Although this is the Grizzly, the same approach can be applied to the Kodiak; removing skid plates and using a hose (NOT a pressure washer) to spray the underbody:
Using a pressure washer would contribute to loss of grease, pressure from a hose is minimal and shouldn't be a problem. Ultimately not spraying directly at key areas is what you'll want to avoid same goes for just about any other thing you're washing where vital components are located.
Investing in different hose attachements will be wise as depending on the attachment design you'll get different spread and pressure of water, nothing significant but its bound to help get some dirt off.
I always just sprayed the whole thing down. I guess if grease wear becomes an issue I'd just go ahead and replace it, but that really doesn't happen all that often if you clean it from time to time.
How often will you need to thoroughly clean the Kodiak? Part of the design was based on the idea that the Kodiak would require less maintenance than other ATVs.
I don't think I'm going to tear anything off by spraying it with the hose. I'm using a hose not a pressure washer. Not going to be spraying it with that much force.
I watch your videos on YouTube all the time they are some of the best videos I watch ..do you think you can do a video of an oil change sometime. ?.... thank you keep up the good work with the videos love them.....is your youtube name..... Polhamer?
I have the Ricochet Off-Road skid plates and I have not taken them off since I installed them, is it worth taking them off to wash her after every ride? Also thinking about getting a pressure washer with a 40-degree tip, nothing crazy for pressure.
If I was going to be pulling my skid plates to clean my atv, it wouldn't be anymore than once or twice a year but, that might be just me. Mind you, I don't bury the machine in mud either.
You could probably just loosen the bolts so the skids drop down about 1/8"-1/4". This would allow the mud and grit to more easily flow out. Def be careful with a pressure washer, even with a 40* tip, e.g. don't get anywhere near bearings, seals, electrical, etc.
After having gone to the Black Hills, last summer, and riding a good mud day mid-trip, I did need to drop my skids when I got home to get all of the dried up mud cleaned out. But it was caked up pretty good. If the mud hasn't dried, should be much easier to clean it out.
Definitely will be, my floorboard skids I manage to clean without taking those off. Spring time she will be getting a detailing everywhere and it is a day project. I am not a mud rider so i think there will be minimal mud and grime under the frame and plates.
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