[Weez]

Hi all, just joined this group seeking some advice before buying a used ATV...

Looking for a 2000's Grizzly 660 or 700 or Kodiak 450 and possibly with power steering and/or fuel injection.

Looking for any years to avoid with possible known flaws and if there's any input you can offer. The bike will be used for just about everything from hunting/fishing, pulling a small trailer for fire wood and some pleasure riding. I'm coming from a 1998 Honda fourtrax 300 4x4.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Patroller]

Welcome aboard, there are a few years of the 700 model that had motor problems and required rebuilding. I'm sure some of the others will chime in. When you go and look, when you see submarine schnorkels, lift kits and tractor tires, you should get that feeling things may have been abused.

 

[Weez]

Welcome aboard, there are a few years of the 700 model that had motor problems and required rebuilding. I'm sure some of the others will chime in. When you go and look, when you see submarine schnorkels, lift kits and tractor tires, you should get that feeling things may have been abused.

That’s good to know, hopefully someone chimes in!

 

[chargedmr2]

Welcome aboard, there are a few years of the 700 model that had motor problems and required rebuilding. I'm sure some of the others will chime in. When you go and look, when you see submarine schnorkels, lift kits and tractor tires, you should get that feeling things may have been abused.

I believe these would be the Grizzlies with the 708 motors that were used from 2016-2018. It's been discussed here so you can search, but the consensus seems to be that these years are NOT so problematic that they must be avoided. That said, the resale may not be as good since many people know about (or learn) that these years had some trouble. Yamaha apparently covered the needed rebuilds for these motors, and you may run into machines that have already had this service. The 686 motor used in the newer and older versions of the Grizzly 700 is generally preferred.

 

[Weez]

I believe these would be the Grizzlies with the 708 motors that were used from 2016-2018. It's been discussed here so you can search, but the consensus seems to be that these years are NOT so problematic that they must be avoided. That said, the resale may not be as good since many people know about (or learn) that these years had some trouble. Yamaha apparently covered the needed rebuilds for these motors, and you may run into machines that have already had this service. The 686 motor used in the newer and older versions of the Grizzly 700 is generally preferred.

Thanks, so i believe you’re saying the 686 is preffered over the 708 engine. How would I know if which motor is in a machine?

 

[Vincent]

Thanks, so i believe you’re saying the 686 is preffered over the 708 engine. How would I know if which motor is in a machine?

As mentioned in his post 2016 to 2018 used the 708 in the grizzly and kodiaks

 

[Weez]

As mentioned in his post 2016 to 2018 used the 708 in the grizzly and kodiaks

Got it, thanks. I didn’t catch it at first. So stay away from 2016-2018 700’s (708 motor)

 

[chargedmr2]

All else being equal, I’d go with the 686. But you may not want to fully rule out a good deal on a 708. I think people may get overly fearful of that motor, when in reality I suspect the vast majority are perfectly fine. Complaints get aired online, but most happy campers don’t say a word.

 

[Xa32f634W]

When I decided to purchase my Grizzly I was trying to increase the odds to the max with the ”legendary reliability”… I’m not sure the 708 would have fit that bill and given me peace-of-mind and confidence even if the engine could be built stout.

That being said.. I made some assumptions it was same motor all along and didn’t realize the details of the 2016-2018 years.

Is the current feeling with a 708 that if it never had an issue it will be good for the long run? I thought the TSB is basically over now unless someone bought a 2018 as a carryover into 2019 and has a Y.E.S warranty.

 

[RedRocket]

If you are set on having EPS, that became available on the Grizzly 700 in 2007 and on the Grizzly 450 in 2011. The 660 and 450 engines were carbureted, with the 450 being through 2014. In 2018 the Kodiak 450 came back but with a fuel injected engine. You might also come across a Grizzly 550 which is virtually identical to the 700 Grizzly except for the top end of the engine being smaller 549cc vs the 700 with 686cc. You were already informed about the Grizzly/Kodiak 700 engine from years 2016 - 2018 but in 2016 is also when there was a major redesign on the frame and plastics.

 

[reogem]

What 450 are you considering?
The Kodiak 450 first appeared in 2003. It was a straight axle model without EFI. They disappeared around 2006 replaced with the 450 Grizzly. The 450 Griz was dropped 2015. No 450's until 2018 when the Kodiak 450 came out. This is by far the best 450 utility Yamaha has released. It has a great engine with EFI with engine mounting similar to the 700's. These are somewhat bigger than the Grizzly 450's. Very snappy for a 450 with a tp speed a little above 50mph.

I have had very good luck with the 708's engine in 2 Kodiaks. I did have the rebuild at around 10-11000 miles on each of the machine. Trade one at 14k miles still have one with over 20k miles. Neither burned or use oil. The 708 is a little spunkier than the 686.
We now ride a 19 Kodi and a 21 Kodi both are 686's really great machines.

I wouldn't avoid any 686 or 708. I do prefer the Kodi's because they are narrower and lighter plus they have the wet rear brake system.
I like the new Kodi 450 but hated the 2011 Grizzly 450 that we had. It was twitchy and somewhat unstable on the trails, the engine vibration was unbearable.

 

[machell]

What 450 are you considering?
The Kodiak 450 first appeared in 2003. It was a straight axle model without EFI. They disappeared around 2006 replaced with the 450 Grizzly. The 450 Griz was dropped 2015. No 450's until 2018 when the Kodiak 450 came out. This is by far the best 450 utility Yamaha has released. It has a great engine with EFI with engine mounting similar to the 700's. These are somewhat bigger than the Grizzly 450's. Very snappy for a 450 with a tp speed a little above 50mph.

I have had very good luck with the 708's engine in 2 Kodiaks. I did have the rebuild at around 10-11000 miles on each of the machine. Trade one at 14k miles still have one with over 20k miles. Neither burned or use oil. The 708 is a little spunkier than the 686.
We now ride a 19 Kodi and a 21 Kodi both are 686's really great machines.

I wouldn't avoid any 686 or 708. I do prefer the Kodi's because they are narrower and lighter plus they have the wet rear brake system.
I like the new Kodi 450 but hated the 2011 Grizzly 450 that we had. It was twitchy and somewhat unstable on the trails, the engine vibration was unbearable.

the 17 kodiak has a much wider stance then prior models,BUT no diff lock! love the machine but the number of times i see that one front wheel doing nothing too get me moving...wish 501 parts had some love for the 450,

 

[Xa32f634W]

IMO.. definitely want front diff lock if you ever want to run tracks. I've been in numerous scenarios this past winter where an open front would have left me stuck or required extraction with another quad or winch. Locked just walks through it. I only run it locked when needed.

 

[machell]

IMO.. definitely want front diff lock if you ever want to run tracks. I've been in numerous scenarios this past winter where an open front would have left me stuck or required extraction with another quad or winch. Locked just walks through it. I only run it locked when needed.

Yes, it's essential, I think the newer kodiaks have locking front diff...

 

[oleblue22]

the 17 kodiak has a much wider stance then prior models,BUT no diff lock! love the machine but the number of times i see that one front wheel doing nothing too get me moving...wish 501 parts had some love for the 450,

We hear ya, the diff on the 450's are completely different than those on the 700's. The 700 diffs are same as the Grizzly 700 with a different nose cap and non locking internal ring carrier. The Grizzly diff locking servo will bolt right on and of course we have the wiring and all to go with that one. The 450 on the other hand are similar to the older Grizzly 600 diff to where it's not diff lock capable, one because a diff locking servo will not bolt up to it and two there is no locking ring carrier made for that diff.

It would take a complete 700 or 660 diff swap to make it work, possibly new CV's, and driveshaft, welding new brackets, depending on how everyting lined up and for what it would cost, most folks would not want to pay the price for it or do the install. The option is there though for the person that wants to do it.

 

[reogem]

the 17 kodiak has a much wider stance then prior models,BUT no diff lock! love the machine but the number of times i see that one front wheel doing nothing too get me moving...wish 501 parts had some love for the 450,

The 450 Kodi was not available in 2017 at least in the US. The New 450 Kodi was first issued in 2018 all of these 450 Kodis have 4wd lock.
The 700 Kodi's can still be bought with or without 4wd lock.

Yes the New 450 Kodis do have a wider tread than the previous Kodi's as well as the discontinued 450 Grizzlies.

 

[Weez]

Thanks for all the input. Just to clarify, I'm looking for a bike older than about 2012 to be in my budget. I live in Canada and am maybe a bit confused by some of the previous posts for the years of the 450 (Grizzly/Kodiak). I'm looking at 2 bikes made in 2007, a Grizzly 700 (686 I believe) with EPS and fuel injection and a Kodiak 450 (it's camo and says Kodiak on it), I believe this one has a carb with no power steering.

I'm looking for a reliable long term bike, with no major "known issues" that is versatile and could be used for just about everything from hunting/fishing, pulling a small trailer for fire wood and some pleasure riding. I believe someone mentioned the 450 Grizzly 2011 was unbearably bad for engine vibration, not sure if this could apply for the 2007 Kodiak 450 I am considering??

 

[reogem]

The 2007 Grizzly 700 is by far a superior machine. These were pre-emission machines. They have more juice than later 700's.
Some had issues with the stator burning out earlier that excepted. A modified crank case cover with an additional oil line was made available. The stator could/can be handled by using a couple extra ounces of oil in the crankcase. Also using low gear when riding at slow speeds delivers more oil to the stator.
The 2007 has a bastard throttle body which seems be designed only for the 07. The 08 also has a TB that is only listed to the 08. These have a liquid heat riser system. So they have a connection to the radiator.

 

[reogem]

The issue with the older 450 Grizzly and Kodi I presume, is that the engine was slung in the frame by 5 bushing style mounts. These seem to transfer the vibration to the entire frame from the handle bars to the foot pegs. I tried to modify the mounts and the foot pegs to reduce the vibration nothing worked.
The new Kodi 450 have bottom crankcase mounts like the 700 engine. The vibration is now similar to a 700.

I also did a lot of suspension mods trying to reduce the tippy and twitchiness.

 

[RedRocket]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that there were naming differences between the US and Canada in how the 450 machine was named/sold. I recall reading in Canada it was a Kodiak 450 and in the US was a Grizzly 450 but it was an identical ATV for the earlier years, up to somewhere 2014 'ish... someone correct me if I'm wrong