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WHAT’S NEW FOR 2016?
This bear is all new and has little in
common with past models. It has the
same DOHC, 708cc engine as the
2016 Grizzly and Wolverine R-Spec,
only it’s tuned more for work than
play, as is the compact chassis with
2.2-inch-lower plastic and over an
inch lower seat height. The Kodiak
also has 2-inch-lower handlebars with
more sweep to bring the grips 19.7mm
closer to the rider, all to make it easier
to climb into and out of the lower “sit-
in” saddle, which is interchangeable
with the Grizzly’s. Also, the Kodiak has
shorter A-arms for 1.9-inch-narrower
tracking and a 1/2-inch less front travel
at 7.1 inches. Rear travel is 9.1 inches,
the same as the Grizzly’s, and the rear
brakes are wet-pack multi discs ahead
of the rear transfer case, as on the
old Rhino 660. The front brakes are
hydraulic discs, and the HPG shock
tuning is designed for heavy loads.
The 2016 Kodiak comes in three
versions: non-EPS without an
instrument cluster, front diff-lock
or receiver hitch; EPS with digital
instruments, third headlight, five-
position preload adjusters on the KYB
shocks and 2-inch receiver; and the
Special Edition with all EPS hardware,
plus front diff-lock, Carbon Metallic
paint and trick aluminum wheels. All
versions sport 25-inch Maxxis tires and
the same front and rear cargo racks
and storage bin inside the faux tank
cover as the Grizzly; however, the rear
fender is completely different on the
Kodiak for better protection and a lower
ride. Also, the three-piece full skid plate
has air ducts for cooling the rear brake
and drain holes for the front diff, engine
oil and rear gearbox. The front bumper
and blow-molded pads are lower and
less aggressive than the Grizzly’s.
HOW DOES COST COMPARE?
The non-EPS Kodiak 700 is $6999
and the EPS version is $8199, or $8899
for the Realtree Xtra Camo model.
The Special Edition EPS with Carbon
Metallic paint and two-tone wheels is
also $8899. The 2016 Honda Rancher
420 with swingarm rear suspension
starts at $6199 and goes up to $7899
for the Rancher Auto-DCT IRS EPS.
The 2016 Foreman 500 is $7799, or
$8049 for the ES EPS. The Rubicon
500 is $8499. It’s $9149 with EPS.
Polaris’ 2016 Sportsman 570 starts at
$6599 and goes up to $7499 for the
EPS version, or $8599 for the 570 SP
with dual A-arm front suspension and
EPS.
Yamaha reinvents the Kodiak line with a 700 that’s priced to compete with 420cc to 570cc
4x4s. The Kodiak starts at a low $6999, which is $1900 less than the base-model Grizzly.
It’s designed to work and play hard, with 30 percent more torque and power than the Grizzly
550 it replaces.
The Kodiak has a 22cc-larger engine than
last year’s Grizzly 700, and the engine is
from the Wolverine R-Spec UTV. It has
a 103mm piston, 85mm stroke, 10.1:1
compression and a 44mm EFI throttle body.
The dual-range CVT has a centrifugal clutch
for longer belt life and a sprag clutch for
engine braking.
The plastic fenders are 2. 2 inches lower than the Grizzly’s, but the
Kodiak shares the Grizzly’s racks and capacity. Textured paint on the
bumper and racks increases traction, and uprights between the front
bumper and rack act as brush guards for the halogen headlights.
Width is 46. 5 inches, and front travel is 7.1 inches via HPG shocks.
The all-new rear fenders are thick and designed for splash protection
and easy mounting, but there is no rear storage bin or LED taillight as
on the Grizzly. Rear travel is 9.1 inches with HPG preload-adjustable
shocks, and the 2-inch hitch receiver only comes on the EPS and EPS
SE versions. Undercarriage protection is ample.
