[Dbez1]

I am a very experienced older rider and I’m going to look at a 2013 Yamaha Grizzly EPS 450 tomorrow. What are the inherent strengths and weakness of this particular year and model that I should be aware of? It has less than 300 miles on it and the owner is around my age. It looks immaculate in the photos.

I need it for snow plowing, working in the yard and moderate trail riding.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[okbear]

I haven’t heard of any particular problems with the 450 but others will chime in. We had an 07 450 for awhile and loved it. That thing sounds practically brand new. If the money is right, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it. Fair warning, though..... a 450 often leads to a 550 which often leads to a 700. Be sure that is what you really want. If so, buy it and enjoy for many years to come.

 

[Dbez1]

I haven’t heard of any particular problems with the 450 but others will chime in. We had an 07 450 for awhile and loved it. That thing sounds practically brand new. If the money is right, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it. Fair warning, though..... a 450 often leads to a 550 which often leads to a 700. Be sure that is what you really want. If so, buy it and enjoy for many years to come.

Lol. Yeah, I’ve been there & done that. Ended up with a Sportsman 850 but it developed pre-mature bearing and bushing issues. Now I’’m looking for something that’s bulletproof and easy to work on.

 

[okbear]

Lol. Yeah, I’ve been there & done that. Ended up with a Sportsman 850 but it developed pre-mature bearing and bushing issues. Now I’’m looking for something that’s bulletproof and easy to work on.

Coming from an 850, you may be disappointed with a 450. You might want to hunt down a clean 700. Still not an 850 but you’ll be riding it instead of working on it the majority of the time.

 

[Fireman2]

300 miles sounds like a almost new machine that is now broke in, priced right it might be a good deal and you know the routine of bigger seems better. Depending on snow where you live, my 400 cc just would not cut it, went to a 660 now a 708. I like being able to drag a trailer, logs and when lucky and elk since I too am not a kid anymore, that EPS is the cats meow.

 

[wheelsquad]

I have an identical model just the first year of that generation. Love the machine, plan on keeping it forever. Only thing I'd forewarn you about is the engine vibrations. I added heavier clutch to reduce engine rpm at cruising speed, but it still vibrates more than my higher mileage Honda.

With Polaris more power = less reliability. Don't let that scare you from a 700 Yamaha though. Just as reliable as the 450.

 

[Dbez1]

300 miles sounds like a almost new machine that is now broke in, priced right it might be a good deal and you know the routine of bigger seems better. Depending on snow where you live, my 400 cc just would not cut it, went to a 660 now a 708. I like being able to drag a trailer, logs and when lucky and elk since I too am not a kid anymore, that EPS is the cats meow.

Thanks all for the feedback, keep it coming as I still have several hours before we go look at the Grizz.
My most recent quad was a 400 Outlander Max. Loved the ride & enough power for plowing (with the Rotax engine) etc. around here, just need EPS. The vibration thing is a concern though, I’ll check it out. Also will check the power, hopefully there are some hills nearby.

 

[Madkawi750]

I owned a 450 kodiak a while back .. 2003 to be exact.. I know it was years ago but that thing was bulletproof for years. It had the same 421cc engine they come with today, except they are Fuel injected now.. I did not notice bad vibrations, or any vibrations for that matter. I had just came off of a 2002 Sportsman 500ho. It was a HUNK OF JUNK.. 18 months old and 1100 miles and I could hardly give it way. every ride it was broken in some way. I traded it in on the Kodiak and lost $4000 on the deal. but it was so nice to be rid of that POPO.
My Kodiak 450 would start up so easy you could nearly think about it and it would start. haha.. It really was an awesome running machine. It topped out at 52mph mph with 26 mudlites. the really is fast enough for all but the largest fire roads or frozen lake runs. It was so short and nimble it would go anywhere.


Here's a pic of me getting it dirty.. 14 years ago. I'm way more tame now.. haha.

 

[reogem]

X2 wheelsquad's post.

The 2011 the my Queen rode was really trouble free for 14k Miles. One inner tie rod broke was all that broke.
As wheelsquad indicated the engine vibration is bad it results from the engine being hung in the frame vs sitting on engine mounts.
I did install heavier roller weight to bring down the cruising rpms and engine vibration. I replaced the front shocks with fox gas shocks for a better control and ride.
The 2013 model has a carburetor not EFI.
I believe the 2018 450 renamed Kodiak now has EFI and it appears that they may have change the engine mounts to be more like the big bores

 

[dezz]

From a reliability standpoint, the 450 is as good as it gets. It is one of the most reliable ATV's built in the last 15 years. They just go and go.
And when properly setup, will pull, push and go wherever and whatever the big bikes do.

 

[Dbez1]

Thanks to all for your help. We bought the 2013 today and it really is showroom condition. I just couldn’t pass it up. The original owner had to have taken a big hit. It came with EPS, a 54” Warn box plow and 2500lb Warn winch, a 2” receiver hitch, a small fender bag, and a nylon leade for the winch. It does vibrate more than my previous quads did but I have never seen a quad with such a tight turning radius. I’m just hoping it’s as reliable as some of yours. I’ll try to get photos tomorrow. Thanks again and Merry Christmas!

 

[reogem]

Hey...Well Merry Christmas. The 450 is a great machine other than the vibration. Yes they do turn tight and fast.

 

[okbear]

Congrats on the new ride!! It’ll last you many years.

 

[wheelsquad]

Merry Christmas for you!

Yes the new 2018 450's have engine rubber mounted and have FI, but other than that they're pretty much same machine you just bought. Oh and ours have diff-lock and the new ones don't, which some people would consider a worthy trade off. I'd expect nothing less than years of reliable service from your new to you machine.

 

[cleanride14]

I purchased a 2014 450 w/o the EPS brand new in 2015. Mine only has 60 miles on it. The machine does have a higher amount of engine vibration. My only complaints are: Cold natured(must warm up before attempting to shift out of P or N), Not much protection in the front end around the lower rubber boots. I have already replaced the boot once and it's a 2 hour job at the least. Tree limbs will easily puncture these boots. I am sure someone makes an aluminum guard that protects better than the plastic factory guard. I run Amsoil in my unit also

 

[cleanride14]

Diff lock engaged will climb almost anything!