Honda Rubicon vs Yamaha Kodiak 700 ES

[Mule3006Elk]

Started with SRA vs. IRS. Going with IRS. New to quads but I have narrowed it down to these 2.

Looking for input.
DCL vs Ultramatic transmission.

Anyone ridden both of these models pros/cons.

I was mainly looking at Hondas but I can't overlook the amount of love this Kodiak 700 gets online.

 

[awbowhunter]

Honda would be my preference. Being able to manually select a gear and NOT have the unit sound like its screaming at as little as 10-15 mph. Love being able to gear up to 4th or 5th and cruise along at much lower rpm than comparable ATV's
Honda's seem pretty bombproof as well.

 

[cnelk]

Yamaha

 

[Snowwolfe]

I bought a new Honda with the DCT about a year ago. I really disliked the shape of the foot rests and the jerky shifting of the automatic. After we moved back to Alaska sold it and bought a Yamaha 700 with EPS. Plus the model I bought already had a 2500 winch plus 27 inch mud tires. With factory extended warranty is was just under $12k OTD. Local dealer had some great deals in December.
For me, the Yamaha is a much more comfortable ride.

 

[Bama67]

The Yamaha has it all over the Honda. Power, Cheaper, Ride, Ergos, and is just as reliable.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I bought a new Honda with the DCT about a year ago. I really disliked the shape of the foot rests and the jerky shifting of the automatic. After we moved back to Alaska sold it and bought a Yamaha 700 with EPS. Plus the model I bought already had a 2500 winch plus 27 inch mud tires. With factory extended warranty is was just under $12k OTD. Local dealer had some great deals in December.
For me, the Yamaha is a much more comfortable ride.

Having never ridden either I appreciate your feedback.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

Honda would be my preference. Being able to manually select a gear and NOT have the unit sound like its screaming at as little as 10-15 mph. Love being able to gear up to 4th or 5th and cruise along at much lower rpm than comparable ATV's
Honda's seem pretty bombproof as well.

Do you like Honda's DCT?

 

[awbowhunter]

Having never ridden either I appreciate your feedback.

I currently have a older Rubicon ( 2006 ) with 3600 miles. Nothing but maintenance and tires. Been reliable. The Kodiak I had was when I lived in Colorado. Cant remember what year it was. Both were good, I just prefer the Honda transmission. Whatever you get, get the independent rear suspension.

 

[awbowhunter]

I would see if you could ride both at a dealer and hopefully they have somewhere you could ride a little off road so you can make an informes decision on what you like best.

 

[awbowhunter]

An unusual thing I have noticed is when I lived out west everything seemed to be Polaris and Yamaha, Southeast Honda's everywhere. Not sure why this is.

 

[rileybassman]

We have a Yamaha Kodiak 700 ES and it's a fantastic machine. We love it and it's hauled several critters for us! Good with a plow and fun to cruz around on as well. Only had it for a couple years but hasn't had a single issue.

 

[butcherboy]

I think I would go with the Yamaha. I have a Polaris 550 and it’s been good but dang the 4wd sucks! It only kicks in when the back tires spin a little and then only works if the engine stays under a certain rpm. I would prefer to lock in the 4wd and it’s in the whole time I need it.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

We have a Yamaha Kodiak 700 ES and it's a fantastic machine. We love it and it's hauled several critters for us! Good with a plow and fun to cruz around on as well. Only had it for a couple years but hasn't had a single issue.

Really like that color.

 

[Tourguide]

Started with SRA vs. IRS. Going with IRS. New to quads but I have narrowed it down to these 2.

Looking for input.
DCL vs Ultramatic transmission.

Anyone ridden both of these models pros/cons.

I was mainly looking at Hondas but I can't overlook the amount of love this Kodiak 700 gets online.

I own both, trail ride, yard work, hunting, they get used for all of it. The Honda is more a work horse its IRS but a much stiffer ride, the yamaha is much more comfortable and has more power. The yamaha transmission is much better than I thought it would be. Honda is good, but getting it into reverse is a pain. Hondas are around 4,000 miles and have done nothing but oil changes. Yamaha has about 1,000 miles and oil changes only there too.

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I own both, trail ride, yard work, hunting, they get used for all of it. The Honda is more a work horse its IRS but a much stiffer ride, the yamaha is much more comfortable and has more power. The yamaha transmission is much better than I thought it would be. Honda is good, but getting it into reverse is a pain. Hondas are around 4,000 miles and have done nothing but oil changes. Yamaha has about 1,000 miles and oil changes only there too.

Nice.
If you had to pick one?

Might be a bit jealous you have the two quads I am contemplating. LOL

 

[Tourguide]

Nice.
If you had to pick one?

Might be a bit jealous you have the two quads I am contemplating. LOL

I'd go with the yamaha, now mine is a grizzly 700, 2022 same as the Kodiak but slightly bigger chassis

 

[Phaseolus]

My Wife and I are riding Yamaha Grizzly 550’s, now only made with the 700. We also inherited my Father in laws Honda’s with DCT. Both of them have been to the shop when the DCT quit working, it was an electrical malfunction in both cases. They don’t ride nearly as well as the Yamaha’ comfort wise. They are much quieter for putzing in the woods. My Wife keeps them for sentimental reasons and they are our ‘loaners’. I’ve had to replace the fuel pump in my Wife’s Grizzly which is a huge pita. I use only alcohol free fuel in mine and she rides hers to town and fills up with 10% because it is convenient. Too small a sample size but i’m blaming it on the fuel.

 

[Coveyleader]

I didn’t like the position of the handle bars on the Yamahas. They feel too low to me. I went Honda.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

My last one was a Yamaha, can't find anything negative about it. The guy I sold it to loves it also.

 

[aaron600rr]

The Yamaha has it all over the Honda. Power, Cheaper, Ride, Ergos, and is just as reliable.

How often do the belts fail? Is field changing a belt a pain in the ass?