 20mpg which is pretty good for a machine of this size, gives me about 80mile range safely! Not sure about the 450 but I would imagine with a smaller motor & smaller fuel tank range would be about the same! Max cruising speed (with-out abusing the motor) is about 40-45mph on the grizz & about 35-40 on the 450, doesn't sound like much but when running a backroad between trails every little bit helps. The ride, diff lock, absolutely flawless CVT system makes these two bikes possibly the best choices in their classes, you really can't go wrong with either one! Some will come on & rave about other makes & models but they all lack a feature here or there that the Yam has:)
Good luck in whatever you choose:)
 
I've got a Kodiak 450, has never left me in the bush yet, it'll go anywhere the Grizz will (I've driven both) but I think I'm going to be trading it in for a Polaris Sportsman 600 this year. I like the ride of the Polaris over the Kodiak.
 
I've got a Kodiak 450, has never left me in the bush yet, it'll go anywhere the Grizz will (I've driven both) but I think I'm going to be trading it in for a Polaris Sportsman 600 this year. I like the ride of the Polaris over the Kodiak.
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Polaris does have a great ride.They are also about 100lbs heavier which makes use in muskeg or deep mud more difficult.The polaris twins also don't have a backup manual starter,so if a battery or starter dies,you will be left in the bush.
 
Kodiak's

I have two kodiaks; one a 06 450 and the other an 01 400. I have ran the grizz as well numerous times. Personally, I would go with the 450. It has lots of power for all your tasks mentioned. It now has a good ride with independant all the way around and it has the locking diff's as well that you get in the grizz.

The grizz is fine as well but were I did not like it was in the bush and were it really sucked for me was in the muskeg. The bike has more than enough power to get out of stuff, however if you do get stuck, then you are truly stuck. The kodiak being a lighter bike seemed to get out easier when stuck.

Between that and the $2000 price difference is what keeps me with the kodiak.

If smooth trail riding is what you will be doing and you have the cash, than go for the grizz, if not, stay with the kodiak.

I believe the pricing is around 8k for the kodiak and 10K for the grizz.

Greg
 
I've got an 05 kodiak 450. No complaints but nothing else to compare it to. I've had it stuck a few times and only once couldn't get it out without assistance (almost to the seat in mud :redface: ). Since the smaller kodiak still weighs about 650lbs, if it can't get out under its own power, there's not much I can do with it. I don't see how the extra weight of the grizz would make much of a difference.
Top speed on mine on a flat dirt road is about 85-90kms. A friend who has the Grizz says he can get 120kms.
 
Thanks gents, good info.

since it's almost time to park the snowmobiles, I need something else to play with...

Are the stock tires good enough in snow? (There's lots of snow out there, but not enough for cooling).
 
super7 said:
I've had it stuck a few times and only once couldn't get it out without assistance (almost to the seat in mud :redface: ).
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Isn't that what ATV'ing is all about? :D

Hey, and what type of helmets does everyone use?

I'm thinking half- helmet with a clear sheild that flips. I wear glasses so the goggles route is a pain. Plus I don't want to wear my full on snowmobile helmet.
 
I posted this response in a different thread about ATVs.


Bombardier. They have the best ATV on the market. They are well built, and they work great with superior power and torque.

Why arent they as popular? They havent been around as long and they have not built up a name yet. You all know that Ski-Doo owns over half the market share of snowmobile sales. Cat, poo and yami all fight over the rest. Bombi will eventually make it the same with their ATVs.

I have driven the Outlander 800 on a few occasions now. There is NO comparison. Nothing. Don't even try to argue this. If you do, you have not driven one. This is a 4x4 utility quad, flip it into 2x4 and you can walk it on the rear wheels for a few hundred yards, no problem. Flip it back into 4x4 and it simply out hauls anything. Torque is always at hand.

IMO the stupidest thing they ever did was discontinue the Traxter model. It looked like hell, but it was built like a bulldozer. 500 CC of pure enjoyment. I have yet to see a 660 Griz outpull one. Thats me on my friends 500 CC Traxter Max. He owned a 660 Griz before this machine. He broke two ribs when he rolled his griz ontop of himself. The Traxter is heavier, has a lower center of gravity and a much better gearbox. The torque is amazing on these bikes, like I said, never seen anything 650 or lower outpull this 500. Countless times I have seen at our huntcamp where one of our guys gets stuck so my dad will drive in behind him, push him out of a hole and carry on. Honestly, best ATV's ever.

I have also already driven the new 650 Outlander. Holy crap... Its like the 800 with a little less top speed.




senior said:
Some will come on & rave about other makes & models but they all lack a feature here or there that the Yam has:)
Good luck in whatever you choose:)
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Name one thing the Yami has that the Outlander does not.
 
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Pure Energy said:
I posted this response in a different thread about ATVs.


Why arent they as popular? They havent been around as long and they have not built up a name yet.

Name one thing the Yami has that the Outlander does not.
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You already said it.....reputation for reliability....

I'm sure they're great bikes. Most brands are. More of a ford vs. chevy thing. All have good points. The only reason I went Yamaha is it had the features I wanted (IIRS and "real" 4 wheel drive) and I used to have a Yamaha dirt bike and had 0 issues with it.

By the way, the stock tires on the yamaha's leave something to be desired. I'll be wearing mine out before they get changed though. The Polaris (for example) has more agressive looking stock tires.
 
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There is a lot of the "area related thing too.

Our area has more Arctic cat snow machines, and yamaha quads, than anything else hands down. That's more to do with what dealers we have nearby, and what their service is like than anything else.

No sense me getting a Kawi in my area, as no parts or service available.
 
Are the stock tires good enough in snow? (There's lots of snow out there, but not enough for cooling).
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Most stock tires are pretty pathetic for use in snow,muskeg or deep mud.Some good all around tires are the mudrunner,mud bug and the gator.I have found the mudrunner to be the best of the three but the other two are close for much less money.
 
Bombardier. They have the best ATV on the market. They are well built, and they work great with superior power and torque.

Why arent they as popular? They havent been around as long and they have not built up a name yet. You all know that Ski-Doo owns over half the market share of snowmobile sales. Cat, poo and yami all fight over the rest. Bombi will eventually make it the same with their ATVs.
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The larger bombardier machines are quite heavy which is a big disadvantage in muskeg if you have any in your area.That is also a weakness of the polaris quads.
 
I have an 05 Honda Rubicon 500 Trail Edition. I have only ever used it in Nunavut out on the land. Gone through mud, pulled caribou and bear, hulled a friends 20ft boat with dual 120hp outboards uphill, and gone through water that was 3 feet deep. I've never had one problem with it and I've never been stuck. It has great range, and even lets you know when you're getting low. The reserve tank is a great feature. I love the built in gps and digital compass. I've tried Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat, John Deer, other Hondas and even the Argos (both 6 and 8 wheeled versions). After using this one, I'll never go back. Just my 2 cents.
 
I have an 05 Honda Rubicon 500 Trail Edition. I have only ever used it in Nunavut out on the land. Gone through mud, pulled caribou and bear, hulled a friends 20ft boat with dual 120hp outboards uphill, and gone through water that was 3 feet deep. I've never had one problem with it and I've never been stuck. It has great range, and even lets you know when you're getting low. The reserve tank is a great feature. I love the built in gps and digital compass. I've tried Yamaha, Polaris, Arctic Cat, John Deer, other Hondas and even the Argos (both 6 and 8 wheeled versions). After using this one, I'll never go back. Just my 2 cents
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I have a 2002 rubicon myself and agree that it is one tough,reliable workhorse.
 
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