[JD864]

Just picked up a new 2019 Kodiak 700 SE in Backcountry Blue!! Really excited to learn the hobby, and get to know my new machine! Was able to put about 25 miles on this weekend. It has tons of power, but the suspension seems terrible. Bounces all over and doesn’t want to turn. Any suggestions on adjustments? I’m totally new to ATV’s!

 

[KodiakAfishyo]

Welcome to the Kodiak family. First check your tire pressure. And set to 4lbs in all 4 tires. Second stock tires are junk, most guy’s here get rid of them for reasons you mentioned and more. Also you can get better handling by adding 1” or 1.5” spacers behind each wheel to widen the stance. Most guy’s will also set the spring pre-load on each shock stiffer, try experimenting with that. You have a nice machine and once you get it adjusted and customized the way you like it (which is half the fun) you will love it.

 

[JimP]

Welcome to the site.

I for one have no problems with stock tires and will run them until I need new ones.

For your turning problem, have you ever really rode a 4 wheeler? There is a learning curve to them and if you lean into the turn if you are traveling at a good speed it will help in the turning. It does sound like the bouncing problem is too much air in the tires. You should have a low pressure tire gauge with the tool kit under the seat.

 

[Madmax]

Congrats on the new machine!

Suspension isn't really bad or great, I have mine cranked all the way up and it does a good job.

Changing it out for better aftermarket stuff gets expensive!

 

[Jssrvlz]

Welcome to the Kodiak Forums, we always need more members!

I rode mine completely stock for a year and a half. And about 300+ hours. With stock tires.

If you are not wanting to spend all your money. Just get more used to it, if your front tires are very soft it allows for more body roll too. Maybe a bit more air pressure. I was running around 6.5 psi in the front stock tires. Just experiment. Of course a higher ply tire very much helps keep it from body rolling as much.

My friend is still running his bald stock tires 4 years later. And we do alot of technical stuff.

About 2 or 3 beers usually gets that suspension feeling right lol

Once I was used to mine and learned how to use the throttle in turns to make it turn more quickly, i never even thought about it again.

 

[JD864]

Thanks for the tips guys! I will start by turning up the preload and checking the tire pressure. I haven’t spent a lot of time on ATV’s but I’m riding with guys on a Polaris and a Kaw. Their stock machines are glued to the trail, and mine is like an angry bull bucking all over the place. So... it isn’t me. They both laughed at how difficult it was to handle when they took a turn.

 

[CanadianKodiak700]

I found with my 700 kodiak, I bumper the preload up to 4, there are 5 settings, dealer has it on 3. Also, with too little air in the tire, the bike doesn''t corner well, it rolls the body hard. I'm running 6.5 in my fronts and they work great in the corners.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Vincent]

I ran my bike for only one trip with stock front tires. Never again! Real junk.... Even with 8 psi the front tires would fold over themselves in corners and made the bike dangerously unstable.

With my at Growlers (@ 3.5 psi) I can hit all corners with full force and the bike is always feels planted, predictable and stable.... In my opinion for any kind of spirited driving the stock tires are dangerous

 

[pfchoffman]

Welcome to the fun, I also ran about 6 in the front during the summer on my stock tires and during the winter I would bring it up closer to 8, due to plow weight. After 2 years of stock tires on trails and feeling the sidewalls roll on the trails I couldn't take it. I up graded to 14 inch grizzly rims with 27 inch zilla tires that are a 6 ply. I do not have any trail time on them yet so I can not give you an feeling for them that way.
During the summer for suspension I usually run the front on 3 as well as the rear. But when it comes time to make my machine work I usually crank them up to 5 so the machine doesn't bottom out easily do to the weight.
I can say for a fact I have pulled cars out of the ditch with my Kodiak so these machines have all the power you could want and then some.

 

[KodiakAfishyo]

I had forgot how much I played around with tire pressure on the stock tires, more was better but ultimately gave up and bought new tires. If you can not get them to hook up like you want you will need to buy some better tires. Do your research on tires to make sure you will be happy with what you end up with and you will be able to have that Kodi keeping up with your buddies.

 

[Madmax]

about 2 or 3 beers usually gets that suspension feeling right lol

amen!

 

[Colorado Kodiak 700]

Welcome to the club! Can you be more descriptive when talking about it not turning well or that it's bouncy? The stock front tires do make it sketchy to turn or to ride on off camber trails because they have so much give to them. As others have mentioned you can add more air pressure to stiffen things up to a certain degree but ultimately a different brand tire will be needed.
With the suspension, it depends on what you're experiencing. Does it seem too stiff or too soft? What type of terrain are you riding in? The shocks are adjustable so you should be able to get them where you want. I personally stiffened mine by one or two notches.

 

[JD864]

Well, on small whoops at 25 mph it sails around and won’t stay on the trail. Doesn’t quite go airborne, just gets all out of sorts. I think stiffening the preload will help this. For reference, I’m about 180# and I’m guessing that’s too much for the standard “2” setting.
On a gravel trail at 25 mph turning, the machine rolls really hard before it actually starts to turn. A few times I have almost went off trail trying to get it to turn. This sounds like I need stiffer front tires - May start with more air. I would be a little disappointed if my $10k machine needs tire upgrades just to keep up with my friends Sportsman 570... seriously, it’s night and day different.
I’m planning at add a winch soon. That may help put a little weight on the front.
Flip side.... I love the smooth ride, comfy seat, controls, engine braking.... its a great machine!!!

 

[KodiakAfishyo]

Definitely go up 2 notches on the springs all the way around and try 6 lbs in the front tires. That should help a bunch, adj from there. But seriously consider 1” wheel spacers for added stability. They bolt on behind each wheel giving you a wider stance. I got a set of 4 on Amazon for $60

 

[Vincent]

X2

1" spacers help a lot.

And yes even though you paid 10k $ for you Kodiak your stock tires are Crap. A good set of 6 ply tires drastically improve handling and stability.

 

[KodiakAfishyo]

X2

1" spacers help a lot.

And yes even though you paid 10k $ for you Kodiak your stock tires are Crap. A good set of 6 ply tires drastically improve handling and stability.

And your buddies bikes probably came with better tires like 6ply so check out what your comparing too.

 

[pfchoffman]

OK, comparing apples to apples we are talking about 2 way different machines stock, so the Polaris comes stock with a 4 ply tire where the Kodiak comes stock with a 2 ply, No Joke.


Also the Polaris dry weight is 716 lbs, to the Kodiaks Wet weight of 664.
The Kodiak has a shorter wheel base by about 1 inch.


You add all that together and the Kodiak is running on thinner tires and running lighter then the Polaris, means you will lift and "float more" then the Polaris. The Polaris is running a heavier sidewall with more weight to hold it down.
I would play with your suspension and tire pressure. My dealership offered trade in cash on my take off tires if I bought better tires through them if I still had good tread on my take offs. Just food for thought.

 

[Nomad]

The only thing good I can say about my stock tires is "they're gone"! They absolutely sucked in every way. I highly recommend zillas and 27" for size.

 

[TRW]

Well the more I read the more I learn! I just accepted that my Kodiak was a bit wobbley and have never known anything better. Mine rides similar to what JD864 posted, and the thought of buying new tires does not appeal to me. I would love more stability, and will look and think about the options. Thanks for all the great thoughts and ideas!

Good thing I drive like an old man!

 

[pfchoffman]

Just my thoughts here, i know buying new tires sounds bad and expensive, a way to offset the cost is to sell your stock tires for about 200 or so, then your new tires only cost about 200-300. I know there are still a few places you can get a decent set of 27 inch zillas for about 400.