2024 Honda Rancher VS. Yamaha Kodiak 450 Shootout! What's The Better Buy?

Happy Sunday Everyone!
Today we will be comparing between the 2024 Rancher DCT IRS & the Kodiak 450 in which model might fulfill your needs better.
Thank you to JAF Motors Inc. For lending me these two brand new models to be able to compare amongst one another. You can find their contact info below for your Honda or Yamaha needs:
My Info: linktr.ee/BrickNick_Info
You can find JAF Motors Inc. Info Here: www.jafmotors.net/
Some of my other videos!
Rancher ES: • Riding The 2023 Honda ...
Rancher DCT EPS: • 2023 Honda Rancher Fir...
Kodiak 450: • 2023 Yamaha Kodiak 450...
Kodiak 450 EPS SE Diff lock: • 2022 Yamaha Kodiak 450...

[@leoncope6649]

I went out & purchase a Kodiak 700 , 2023 base model no power steering ,, no speedometer, base as you can get , love the machine does everything I ask it to do , I’m finding it as a wonderful machine , for everything I do & go out for a trail ride , not big in to mud, just a normal riding machine love the machine ,

[@Mr.305_]

How much did you buy it for?

[@leoncope6649]

@@Mr.305_ I think 6,000 , for each machine , I went out in the snow with this machine no effort getting threw the snow about 2 foot of snow or more just a very reliable & tough little machine , , yes not the biggest baddest , but over all just a blast , to ride

[@BluePlanet470]

These are the 2 best ATV's in my opinion and you can't go wrong buying either one. Just don't buy a Polaris.

[@hunterm4188]

Shit lol or a junky ass canam 😅

[@zach2288]

I think there's an audience for mid class ATV reviews. Most of the bigger channels seem to review 1000cc side by sides and thats about it. I appreciate a video about reasonable utilitarian ATVs.

[@BrickNick931]

Hope to make more, glad you enjoyed!

[@chadr7522]

No one in their right mind would pay the price of a side by side these days. The ATV audience are reasonable ppl

[@FullsendOffroad]

I love the review. Looking forward to driving both one day

[@ntk9934]

Wow! This was so informative! Thanks Brickolas Nicholas

[@paule4696]

This is a great review. Two very practical machines. I would have liked to see a King Quad 400 also. Unless you're blasting trails with people who really need to go fast anything bigger than 500cc is kind of a waste in my opinion. I have a Suzuki 230 that did everything I needed for a long time. A 450 will plow snow, get you to your hunting spot, pull a reasonable trailer, put in food plots, carry feed, etc.

[@spyder000069]

My experience with a '16 rancher, '20 rubicon, and '23 grizzly. Rancher was a great value and was faster than my new '20 Rubicon 520 out of the box. It took larger tires, hmf muffler, and power commander tuner before the rubicon 520 could keep up wiht the 420 rancher due to the ranchers taller gearing. I later decided I wanted to try a grizzly. As a life long honda fan with some yamaha's spinkled in there its tough to say it but the grizzly beats my hondas in almost every way. The suspension and ride quality is night and day better. I get a lot less vibration through the foot pegs as well. The belt drive of the grizzly is so smooth verse the jerk you get as the honda AT bangs the next gear. You notice this the most while just trying to take an easy relaxing cruise. The storage on the griz is better. The 700 motor has loads more power and is still decent on fuel and has a larger tank to make up. In hindsight if I had the opportunity to do it over I would not have bought the new rubicon 520. Definately would have gone straight to the griz. The '16 rancher I bought used for $4k with only a couple hundred miles on it driven by older lady on her property so it was a great deal. I would say if you are doing work with it the gear transmission makes sense and I would pick the Honda's. If you are going to trail ride the yamaha's are a no brainer in my opinion.

[@rzl07375]

Nice overview of the two really cant go wrong with either. With the rpms and out of the hole power on the Kodiak they put 20 gram weights in them now to make them smoother, you can swap them out for the 14 gram weights the older 450's had and will make it a lot more snappier.

[@rzl07375]

That's actually 18 gram weights for the new 450's, I believe the 700 Kodiak got 20 gram or heavier weights in them. Cool thing is a Kodiak in a 450 or 700 can swap weights out if more snap is desired, simple job to.

[@yamafanatic8720]

on the kodiak , I have a 2005 with about 8700 km's and 495 hours , still makes me smile every ride

[@macferron]

I've been on both and both are super good machines in their class. I did go and buy the Honda Rancher (foot shift and single rear suspension) for most of the reasons stated in the video. My riding is about 60% pleasure and 40% work - a work horse to be exactly. With the real gears in the Rancher, I'm very pleased on how much work it can do such as pulling a 4 x 8 trailer loaded with rocks, pushing through heavy brush, carrying heavy gear, etc.

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

i understand these are new machines from a dealer so you are limited, but a proper trail ride for a decent amount of time is the best way to decide

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

Glad I scored a as new as you’re gonna get 21 Rancher with 121 miles on it for 4800.00

[@jamesplymire5342]

Great review and comparison. 👍

[@TheJohndeere212]

I have a 2013 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 and I use it for hunting. It has 470 hours on it and I am planning to start Going on a trail ride soon.

[@jeffreyhouston1296]

Great information thanks.

[@robertsalyers1351]

I've picked the 2024 Honda Rancher 420 4x4 es with single rear axel

[@thebeastmode4]

Man you should have got the IRS!

[@robertsalyers1351]

Probably ​@@thebeastmode4

[@ethanharris7343]

I bought a 2022 kodiak 450 base model with 0.0 miles on it. It now has 500 miles on it and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s performed. All those miles have been at Windrock off-road park in Tennessee and my little atv is a tank. My only complaint is lack of storage space. I like that the Honda has the storage pocket in the rear. I will also be upgrading to a 27 inch tire instead of the stock 25s for a bit of extra clearance. All in all I think the kodiak is a great all around atv

[@BrickNick931]

I agree! Enjoy it! Great choice

[@m.m.radiochannel1969]

The button under the park light is where you see your odometer, time used etc on Yamaha we just got a 2024 version.

[@chuckvaughn1021]

I also compared, the Kodiak frame is built better. The Kodiak is a tad smaller compared to the Rancher and can get in tight spaces such a deep woods. I own a Rancher and yes, it is a great machine but the Kodiak is to.

[@BillyBoucher-ql3pw]

Wider bike tows better from my experience. My rancher pulls my GatorTail boat and motor way better than my brothers Kodiak 450

[@shanemwooley]

I have a 2024 Kodiack DiffLock ESP SE.. I have pulled well over 1000 lbs with it. After the break in period I could open it full throttle and It will easily pull the front wheels and has a very comfy ride on the trails.

[@JoshuaOverman]

I’ve pulled 3k pounds on my 2018 450 Kodiak abused since new never a transmission or belt problem

[@M_Duhamel17]

Kodiak being available with full diff lock is a huge difference

[@01hondascott]

I bought a new 700 grizzly back in 2015 and only have 1300km on it, the wife is tired of riding on back so she wants me to get a new atv and she wants my 700 grizz. but i am thinking of just keeping my grizzly and buying her one of these 450 Kodiaks. seems like the perfect set up for her.

[@gatorunleashed275]

Really nice video, I'm undecided but down to these two machines basically. I'm kinda thinking either would be a great machine from what I'm seeing.

[@OutdoorAdventures007]

Very nice and detailed video! Can you do a Yamaha bruin 350 vs a Yamaha grizzly 350? I know there similar ATV’s but I just wanna see the small differences between those two ATV’s

[@johnsmith-di2qm]

Rancher is my pick, I have had two of them , about to upgrade to a newer model now

[@Oouther1]

I had a 2005 Rancher and now a 2013 Rancher (both bought new). The '05 never left me sitting until the timing chain went in 2013, that's when we got the 2013. The 2013 has left me miles in the woods due to the battery while it was running. Plenty of power to turn over but would not run the machine. It probably left us sitting a dozen times around the yard, running and just die and always the battery which always turned the engine over quickly. Our '05 never smoked, no weird noises or anything. The 2013 lots of weird noises, smoke, and getting it's 2nd top end due to smoke. I think Honda lost their edge with my 2nd rancher. Hard choice now...

[@yamafanatic8720]

the exhaust also helps to keep water out when you are in too deep , I know from experience .. lol

[@gregjones2217]

Yamaha and Polaris since 1964. Never walked home from either. Walked home twice from my first Honda twice. Had that one for a year. Planning on a new Yamaha this summer.

[@TiffanyBottomsHunter]

I don’t know what the gear ratio is for either machine, or torque specs, but it’s my understanding that the Yamaha Kodiak 450 is geared low, so whether or not it would perform better than the ranchers at say pulling a weighted trailer, or towing something I don’t know. As far as rack utility wise, the Ranchers appear to have better rack utility work. The price for that Yamaha is going to be a couple thousand less, not that it’s cheaper, but Honda has several models that preceded this specific model. In order to get an automatic transmission, and independent rear suspension you have to pay the extra $2,000.00 on the Honda. That Kodiak 450 is their base model. Reliability should be about the same, most people won’t likely see any real difference as far as reliability goes. Yamaha’s engines actually scored slightly higher in engine quality as far as manufacturing processes go in lab tests. The margin of difference wasn’t dramatic, but Yamaha scored a little higher than Honda, followed by Kawasaki, then Suzuki. I haven’t seen Yamaha machines with the mileage I have on Honda’s, but I would think they would be capable of it, if they were put on farms, and ranches where they see those kind of miles, as they are used daily. Their frames seem to be similar as far as quality, electrical should be about the same as far as quality, fit and finish may be a little better on the Yamaha in my opinion. The Yamaha seats are hard when new on the Kodiak. The automatic has its advantages on the Yamaha, but the manual shift option on the Honda has it’s as well. Belt replacement is much easier, and affordable on the Yamaha, plus it comes with a 10 year warranty. If the DCT fails it’s costly, but I have seen Honda Rancher DCT’s with over 40,000 miles on them still working fine, the Electric shift is a different story, should be fine for most though. Yamaha has had some fuel pump failures, and the Honda Rubicon had a fuel pump recall in 2020. The floorboards on the Yamaha Kodiak have been vulnerable to being hit, and cracking and breaking, so underbody skid plates are recommended, as the Kodiak does have much as far as under body protection from the factory. I would recommend skid plates under the whole under body for the Yamaha.

[@flip110119]

Great review, I love both brands! I find that Honda has a better build quality with the little things. But both Honda and Yamaha will last a long time!

[@henrym2260]

Can't get the Honda Rancher in DCT IRS in Canada anymore sell base model FM only next quad is the Kodiak for me

[@_WebersWorld]

Ya eps se kodiak is the one to get ! Aluminum rims , difflock and that warranty!

[@brentlee9482]

Not scared of either as I owned a 420 and have seen the Kodiaks right there as far as trail riding like I do. Just bought the 2023 Kodiak. I like it.

[@EB_executiveboyyz]

I have a Kodiak 450 that drives like a yfz450 there crazzy

[@johnhicks3890]

So I hate these reviews because bias always comes out. You were obviously raised a Honda person. The specs do not lie. The Kodiak will out pull and out work that Rancher DCT all day everyday. Honda makes wonderful machines, but the Kodiak 450 is just on another level. I'm not sure where you got your "work" and "pulling" information. But I know both of these machines and facts are facts. Towing capacity of the Kodiak is around 1300 lb, the Rancher is around 850 lb. The low gear ratio in the Kodiak is lower than the Ranchers 1st gear as well. Great video, and good job comparing apples to apples instead of grabbing a foot shift Rancher or something.

[@BrickNick931]

I do have my own bias towards Hondas with reason, but I have many hours / years working and riding Yamaha products as well. From my experience I’ve found the Kodiak gutless when snowplowing or towing with it, it has struggled more for me.

[@JoshuaOverman]

Weight ratings are for geeks I tow whatever I want with mine I pulled 3k pounds 16ft trailer with my 2018 Kodiak 450 down the main road

[@2WheelTT]

Did you verify the accuracy of the speedometers?

[@WikkedR1]

I bought my first ATV in 1997, a Honda FourTrax 300. Since then I have owned four more ATVs and I’m buying my 6th this coming weekend. All Hondas. Never had a lick of trouble with ANY of them. Before I settled on Honda for my newest ATV I actually went with a totally open mind and looked at Yamahas. I looked at both size Kodiaks and the Grizzly. In my opinion, Yamaha STILL just isn’t built as well. To me, everything about Yamaha ATVs just FEELS cheaper.

[@dirtycommtroop]

The steel racks on the Honda are way stronger than Yamaha. I dislike auto transmissions in all ATVs so Honda with manual trans will always be my pick.

[@chadr7522]

Can you get the screen in the middle on a manual shift?

[@JoshuaOverman]

Not they aren’t they are about equally strong however the Yamaha has a better rugged rough rack coating on it rather then the shiny paint on the Honda racks and the Yamaha bumper is way tougher. I have owned both I know.

[@dirtycommtroop]

@@JoshuaOverman Disagree. That coating is also weak and chips

[@erichemmelgarn4215]

Great review, I’m a Honda guy but with Hondas decision to not make any adult sport quads anymore I’ll probably end up buying a yfz or raptor and a Kodiak. I just don’t know if I want to give Honda any of my money until they make a new adult sport quad.

[@BrickNick931]

I hear ya the Yamaha yfz 450 is a nice choice tho

[@josedavidcalderon6325]

Kodiak 450 all day

[@garymccarver5006]

I've been a Honda guy for forty years. But this new transmission from Honda has been a disaster. I have an inlaw who is a maintenance tech at a dealership. Lots of trouble with them and once the warranty is out they are crazy expensive to fix, only to break again shortly after. He says stay away from them. I've seen others also say that in auto mode they tend to "hunt gears" its never really sure where it needs to be. I'd stick with the manual tyranny if I were going Honda.

[@TiffanyBottomsHunter]

Did your in-law say more specifically what the problem with the DCT was ? For 2023 I believe they changed the shifting program for the computer, so the transmission doesn’t struggle to find the gears like in the past, that part isn’t mechanical, that’s just the programming, which is why it’s easier to revise, I believe they did the same for the Honda pioneer 520 over the pioneer 500. It shifts better on the 520, they both have DCT transmissions. Honda uses DCT transmissions in a wide variety of applications like cars, and motorcycles as well. Honda had a similar issue in their cars with shifting programming when cars would be stuck in traffic for example, and would do the same thing, it would get confused about whether to up shift or down shift. The way the DCT is that it preselects the gear it “ Thinks “ your going to go into before you actually get to it, so if it thinks you’re accelerating it starts to shift up, but if you hit the brakes, and slow down as with in bumper to bumper traffic, the computer seems to struggle to find the correct gear. I believe this issue was addressed and corrected on the earlier models with the cars, it may have just made its way to the ATVS in 2023. The problem this programming caused was overheating in the transmission, which in turn effects the viscosity of the transmission lubricant. Causing premature internal wear on the mechanical components. If they fix the programming, then it should mechanically be fine just as the engine. The build quality is the same Honda quality , but that computer programming issue was pushing it to its limits continuously. The transmission needs proper lubrication just like the engine.

[@JoshuaOverman]

I have never had DCT problems neither has people I know with it. Dct is great for certain riders but if you are pure mud and water all the time foot shift would be more reliable.

[@bettysmith4527]

I researched it when shopping for a new ATV last January, and a lot of people said it fixed it temporarily and then it started acting up again! @@TiffanyBottomsHunter

[@mc-rob4762]

Ultramatic transmission on top of

[@user-ek3iu5ni9m]

I don't know,i like them Both

[@wperkins225]

Does either one have a tachometer?

[@kindcanadian5825]

i like the manual foot shift 5 speed transmission on the Honda, i also like the SRA on Honda's for their durability working and there's nothing like drifting a SRA ATV. put those in the grizzly and you have the best bike every built.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

Honda definitely feels different with the longitudinal mounted motor and straight drive shafts

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

No it doesn’t. If you weren’t told you wouldn’t know.

[@trailblazeratv6306]

Mine did. The rpm's lug a lot lower on the Honda and it felt more connected to the ground. I had 2 Foreman's and a 2021 KQ 750. Direct, straight shafts like Honda use put the power down to the ground better and don't use up as much power IMO @@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.

[@zthang]

@@trailblazeratv6306you can hear it in the video as well, that Kodiak sounds clunky, the honda sounds clean and you can tell its putting out more power.

[@ve3xtr]

Nah. I was Honda everything, even worked for them for 11 years, but not anymore. Lowest HP, smallest stock tires, rattles and squeaks (in time). I have a Kodiak 700 and Wolverine 850 SXS. Yes, that Honda non CVT transmission is nice I'll admit, but the Kodiak's ride is so much nicer than my Rancher. I had a Pioneer 700 which lacked power and died on hills. I'm a little off topic, but the Honda's little annoyances trickle down through their product line up, horse power being one of them.

[@bettysmith4527]

I was gonna get a Honda last January, but test drove a rancher with DCT and it was def malfunctioning! I read online that it was a widespread issue with the DCT, ended up buying another Can Am!

[@guy2760]

YES! YES! ANOTHER BRICKNICK VIDEO! OH FUCK YES!

[@estebanmorales642]

I just got me. A honda fourtrax 350 the question is how good are they i had a bigred and worked very good for me

[@Oouther1]

I had a 2005 Rancher, it is less tippy, better bottom end torque, runs without a battery, never had an issue until the timing chain jumped. The 2013 420 left us sitting probably a dozen times due to a battery. It would be running and just die, the battery having a good enough battery to turn the engine over normally but not enough to run the quad. The 420 started smoking badly, getting ready for its second top end due to smoke. IMO, the Rancher 350 is a superior machine (we bought both new). The 420 probably has 1/2 the hours our 350 did.

[@brendacole736]

I love yamaha, I just wish they would offer new color options instead of the mundane original colors

[@jonnyretro2235]

I ride both on a regular basis. The Honda feels faster but the kodiak handles better in all trail types.

[@EB_executiveboyyz]

I wish Yamaha would come out with a new body style

[@jedpridgen1594]

The reason that the Honda feels more powerful and can pop the front wheels up better is because of the suspension the Yamaha has a much softer suspension compared to the Honda I have felt both suspensions and the Yamaha rides much better and doesn’t hurt you when you hit bumps

[@teon39]

Buy a Polaris Sportsman 850!!

[@edtaylor6431]

They’re both great machines, but for the price I prefer the Yamaha.

[@bettysmith4527]

Has honda fixed the issues with the auto transmission?

[@spyder000069]

I have a '16 rancher that shifts smooth as butter. I also have a '20 Rubicon that would sometimes miss a gear and get locked out until you cycled power. The last update to the computer seemed to fix it but it is a lazy shift now. I think its more of a cover up than fix.

[@JoshuaOverman]

There is no issue with them unless your slapping 30in tires on it and sinking it under water. If your a pure mud and water rider go foot shift if you do road driving and towing abuse get the auto

[@kennethobrien7370]

gears will always be more fun

[@jameshogg601]

Buy a sport quad then.

[@nicolasarchambault-cs2rw]

Honda's have pushrod engine. It make them less complex and reliable and durability last longer, stronger.

[@steve5ray]

If you were buying a new Rancher, would you get a straight axle or the independent suspension?

[@johnnyreb1475]

Independent will cost more but will be more comfortable better ground clearance and most likely more maintenance. If you want reliable less maintenance and a little cheaper but tougher get the manual solid axle. In my opinion if I was concerned about easy shifting I wouldn't get the electric shift rancher I would get the yamaha kodiak and same goes for independent rear suspension I would go with kodiak. I got a 2024 4×4 rancher around May sometime. What made my choice besides already liking hondas was I wanted the smallest no frills least maintenance 4×4 to last a long time. I got the 4×4 manual solid axle. I don't know if they have an independent rear suspension manual rancher I don't think they do but like I said I would go with yamaha automatic before I would honda electric shift that's just me though that's why I got the model I got for the best reliability all the way around. I also put a pullstart on mine I think yamaha comes with one but they are harder to pull too. Hopefully this helped instead of made your decision making worse. Oh honda comes with 12 month warranty yamaha has 6 and 10 year on the belt.

[@bigred8752]

Solid axle if you want to pull weight as the weight of the hitch is on the axle not the shocks

[@tacomafan7488]

I had both! 10 years later yamaha plastic will be faded and machine will be all wobbly ! honda will be strong and solid!

[@user-rj3zy6qq2s]

Какой квадрик лутше купить ренегад 570 или кодиак 450

[@brokejokeratv5851]

Yamaha wont need a top end or trans work in 4 years wont burn oil loke a honda either

[@MrTJohnston]

Gear on gear action 😂

[@bubbagump3522]

Your kids will be riding the honda many years from now

[@jameshogg601]

Not the newer ones. If it was a early 2000s i would agree

[@JoshuaOverman]

@@jameshogg601no the new Hondas are just as good as the old ones actually better

[@Brianhefferman-ce2jr]

He claims the Yamaha hasn't got low end, yet he never went to low range, in low range the Yamaha is a tractor. The Honda doesn't have a low range, so it's geared a little lower than Yamaha s high range which is also why when just riding the Yamaha is faster not to mention the gearing also let's the Yamaha go farther on a tank of gas despite the smaller tank. Maybe next time the review could be done by someone who actually knows something about an ATV

[@Mr11271980]

Honda has no power. Plus it doesn’t preform like Yamaha. Facts

[@highball7347]

Yeah and the Honda will still be running on a farm in 40 years while that CVT Kodiak will have been long gone. Facts…..not everything in life is about how fast or powerful something is. There are several metrics by which something can be judged. A big bore twin might serve a purpose for little boys but reliability and craftsmanship are what men look for.

[@SAFE-AT-HOME-SPORTS.]

Skip the review….. buy the HONDA

[@jamesconerly1039]

Yamaha MX,Honda ATV.

[@powersportsenthusiast1986]

brand loyalty for one = brand ignorance for the rest. honda loves guys like you.

[@jamesplymire5342]

Yamaha ❤

[@chuckvaughn1021]

@@powersportsenthusiast1986I own a Rancher..

[@jacobrussell657]

Nah in my experience Yamahas last way longer

[@kevinrichardson6686]

Honda is good but less comfortable and luxury

[@user-ek3iu5ni9m]

When I was a kid I developed a thing for Honda's - Back in the 80"s when I was a kid I used to go to a neighbor's house just so I could go in they're barn & sit on the little 50 cc mini dirt bike - Long time ago lol

[@johnanon3081]

Honda has done a better job with the overall finish. I like the gloss metal finish and plastic on the Honda. The Yamaha plastic job just seems like garbage to me.

[@yasmintoboalimu5561]

ATV buatan YAMAHA bukan saingan honda Jelas di sektor motor roda empat YAMAHA jauh meninggalkan honda dan merek2 lainnya YAMAHA rajanya ATV

[@kalebbrown93]

lol. Honda for work sure but laughable you think a Rancher is more sporty.

[@michaeltrefon2897]

Yamaha sucks honda is the best.

[@pepperspray4144]

Excellent review like your comparison between the two I know you're not trying to be biased you're just trying to lay the truth it's up to the buyer to discern the difference oh by the way is it good on fuel the Honda ?.

[@user-rj3zy6qq2s]

Какой квадрик лутше купить ренегад 570 или кодиак 450

[@user-rj3zy6qq2s]

Какой квадрик лутше купить ренегад 570 или кодиак 450