Probably the best owner review I've watched. I like the fact that you're pushing it around through tight trees and showing how nimble this machine is....obviously you've been using it. I bought the '21 Kodiak EPS SE which is grey and includes a factory installed 2500 lb Warn and has the diff-lock, otherwise identical stats as yours. This is my first 4 wheeler. My next purchase I bought a '19 Cam-Am 570 XT (it was a hold-over bought for a wife in '20 with zero miles and sat in the garage on a battery tender!) because it was an extraordinary deal and this is a different animal altogether, a higher performing, bigger engine is the most noticeable difference....however just like your talking point that engine breaking on the Yamaha is perfect for my wife and she loves riding it, as do I. This machine is perfect for the farm and new riders alike....you can have all sorts of fun on this thing. The other thing I like about Yamahas is the ease of maintenance, that Can-Am is a pain in the ass to maintain and I think they make it that way so most opt to take it in for a $500 bill! Bottom line the little 450 I'll hold onto for good....the Can-Am I'll probably resell and get a Grizzly 700 EPS SE....just like Toyotas, Yamahas are tough to beat if you like reliability!!
My wife and I just rode 300 miles at the hatfield mccoy trail system on kodiak 450s. Hers has eps, mine does not. They performed excellent. We beat the heck out of them for 5 days on the trails and no matter how hard we pushed them they kept on performing day in and day out. I would agree with the tire comments, they are not confidence inspiring at all. I find that they tend to push through corners pretty bad. My wife (a fairly new rider) repeated commented on not feeling comfortable going around corners with a cliff on the outside because she felt like it pushed pretty bad instead of going where she pointed it. The engine braking operates flawlessly and exactly how you described. This is a great starter or budget atv with yamaha's legendary reliability. You gave a great honest review for real world people looking at this ATV. Great job!
Thanks so much! These thing are absolute tanks. With the compression ratio Yamaha chose and how they tuned these engines, they should be absolute tanks for years and years and years. I have a feeling we'll have hours for a couple more decades at least
a lot of us are watching to see if the 450 has enough power. And you answered that question perfectly. You nailed this review. The answer is Heck YES for the average rider and Hell NO for ME.
I have the 2018 version of the same exact quad in green and I agree with everything you said I love it completely. Not really underpowered for what I use it for I'm an older guy and I hunt mostly with it and trail ride haven't really needed diff lock but I try not to get myself in too much trouble cuz I take too long to heal. Great review Thanks so much
I'm amazed at how open and accessible the forests are out there! They are like city parks compared to our dense forests and thick underbrush here in the Northwest. Great review. Should be picking up my 2024 EPS SE this week.
We have the same one, what i like about this ATV is how easy it is to control it, i mean u can really push it to accelerate yet it is always so smooth, and yes it is slow, like it cute and fun...x)
Just bought a 2024 Kodiak 450 special edition. It's got plenty of power to have fun, hit the trails, tow a spreader or plow snow. I'm not a 1st time rider, I grew up on a Polaris Magnum 330, then to a Raptor 700r. The Kodiak 450 has proven more than enough for me! I actually like how small and nimble it is compared to the bigger Grizzly, Sportsmans, etc etc
Great ATV and review I own both ATVS, I agree with you the 450 doesn’t have enough power it’s worth spending the extra money for the 700 if you can afford it but the 450 is still a great ATV .
yeah, I wish Yamaha had set the price gap a little wider between these two.....now I'm curious to see month to month sales comparisons between 450 and 700.
I had a 2014 kodiak 450 with eps. Loved it. Always looked forward to fuel injection and was thrilled when I heard they were bringing it back. I was disappointed. My old one would do 60 mph and I liked the narrower width. Also the old one had more clearance. I would go with the kodiak 700 myself. 450 might be an option for the wife and new riders but it wouldn't do it for me.
I'm just glad they make both! (and for somewhat reasonable prices). Too many manufacturers dropped the small bore machines from their lineup. Rumor has it Kawasaki is bringing back a machine in the 400-500 cc range. Looking forward to that assuming it makes it to market.
Best review I’ve seen yet. I don’t think storage is really an issue and most people run a front and rear quad box. They seem like a great little machine
Thank you! In hindsight, you're right, it's not as big of a deal as I made it, though at least 1 cubbie would have been nice. As you pointed out, a small box on the front rack solves that and still leaves your back rack open if needed. Cheers!
Thanks for this honest review. I had a sportsman 500, which is about the same power as your 450. I wouldn't think that the 700 would be overwhelming (they match up with the 570's of the other manufacturers)....I have ridden a polaris 850 which had too much power for me (they are like 78 compared to the 47 of the yamaha 700.
Thank you. I really think something like the Kodiak 700 or some of those 570s are the sweet spot of power for a play/work machine. My next ATV (in probably 15-20 years lol) will be something like the 700.
My brute force never free spools, but its a 750. I think the engine brake is kind of annoying when you are just cruising around. I would just like to be able to coast sometimes. If you are in the market for any quad do yourself a favor and get eps, it's a game changer for sure.
Just got 2021 Kodiak EPS SE for 13 year old. Man he loves it even after riding my foot shift Rubicon. Might be because the 450 is “his”. I agree the tires are a tad squishy
I appreciate your candid review. It’s helped me as a first time buyer make my decision. I’m picking up the Tactical Green SE with Difflock and winch in a couple days. Can’t wait.
Sweet. I lucked out and got a 750 Suzuki for the same price of the 500 I put a deposit on. I was torn between suzuki and Yamaha. I love my kingquad. Several people with 500s(in that area) ride with us and they are just as capable. I would have been happy with a 500, but I'm still glad I got the 750. Enjoy riding that kodiak.
@@Anonymouso283 I do! I’ve only put about 170 miles on it, but it’s been great so far. I’m short, so it fits me perfectly. I’ve gone on a few trail rides and used it around the house. Looking forward to using it more for ice fishing this year. Could it use more power? Sure, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. Normally I don’t buy the most optioned model of anything, but I want to own this for 20 years and I didn’t want to have to add anything aftermarket.
@@HFG207 Awesome! If you’re just going to do stuff around the house or use it on a few trail rides, keep it forever. It’ll surely reach that 20 years. It’s a Yamaha, it’s going to be very loyal and reliable. Besides, it’s a great work vehicle for your type of work. I’m pretty sure it’s rated 1,300 pound towing capacity? That’s HUGE for its size and class. The Honda Rancher 420 has a tow rating of 800 - 850 pounds. You can, of course, tow much more than it’s rated for, but I’m sure the Kodiak can tow much more than many competitors in its class.
Just picked me up a 2024. Base model. No EPS or anything. Used for light to medium trail riding in Missouri so I don't really need much more what I got. My first four wheeler. Pretty happy about it.
@@ThomperBeThompinDo you find your 450 in extreme cold when starting makes any odd noises? It has been about 10F. I start it every couple days just to run it and notice for about 10 sec or so there is a noise that almost sounds like a cicada lol. It goes away. It did not do that while at moderate temps. Seems the extreme cold does it. Still kinda concerning. It is brand new. 2024🤷♂️. When it is warm and I shut it off and turn it back on again...no weird sound. Seems to come from below near my right foot.
@@CrowT Mine never did this that I can remember. I've started it in well below freezing temps several times too. I'm now on a Grizzly 700 and it doesn't do that either. Just started it 2 days ago at about 20 F outside, no issues. I'm puzzled as to what that noise could be. Hopefully someone chimes in. Maybe a bearing needs to be serviced? Possibly something in the primary clutch?
@@ThomperBeThompin Alrighty well that sucks lol. The thing is brand new. It is under warranty but something like that should not be bad already if. If thats what it is. I have only taken it riding once for a few hours. Light trail riding. Guess I will keep an eye on it and take it back to them if need be. Might do it anyways🤷♂️. Appreciate the response🙂👍
ThomperBeThompin yes it is mostly because my Kodak 700 was a 2017 vs 2018 , and I still have my Kodak 700 but I got a 2018 Sportsman XP 1000 for $10,000 OTD last year so it's always best to buy a new leftover.
Totally agree on the storage difference between the 450 and the 700. I have both. And the 700 is easier to add gas as the cap is on the side. Just easier when using a gas can.
Yeah that too, good point. Like I said, the dimensions between the two machines aren't that different, bummer they couldn't add just one little storage cubby.
That goes for darn near every quad lol! CVT and shaft. On my old Honda, I had to rock it back and forth for it to “click” into gear. No biggie, but a little annoying.
I dont know why but from my research Australia gets a 4 valve version were the rest of the world gets a 2 valve. Im not sure how much more power that adds but Im sure its considerable.
Good review, I agree with every thing you said, I bought the 2019 model at the end of 2018. The powder coated racks do lose there coating ,I strap logs to the racks, I found reverse gear very low, if you go relatively fast in reverse it messes with the ECU so you have to switch off for it to sort its self out, mine came with a winch as standard in the UK, although after a test drive at the dealership I found the improvement to the steering compaired with my trade in a kodiak 400 so good I did not feel the need to spend the extra cash. It's great as you say in mid range speed and torque, I also found it was struggling after 40mph ,it handles really well, the front rack could do with a couple of more inches in width, and the tyres are exactly the same as yours, maybe some different flywheel weights would give it a better top end. I've only used it for hauling timber with and without a trailer it performs very well, the one time I used it for fun ,it certainly was easy to drift round corners! I wish we in the UK had the freedom to ride like you guys do, if your seen off road here it's the cops in helicopters after you, I would also upgrade to the 700 when the time comes. Cheers.
Right on, man. Thanks for sharing your experience with the machine and for the heads up regarding reverse gear. I just swapped some new tires on mine and will make a video soon. That is truly a bummer about not being able to drive off road much. The Western US is by far the mecca for US-off road driving. East coast is still great, but more populous, therefore more stingy about it all. Hopefully you know someone with a lot of private land that needs tearing up! Cheers
@@ThomperBeThompin Hi thumper I do have some land two holdings, woodland and a smallholding , to understand the UK we need to understand environmental extremists who dictate to left wing government agendas ,it all started in the 1980s , if I ride on my own land and is deemed to cause a annoyance I can ultimately be prosecuted, if I damage land ,my own land I fall foul of environmental laws, that's how crazy it has become, if we leave or even if we dont leave the eu their all but going to ban woodburners , all because of UN and EU directives. We need a president trump!!.
@@ThomperBeThompin here in Georgia we used to be able to do whatever. Too many people from NY and NJ that want restrictions on everything. Thankfully we have several atv parks near atlanta and still forest service trails etc.
This one actually replaced my 1998 Kawasaki prairie 400! That thing was still running like a top, but the transmission was starting to pop out of high gear and parts were slowly becoming less and less available. Those older Kawasakis are tanks!
Added griz 350 weights at 14 grams washer mod and kodiak 700 spring and boy did i woke it up i also added the clamps that hold handle bars down under the bar which raises the bar up some more
Just got the 2020 Kodiak 450 for my wife at the same time I got a 2016 grizzly 700 for myself. Both amazing machines! Quite impressed at how powerful the 450 is and how agile it is. Don't ever hesitate to buy a Yamaha ATV!!
Just want to share my experience I own a 2019 Grizzly 700 Camo EPS (my ATV) And a 2019 kodiak 450 camo eps (wife’s ATV) I am 6’3” 240lbs so the kodiak is handle bars are too low for me. The power is smooth, it shifts between P-R-N-H-L smoother than my 700. And I have ridden it on long difficult trails aggressively. The power is fine in my opinion in low and mid range top end is adequate on flat ground. Top speed 48-50mph. Suspension and seat are much more firm than Grizzly. Grizzly is more comfortable. If your torn between a brute force 300 and kodiak 450 kodiak is a better choice if you can afford it. If your over 6ft or over 200lbs your gonna probably want a lager sized machine for play riding. Lastly the stock skid plates suck, tore a CV Boot on the 450 last week, I guess a stick got in there.
I absolutely love the power, comfort, storage, looks and ergos of the Grizzly but I'm a little dissatisfied as of late. Mine is a 2018 and I just found out the top end needs to be rebuilt. It only has 3000 km on it but the engine is a Fuji unit and it's defective. It was my favorite quad and had everything I needed but now I have no confidence in its longevity and quality. Huge let down. Its turning me from the brand.
I have an 18 and 19 450s. My main complain is on a cold start, neither one fires on the first try. It starts on the 2nd time every time it's been sitting awhile.
Mine is the opposite! It fires immediately in anything below 50 degrees F. I just fired it up in 25 *F weather the other day. On hot summer days it takes a couple tries for mine.
I agree get the 700. I have a 19 Grizzly SE with the 686 and while it’s snappier than the Kodiak 700 its similar and I love it. The Mrs. has a 19 Kodiak 450 SE and for HER it’s perfect. She’s like 5’ and 110lbs so for her it really fits her well and gives her a lot of confidence. She feels way more in control of it than on mine just because of size. For me it isn’t like the 450 is weak or puny but with my Grizzly I’ve never really felt like I needed more. Can’t say the same about the 450 Kodiak.
Awsome review. Im probably going to buy this machine for my 2 daughters 1 each. Just got back from the Yamaha dealership and they only had the 7 hundreds in stock and they had stowage boxes in the front by where you put gas in traditional models. After watching this review this is the perfect machine for my kids but too bad the 450s doesn't have that storage compartment in the front like the 7 hundreds do. Thanks for the great review.
Nice review! Would you mind if i used a few seconds from this vid in a comparison I'm working on.. I'll link your channel in the description and in the video..
Good video, I've been doing the 450 vs 700 debate for awhile now. The power difference would be nice no doubt. But for trail riding and plowing snow I think both would do great. What I don't understand is why yamaha doesn't put a gauge cluster on the base 700 but they do on the base 450. Power steering doesn't make a difference to me but $1,500 to $2,000 just for a gauge and speedo is a little crazy.
Yeah, the 450 is still GREAT at trail riding for sure. It has plenty of power to climb hills and plowing snow. I think Yamaha has an issue with how they're pricing these units with the various "trim" levels, as you pointed out. The price between the 450 and 700 is too close in my opinion. That said, they're both great machines - can't go wrong with either for my needs.
Nice review. Been looking for a quad for my wife since we sold our SxS. Was looking at the Grizz 700 and Kodiak 700 but I'm thinking I may be overbuying and perhaps a 450 would better suit. I'm a 2 wheel guy so I think that is why I'm looking at the 700. But you looked pretty zippy on that 450 so maybe it's enough for the trails. I do like the disc brakes front/rear on the grizz though.
I bought a Grizzly this year, have a few vids on it too. The 450 is outstanding in every way if you're not looking to ride really aggressively on the trails in my opinion (it can still be fun, no doubt). If you like to ride extremely hard and fast then the grizzly is definitely going to be a lot better. I wouldn't even bother with the Kodiak 700, but again that is just my opinion.
@@ThomperBeThompin being for my wife, sounds like it’s a good fit as she is definitely not aggressive. I am but I have my bike for that. Thanks for the reply.
@@ThomperBeThompin fantastic review I've decided to go yamaha over Honda. Both are reliable and in my group most have Honda with one grizzly and one king quad. I'm in the fence with the kodiak 450 or 700 . I live on a farm and would use for some utility but we also quad on some derbys that has water and mud so I would use it for a little bit of both riding styles. U think the 450 has good torque and power to get out of mud and water , . I'm not sure if the 700 is overkill as I'm not into really fast driving bit more utility and some mud. Ty
@@jckhammer thanks! The 450s can go through mud no problem, but the 700s will obviously do better the thicker and deeper the mud. Additionally, the 700s will be able to turn a heavier mud tire with more ease in the thicker mud. I've taken my 450 through some decently gnarly stuff and lost traction while bottoming out before I ever ran out of power.
@@ThomperBeThompin hey thx for fast reply, that's cool. Ok good to know and I think u have tipped my scale towards the 700. U did mention at the end for the extra cost that one may as well go up to the 700. Plus I love the tactical black it comes . Now just gotta wait for stock . Happy trails and will subscribe to your channel! Take care
Hey there. I just bought the EPS model in green... and it's a great machine. Question: besides price, any benefit of Ricochet plates over Yamaha oem skidplates? Thanks.
To my knowledge, Yamaha does not make metal skid plates for this generation 450. I wish I had kept my stock one to display in this video, but I threw it out. As you know it is a flimsy thin piece of garbage. I'm not above composite skid plates for ATVs, but the stock one was a joke. These ricochets ski skid plates are aluminum so they will not rust, they are extremely stout and I've already bashed them off a couple unseen rocks and stumps, and they should last to the life of the vehicle. Only downside is the price in my opinion. They are not cheap. All that said, there is another brand or two making aluminum skid plates for this machine but I just went with ricochet based on their reputation. Hopefully more companies continue making more skid plates for these newer 450s
@@hamrmark Dang! I did not know Yamaha made real skids for this. If the price is right, I would have gotten them instead (do you have a link?). Still happy with the ricochets though. Since they're aluminum, I just spraybombed them.
@@hamrmark wow! That's really expensive for just one plate. I think it's a better financial deal to get the ricochet plates. No idea how high quality the Yamaha version is, I assume pretty good, but ricochets are also pretty great. Either way, glad to see more options out there
I have my Red 03 Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4 it long lasting Machine. Well taken care of as well. I like the UltraMatic CVT plus its 400cc SOHC does well. And oh classic Mechanic analog speedometer.
I hear ya. I have an 01 Kodiak 400. Just cracked 1000 miles. Lol. I use it at my hunting camp and has never let me down. Love the pull start back up but better be wearing gloves.
The last time I compared the EPS models for each it was only a $1,500 difference. I think it's definitely worth upgrading to the 700. We are still happy with the 450 because it is still fun, a very solid workhorse, and people of all skill level are riding hours so having a little less power is probably for the better. If you'll be the only one riding it definitely get the 700
@@codysiegrist4503 did you ever make a decision? I'm currently trying to decide between the 700 standard edition and 450 special edition. After I get the winch, it'll be a $2k difference between the two. Is it worth $2k to have more power (which I don't necessarily need), the color I like, the gas cap placement, and the storage? I don't need the top speed stuff if that makes any difference.
It really depends on what riding you plan on doing. The 450 is just as capable as the 700 in all utility scenarios. With that said I still ended up buying a 2021 kodiak 700 se. I have a need for speed, so much so that not even a year after I bought the kodiak I bought a raptor 700. More power is always better in my opinion but I’ve also ridden the 450 and it’s no slouch either.
Give me at least the 700. (Yes, I know it's a 686 or whatever). If you get a chance to ride a 650 can am.... You will hate the lesser motor. A grizzly with a 650 can am ..... That would be a winner!
I love Yamaha but the only thing I wish they would do is put a diff lock on all their quads like Suzuki does with their models of King Quads, minus the 400 series but that is even more bargain than the Kodiak. The base model 500 King Quad comes with a diff lock. If suzuki can do it so can yamaha. You have to pay 10,000 msrp canada to get the Kodiak 450 with a diff lock versus the King Quad base 500 only costing $9000 dollars msrp, and this quad competes with the Kodiak. I know the quality isn't the same as a yamaha, but I would rather have diff lock as a feature before anything else.
Good review but who drives through the woods like that !! Just a question about your recommendation of the 700 engine ? What do you need the extra power for ? I'm a newbie to ATV's. Thanks
I have the Grizzly 700, 2018. The low end torque is great for plowing snow, hauling firewood and the quad operates at a lower rpm because of the available torque. The Grizzly will do things in high gear that a 500cc quad will need low to do. The extra torque has very real applications but in day to day easy riding, the fuel consumption is a good 30% more. I had a 2012 Sportsman 500 HO carburetor and it was very capable of every task I did, it just had to work harder at some things. My opinion....if you like power and you can afford the extra purchase and fuel cost, go for it. My 700 Grizzly is heading to the dealer soon for a top end rebuild due to a defect in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 models. If that doesn't work out good, I'll be buying a new quad and stepping down to a 500 class machine. It's more then enough.
These new Kodiak 450s have Heavier clutch weights than the old Grizzly 450s they replaced. Very similar situation to new kodiak 700 having heavier clutch weights than Grizzly. For around $60 you should be able to buy a set of the lighter, older OEM weighs and spruce up the power a bit on these. Definitely worth it.
ThomperBeThompin not that I’m aware of, considering it’s just switching one OEM part for another. Shouldn’t require any aftermarket parts. You would gain a free-er revving, higher revving motor. The higher rpm range isn’t utilized very well with the heavier weights.
a quick size comparaison...i have a kawasaki brute force 300 2020 similar or identical like the one beside the kodiak in this video...how does it compare to size wize both quad? turning radius? top speed? i like my brute force 300 for it nimble go anywhere... between trees.....top speed ok 75 to 80 kmh max out the only thing missing would be 4 wheel drive but at what cost.....
Size wise they are very similar. That said, the Kodiak 450 is several inches longer and a couple inches wider. The other major size difference is tires. The Kodiak 450 can tackle much tougher terrain because it has bigger tires, but that's only if you are bushwacking and going over logs and rocks and stuff. Top speeds are surprisingly very similar at around 50 mph. I've had both of these machines up to that speed but the 450 gets there a little easier. Also, the 450s turning radius is much, much better.
Sure did! Kenda bear claw htrs. They are tough and wear like iron so far. About 550 miles on them. Got a quick initial impressions vid in them. Still very happy with them, would buy again, especially for the price
700 definitely has more power, but the 450 will be able to plow no problem. You'll run out of traction before power is my guess. (better safe than sorry though!)
Don't get me wrong ur 4 wheeler is awesome; but after seeing this I see this is kind of a cut throated grizzly 450. Wish they would just bring it back. I mean no disrespect tho great vid!
I came real close to buying the 2018 Kodiak 450 a couple years so but decided o the Rancher 420 because it has both electric and recoil start. (Very important in Canada)
Yeah, I was pretty bummed this thing didn't have a backup recoil. Will just have to live with it I suppose. Enjoy the Rancher! Those are great machines for sure.
I’m looking at the 700 grizzly or the kingquad 750. What should I get for my girlfriend? She is super mello but wants to explore with me. It must be Japanese, reliable, 4x4 and possibly a locker. Please help. Thank you.
He doesn't need to take it down some rock cut and thrash on it for a day to tell you what the quad is like. He owns it and it probably needs to last a while.
@@ThomperBeThompin okay thanks I'm from Canada there isn't too much out here I tell you I always have to order stuff from the United States but that's okay with me the stuff is good quality the service is good
@@truthnow902 that's a bummer man. I know ricochet is a little bit expensive on top of the shipping it takes from the US to canada, but I highly recommend them. My skid plates have taken a major beating and still look fresh besides scratches.
I'm just getting back into riding after being away 30 years. I'm a big guy 6 to 270 pounds would you think this would be under power for trail riding for me cuz we do climb some hills. I don't want it the chance of it flipping over on me or should I just go with the 700
It's really tough to say. This 450 is quite stout especially with the low-mid range torque. I don't think there's a hill I'd ever be afraid of tackling on it. That said, the 700 does have much more power for terrain like deep heavy sand, mud, and snow. if you like to ride aggressively at times and lift the front end up with a blip of the throttle then the 450 might not be enough. That said, I've taken that thing to Hatfield McCoy's and definitely haven't had it anywhere close to top speed. If money is no factor I would certainly spring for the 700
I am 6 ft tall and pretty comfortable on it. The Kodiak 700 dimensions are basically the same. The grizzly 700 dimensions however, are slightly larger. All that to say the Kodiak 450 can fit almost any adult comfortably. If you're 6'5 plus you might need some bar risers.
I didn't notice any backfiring or popping when you let off the throttle. That's all my 2018 grizzly does since new and it's the most annoying thing about it. Just feels like a bag of shit!
It does great. It definitely has plenty of torque at low RPM to handle crawling through the bush. I would immediately swap out the stock tires though - they are only 2-ply and will be more prone to puncture. Additionally, I installed the entire Ricochet Off Road skid plate package and I would do that again in a heartbeat. Tougher tires and skid plates, then you're good to go.
I think it would do quite well. Plenty of power, especially in low range and four wheel drive. Might want to invest in the differential lock too though.
Yes, but it really depends on what kind of mudding you are going to do. This is exceptional at muddy trails with the occasional mud hole, but you'll need something with much more horsepower if you are going through bigger mud bogs. Also, a higher horsepower machine will be able to turn larger tires.
@@angel_el1978 tough to say because it really depends on how you are going to ride it and what kind of mud you are going to hit. this thing will turn through mud up to the floorboards no problem, but if you're going in that seriously deep stuff consider getting the Kodiak 700, grizzly 700, or even perhaps one of the V-Twins from Polaris or Can-Am. Those make tons of power for serious mud bogging like they do up in Alaska, Canada, and even places like down in Florida.
@@ThomperBeThompin so do you think this will be ok for light work, mostly trail riding and hunting? I'm 5'11" 210lbs. Won't be mudding in it other than on a muddy trail here or there but no bogs.
I dont know anyone who expects theirs to handle like a sports quad. Lol. Why I got my KQ vs a raptor was comfort. With my back and neck sucking the Cadillac of the woods is what I needed. It's fun to whip around sometimes anyways on the trails. Mine surprises me how well it handles etc on trails, even with the stock tires. My understanding is some people actually race some quads like this. My KQ is pretty nimble for its size. Like i said it surprises me all the time. I have a 2019 KQ 750. It was a kodiak or the KQ. Glad I did the one I did, my neighbor bought a 700 kodiak about the same time I got mine.
So ... apparently diff lock came back but it must be a option because I know they brought it back for 2020 after it lost it for a few years, trying to budgetize a good thing. 🤦 You don't get a 4x4 without a diff locker bro. Excuse me imo I mean...why wouldn't you, saving like a couple hundred dollars or what?
If I remember correct it was not an option for model year 2020. In the 2021s it was an option at that point. I can get plenty of places with no diff lock in the front.
Tough one. Both are dead reliable. If you are going to use the ATV for trail riding as well as work I would get the Yamaha. If not and you're only buying a utility machine, maybe see which one you can get the best deal on
Yes, absolutely. You can switch into and out of four-wheel drive whenever you want. Ideally you'd use four-wheel drive on slippery surfaces like dirt dirt, snow, mud, etc. If you're driving on pavement you should probably not use four-wheel drive and only two-wheel drive. That way of thinking is more so for old school 4x4 systems on trucks, but it will also help preserve the drive line in these ATVs as well.
I'm die hard Yamaha and have been for 40 years and I have raced about every quad out there and I have to say that Yamaha is the most thought out lo gets lasting machine out there even though my racing days are over I still ride Yamaha I currently have a 2020 grizzly 700 and installed sti hd4 wheels and 6 ply tusk mudforce tires and it handles night and day better over stock so I'm thinking with the kodiak being a lower center of gravity with that setup like I have on my grizzly it would be a very very safe and stable machine but it's an awesome machine anyway they aren't as tippy as the stock grizzly
@@fistcover3831 There's a lot to consider there, and you can't go wrong either way. My $0.02 is to get neither of those. The Kodiak 700 currently uses the same 686cc engine as the current Grizzly (so what do you really gain with the grizz?) The Polaris is better out of the box - more power, better suspension travel, etc. BUT, if you're buying for long term, I vote for the Kodiak/Grizzly. They will almost certainly last longer with less maintenance. That said, those sportsmans are great machines, especially if you are good with maintenance. Best of luck with your decision!, thanks for commenting
ThomperBeThompin I also have a Sportsman XP 1000 and it is Awesome but it needs a lot of greasing and oil changing and some upgrades to make sure it's bullet proof but there no other avt I would have after have the Sportsman XP 1000, my Kodak 700 is only used when I have my wife or friend ride with me.
Check out the king quads. For reliability I had it down to Yamaha kodiak or KQ. I wound up with the 705 KQ. Aside from the oil changes its never been to the shop at 1200 miles in a year.
I hear you and agree to a point, but I've been on my new 8-ply tires for several months and the ride is still really plush. Food for thought is all....
It's only a $1600 gap between the 450 EPS and 700 EPS - I'd say that is worth it, but it definitely depends on how people plan to use the ATV and how hard they like to ride. I definitely wish I had the 700 at this point, but the 450 is still lots of fun and extremely capable at getting work done. I agree with you on the SE versions - 3k is quite a bit!
@@ThomperBeThompin sorry you're wrong. 700 eps se is $10899, 450 eps se is 7899. 3000 difference but with tax it's 11552 vs 8372 which is 3180. Plus you have crate fees and other bullshit. I just bought a 2021 450 eps se. I went through the whole process of comparing. 3000 is not worth it. 1500 I would agree.
@@Pajake570 re-read it bud. I'm not wrong. $1600 difference between the EPS models. Not worth comparing SE models in my opinion - the SE's are a complete waste of money. For example, on the Kodiak 700 SE model you pay an additional $1,000 USD over the EPS model. All that gets you is a winch and painted plastics.....that's it. But, to each their own. You're comparing the grizzly 700, not the kodiak 700, to the 450. That's what makes the "KODIAK 700" so appealing.
@@ThomperBeThompin ok so you're just talking the eps not se. Still wrong. its an $1800 difference. $10069 with tax vs $8,267 w tax. that doesn't include $435 in freight fees but that goes on both vehicles. point is, when deciding between the 2 its very hard to buy something over 10k when the only difference is a little power. Don't get me wrong, i'd love to have that extra power but I it's only worth it if you need it. And I don't.
Sorry my numbers are for the 2022. same difference though. 2021 is 9644.94 for 700 and 7842.94 for 450. Correct me if I am wrong here, but i don't think the 700 eps has a LCD instrument cluster on it. No way to track miles or hours. which is just stupid. i know one of the 700's I was looking at didn't.
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Probably the best owner review I've watched. I like the fact that you're pushing it around through tight trees and showing how nimble this machine is....obviously you've been using it. I bought the '21 Kodiak EPS SE which is grey and includes a factory installed 2500 lb Warn and has the diff-lock, otherwise identical stats as yours. This is my first 4 wheeler. My next purchase I bought a '19 Cam-Am 570 XT (it was a hold-over bought for a wife in '20 with zero miles and sat in the garage on a battery tender!) because it was an extraordinary deal and this is a different animal altogether, a higher performing, bigger engine is the most noticeable difference....however just like your talking point that engine breaking on the Yamaha is perfect for my wife and she loves riding it, as do I. This machine is perfect for the farm and new riders alike....you can have all sorts of fun on this thing. The other thing I like about Yamahas is the ease of maintenance, that Can-Am is a pain in the ass to maintain and I think they make it that way so most opt to take it in for a $500 bill! Bottom line the little 450 I'll hold onto for good....the Can-Am I'll probably resell and get a Grizzly 700 EPS SE....just like Toyotas, Yamahas are tough to beat if you like reliability!!
Probably the best and most honest review on anything I've seen in a long time. Hats off 🍻. I learned something
Thank you, Sir!
My wife and I just rode 300 miles at the hatfield mccoy trail system on kodiak 450s. Hers has eps, mine does not. They performed excellent. We beat the heck out of them for 5 days on the trails and no matter how hard we pushed them they kept on performing day in and day out. I would agree with the tire comments, they are not confidence inspiring at all. I find that they tend to push through corners pretty bad. My wife (a fairly new rider) repeated commented on not feeling comfortable going around corners with a cliff on the outside because she felt like it pushed pretty bad instead of going where she pointed it. The engine braking operates flawlessly and exactly how you described. This is a great starter or budget atv with yamaha's legendary reliability. You gave a great honest review for real world people looking at this ATV. Great job!
Thanks so much! These thing are absolute tanks. With the compression ratio Yamaha chose and how they tuned these engines, they should be absolute tanks for years and years and years. I have a feeling we'll have hours for a couple more decades at least
a lot of us are watching to see if the 450 has enough power. And you answered that question perfectly. You nailed this review. The answer is Heck YES for the average rider and Hell NO for ME.
I have the 2018 version of the same exact quad in green and I agree with everything you said I love it completely. Not really underpowered for what I use it for I'm an older guy and I hunt mostly with it and trail ride haven't really needed diff lock but I try not to get myself in too much trouble cuz I take too long to heal. Great review Thanks so much
I agree. The longer I ride this machine, the more I come to appreciate it and enjoy it.
You have some of the best, if not the best ATV reviews around. Keep up the good work!
Thanks man, you never know what people are going to like. I'll try and make some more here soon
I'm amazed at how open and accessible the forests are out there! They are like city parks compared to our dense forests and thick underbrush here in the Northwest. Great review. Should be picking up my 2024 EPS SE this week.
It does make for great trail building! It's also incredibly diverse around here. You can drive just a short ways away and be in some thick underbrush.
We have the same one, what i like about this ATV is how easy it is to control it, i mean u can really push it to accelerate yet it is always so smooth, and yes it is slow, like it cute and fun...x)
Just bought a 2024 Kodiak 450 special edition. It's got plenty of power to have fun, hit the trails, tow a spreader or plow snow.
I'm not a 1st time rider, I grew up on a Polaris Magnum 330, then to a Raptor 700r. The Kodiak 450 has proven more than enough for me! I actually like how small and nimble it is compared to the bigger Grizzly, Sportsmans, etc etc
Great ATV and review I own both ATVS, I agree with you the 450 doesn’t have enough power it’s worth spending the extra money for the 700 if you can afford it but the 450 is still a great ATV .
yeah, I wish Yamaha had set the price gap a little wider between these two.....now I'm curious to see month to month sales comparisons between 450 and 700.
Thanks for the review. I’ve been going back and forth on buying a Kodiak or Recon. I’m kinda leaning more towards the Kodiak.
What did you get? 7 months later, I’m sure you bought something lol.
realy enjoyed your review. like the mix between drive footage and opinion.
Very nicely done sir. I recommend you do all youtube videos from this point foreward.
I had a 2014 kodiak 450 with eps. Loved it. Always looked forward to fuel injection and was thrilled when I heard they were bringing it back. I was disappointed. My old one would do 60 mph and I liked the narrower width. Also the old one had more clearance. I would go with the kodiak 700 myself. 450 might be an option for the wife and new riders but it wouldn't do it for me.
I'm just glad they make both! (and for somewhat reasonable prices). Too many manufacturers dropped the small bore machines from their lineup. Rumor has it Kawasaki is bringing back a machine in the 400-500 cc range. Looking forward to that assuming it makes it to market.
just bought 700 kodiak 2023 its a man not for beginners lol
Best review I’ve seen yet.
I don’t think storage is really an issue and most people run a front and rear quad box.
They seem like a great little machine
Thank you! In hindsight, you're right, it's not as big of a deal as I made it, though at least 1 cubbie would have been nice. As you pointed out, a small box on the front rack solves that and still leaves your back rack open if needed. Cheers!
Thanks for this honest review. I had a sportsman 500, which is about the same power as your 450. I wouldn't think that the 700 would be overwhelming (they match up with the 570's of the other manufacturers)....I have ridden a polaris 850 which had too much power for me (they are like 78 compared to the 47 of the yamaha 700.
Thank you. I really think something like the Kodiak 700 or some of those 570s are the sweet spot of power for a play/work machine. My next ATV (in probably 15-20 years lol) will be something like the 700.
I had a 2003 that would do 96 km/h. Of all the quads I've had it's probably my all around favorite.
My brute force never free spools, but its a 750. I think the engine brake is kind of annoying when you are just cruising around. I would just like to be able to coast sometimes. If you are in the market for any quad do yourself a favor and get eps, it's a game changer for sure.
Just got 2021 Kodiak EPS SE for 13 year old. Man he loves it even after riding my foot shift Rubicon. Might be because the 450 is “his”. I agree the tires are a tad squishy
There's something special about riding your own wheeler! He's going to have a blast on that thing
I appreciate your candid review. It’s helped me as a first time buyer make my decision. I’m picking up the Tactical Green SE with Difflock and winch in a couple days. Can’t wait.
Right on, I'm glad it could help. Enjoy your new machine!
Sweet. I lucked out and got a 750 Suzuki for the same price of the 500 I put a deposit on. I was torn between suzuki and Yamaha. I love my kingquad. Several people with 500s(in that area) ride with us and they are just as capable. I would have been happy with a 500, but I'm still glad I got the 750. Enjoy riding that kodiak.
How is it going? Love it?
@@Anonymouso283 I do! I’ve only put about 170 miles on it, but it’s been great so far. I’m short, so it fits me perfectly. I’ve gone on a few trail rides and used it around the house. Looking forward to using it more for ice fishing this year. Could it use more power? Sure, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. Normally I don’t buy the most optioned model of anything, but I want to own this for 20 years and I didn’t want to have to add anything aftermarket.
@@HFG207
Awesome! If you’re just going to do stuff around the house or use it on a few trail rides, keep it forever. It’ll surely reach that 20 years. It’s a Yamaha, it’s going to be very loyal and reliable. Besides, it’s a great work vehicle for your type of work. I’m pretty sure it’s rated 1,300 pound towing capacity? That’s HUGE for its size and class. The Honda Rancher 420 has a tow rating of 800 - 850 pounds. You can, of course, tow much more than it’s rated for, but I’m sure the Kodiak can tow much more than many competitors in its class.
Im glad i went with the 700 eps of the same year. Im really happy with it
Just picked me up a 2024. Base model. No EPS or anything. Used for light to medium trail riding in Missouri so I don't really need much more what I got. My first four wheeler. Pretty happy about it.
Enjoy!
@@ThomperBeThompinDo you find your 450 in extreme cold when starting makes any odd noises? It has been about 10F. I start it every couple days just to run it and notice for about 10 sec or so there is a noise that almost sounds like a cicada lol. It goes away. It did not do that while at moderate temps. Seems the extreme cold does it. Still kinda concerning. It is brand new. 2024🤷♂️. When it is warm and I shut it off and turn it back on again...no weird sound. Seems to come from below near my right foot.
@@CrowT Mine never did this that I can remember. I've started it in well below freezing temps several times too. I'm now on a Grizzly 700 and it doesn't do that either. Just started it 2 days ago at about 20 F outside, no issues. I'm puzzled as to what that noise could be. Hopefully someone chimes in. Maybe a bearing needs to be serviced? Possibly something in the primary clutch?
@@ThomperBeThompin Alrighty well that sucks lol. The thing is brand new. It is under warranty but something like that should not be bad already if. If thats what it is. I have only taken it riding once for a few hours. Light trail riding. Guess I will keep an eye on it and take it back to them if need be. Might do it anyways🤷♂️. Appreciate the response🙂👍
Yes I got a new 2017 Kodak 700 EPS back in 2018 and the difference was only $700 more for the 700 EPS vs 450 EPS.
Wow! That's nuts. I can't believe they had them priced so close together.
ThomperBeThompin yes it is mostly because my Kodak 700 was a 2017 vs 2018 , and I still have my Kodak 700 but I got a 2018 Sportsman XP 1000 for $10,000 OTD last year so it's always best to buy a new leftover.
Thanks for the great review!
Great video, very informative and helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Totally agree on the storage difference between the 450 and the 700. I have both. And the 700 is easier to add gas as the cap is on the side. Just easier when using a gas can.
Yeah that too, good point. Like I said, the dimensions between the two machines aren't that different, bummer they couldn't add just one little storage cubby.
700
The Whistle on the 450 is a cool sound on hitting higher speed
On my 2019 I remember rocking back an fourth to put in gear but yahama are awesome
That goes for darn near every quad lol!
CVT and shaft. On my old Honda, I had to rock it back and forth for it to “click” into gear. No biggie, but a little annoying.
I love how I also have the brute force 300 so I think I have to get one
I dont know why but from my research Australia gets a 4 valve version were the rest of the world gets a 2 valve. Im not sure how much more power that adds but Im sure its considerable.
Seriously!? I feel short changed. Must be something to do with emissions standards in various countries.
@@ThomperBeThompin Ours only come in blue so your winning there at least.
Good review, I agree with every thing you said, I bought the 2019 model at the end of 2018. The powder coated racks do lose there coating ,I strap logs to the racks, I found reverse gear very low, if you go relatively fast in reverse it messes with the ECU so you have to switch off for it to sort its self out, mine came with a winch as standard in the UK, although after a test drive at the dealership I found the improvement to the steering compaired with my trade in a kodiak 400 so good I did not feel the need to spend the extra cash. It's great as you say in mid range speed and torque, I also found it was struggling after 40mph ,it handles really well, the front rack could do with a couple of more inches in width, and the tyres are exactly the same as yours, maybe some different flywheel weights would give it a better top end. I've only used it for hauling timber with and without a trailer it performs very well, the one time I used it for fun ,it certainly was easy to drift round corners! I wish we in the UK had the freedom to ride like you guys do, if your seen off road here it's the cops in helicopters after you, I would also upgrade to the 700 when the time comes. Cheers.
Right on, man. Thanks for sharing your experience with the machine and for the heads up regarding reverse gear. I just swapped some new tires on mine and will make a video soon. That is truly a bummer about not being able to drive off road much. The Western US is by far the mecca for US-off road driving. East coast is still great, but more populous, therefore more stingy about it all. Hopefully you know someone with a lot of private land that needs tearing up! Cheers
@@ThomperBeThompin
Hi thumper I do have some land two holdings, woodland and a smallholding , to understand the UK we need to understand environmental extremists who dictate to left wing government agendas ,it all started in the 1980s , if I ride on my own land and is deemed to cause a annoyance I can ultimately be prosecuted, if I damage land ,my own land I fall foul of environmental laws, that's how crazy it has become, if we leave or even if we dont leave the eu their all but going to ban woodburners , all because of UN and EU directives. We need a president trump!!.
No ATV parks over there to ride in the woods at least?
@@ThomperBeThompin here in Georgia we used to be able to do whatever. Too many people from NY and NJ that want restrictions on everything. Thankfully we have several atv parks near atlanta and still forest service trails etc.
I thought Yamaha was going to drop the Kodiak and only make the Grizzly. I had an 06’ and boy I miss it.
I love my 2018 also eps really good power for a 421 cc engine
The storage is a easy fix. For about 200 bucks each they have hard storage trunks for front and rear.
Yeah that's very true and a lot of them can go on and off pretty quickly.
Great review Thanks!
That was a great review. I was looking at the Yamaha and Honda to replace my 20 year old Kawasaki, still runs great but I know it can't last forever.
This one actually replaced my 1998 Kawasaki prairie 400! That thing was still running like a top, but the transmission was starting to pop out of high gear and parts were slowly becoming less and less available. Those older Kawasakis are tanks!
@@ThomperBeThompin you're right, mine is a 2001 Prairie 400 4x4, still love it, still flies!
Added griz 350 weights at 14 grams washer mod and kodiak 700 spring and boy did i woke it up i also added the clamps that hold handle bars down under the bar which raises the bar up some more
Just got the 2020 Kodiak 450 for my wife at the same time I got a 2016 grizzly 700 for myself. Both amazing machines! Quite impressed at how powerful the 450 is and how agile it is. Don't ever hesitate to buy a Yamaha ATV!!
I totally agree!
Thank you for posting this helpful video
Just want to share my experience
I own a 2019 Grizzly 700 Camo EPS (my ATV)
And a 2019 kodiak 450 camo eps (wife’s ATV)
I am 6’3” 240lbs so the kodiak is handle bars are too low for me. The power is smooth, it shifts between P-R-N-H-L smoother than my 700. And I have ridden it on long difficult trails aggressively. The power is fine in my opinion in low and mid range top end is adequate on flat ground. Top speed 48-50mph. Suspension and seat are much more firm than Grizzly. Grizzly is more comfortable. If your torn between a brute force 300 and kodiak 450 kodiak is a better choice if you can afford it. If your over 6ft or over 200lbs your gonna probably want a lager sized machine for play riding. Lastly the stock skid plates suck, tore a CV Boot on the 450 last week, I guess a stick got in there.
Thanks for the comments - I agree that 6 feet tall is about the max for these 450s without needing some risers.
I absolutely love the power, comfort, storage, looks and ergos of the Grizzly but I'm a little dissatisfied as of late. Mine is a 2018 and I just found out the top end needs to be rebuilt. It only has 3000 km on it but the engine is a Fuji unit and it's defective. It was my favorite quad and had everything I needed but now I have no confidence in its longevity and quality. Huge let down. Its turning me from the brand.
I have an 18 and 19 450s. My main complain is on a cold start, neither one fires on the first try. It starts on the 2nd time every time it's been sitting awhile.
Mine is the opposite! It fires immediately in anything below 50 degrees F. I just fired it up in 25 *F weather the other day. On hot summer days it takes a couple tries for mine.
My Kodak 700 does the same when it has been sitting for a long time no big problem.
I agree get the 700. I have a 19 Grizzly SE with the 686 and while it’s snappier than the Kodiak 700 its similar and I love it. The Mrs. has a 19 Kodiak 450 SE and for HER it’s perfect. She’s like 5’ and 110lbs so for her it really fits her well and gives her a lot of confidence. She feels way more in control of it than on mine just because of size. For me it isn’t like the 450 is weak or puny but with my Grizzly I’ve never really felt like I needed more. Can’t say the same about the 450 Kodiak.
Awsome review. Im probably going to buy this machine for my 2 daughters 1 each. Just got back from the Yamaha dealership and they only had the 7 hundreds in stock and they had stowage boxes in the front by where you put gas in traditional models. After watching this review this is the perfect machine for my kids but too bad the 450s doesn't have that storage compartment in the front like the 7 hundreds do. Thanks for the great review.
Right on, thanks for the comment. Enjoy your new machines.
Mr Lariata get the 700 brother
Can you buy me one too 😉??
Nice review! Would you mind if i used a few seconds from this vid in a comparison I'm working on.. I'll link your channel in the description and in the video..
Heck yeah, I love yalls channel. I just watched like 2-3 of your videos today lol. Thanks!
@@ThomperBeThompin Awesome brother! Thank you so much!!!!
Good video, I've been doing the 450 vs 700 debate for awhile now. The power difference would be nice no doubt. But for trail riding and plowing snow I think both would do great. What I don't understand is why yamaha doesn't put a gauge cluster on the base 700 but they do on the base 450. Power steering doesn't make a difference to me but $1,500 to $2,000 just for a gauge and speedo is a little crazy.
Yeah, the 450 is still GREAT at trail riding for sure. It has plenty of power to climb hills and plowing snow. I think Yamaha has an issue with how they're pricing these units with the various "trim" levels, as you pointed out. The price between the 450 and 700 is too close in my opinion. That said, they're both great machines - can't go wrong with either for my needs.
Im thinking of trading my 2014 700 Grizzly for a slightly newer 450 Kodiak straight up. The 700 is hot and heavy but not in a good way
Nice review. Been looking for a quad for my wife since we sold our SxS. Was looking at the Grizz 700 and Kodiak 700 but I'm thinking I may be overbuying and perhaps a 450 would better suit. I'm a 2 wheel guy so I think that is why I'm looking at the 700. But you looked pretty zippy on that 450 so maybe it's enough for the trails. I do like the disc brakes front/rear on the grizz though.
I bought a Grizzly this year, have a few vids on it too. The 450 is outstanding in every way if you're not looking to ride really aggressively on the trails in my opinion (it can still be fun, no doubt). If you like to ride extremely hard and fast then the grizzly is definitely going to be a lot better. I wouldn't even bother with the Kodiak 700, but again that is just my opinion.
@@ThomperBeThompin being for my wife, sounds like it’s a good fit as she is definitely not aggressive. I am but I have my bike for that. Thanks for the reply.
@@ThomperBeThompin fantastic review I've decided to go yamaha over Honda. Both are reliable and in my group most have Honda with one grizzly and one king quad. I'm in the fence with the kodiak 450 or 700 . I live on a farm and would use for some utility but we also quad on some derbys that has water and mud so I would use it for a little bit of both riding styles. U think the 450 has good torque and power to get out of mud and water , . I'm not sure if the 700 is overkill as I'm not into really fast driving bit more utility and some mud. Ty
@@jckhammer thanks! The 450s can go through mud no problem, but the 700s will obviously do better the thicker and deeper the mud. Additionally, the 700s will be able to turn a heavier mud tire with more ease in the thicker mud. I've taken my 450 through some decently gnarly stuff and lost traction while bottoming out before I ever ran out of power.
@@ThomperBeThompin hey thx for fast reply, that's cool. Ok good to know and I think u have tipped my scale towards the 700. U did mention at the end for the extra cost that one may as well go up to the 700. Plus I love the tactical black it comes . Now just gotta wait for stock . Happy trails and will subscribe to your channel! Take care
Thanks for the review.
Hey there. I just bought the EPS model in green... and it's a great machine. Question: besides price, any benefit of Ricochet plates over Yamaha oem skidplates? Thanks.
To my knowledge, Yamaha does not make metal skid plates for this generation 450. I wish I had kept my stock one to display in this video, but I threw it out. As you know it is a flimsy thin piece of garbage. I'm not above composite skid plates for ATVs, but the stock one was a joke. These ricochets ski skid plates are aluminum so they will not rust, they are extremely stout and I've already bashed them off a couple unseen rocks and stumps, and they should last to the life of the vehicle. Only downside is the price in my opinion. They are not cheap. All that said, there is another brand or two making aluminum skid plates for this machine but I just went with ricochet based on their reputation. Hopefully more companies continue making more skid plates for these newer 450s
@@ThomperBeThompin Hey, thanks for the reply. Fyi, Yamaha does have plates for this Gen 450. Did you powdercoat or spraybomb your plates?
@@hamrmark Dang! I did not know Yamaha made real skids for this. If the price is right, I would have gotten them instead (do you have a link?). Still happy with the ricochets though. Since they're aluminum, I just spraybombed them.
@@ThomperBeThompin www.yamaha-motor.ca/eshop/detail.php?sectionId=AC&groupId=19&subGroupId=22&categoryId=101&itemId=7345&unitId=5258&unitName=2020+Kodiak+450+EPS&unitGroup=YT&unitYear=2020&items_per_page=12&page=1
@@hamrmark wow! That's really expensive for just one plate. I think it's a better financial deal to get the ricochet plates. No idea how high quality the Yamaha version is, I assume pretty good, but ricochets are also pretty great. Either way, glad to see more options out there
I have my Red 03 Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4 it long lasting Machine. Well taken care of as well. I like the UltraMatic CVT plus its 400cc SOHC does well. And oh classic Mechanic analog speedometer.
I hear ya. I have an 01 Kodiak 400. Just cracked 1000 miles. Lol. I use it at my hunting camp and has never let me down. Love the pull start back up but better be wearing gloves.
I bought a 2021 450 eps se and I love it the storage issue kinda sucks tho
Dig it dude 💪🏻
Great review. I’m stuck trying to decide between the 450 eps se or the 700 eps se. Is the 700 worth an additional $2300??
The last time I compared the EPS models for each it was only a $1,500 difference. I think it's definitely worth upgrading to the 700. We are still happy with the 450 because it is still fun, a very solid workhorse, and people of all skill level are riding hours so having a little less power is probably for the better. If you'll be the only one riding it definitely get the 700
Currently the difference is 2300 everywhere I look that can get them. Prices are high and availability is super limited
@@codysiegrist4503 did you ever make a decision? I'm currently trying to decide between the 700 standard edition and 450 special edition. After I get the winch, it'll be a $2k difference between the two. Is it worth $2k to have more power (which I don't necessarily need), the color I like, the gas cap placement, and the storage? I don't need the top speed stuff if that makes any difference.
It really depends on what riding you plan on doing. The 450 is just as capable as the 700 in all utility scenarios. With that said I still ended up buying a 2021 kodiak 700 se. I have a need for speed, so much so that not even a year after I bought the kodiak I bought a raptor 700. More power is always better in my opinion but I’ve also ridden the 450 and it’s no slouch either.
I’d go with the 700. It’s not that much more money. There’s no replacement for displacement as the old saying goes.
Give me at least the 700. (Yes, I know it's a 686 or whatever). If you get a chance to ride a 650 can am.... You will hate the lesser motor. A grizzly with a 650 can am ..... That would be a winner!
Great review
I bought a Kodiak 450 basic model I love it
Yeah, they're great machines overall.
I love Yamaha but the only thing I wish they would do is put a diff lock on all their quads like Suzuki does with their models of King Quads, minus the 400 series but that is even more bargain than the Kodiak. The base model 500 King Quad comes with a diff lock. If suzuki can do it so can yamaha. You have to pay 10,000 msrp canada to get the Kodiak 450 with a diff lock versus the King Quad base 500 only costing $9000 dollars msrp, and this quad competes with the Kodiak. I know the quality isn't the same as a yamaha, but I would rather have diff lock as a feature before anything else.
Difflock is now available on the 450!
Good review but who drives through the woods like that !! Just a question about your recommendation of the 700 engine ? What do you need the extra power for ? I'm a newbie to ATV's. Thanks
I have the Grizzly 700, 2018. The low end torque is great for plowing snow, hauling firewood and the quad operates at a lower rpm because of the available torque. The Grizzly will do things in high gear that a 500cc quad will need low to do. The extra torque has very real applications but in day to day easy riding, the fuel consumption is a good 30% more. I had a 2012 Sportsman 500 HO carburetor and it was very capable of every task I did, it just had to work harder at some things. My opinion....if you like power and you can afford the extra purchase and fuel cost, go for it. My 700 Grizzly is heading to the dealer soon for a top end rebuild due to a defect in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 models. If that doesn't work out good, I'll be buying a new quad and stepping down to a 500 class machine. It's more then enough.
@@scottfurlong5475 Couldn't have said it better....spot on...
@@scottfurlong5475 Thanks That's a lot of good info . I'm leaning to the 450 LE model
These new Kodiak 450s have Heavier clutch weights than the old Grizzly 450s they replaced. Very similar situation to new kodiak 700 having heavier clutch weights than Grizzly. For around $60 you should be able to buy a set of the lighter, older OEM weighs and spruce up the power a bit on these. Definitely worth it.
Thanks for the tip. I am really going to consider this. Any issues with that changing the long term reliability of the clutches in the trans?
ThomperBeThompin not that I’m aware of, considering it’s just switching one OEM part for another. Shouldn’t require any aftermarket parts. You would gain a free-er revving, higher revving motor. The higher rpm range isn’t utilized very well with the heavier weights.
You have sasquatch there. I seen many trees broke over twisted
No kidding! I know of at least one male that's been roaming this territory the last couple years.
a quick size comparaison...i have a kawasaki brute force 300 2020 similar or identical like the one beside the kodiak in this video...how does it compare to size wize both quad? turning radius? top speed?
i like my brute force 300 for it nimble go anywhere... between trees.....top speed ok 75 to 80 kmh max out the only thing missing would be 4 wheel drive but at what cost.....
Size wise they are very similar. That said, the Kodiak 450 is several inches longer and a couple inches wider. The other major size difference is tires. The Kodiak 450 can tackle much tougher terrain because it has bigger tires, but that's only if you are bushwacking and going over logs and rocks and stuff. Top speeds are surprisingly very similar at around 50 mph. I've had both of these machines up to that speed but the 450 gets there a little easier. Also, the 450s turning radius is much, much better.
In my 2013 kodiak 450 our top speed was 75 km
Interesting. Someday I'll have to get a proper GPS-tracked top speed on flat ground and truly find what it is...
I have saw the 450 do 56 mph on RUclips.
Great review!! So did you get a chance to replace the tires yet ?
Sure did! Kenda bear claw htrs. They are tough and wear like iron so far. About 550 miles on them. Got a quick initial impressions vid in them. Still very happy with them, would buy again, especially for the price
Wish they had a 700 eps in this color... Thry have a base model, but not eps in the ridge red.
Looking at a 700 for plowing. Would kick myself if I bought a 450 and came short on power.
700 definitely has more power, but the 450 will be able to plow no problem. You'll run out of traction before power is my guess. (better safe than sorry though!)
Very good review.
Thanks!
Don't get me wrong ur 4 wheeler is awesome; but after seeing this I see this is kind of a cut throated grizzly 450. Wish they would just bring it back. I mean no disrespect tho great vid!
I came real close to buying the 2018 Kodiak 450 a couple years so but decided o the Rancher 420 because it has both electric and recoil start. (Very important in Canada)
Yeah, I was pretty bummed this thing didn't have a backup recoil. Will just have to live with it I suppose. Enjoy the Rancher! Those are great machines for sure.
I’m looking at the 700 grizzly or the kingquad 750. What should I get for my girlfriend? She is super mello but wants to explore with me. It must be Japanese, reliable, 4x4 and possibly a locker. Please help. Thank you.
Honestly couldn't go wrong with either of those. I'd choose the gri, but both are great
What land are you riding on? Is that a state park?
Good review.. city boy review! Lol.. but im guessing most of these will be sold to men with fancy garages where this thing will be shined up 24/7...
you've got a unique world view there...
ThomperBeThompin not really..
ThomperBeThompin i have three of these on my farm.. the trails on this vid are hilarious..there good bikes but the vid is too funny
@@TaNgLeD2121 proved my point
He doesn't need to take it down some rock cut and thrash on it for a day to tell you what the quad is like. He owns it and it probably needs to last a while.
Hello, where did you get the A-Arm guards? I can't find any anywhere.
They are from Ricochet Off Road
@@ThomperBeThompin okay thanks I'm from Canada there isn't too much out here I tell you I always have to order stuff from the United States but that's okay with me the stuff is good quality the service is good
@@truthnow902 that's a bummer man. I know ricochet is a little bit expensive on top of the shipping it takes from the US to canada, but I highly recommend them. My skid plates have taken a major beating and still look fresh besides scratches.
I'm just getting back into riding after being away 30 years. I'm a big guy 6 to 270 pounds would you think this would be under power for trail riding for me cuz we do climb some hills. I don't want it the chance of it flipping over on me or should I just go with the 700
It's really tough to say. This 450 is quite stout especially with the low-mid range torque. I don't think there's a hill I'd ever be afraid of tackling on it. That said, the 700 does have much more power for terrain like deep heavy sand, mud, and snow. if you like to ride aggressively at times and lift the front end up with a blip of the throttle then the 450 might not be enough. That said, I've taken that thing to Hatfield McCoy's and definitely haven't had it anywhere close to top speed. If money is no factor I would certainly spring for the 700
Is the 450 full sized? Or would it look small compared to say a foreman or sportsman?
I am 6 ft tall and pretty comfortable on it. The Kodiak 700 dimensions are basically the same. The grizzly 700 dimensions however, are slightly larger. All that to say the Kodiak 450 can fit almost any adult comfortably. If you're 6'5 plus you might need some bar risers.
i run 4-6 psi in my tires rec. 2-3 i have same size(25-12-10/8) but diff tread
I just put new tires on, check it out it's one of my more recent videos
I didn't notice any backfiring or popping when you let off the throttle. That's all my 2018 grizzly does since new and it's the most annoying thing about it. Just feels like a bag of shit!
That's a bummer man sorry to hear that
I noticed on yamaha's website, that the 2021 has a front locking differential, does this model, or is that new for 2021 ?
I think they added the optional front locking differential in 2021. If I'm not mistaken it's available on the SE model.
I checked it's on the eps model too..... just not the entry level model...., but I think you can get a locker added if your model doesn't have one....
@@shannonbailey8515 right on, that's good to know.
So you have to get the eps to. Er a gage cluster and bar mounted light?
In the 2020 model year, getting EPS also got you the aluminum alloy rims, and the light pod. I believe the gauge cluster comes standard.
How does this do in the thick bush? Considering buying one but is it good for going through thick trees??
It does great. It definitely has plenty of torque at low RPM to handle crawling through the bush. I would immediately swap out the stock tires though - they are only 2-ply and will be more prone to puncture. Additionally, I installed the entire Ricochet Off Road skid plate package and I would do that again in a heartbeat. Tougher tires and skid plates, then you're good to go.
How do you reckon this machine will do with a snowplow on it? Im in Sweden and here the 700 is just too much money.
BR
I think it would do quite well. Plenty of power, especially in low range and four wheel drive. Might want to invest in the differential lock too though.
My boyfriend and I just got one in the mountains of Colorado. We plan on getting a snowplow.
I just bought one of these. Why is the front brake on the right? Down hill the right hand is doing too much
Matt Hauk front brake is always on the right on all ATVs
Matt Hauk 99.9% of the time an atv has a front brake on the right, a rear brake on the left, rear brake foot pedal pedal
same as a dirt bike..
Do you think this is a good choice for utility and occasional mudding as a first buy?
Yes, but it really depends on what kind of mudding you are going to do. This is exceptional at muddy trails with the occasional mud hole, but you'll need something with much more horsepower if you are going through bigger mud bogs. Also, a higher horsepower machine will be able to turn larger tires.
@@ThomperBeThompin okay thanks for the In put would you have suggested something different along that price range
@@angel_el1978 tough to say because it really depends on how you are going to ride it and what kind of mud you are going to hit. this thing will turn through mud up to the floorboards no problem, but if you're going in that seriously deep stuff consider getting the Kodiak 700, grizzly 700, or even perhaps one of the V-Twins from Polaris or Can-Am. Those make tons of power for serious mud bogging like they do up in Alaska, Canada, and even places like down in Florida.
Those more powerful machines will allow you to put on really tall extreme mud tires and still be able to turn them no problem.
@@ThomperBeThompin so do you think this will be ok for light work, mostly trail riding and hunting? I'm 5'11" 210lbs. Won't be mudding in it other than on a muddy trail here or there but no bogs.
I never understood why so many people use farm & ranch work utility ATVs for the trails, and then expect them to be high performance "quads".
Let me know if you figure it out
They are just not the biggest top speed if your looking for speed get a sports quad like a Honda 400x or yfz450r
I dont understand what your saying h
I dont know anyone who expects theirs to handle like a sports quad. Lol. Why I got my KQ vs a raptor was comfort. With my back and neck sucking the Cadillac of the woods is what I needed. It's fun to whip around sometimes anyways on the trails. Mine surprises me how well it handles etc on trails, even with the stock tires. My understanding is some people actually race some quads like this. My KQ is pretty nimble for its size. Like i said it surprises me all the time. I have a 2019 KQ 750. It was a kodiak or the KQ. Glad I did the one I did, my neighbor bought a 700 kodiak about the same time I got mine.
How much did the quad cost
where did you get the plastic a arm shields
@@nathanfreeland7 these are metal. From Ricochet Off Road
@@ThomperBeThompin oh ok, thank you!
So ... apparently diff lock came back but it must be a option because I know they brought it back for 2020 after it lost it for a few years, trying to budgetize a good thing. 🤦 You don't get a 4x4 without a diff locker bro. Excuse me imo I mean...why wouldn't you, saving like a couple hundred dollars or what?
If I remember correct it was not an option for model year 2020. In the 2021s it was an option at that point. I can get plenty of places with no diff lock in the front.
What tires did you end up putting on it?
I ended up going with the Kenda Bear Claw HTRs. I'm pretty happy with them so far, they are as tough as nails and are wearing like iron.
How big is that trailer to fit both machines on it?
I fit these on a 6'4" by 12' trailer before, but the one in this picture is a 7x14 which makes it easier.
To funny I painted my as well nail polish works great...
Locking front axle? Thanks
Negative. LSD in front
Is there any storage under the seat?
Yeah, just one cubby
Does it have to be in park or neutral to start it or can you start it if it’s on hi or low?
Gotta be in park or neutral
Haha. Not my suzuki! Lol
@@ThomperBeThompin you can pull the brake it will start in any gear
Honda Rubicon or Yamaha 450 EPS Se?
Tough one. Both are dead reliable. If you are going to use the ATV for trail riding as well as work I would get the Yamaha. If not and you're only buying a utility machine, maybe see which one you can get the best deal on
@@ThomperBeThompin How does the Yamaha work for cold-start? How about winter starting? Say below zero?
@@chadweaver251 The coldest weather I've started it has been about 15 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, it's fuel injected so it shouldn't be any issue.
Is it ok to have it in high while in 4wd?
Yes, absolutely. You can switch into and out of four-wheel drive whenever you want. Ideally you'd use four-wheel drive on slippery surfaces like dirt dirt, snow, mud, etc. If you're driving on pavement you should probably not use four-wheel drive and only two-wheel drive. That way of thinking is more so for old school 4x4 systems on trucks, but it will also help preserve the drive line in these ATVs as well.
👍
Cfmoto 500 cheaper with power steering, is it better?
Made in China, won’t last nearly as long.
I'm die hard Yamaha and have been for 40 years and I have raced about every quad out there and I have to say that Yamaha is the most thought out lo gets lasting machine out there even though my racing days are over I still ride Yamaha I currently have a 2020 grizzly 700 and installed sti hd4 wheels and 6 ply tusk mudforce tires and it handles night and day better over stock so I'm thinking with the kodiak being a lower center of gravity with that setup like I have on my grizzly it would be a very very safe and stable machine but it's an awesome machine anyway they aren't as tippy as the stock grizzly
But to answer your question you better save your $$$$$ and get a Yamaha kodiak or grizzly you will be glad u did
How much is the price difference between the 450 and the 700?
Last time I checked it was $1500 exactly.
@@ThomperBeThompin I asked that question before I finished the video lol
I am deciding between a Grizzly and a Sportsman
@@fistcover3831 There's a lot to consider there, and you can't go wrong either way. My $0.02 is to get neither of those. The Kodiak 700 currently uses the same 686cc engine as the current Grizzly (so what do you really gain with the grizz?) The Polaris is better out of the box - more power, better suspension travel, etc. BUT, if you're buying for long term, I vote for the Kodiak/Grizzly. They will almost certainly last longer with less maintenance. That said, those sportsmans are great machines, especially if you are good with maintenance. Best of luck with your decision!, thanks for commenting
ThomperBeThompin I also have a Sportsman XP 1000 and it is Awesome but it needs a lot of greasing and oil changing and some upgrades to make sure it's bullet proof but there no other avt I would have after have the Sportsman XP 1000, my Kodak 700 is only used when I have my wife or friend ride with me.
Check out the king quads. For reliability I had it down to Yamaha kodiak or KQ. I wound up with the 705 KQ. Aside from the oil changes its never been to the shop at 1200 miles in a year.
fyi its not the suspension that makes it a smooth ride its the tires after u get aftermarket tires its a-lot rougher
I hear you and agree to a point, but I've been on my new 8-ply tires for several months and the ride is still really plush. Food for thought is all....
2021's 700 se is almost 3k more than the 450 se. Not worth it IMO.
It's only a $1600 gap between the 450 EPS and 700 EPS - I'd say that is worth it, but it definitely depends on how people plan to use the ATV and how hard they like to ride. I definitely wish I had the 700 at this point, but the 450 is still lots of fun and extremely capable at getting work done. I agree with you on the SE versions - 3k is quite a bit!
@@ThomperBeThompin sorry you're wrong. 700 eps se is $10899, 450 eps se is 7899. 3000 difference but with tax it's 11552 vs 8372 which is 3180. Plus you have crate fees and other bullshit. I just bought a 2021 450 eps se. I went through the whole process of comparing. 3000 is not worth it. 1500 I would agree.
@@Pajake570 re-read it bud. I'm not wrong. $1600 difference between the EPS models. Not worth comparing SE models in my opinion - the SE's are a complete waste of money. For example, on the Kodiak 700 SE model you pay an additional $1,000 USD over the EPS model. All that gets you is a winch and painted plastics.....that's it. But, to each their own.
You're comparing the grizzly 700, not the kodiak 700, to the 450. That's what makes the "KODIAK 700" so appealing.
@@ThomperBeThompin ok so you're just talking the eps not se. Still wrong. its an $1800 difference. $10069 with tax vs $8,267 w tax. that doesn't include $435 in freight fees but that goes on both vehicles. point is, when deciding between the 2 its very hard to buy something over 10k when the only difference is a little power. Don't get me wrong, i'd love to have that extra power but I it's only worth it if you need it. And I don't.
Sorry my numbers are for the 2022. same difference though. 2021 is 9644.94 for 700 and 7842.94 for 450. Correct me if I am wrong here, but i don't think the 700 eps has a LCD instrument cluster on it. No way to track miles or hours. which is just stupid. i know one of the 700's I was looking at didn't.
Is it kymco engine in it
No, this is a Yamaha-origin engine