[JD864]

A machined sheave and a shim would lower your gear ratio. Should help with your desire for a granny gear.
As for clutch engagement, there does seem to be a little bit of break-in on the centrifugal clutch for smooth feel. How many hours do you have on the machine? It seems to help to actually work the clutch. Like, rock crawling - where it is forced to slip. Maybe you could play around a little, then change the oil.

 

[JD864]

The roller weights result in helping to close the distance between the primary sheaves while getting the belt to ride up higher between the primary sheaves. The roller weights do this by moving towards the outside circumference of the primary moveable sheave, lighter moves to the outside quicker than heavier roller weights. Thus it takes more RPMs to move the Kodiak OEM weights than the Grizzly OEM weights.

I think the Grizzly weights move out slower, or takes higher rpm to gear up. Makes for more power, or staying in a lower gear longer

 

[JD864]

Agreed, it's the opposite of redrocket's post.

Heavier weights shift out faster ( gear up sooner, sorta speak)

Lighter weight shift out slower (gear up slower or like you said, stay in a lower gear longer )

But everything else was spot-on! Swapping weights really wakes these machines up and makes them fun. The stock setup feels very sluggish, underpowered, and geared WAY too high.