Which ATV should you buy? Yamaha Grizzly vs. Yamaha Kodiak - Part 1 (By Owner) 

I found this quite helpful, thanks for sharing

Thanks for this video brother, I’m stuck between the grizzly/kodiak and this info was very valuable

straight to the point. Like it. Thanks!

Exactly what I was looking for, in order to make my decision. Thank you.

Thanks for this video, learned a lot. It helped me decide that either was fine if they came available to purchase. My sites were set on a Grizzly, but if Kodiak with similar setup was avail, I would have gotten that one. I fell in love with the backcountry blue, so it kind of determined what year and model to go with.

I’ve had both. My first was the Kodiak. It was crashed by a friend. I tried to buy another one. But couldn’t find one. The grizzly was available so I bought it. Taller and wider . A little hard to get used to. After a while I enjoyed it more. Especially when it came to snow plowing. Grizzly all the way.

Great review, I’ve owned both machines, the Grizzly has a better ride quality in my opinion but the Kodiak handle better on narrow trails where I ride, the rear storage on the Grizzly also gets water and dust on the inside all the time, I really like the rear parking brake light on the Kodiak when I’m loading up my trailer at night which the Grizzly doesn’t have but both are great machines if you can afford the Grizzly I would purchase that one also the Kodiak fits better into my enclosed trailer since I’m carrying multiple machines.

Back in 2016 the base model 708 Kodiak was 6,400 to the Grizzly that was 9,500. Everything matched up other than eps, tires, clutch weights, differential lock and a center cluster + third light..

I really enjoyed watching your video! thank you for doing it. Thinking to buy a grizzly myself or even a kawasaki brute 750.

Hi and thanks for sharing your experience. I owned the Kodiak 450 eps & Grizzly 700 eps both 2019 models, in the same time. I don't work at all with the ATVs, only trail riding or "soft enduro" and... I really prefered the 450 Kodiak !!! ok, the Grizzly has better comfort, better breaking, better suspensions, more storage etc etc... but I didn't feel it sporty, and I had much more confidence riding fast with the Kodiak 450 ! One thing I disliked on the Grizzly, is that it was too big, too wide, too heavy, I had the impress to be lazzy to move, lazzy to stand up in technical sessions. and the engine was a little bit more difficult to anticipate than the 450 Kodiak. This one was made essentially for hard working more than trail riding, but I loved it because it was a small machine, down to the ground, very lighter and I felt a lot more confident with it. Actually I own the 1000 Sportsman XP 2020 and it is for sale. I want to go back with Yamaha, wich is definitely my very favourite brand. I won't go back with the Kodiak 450, because I need to modify too many things on it to be perfect for me, and I have a problem with it : the handelbars are too much down for me because I am tall, and it is impossible to modify it, my mechanical said to me. I don't know wich one I will buy, I'm interested by both Kodiak 700 eps and Raptor 700 SE. They are absolutely totaly different machines, but both of them have specs going my way. I probably must try both of them one after the other to consolidate my final choice... But I really think that the 700 Kodiak eps SE would be the best choice, because it will be able to do many more things, and will be better for the hard trails in my country...

Very helpful, thank you so much. I had a Kodiak in 1995, so my info is pretty dated!

Good opinion now i know which one i need.

Great video!

thank you sir. iv been thinking about a 4x4 quad for years now. just bought a house in the country and need one now. snow plowing and hauling wood from the property. always loved yamaha. i think im going with the kodiak. i have smaller trails and need something smaller but i love the 700 power.

2021 Kodiak EPS SE comes with the plastics, nicer wheels and winch. The EPS has steel wheels and no winch. The Mrs and I bought 1 of each. 👍🏼

Kodiak for me. Narrow trails, Bush, ease of trailering. Also 450 kodiak perfect Bush ATV.

Good review I'm actually going tomorrow to look at both and the Honda Rubicon. Just getting back into riding after 30 years away mellow trail riding with buddies is all I'll be doing so the Kodiak will probably be best for me

Wow the grizzly is my favorite atv...

Great job

I bought a base model kodiak 2021...put lighter clutch weights, gold spring, but then went to purple, added shims, 1.7, 28 inch mud tires, ricochet aluminum skids, Odi lock on grips, and most recently a barkers slip on exhaust and ehs tuner....this thing is so nimble and straight up hauls ass now with the slip on and tuner...I'm into the overall price about 10k maybe...I'm glad I went with base model, left room for upgrades I would have went with even if I had bought the most expensive version...but I do like my narrower kodiak compared to grizz, mine just feels lighter, I know it isn't enough to matter but I feel like it can tractor thru thick soupy mud better...my buddy's grizz feels like it sinks everytime he let's me hit a hole on it...lol

Both are great. I own both, a 2021 Grizzly SE and a 2020 Kodiak EPS. The Grizzly is bone stock but I added a winch. The Kodiak is bone stock but added a winch and square set up with 26”bear claw tires. Side-by-side is quite noticeable. The Grizzly is far superior in suspension, braking and power delivery. Overall, just a more comfortable bike to ride. I think the Grizzly just feels faster and more nimble mostly because of the different, more aggressive tires and suspension. The rear disc brakes are immediately noticeable. The engines are the same, from what I understand, but the Grizzly feels quicker and more responsive, like it wants you to push it hard. Obviously, the Kodiak can do everything the Grizzly can. The smaller size is noticeable but feels good and comfortable. If you don’t want to spend a ton of money, get the Kodiak. You will be satisfied. If you want more travel and better brakes, get the Grizzly.

I own a 2016 Kodiak 700 have over 1100 hour's and pushing 7,000 miles 30" ITP Black water revolution tires with stock suspension, EPS I take care of natural gas Wells on and off the quad all day and having the shorter seat makes a difference I can tell you lol. What I love about the Kodiak is you get slot in a compact package meaning great ground clearance, it's a bit narrower and shorter than grizzly so with a short bed or in my case a long bed with 90 gallon fuel cell and fullsize tool box with tailgate down I can fit Kodiak in just fine slide ramps underneath and away I go. It has the manual 4x4 selector which for me I like bc if needed I could use pliers to engage if ever cable broke etc. Bought mine used for 6 k back in 2019 with 230 miles on it for the money you can't beat it. If I wanted taller handle bars, or wider stance, or better suspension I could easily make those modifications with grizzly I don't think it's as easy to go backwards for say, narrow, shorter, and less suspension. Or add on manual lock in 4x4. The wet brake is great bc I've literally never had to worry about it parking gear,/ brake works great way better than my 2014 Polaris ranger 6x6 parking brake that hasn't worked since day one lol

I have a 2003 and 2023 kodiac. Both seem bonb proof my first lasted 20 yrs before carb issues. Thats all! My new one is the 700 eps se. Black with nice rims and winch. Same $ as the base Grizlzly. I like riding through the woods so width is important. I can go more places faster in tight situations than the Grizzly. Thats a BIG deal. Quads today are too big for regular trails. If you like to bushwack and are in shape go Kodiac. If your a huge fat ass in the mid west go Grizzly.

My 2021 kodiak has been great so far. It’s A good machine.

I ONLY use an ATV just to plow snow. I picked the new Kodiak 700 EPS cause it has the front locker, master has shut down all the trail riding in my area

I was told the drive shaft on the grizzly is A larger diameter than the drive shaft on the Kodiak. More cusion on the seat Higher handle bars & better suspension. Better Over all ergonomics. Hyd disc brakes on all 4 corners. All this adds up to a better trail riding machine.

1.i sound this very helpful. 2.i own a 2004 big bear 400 4x4 .3. I hunt, plow snow,my son xuta wood. Thank u.

Love the bighorn tires i have them on my sportsman 400 i have yet to get stuck

I’d take the Grizzly all day long over that Kodiak ( for not much more money ) . They both share the same 686cc engines but the Kodiak is detuned , the Grizzly is more tuned for aggressive/ sport riding delivering better responsiveness on the throttle and better torque, also the Grizzly has a heavier duty torque converter from what I was told . The Grizzly also has disc brakes all the way around, the Kodiak has only disc brakes in the front . Larger 26” wheels on the Grizzly ( 27” on the XTR model) and the Kodiak has 25” wheels ... which also equates to better ground clearance on the Grizzly . Grizzly has better stability due to wider stance , and higher handle bars which gives you better posture for standing up while riding and negotiating rough terrain . Grizzly has better storage , better suspension, better seat , and more after market parts available for the Grizzly for customizing. Last but least , a WAY better resale market if you decide to sell it one day .

I got a 2016 Kodak 700 base and having fun building her up I do a lot of sow plowing and find that the Kodak is a grizzly in a different bear skin It is a beast any way you look at it

Thx for the Visio

Thank you for sharing, which one do you think would do better with the wagon and some wood on it?

Your thoughts on the Suzuki King Quad 750? I'm torn between the Grizzly and the KQ. Love them both.

The Kodak carves through the woods.

Good review. Did you have to do any modifications when you went with the 26" tires on the Kodiak?

I was super torn on either to get Honda rubicon or grizzly. Those were only 2 on my mind for what I wanted to spend/ how I’ll use machine. And Honda has me waiting about 2 years for the deluxe…. Well I caved and got a 24grizzly xtr and it was probably for the better

👌👌👌

I have both and if you are into mudding then the Kodiak is better because of rear wet brake and no disk brakes to damage. And the best thing about both is you set up the clutch and belt system to do whatever you want you can do that by starting with a Hunterworks modified sheave and shims with a wetclutch slug kit.

Great vid. My gf will be just right on the Kodiak she can run my XMR 1000 when she wants to do some deep mudding.

It’s impressive these being farm quads that they can jump and drive fast and stable. We have to always keep that in mind.

The place i work for had the grizzly 700 an my parents had the kodiak 700 the grizzly felt better all around my work vehicle it had eps smoother ride better tires but my parents upgraded there tires an both the stock exhaust welds were shitty both cracked but they were nice machines both seemed to fail same year haha

Im a simple trail rider and my son i recently got his atv now he wants me to ride with him his way smaller for both so im looking ffor a kodiak

The Kodiak is a better choice for new riders as it is easy to handle. The Grizzly is just more fun, so if You can't buy both go for the fun. Also get the EPS.

Kool

Kodiak feels lighter. Smaller shocks and no winch will make a noticable difference.

I like the look of the Grizzly but I always thought the other one was the step up?🤯🔫🧨

Advice please. Cannot decide between the two - Grizzly or Kodiak 700.. Currently have a Grizzly 550, love it and have had it 9 years. Use it daily for land work. I know that many recommend the Kodiak for farm work but as I tow a log trailer with 500kg of logs and a livestock trailer of sheep down steep hills I, m concerned that the Kodiak not having front and rear disc brakes won’t have the breaking /safety effect for me.. I want the Kodiak for the turning ratio and width but wonder from the towing steep hill aspect whether the Grizzly is for me. Your views please..

I would say the grizzly it's bigger has better suspension and more reliable than the Kodiak it's my favorite Quad from Yamaha

I'm a big guy but prefer the Kodiak. I have an 03 that's still like new. Very few miles and hours. Best machine I've ever owned. Looking to buy an 05 too. They just last and go anywhere. Not to mention that the older models have the pull start if the battery dies.

I went for an kodiak eps 700-21 will use it in my forest hauling wood and some trail riding.have about 25h on it now.would like some bigger tiers what size are the ones on your kodiak?

I have a 2019 kodiak 700 EPS, Trading it this weekend for a 2021 Grizzly, I'm a tall 6"4 guy with fake knees that didn't bend well. My experience with the kodiak is it's a awesome machine for what we do. Riding the hunting lease and trail Riding. I put a Grizzly seat and handlebar risers on and it fits me better but the Grizzly is just a little bigger and should be more fun to ride. My kodiak wheelies like a sports quad and runs 65 mph stock with zillas on it instead of the factory Maxxis tires. I think the kodiak is a great machine but I think I will like the Grizzly better with its bigger bars and platform. Thanks for your review.

Is it fair to say that since the Kodiak is detuned slightly, that the engine will last longer likely? Trying to buy the machine that will be the most reliable for long-term ownership around our rural property.

I was just curious. Why did you buy a Grizzly XTR and take off the nice Maxxis Zilla tires that come standard on the XTR model?

I wish that green one was mine been looking for one however since the covid happened my atv fund has been going lower and lower , do you think it is possible to find a real good taken care of 2020 for 6k

im kinda stuck in between the two I love the grizzly but im wandering if the 20" bigger turning radius of the grizzly would make it a bit more pain in the arse for snow plowing my driveway and is as fun /nimble as the kodiak even if bigger

I am thinking of buying a grizzly for snow plowing and fun on the trails. Can you suggest a particular trim? Thanks

man i wish i could own a grizzly here in Pakistan but unfortunately they dot sell em here heck we don't have any companies here

hello, which machine would have the strongest/toughest frame? i have a honda 500 and the frames is very weak, the rear carrier has even cracked doing some light jobs on the farm. just wondering if the yamaha would be any better

I just bought the 2021 Yamaha Grizzly 700 XTR what size tires are those Maxxis bighorns on the XTR

Grizzly is better then the kodiak in many ways! I would much rather pick the grizzly over the kodiak. My grizzly is awesome!

Pro tip. Buy Kodiak, put grizzly clutch weights in Kodiak to get grizzly performance specs on takeoff and top speed. Put Grizzly shocks on Kodiak and have Grizzly ride qualities and smaller footprint and turning radius etc. These are biggest differences.

Hi Now that youve had an opportunity to drive both, which model do you personnally ride and prefer the most? ie the grizz or kodiak? Thanks !

I am looking to get my first atv. Is it a reason you prefer yamaha over the other brands?

Shopping for either one of these, but never rode. Where I'm at it's a lot of off camber steep hills due to mountainous region and severely washed out roads with loose rock material. I just feel the kodiak would be a better fit for me, lower center of gravity, easier to shift my weight around with the lower seat when things get sketchy. Will have to sit on em both when they show up at the dealers.

Anyone know the difference in fuel consumption between those two?

I wonder if the 708 puts out more HP. It’s got to right being bigger and also being a DOHC??

The grizzly and the kodiak are the same but a little bit different looks

What’s that cup holder called that you have on your grizzly?

When will Yamaha come out with a one thousand grizzly

Which is lighter and more nimble?

Grizzly

People don’t give the kodiak enough credit, I have a 2019 and I’ve been almost 80 mph on the thing and the video to prove it. it’s got plenty of power underneath it.

Grizzly by far way better to go with the Griz

Hi what do you think about CF ATV ? Thanks

i own 7 yamaha kodiaq

Both look like their built for hunting. Deer racks front an back.

Do the engines still smoke on start

Cf moto 600

grizzly is a great bike but do not buy a 2016 ,2017 or a 2018 they got subaru motors and are pure junk

What is square set up?

hi

Are you indian?

Kodiakik. Lmao

Buy a Honda!