Quick Rip / Trail Ride: 2020 Yamaha Kodiak 450 EPS

Here's a 1st-person view of a quick trail ride on the Kodiak 450 through the woods. This machine, though not very powerful, is still a blast on the trails and a great workhorse for when you need it.

[@tigergreg8]

That was fun to watch. Never saw this channel before. I wish I had trails like that to ride on. I'm a novice rider and I have to admit, I get really nervous when it comes to the higher hills, What bothers me most is, once you start up, you are committed to go all the way. I bought a used Kawasaki 650 Prairie VTwin and it is FAST. I think top speed is around 60-65. I've had it up to 45 on smooth surfaces, I won't go much higher then that.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Right on man, thanks for watching. That's V-Twin Prairie is a heck of a machine! Tons of power. My brother had a Kawasaki 700 KFX (V-Twin is a modified version of the 650 V-twin) and that thing would lift the front end up with the slightest touch of the throttle. Higher hills should make you nervous! That's not a bad thing. But you're right, you have to commit fully for the more sketchy hill climbs. I'm not too proud to back away from some hill climbs - I'd rather live to ride another day. Thanks again for watching! I'll have some more videos like these (but better) out soon.

[@WhoDaBoss-dc4or]

When you "get used" to that Prairie, Dynatec makes a CDI that will really wake it up. I watched a video on it last week.

[@tigergreg8]

@@WhoDaBoss-dc4or I’ve read recently that it’s actually top speed is 105. That’s crazy. I really don’t want it any faster, but thanks 🙏

[@WhoDaBoss-dc4or]

Awesome video ... just bought my first quad ,an '03 450. I'm fixing it up now. I envy you the power steering. Great feature

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Yes the power steering is awesome!

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

Love these machines, I'd strongly recommend to those who are able bodied to save coin while getting some upper body exercise. Not knocking anyone who wants power steering... just saying man up if and when possible right 😂. ✌️ Btw a 1mm Worth of shim (outside of the sheeve spacer not inside) will take that small lag out of the tire upgrades and put it right back to normal with better low range rockabilly, not burning up the auto clutch shoes so much during laborious rock crawling etc. 😉

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Maybe one day we'll all be as big, strong, and tough as you so we can hopefully wrangle the wild beast that is a small bore ATV with no power steering.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

I'm going to hire a strength and conditioning coach for this purpose

[@psycholordb7811]

I like how you put the mirror on the rack I’m gonna do that!

[@danielc5205]

I have base model '19 Kodiak 450. I mainly use it around the farm. I do notice that Yamaha has cheapen up their ATV's quality and their fit and finish a bit. My '19 Kodiak doesn't seem to be as well made, as my old 1999 Beartracker. The one thing all utility quads should have standard, is a turf mode, which the Kodiak does not have.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

It's a great farm machine. Lots of traction and torque. I feel like the plastics might be cheapened up a bit, but overall I'm happy with the build quality, especially where it counts (engine, chassis, drive-train, suspension, etc). A turf mode sure would be nice to have, but that would certainly drive up the price I imagine. Thank you for watching!

[@JoshuaOverman]

It’s better then the 1999 you don’t know what you are talking about

[@juttle2368]

You’d should do another riding video. I really liked this one👍

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Right on, I'll try to get some more here soon.

[@Anonymouso283]

Love the camera angle. It gives us a view of all the buttons and display. That’s what I always like from a 1st person view ride. Good video.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

Thanks man. This is my first time using a MacGyver'd chin mount for the GoPro. I might test out a chest mount to get a slightly better angle.

[@Anonymouso283]

@ThomperBeThompin I was going to comment about you checking out a chest mount! Those things are top notch. I’ve seen one channel that uses it, and it gives the viewer a good look of the trail and the display. Thanks for commenting.

[@jamesbrandon3008]

Nice trail where’s is this located

[@Tom-ej8bb]

Awesome. Wondering if the cvt belt is noisy. How much mt for the cvt. Have a Can Am 570 max and want to downsize. Really like Honda 420 with automatic! Thoughts? Thanks

[@ThomperBeThompin]

I suppose you do hear some transmission noises here and there but honestly I never really notice them on the trail. You'd have to specifically listen for them.

[@asmrlon7966]

I noticed this model does not come differential lock. Do you find it more difficult to navigate the technical trails without differential lock or does the four-wheel-drive limited slip get you through just fine?

[@ThomperBeThompin]

It really depends on the rider. If you are a confident Rider and you have some skills and know how to use momentum, you can get through just about anything with this four-wheel drive setup. The 450 does come in a trim level that has front diff lock though.

[@failingdisciple938]

I just bought one of these. Why is the front brake on the right? Down hill the right hand is doing too much

[@nuno.freire]

If you had just one bike 50% for fun and 50% for Utility, the brute force 300 or the Kodiak 450? What would be the Best overall machine?

[@ThomperBeThompin]

The 450 no doubt. It is a superior machine in every way. It's also a fair bit more expensive, which is something to consider.

[@rzl07375]

I know this is an old video, but curious what you thought of the power difference between the Kawasaki 300 and the 450 Kodiak? On paper its only like 4 hp, but the 300 is about 100lbs lighter.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

This is a great question. The horsepower difference is slightly noticeable but I think the torque is more noticeable. If you are just trail riding and having fun, you might be hard pressed to find a big difference in "lap times" around a circuit. I think the Kodiak 450 has a fair bit more torque, plus the extra HP and that could probably get you through thick mud or sand a little easier. The 450 will probably last a bit longer to just based on build quality. The 300 is still a good machine with good components but the 450 will hold up longer to trail riding and random abuse more than the 300 will.

[@rzl07375]

@@ThomperBeThompin Thanks for the input. Im in the market for a cheaper quad and was looking at these two as options. Kind of liked the solid rear axle option on the 300 for a lil more sporty experience, but I don't wanna be to down on power either. I have two big bore twin cylinder machines so this time around I was looking for a smaller lighter and cheaper option.

[@ThomperBeThompin]

@@rzl07375 oh if that's the case then 300 all day long. Only issue is that they are pretty narrow and come with some decent toe-in. That's easily tweaked though. With a good rider and some throttle to break the tires loose, it's a fun little quad and quite capable. Not a true sport quad though.

[@charlesdarbonne7741]

I love the way this machine feels except prefer a more upright riding experience. Would the 3/4 bar risers allow me to pull bars back, only need pull them back about 2-3 inches . Any recommendations?

[@ThomperBeThompin]

I'm not sure they'd help that much. You might want to consider getting new handle bars with more of a sweep back.

[@Beaudoinam]

What brand is your handle bar risers i want some also but all i can finder are 2"

[@ThomperBeThompin]

These are made by "tusk" and I got them on amazon

[@carsenderobertis2361]

This vs can an outlander 450 vs Polaris sportsman 450

[@ThomperBeThompin]

both the can am and the polaris have a lot more power, but I'm a sucker for Yamaha's reliable reputation. (not that can-am and polaris are unreliable by any means)

[@fattie2550]

Do you ever wish you had the 700?

[@ThomperBeThompin]

If I were the only one riding it I would have gotten 700. But since I have family and friends that also ride it I'm glad I got the 450 if that makes any sense.

[@fattie2550]

@@ThomperBeThompin Yep it sure does. I am debating on the Honda Rubicon 520, Kodiak 450 or 700. Decisions suck.