Grizzly 550 or Kodiak 450?

[Mishka]

Hi all, I'm looking to purchase an atv and narrowed it down to a 2010 Kodiak 450 and a 2011 Grizzly 550 for $3000 more. The Kodiak is carburated and does not have EPS. The Grizzly is FI and has EPS. This will be my first atv. I've been on several trips with older (pre-2003) atvs, but that was a while ago. My question is, is having FI and EPS worth that extra $3000. Note, I'm financing this so the $3000 will end up being a bit more.... Thanks.

[Pioneerman]

They are both great machines, but you do not need EFI and you do not need Power steering. We never had that feature before and we survived just fine. so unless you have extra money i would stick with the Kodiak and get yourself a good winch, some better tires than stock as they are garbage, and a box for the rear rack to carry all your gear, then go have fun.

[recoil]

I agree, the kodiak has two less expensive options that can break in the field. You would not need power steering on a kodiak anyways, now a 800lb polaris or Can-am thats a different story, they will wear you out after a days riding.

[Mishka]

Thanks for the advise. Its so easy to fall into the bigger, better, fancier technology kinda thing.

[buckhunter]

go with the kodiak, great machine with plenty of power.

[elkdom]

I have 2 Kodiaks, both great machines, either one will drag a whole mature bull moose or bull elk, what more do you need ?

proven dependable, and EASY on fuel,,,

[tomahawk]

I have 2 Kodiaks, both great machines, either one will drag a whole mature bull moose or bull elk, what more do you need ?

proven dependable, and EASY on fuel,,,

I have 2 as well, dependable and go anywhere. I also have a friend who has the bigger quad and I can get through tight places where he gets stuck on the trees because of the bigger frame!!

[Trailmaster]

I have the grizz, but the 700, I would say go for the the kodiak, you can get it with eps, but its only nice for big tires or long nasty rides. I can tell you right now you won't be left stranded if you did some how manage to wreak the steering unit, its made so if it fails its like not having it, and if I can't wreak it ain't nobody going to. the only thing I didn't like that yamaha did with the 450 is they put a small tank on it, i still goes a long ways on it but they use to go further.

[.330 Dakota]

There is no way the 550 should be priced 3k more than the 450. I own a 2008 450 and a 2008 700 and there wasnt 3k between them. Lean on the dealer for a better deal on the 550. The eps is sweet and the new 450 and 550 have it. As for the efi, it is well worth it if you are at higher elevations occasionaly. The efi adjusts for this and runs great, carbs do not and bogging can be an issue. My sons 400 bogs at high elevation and will barely pull itself.

[BlacktailStalker]

Go for the EFI and the power steering, you won't regret it.
Upgrade your tires first, its the best mod you can do.

[Mishka]

The Kodiak I was looking at was last year's model and the 550 was a 2011. The 2011 Kodiaks have the EPS but for the extra cost I might as well go with the 550. I was offered the 2010 Kodiak for $9000 including a winch, pdi and taxes. The 2011 Grizzly 550 EFI EPS was $12000 including a winch, pdi and taxes. I'm leaning towards the Kodiak but the 550 sure fit well.

[.330 Dakota]

The Kodiak I was looking at was last year's model and the 550 was a 2011. The 2011 Kodiaks have the EPS but for the extra cost I might as well go with the 550. I was offered the 2010 Kodiak for $9000 including a winch, pdi and taxes. The 2011 Grizzly 550 EFI EPS was $12000 including a winch, pdi and taxes. I'm leaning towards the Kodiak but the 550 sure fit well.

Try another dealer dude, I bought my 08 Griz 700 with winch, pdi and taxes for $10,800.00
There is a great guy in 100 Miile House, I know its a 3 hour drive from Kelowna but it could save you some serious $$$
The dealer is South Cariboo Motorsports, owners name is Tyler, tell him Brad sent ya

[Mishka]

hmmm... I don't mind driving if the price is right. I'll give South Cariboo Motorsports a call. Thanks.

[.330 Dakota]

hmmm... I don't mind driving if the price is right. I'll give South Cariboo Motorsports a call. Thanks.

No worries,hope he can help you

[swampthing]

Get the bigger one.

[792]

I would look south of the border, if you search the price around Oregon you will be shocked.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Buy a Polaris instead ! :mrgreen:

[MuleyMadness]

I think you should consider cost, but put it a bit lower on the list. This is a machine, that if you look after it properly, will easily last 20 years, or until you want to upgrade/change it. 3K difference (and as has been mentioned, it shouldn't be that much) over 15 or 20 years of use, really isn't much more yearly, and you really need to look at it that way. I can't speak to the EPS as I have never had it (and really don't feel I need it at all on my 2008 450 King Quad) but I do like the EFI...much nicer starting, cold running, and running at elevation than carbs. Maybe you might want to consider looking for one with just the EFI and no EPS, if that's available.

What I'm trying to say is buy what you like, and buy once. It's going to be cheaper long term, and you will enjoy your investment more, than if you compromise where it's important...comfort and performance. Not to say the less expensive one isn't as good, just when you can probably get them to within 1500 of each other, don't let cost be the main factor.

[bearhunter338-06]

I have logged 1000s of hours on my 1997 Kawasaki 300 Bayou. hauling out moose, elk, bear, deer, trailers with firewood, 20 foot boots on trailers. I have worked the "Shit" out of it. Never any problems and regularly maintained. I would not worry between a 450 or the 550 both will do what you want. get the one you like best.

[sed8ed]

I was just down at the yamaha dealership in Port Moody this past weekend... They have 2011 Kodiak 450's for $7,999 including power steering... we were going to buy one but got won over by the honda rincon for the same price

Just checked their flyer, their advertized price on the 2011 Grizzly 550 eps is $9,499

Go back to your dealership with those prices and see if they will match them

[BearStump]

I cant believe that people spend over 8000 on any quad. check out craigslist, Kajiji, etc. you can get into a great machine around the 6 or 7 thousand mark. Buying used your also getting the rims, tires, winches, boxes that some other sucker spent the $ on now cant afford to keep. the 2 or 3 grand left over can buy alot of cool hunting stuff.

[Islandeer]

i just bought a 2010 450 Kodiak. Love it,will do everything I need it to do. My quad is a hunting mule,so simplicity was more important than efi and ps.

[Husky7mm]

Have your son take the plastic sidecovers of at high elevations, most of those 400 where boiling their gas when hot and way up in elevation, it work for me.
Go for the 550 if you want to put big grippy tires on it one day. Either one will last for as long as you like riding it.

[.330 Dakota]

Have your son take the plastic sidecovers of at high elevations, most of those 400 where boiling their gas when hot and way up in elevation, it work for me.
Go for the 550 if you want to put big grippy tires on it one day. Either one will last for as long as you like riding it.

Hey thanks ya the gas was boiling in the tank

[Husky7mm]

Bearstump
Well, you know what you got then. Quads live a hard life. I've met a few unlucky people who ended up putting a moter in their 2 yr quad they bought used. I think some quads are sold for a reason, like they got put in the river, or over heated once, it happens. I bought a few new and road them hard but always kept them serviced. $10000 is alot of money but not if you get 10 plus yrs out of it.

[uraarchr]

I have an '04 Grizz 660 and I dream of EPS and FI.It does everything I need it to,but I would sure love power steering and fuel injection.I would rather have it than no quad,but I'd love to have EPS and FI.When that front diff is locked and you're crawlin that thing'll tear your arms off without EPS and it would prob run a lot better w FI(fuel mileage and no backfires).Probably a week that doesnt go by and Im thinkin o some way to make a little side cash for EPS,FI,chrony,new rifle,arrow fletcher,61RC knife.......................!!!etc.Double Bull blind,new camo, color GPS,35"Pro-Comp's,chip 4"lift,K&K Vengeance bow,Meindle boots and a Sharps Quigley,a 5lb 260 rifle and especially a 6 pt bull elk!!! Good Luck

[Mishka]

Thanks for the great info and moral support! I took .330 Dakota's advise and called around. 100 Mile offered a good price over the phone and without dropping names. They even offered to drive halfway and meet me. Vernon's price was about the same as 100 Mile. I took that info to Kelowna and they came back with a much better deal. To be honest I was thinking of NOT buying from them just out of principle. But having something in town was a bit more convenient and the sales guy was okay. Soo, last Saturday I brought home a 2011 Grizzly 550 FI EPS $10,700 all in, including winch and heated grips. The machine is awesome!!!!

Okay, its a done deal. So don't tell me I could have save $xxxx by going to xxxx. I don't want to hear it, lol. Thanks everyone!

[.270]

That's good deal for a very nice machine. If you plan on taking out 1/2 moose out of slashes or rough rocky areas you should think about getting the plastic skid plates replaced with aluminum ones.

[dryflyguy57]

Good choice , power steering is well worth it .

[Singleshotneeded]

The Grizz 550 has just enough more power to make it "fun to ride" for longer, a friend started out with a
Kodiak and was bored with it in a year, and got a Grizz 700. The EFI will give you snappier acceleration,
better mileage, and the same performance in the mountains as you get at sea level, where you won't with
carb. The power steering is great on rough terrain, you can breeze through it where you'd be fighting your
bars without EPS. If you load a deer on the quad, the EPS will make it a LOT easier and safer to steer.
That brings us to the most important point, safety... if you hit a large rock at speed with one tire on a quad
without EPS, it'll try to rip the bars from your hands. With EPS, you'll notice it but it absorbs the impact.
Get some good tires right away, it's the most important upgrade, and a good winch.
HAHA, I just noticed you went with the Grizz 550 as I was suggesting, lol, good choice!

[bob the tomato]

good choice
i got the 450 but either ones an awsome quad, lots of bang for ur buck with good reliability

[RB2]

I bought a new 09 kodiak after lots of comparing. Small and nible is what this machine is. My buddies 09 Kawi Brute force wants to flip over where i just lean trough. Also the back up recoil pull start is what made my final decision.