2006 Kodiak 450... to buy or not

[jetboat]

Long story short, coworker bought a 2006 Kodiak 450 with all the bells and whistles, brand new. Over the past 8 yrs, the machine has had less than 100 miles put on it (I put 30 of them on it). Part of the reason is that twice when he took it out he flopped it (nothing severe, just flopped), he was also afraid to pull a trailer.

Monday he asked if I wanted to buy it so, I said $2000 (thinking that had to be to low). Well, he came back with $2500. Buying it would put my new mill purchase on the back burner. I already have 2 Suzuki Eigers but, the yamaha rides a 100x better but is kind of floppy in the turns.

Opinions? Good deal?

[neillarson]

Good deal Jeff. My BIL has a 98 Kodiak that runs great. I have a 2008 Grizzly 700efi Ducks Unlimited version. It us a beast but I wish I had gone with a Kodiak.

[siuvinson]

I'm assuming your Eigers are solid rear axles, which would make them feel more stable in turns. The Kodiak is probably IRS, making it feel looser. I had a suzuki vinson a few years back w/out IRS and I always wanted it. Friends had atv's w/ IRS and you get used to it after a while and it won't feel as unstable.

I'd say its a good deal. If in fact the rollovers didn't damage anything important. Its good that you have direct knowledge of it's past...that would seal the deal for me IMO

[neillarson]

Switching from a solid rear on a Honda to the IRS on the Yamaha was great, seemed a bit different at first but real nice in the steep stream crossings I do regularly.

[jetboat]

both flops were at low speed and if he had leaned he wouldn't have... I know the rear rack is bent on 1 corner and that's the only scratch on it.

That rear IRS is smooth but it makes me nervous... Every time I take a corner at speed it pulls the front tire and if you try to spin it, it hooks on you and you have to be on your game.


I think its a good deal but, I only get 1 bonus a year and I have been saying I was getting a new mill with it for 4 yrs.

[EeePee]

Originally Posted by jetboat

I only get 1 bonus a year and I have been saying I was getting a new mill with it for 4 yrs.

So, think about this then. Does that mean you don't really want/need the mill?

[jetboat]

Dont need for sure... but, I dont need any of the toys I have either

[Fiftygrit]

My brotheroutlaw has one its works really good, I like my 500 polarass better but thats just me, they are a good machine.