At the most recent Yamaha new model release we were making hay with the company’s new Kodiak 450 … but maybe not exactly what you’re thinking.
The fact is, the day we rode the new Kodiak 450 we were working but we didn’t really do a lick of work. In introducing the Kodiak 450 to us in Washington state, Yamaha ATV/SxS product planning manager Ryan Stiver said the new vehicle is designed to be in the middle of the rec/utility segment, more specifically a 50 percent work and 50 percent recreation ATV.
For us that day, it was a 100 percent recreational vehicle. At first glance you might think the Kodiak 450 was mismatched for the trails in the Capitol State Forest west of Olympia, WA. Some of the trails were wide open forest roads while others were tight—and we do mean tight as there is a 48-inch maximum width regulation for OHV. The Kodiak 450 has a width of 46.5 inches and there were times when we were touching trees and obstacles on both sides of the ATV while trail riding. And Yamaha’s Pat Biolsi guided us on some majorly technical trails, including one that he said was the toughest in that forest.
So while we don’t know how the new Kodiak 450 might be at working on the ranch or farm, we have good idea of how it performs on the trail. Looking at its carrying capacities and capabilities, we have no doubt it can do the grunt work on a farm or ranch. But we were given the opportunity to choose the play side of things and we certainly like that side more than work.
If the engine size of 450 is bouncing around in your brain and you’re thinking Yamaha has had a 450 at some time or another, you’re right. The last time Yamaha had a 450 in its lineup was the Grizzly 450 in model year 2016. Yamaha first had a Kodiak 450 in model year 2003 but over the years the company migrated to an all 700 engine for its ATV lineup, meaning for the past couple of years it’s been the Grizzly 700 and Kodiak 700.
Back In The Mid-Size Game
But with the reintroduction of the Kodiak 450, the company is back in the mid-size 4x4 ATV segment, going head-to-head with Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, and now, ARGO. And, while the Kodiak now comes with a 450, along with a 700, don’t think it’s the same 450 as was last found in the Grizzly.
Yes, many things in the 450—a 421cc liquid-cooled SOHC 4-stroke with 2 valves—are the same but now it comes with Yamaha fuel injection and has new mapping. That means the throttle response is much crisper compared to the old carbureted 450 and more efficient. According to Yamaha numbers, the new 450 is 25 percent more efficient than the Grizzly 450 and compared to the Kodiak 700, this 450 is 14 percent more efficient. EFI also helps with cold starting, riding at elevation and engine emissions. Yamaha also increased the stator output, mostly for the fuel injection.
While we’re talking about the engine, Yamaha designed all-new rubber engine mounts for less engine movement, which you would usually feel when you stab the throttle and bring the machine to life. The new engine mounts must work because we didn’t feel any engine twisting or movement at all during the day’s ride.
This 450 felt good on the Capitol Forest trails. It has some spunkiness to it and where we could open it up on the trails we found it built power fairly quickly in the low- to mid-range.
As you would expect, the new Kodiak comes with Yamaha’s trademark and highly reliable Ultramatic CVT (high, low, reverse and neutral), On-Command selectable 2WD/4WD systems and electric power steering (EPS). All those features have a great track record and speak for themselves.
