Is this dumb??

[robbcayman]

Okay, I've been doing my home work and trying to find the best deal possible. I've looked at everything from the honda rancher, polaris sportsman and the yamaha grizzly.

In the end, since I'm paying cash I just can't let go of that kind of cash. I just want something reliable that I can ride trails on. I will ride mostly a couple weekends a month.

I've found a 2001 yamaha kodiak 400 4x4 with a warn winch. An older gentleman has owned it and has all the service records. He just flushed the radiator, put in a new battery, new tires, new air filter and did a service every single riding year. He's only selling it because his son wants a fast 4 wheeler, so he's going to buy a raptor to keep up.

If I take care of this thing like he did, can I get 5-7 years more of reliable riding?? What should I look for when I inspect it? Any thoughts? I know you guys know your stuff.

[mahogoff]

5-7 years with good maintenance no problem. I still have a 85 moto 4, that my son used to ride. I bought used and it had a rough life. Still starts and runs, well. Thats why I bought a Big Bear, and then the Grizzly. Engines run forever. The Kodiak is also a good machine. How much can you pick it up for?

[robbcayman]

My bad!!! The best I could get him to was $1,900.

[scooter]

As long as you keep the oil changed, air filter cleaned and everything greased you should get many, many more years out of the kodiak. Best of luck on the purchase and let us no with the outcome.

[mahogoff]

Thats about what they are selling for in my area. Not a bad price. Check the exhaust make sure it doesn't smoke especially first starting it up. You shouldn't smell antifreeze in the exhaust as well. It sounds like the guy took care of the machine. Just check for excessive wear or loose wheels. Check the rubber on all 4 CV joints/axles. Moisture in the oil around the dipstick or filler tube. Also check the airbox as well.

[GrizzlyRebel87]

Sounds like a good price, and you should have no problem enjoying it for years. My dad and brother both have '03 beartrackers and they take care of them. Both still run great. And I also would have trouble just lettin go of that kind of money for a new atv. I know I work hard for my cash, and I am sure you do as well.

[TripleR]

Go for it, I have a 225 Moto 4 that is still going strong. I just needed something with 4WD and more ground clearance.

[robbcayman]

I feel better about the deal with all the replies.

There's only one other hang-up. The guy said he doesn't have the title, because he bought it from another guy who only had it a few months. In short, he forgot to get the title. He said he never worried with it too much, because he's not going to register it.

I'm a little worried about it, because it says who owns the thing. I'm for sure going to do a bill of sale. However, will I ever need the title? If my home insurance doesn't cover the atv I'm going to see if I can get cheap insurance. If the thing gets stolen then will I be able to get money back without a title?

My brother-in-law is a police officer, so I'm going to have him run the numbers to verify it's not stolen. What would you guys do about this issue?

[TripleR]

The title thing may be a problem, but it looks like you are going about it the right way. I would definitely see about getting a title by contacting the original owner or some how. We have a 300 Bayou we can't take off the farm as my father in law did not register it and lost the certificate of origin. It's not a problem as we have others, but it would be bad if that is all we had.

[whaffner]

just call the local DMV and ask about title requirments.

[UpstateNYGrizz]

Originally Posted by whaffner

just call the local DMV and ask about title requirments.

X2, they may be able to issue you a title after they do a VIN check and you present a bill of sale. Always good to ask. Also depends on the state you are in. NY does not issue titles for atvs, only a transferable registration.

[stevensondrive]

I would want control of the title. that would be a deal breaker for me.

I bought a used one a couple years ago. after carb troubles I decided to upgrade to a new 700 Grizz. I had no problem selling the used one.

you never said what you planned to use the ATV for, so I can't give a good recommendation.

[armatt06]

The 400 Kodiak is an awesome quad. My dad had one when i had my 660 Grizzly and I honestly liked riding the Kodiak better. We beat the hell out of it andf it always kept going.

[robbcayman]

Okay, one last question. I'm trying to think of things that could break on the trail that would leave me stranded.

I'm thinking of pouring a little money on preventitive maintenance. I'm thinking of putting on a new starter and rebuilding the carb. With all the other stuff he's done that should cover the bases, right? I don't mind putting $500 into it, but that's about it.

Oh.. and this is only going to be used to take me to my hunting stand and ride trails and general exploring type stuff. It just has to be reliable that's my biggest deal.

Lastly, I called the DOT and they said if it's older than an 05 he can give me a bill of sale and they will make me a title.

[armatt06]

Originally Posted by robbcayman

Okay, one last question. I'm trying to think of things that could break on the trail that would leave me stranded.

I'm thinking of pouring a little money on preventitive maintenance. I'm thinking of putting on a new starter and rebuilding the carb. With all the other stuff he's done that should cover the bases, right? I don't mind putting $500 into it, but that's about it.

Oh.. and this is only going to be used to take me to my hunting stand and ride trails and general exploring type stuff. It just has to be reliable that's my biggest deal.

Lastly, I called the DOT and they said if it's older than an 05 he can give me a bill of sale and they will make me a title.

The only problem we had was raplacing a pinion seal. It was less than ten dollars.

[prtymrcr]

I purchased an 02 kodiak 400 last nov. for my gf. She loves it! Seems like a great bike.

[AKMuddy]

Originally Posted by robbcayman

Okay, one last question. I'm trying to think of things that could break on the trail that would leave me stranded.

I'm thinking of pouring a little money on preventative maintenance. I'm thinking of putting on a new starter and rebuilding the carb. With all the other stuff he's done that should cover the bases, right? I don't mind putting $500 into it, but that's about it.

Oh.. and this is only going to be used to take me to my hunting stand and ride trails and general exploring type stuff. It just has to be reliable that's my biggest deal.

Lastly, I called the DOT and they said if it's older than an 05 he can give me a bill of sale and they will make me a title.

Unless you know these parts are bad I would not bother replacing them. Does it have a manual pull start? It should, so no need to sink money into a starter until it breaks. You can always pull start the machine so you will not be stranded on the trail. You will be able to know if it has carb issues right away but Yamaha's are not know to have bad carbs. Once again, I would save my money for when something does break versus spending it on something that may never break just to have something else go wrong later down the road.

Sounds like the guy you are buying from took good care of it. Enjoy the new quad.