[FarNorthID]

New to the forum but not new to the ATV world, have been riding since I was little and always enjoyed it. I currently own a 2005 Kodiak 400 that we bought new as well, it's actually my wife's, I had a dirt bike and sold when we moved north. Anyway, just purchased a new 2016 after searching for almost 3 years "been up north 10 years ". I am very picky and knew exactly what I wanted but not an easy task with so many great options. I hunt allot and own property and use my ATV for everyday chores,logging,brush clearing,yard cleanup,ect. After a long road I found what I was looking for, I am very early in the new Quad review stage but wanted to get started on posting before I just moved on with the new quad. So far I have 3 hours and 20 miles, still going through the brake-in period but am very happy with the unit. The quad is quite, very quite for a 700, in comparison to the 05 it's only about 3/4 as load. The ride is smooth and easy to get on and off of as, the power steering is smooth and so far a great addition to getting around our heavily tree'd property. I have ran the unit up steep hills/ mountains as one of the first concerns I had that kept me from buying other units, this quad is solid going up steep terrain, I did not feel like the front end got light at all and power was not an issue even in high gear and stopping in the middle on the grade to see how it would handled. Smooth, plenty of power and very stable on steep terrain. Coming down the hill the engine braking is great and handle well also. So far I am happy with the unit after them long wait and trial and error across multiple manufacturers. To be continued...

 

[KodiakBar]

Congratulations on the new ATV and Welcome to the forum! The Kodiak 700 is just so versatile and I can't wait to read a review on how it performs when you use it for chores around your property. Were you going up those steep hills on 4x4 Low?

 

[FarNorthID]

I went up the hill in 4x4 low and high just to see how it did, no problems, you cannot get up the hill without 4x4 unless you just hit it hard and thrash your way up, which is not my way of riding. The steep stretch I was riding is about 1/4 mile+\- long and a fair
(sitting tight on the tank normally) climb, I started in low and had great power and no lug on the motor. Once I got about half way up I stopped and started again to see if the front end was going to get light like the 2014 grizzly (really bad) does that my buddy has who own the property. No issues there either, then still about half way up I shifted into high and finished the climb, starting out it had a little lug (in high range) to it which was expected then took off and zipped the rest of the way up. I was really happy with the outcome

 

[FarNorthID]

Well, a buddy of mine gave me a gun rack (single) to put on the new machine today. Bolted it on the rear of the front rack closest to the handle bar's. I plan on also getting a double gun rack, quick release style so I can carry gun,bow,shovel,rake,pitchfork,ect but also be able to detach when I need the whole front rack. I always leave a single gun rack on my quads for a 22 as I run around.

 

[GroundTroop]

That looks good but do you think once loaded up that the guns will bock off some of the headlights beam or should it clear the beam?

 

[FarNorthID]

It does block it a little but that light only comes on when the high beams are on. You really can't tell.

 

[FarNorthID]

Ran my quad down to the mailbox today and then let it idle in the shop for a bit 15-20 minutes. I opened the storage box between the rider and handle bars where the old tanks used to be and it was hot? Anybody else have this issue? Not sure I would store my lunch or even a cell phone in there on a ride if it gets that hot. I know I heard of the 2014 having gas boiling issues and I figured that was one reason to moved the tank and made that space storage but I was suprised how hot it was. Great hand heater on a cold ride I guess but now I'm wondering...going to throw a thermometer in there and see what it does next few trips.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

I have noticed on the left side were your leg contacts the machine gets warm on mine. I have seen were some other folks have noticed this also. The exhaust runs pretty close under the box and on that left side. It will be interesting to see what the thermometer reads in the storage box.

 

[GroundTroop]

I have noticed on the left side were your leg contacts the machine gets warm on mine. I have seen were some other folks have noticed this also. The exhaust runs pretty close under the box and on that left side. It will be interesting to see what the thermometer reads in the storage box.

What do you think can be done about that?

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Wearing thick pants should help:laugh:. Some sort of heat barrier might help with the heat. It's not bothered me much so far, but I imagine it might get a bit hotter when I'm going slow using the spot sprayer on it in the spring.

 

[FarNorthID]

I'm kind of courious about what can be done myself. I'm going to pull the plastic's off and see what I can do to limit the heat. Maybe some heat/foil tape or high temp insulation panel. Got to pull it apart to see how much space is available.

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[GroundTroop]

I'm kind of courious about what can be done myself. I'm going to pull the plastic's off and see what I can do to limit the heat. Maybe some heat/foil tape or high temp insulation panel. Got to pull it apart to see how much space is available.

Sounds like a plan, keep us posted on what you discover and end up doing to your Kodiak.

 

[Aaron]

I read there is a drain, has anyone filled the compartment with Ice?

I had a spare pare of gloves in there today, they were warm when I pulled them out.

I dont think the heat would effect a phone, - I had a pepsi in there for 6 miles, it wasn't piss warm, or cold.

 

[FarNorthID]

Got hit by a major wind storm Tuesday night and been putting the new quad to work, lost alot of trees. The quad is working out great, been between the high teens and high 30's here. The heat in the storage compartment is still a bummer but seems better when moving, even at low speeds, parked at an idle after long ride or slow work load is still an oven in no time. Still haven't got a thermometer... Other then that everything is working great. Ill update later tonight with pictures and detail on the work completed with the unit.

 

[GroundTroop]

Got hit by a major wind storm Tuesday night and been putting the new quad to work, lost alot of trees. The quad is working out great, been between the high teens and high 30's here. The heat in the storage compartment is still a bummer but seems better when moving, even at low speeds, parked at an idle after long ride or slow work load is still an oven in no time. Still haven't got a thermometer... Other then that everything is working great. Ill update later tonight with pictures and detail on the work completed with the unit.

That has me thinking what the kodiak will be like hauling some trees away

 

[FarNorthID]

Update

Like I previously mentioned, I got hit by a large wind storm and lost a lot of trees. I started cleaning up around the yard on Saturday morning and worked from light to dark and repeated on Sunday to get just the yard cleared. Used the quad to haul a small trailer for all chainsaws/clearing hand tools and and then also to drag brushed out logs to a pile for easy sawing. Trailer is small so nothing great there as far as quad performance. I did pull 22 40'+\- 8"-10" round pine logs with the quad to the sawing area. The ground is frozen hard so that helped keep logs from digging in. The quad did great no problems at all, it actually did better then I thought in 2 wheel drive for most of the work. I have 10 acres so the logs got pulled from the front to the rear of the property to buck up the logs. I was in 2 wheel low range most of the time mainly because I didn't need it and forgot to flip it in 4x4. About half the day Sunday I used 4x4 which made it pull a little easier. Never spun a wheel in 2 wheel though. This unit did really well and was very comfortable to use all day. In the cold the storage box made a great glove warmer also The power steering on this unit was awesome!!. It made it Easy pulling the logs through all the other trees at low speeds. I also got our 400 Kodiak out for towing the trailer once I relized how nice and easy the power steering made maneuvering through the trees,Effortless!!. I ran the unit in low range the whole time and did not feel that I had to run it hard to get things done and when I needed the extra power there was plenty to spare. Once again I am very happy that I waited and got this unit. I compare it to a gas vs diesel in the truck world as far as torque and power, it's definitely the right fit for my needs so far. thought I had more than 1 photo, sorry... quad ain't even in it.

 

[GroundTroop]

Great little review since that is a great way to test it's hauling and overall work capability, what really stood out to me is that you didn't have to wind it out like crazy just to do what you had to do.

 

[KodiakBar]

Lol, putting that storage compartment heat to good use. Great review of the Kodiak being put to work.

 

[FarNorthID]

Well, it's been cold wet and miserable here for the last week, slushy snow/rain and hunting is closed till the 10th...blah . First nice day and last one for another week or two. Going on a ride this morning, hopefully will remember to take some pictures and get an update later today. Hope everybody is having a great holiday season, TBC...