Yamaha Kodiak 700 vs Honda Rancher 420

14207 Views 15 Replies 13 Participants Last post by 2021OrangeKodiak, May 27, 2021

Muddin

Discussion Starter · Oct 28, 2016

Considering these two, the Yamaha Kodiak 700 and the Honda Rancher 420 are within approximately 50$ of each other ($8199 & $8250 respectively), I'm sure some people are wondering which to go for. Dirt Wheels Magazine posted a great comparison article and it's definitely worth the read. You can tell they really put them through some paces

This definitely isn't just a one-sided article and actually is pretty thorough in what they're looking at. Pretty much what all of us would be when going to buy one

The floorboards on the Kodiak offer great traction, preventing your feet from sliding around. The Rancher has a raised footpeg, giving the rider a more sporty feel.

Give it a read, I'm sure you'll enjoy it

What surprised you the most ?

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Jpdkodiak

· #2 · Oct 28, 2016

its really about what your looking for, ive owned both for me i absolutely would go for the kodiak, even if you want it just for work the cvt trans can be modified to your liking, even thought i did like the 5 speed that i had on he 420, feel free to ask me questions about them

Den

· #3 · Oct 29, 2016

I sat on the Hondas and some Polaris machines and I bought the Kodiak because my old sore back was just more comfortable on the Kodiak, plus the Kodiak doesn't have a manual transmission. Everybody has their own needs and what feels comfortable with a taller guy like me might not on another person. Get what you like and enjoy it, cause it is all good.

oleblue22

· #4 · Nov 6, 2016

I've had a few 420's and having this Kodiak now, I would want this over the 420 anyday. Thats a good read though.

Reactions: 1

Magard

· #5 · Nov 23, 2016

I just bought a 2016 kodiak. I've put 60 miles on it today. Took off the sway bar, put a paper element air filter in. Roped 6 cows to doctor them for pneumonia, this thing is awesome. The only reason to by Honda is if your racist against Yamaha, Ha Ha. Yamaha is far and away the better machine. My brother in law runs Honda, had a lot of trouble with the last two, says he will never by another one.

We are large cattle rancher that just can't get our work done with horses. We will really test a machine. Yamaha is all I will buy. Every machine has issues but Yamaha's issues are pretty much solved with a real air filter.

Reactions: 3

WillDrive

· #6 · Nov 23, 2016

I mainly tested Rancher 420 and Kodiak 700. No questions that Kodiak is more comfortable. I am only getting older, so it makes sense to get a EPS, even though I probably only ride it 2 to 3 weeks per year

(well I'll have to find more time to work on land then... I own forest land but haven't got around to do much on it... 2.5 hrs away and I have a full time job and two active boys to drive around for schools and other activities)

mickeywoods

· #7 · Jan 14, 2017

height

Den said:
I sat on the Hondas and some Polaris machines and I bought the Kodiak because my old sore back was just more comfortable on the Kodiak, plus the Kodiak doesn't have a manual transmission. Everybody has their own needs and what feels comfortable with a taller guy like me might not on another person. Get what you like and enjoy it, cause it is all good.

How tall are you? Just wondering because I'm a hair over 6'4 and haven't been able to sit in the Kodiak yet until I'm home form overseas. That's great to hear another tall riders input...

Magard

· #8 · Jan 14, 2017

6' I think you could still fit the kodiak alright. I like to be alittle on the big side for my bike though.

Nomad

· #9 · Jan 14, 2017

At 6'4" , you would probably prefer the Grizzly imo.

JimP

· #10 · Jan 20, 2017

mickeywoods said:
How tall are you? Just wondering because I'm a hair over 6'4 and haven't been able to sit in the Kodiak yet until I'm home form overseas. That's great to hear another tall riders input...

I''m 6'4 and 240lbs and just picked up a 2016 Kodiak and it feels just fine. The only thing that I would like would be for the handle bars to be about 2" higher so that when I am standing up I am not bent over any. I have a good long ride coming up here in February down in Arizona and I'll give it a real test on just how it feels both standing and sitting.

Magard

· #11 · Jan 20, 2017

I've heard people putting grizzly handle bars on a kodiak. Seems like a lot of work though.

Rollin

· #12 · Jan 21, 2017

Magard said:
I've heard people putting grizzly handle bars on a kodiak. Seems like a lot of work though.

I'm interested in this, what did you heard about it? And to be more specific we're talking about the 2016 + year Kodiak , not the older models right?

Magard

· #13 · Jan 21, 2017

Yes 2016. Search this forum. I think I read it here.

intheeye07

· #14 · Jan 21, 2021

Muddin said:
Considering these two, the Yamaha Kodiak 700 and the Honda Rancher 420 are within approximately 50$ of each other ($8199 & $8250 respectively), I'm sure some people are wondering which to go for. Dirt Wheels Magazine posted a great comparison article and it's definitely worth the read. You can tell they really put them through some paces

This definitely isn't just a one-sided article and actually is pretty thorough in what they're looking at. Pretty much what all of us would be when going to buy one

Give it a read, I'm sure you'll enjoy it

What surprised you the most ?

Shoot I would go with the kodiak 450 over the Honda 420 anyday so there would def. E no questions for me that is about the 700. I have both kodiak 2020 eps se and 2017 420 with 14” rims and 27” Mayhams and the kodiak will out do the 420 all day in mud in sand on trails and speed even when the Honda had stocks! I go threw a lot in 2 wheel drive that takes 4 wheel drive on the 420 just bc of the solid axle on the 420 though. The ride and steering is 100 times better on the kodiak. The only thing the Honda was really better at was deep water and I can straight up give it hell all day and not really worry as I haven’t really done that yet with the 450 though I have gave it hell and a cpl of rolls lol but only for a cpl of hrs it did damn good but everything that is belt driven I always have that worry ya know. I am a Honda man at heart and all my life but the truth is the truth and I was surprised but happy though after the money that was spent lol. The 2019+ kodiaks has my vote all day now they can’t mess with the ol Honda foreman and fourtraxs 300s though haha they don’t make em like anymore!

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CanadianKodiak700

· #15 · Jan 24, 2021

intheeye07 said:
Shoot I would go with the kodiak 450 over the Honda 420 anyday so there would def. E no questions for me that is about the 700. I have both kodiak 2020 eps se and 2017 420 with 14” rims and 27” Mayhams and the kodiak will out do the 420 all day in mud in sand on trails and speed even when the Honda had stocks! I go threw a lot in 2 wheel drive that takes 4 wheel drive on the 420 just bc of the solid axle on the 420 though. The ride and steering is 100 times better on the kodiak. The only thing the Honda was really better at was deep water and I can straight up give it hell all day and not really worry as I haven’t really done that yet with the 450 though I have gave it hell and a cpl of rolls lol but only for a cpl of hrs it did damn good but everything that is belt driven I always have that worry ya know. I am a Honda man at heart and all my life but the truth is the truth and I was surprised but happy though after the money that was spent lol. The 2019+ kodiaks has my vote all day now they can’t mess with the ol Honda foreman and fourtraxs 300s though haha they don’t make em like anymore!

This is a 4 year old thread.

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2021OrangeKodiak

· #16 · May 27, 2021

I own both the Honda Rancher 420 4x4 ES and the Kodiak, hands down the Kodiak is a much better trail machine, it is more comfortable and has a better feel to the trail, I prefer it over any machine, it can even out run a Can Am Renegade 100R X-XC in the tight and windy trails.

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