Welcome to the forum!
I got a 2018 Kodiak 700 EPS back in march of last year and have really enjoyed it. I put a many hard miles on it last year and the machine performed admirably. On one of my rides that really tested the machine (logging skid road) i had to winch it out of a mudhole and also ripped the rear skid plate. I have also had a few sticks poke through the floorboards.
The engine has been reliable. Mine pops on deceleration as well and I have learned from this forum that it does that because of the AIS system and that a simple blocking off of one line can make that popping go away. I haven't had my machine die when idling, but have heard that particular symptom goes away on many machines after the initial break in.
I did have the airbox modified to use a clamp on style filter. other than that she is stock. I have some other modifications planned for the Beast, beefier skid plates with floorboard protection, a fuel optimizer to correct the rather lean factory settings, AIS delete and new tires.
There are lots of threads regarding the engine change on this forum. My 708 has been a good engine so far, and I expect and hope it will give me many years of service.
Happy trails!
: )B