Ive been looking at new quads for some time drooling at the dealerships hoping for something good and cheap that is still an upgrade from the 350. I was wondering if any of you have found a good steal in the Yamaha lineup personally i like the new 5spd big bear but i am also fond of the Griz 450 except for the sketchy belt drive sys. I love the idea of the lockers on the machines as well. Im just not good at choosing and i am looking for some constructive criticism!

Nothing wrong with a Yamaha belt system. They work excellent and have very few problems.
I do have a few Yamaha's in my stable.
Don

I agree with Don, the Yamaha CVT is excellent...one of the best on the market.

The new Big Bear is an interesting package, probably one of the most (if not the most) bullet proof quads on the market. Doesn't have the speed or bells & whistles of most other ATVs, but its tough as nails and now that it has IRS the ride and terrainability is much improved.

450 Kodiak/Grizz... 4 wheel independent suspension, front diff lock, low gear, excellent transmission with great engine braking. The 2008 model has been upgraded with a fully sealed rear brake and a fullsize 2" hitch receiver.

Would be my choice just don't tell the boys in the Polaris forum!

I looked a long time before buying a bike and decided on the Yamaha with the CVT because of the CVT. The automatic and the engine braking did it for me. When I wanted an upgrade I went for the 450 because of the low range and diff lock. You can still get an 07 model but if I had a choice I would have loved the new features of the 08 that strandr mentioned.

djohn5787

A good friend of mine bought the new big bear and personally I love it . Ive rode it several times and like the independent suspension,low gear on it is very low wich is good for mud. Overall it seems like a very nice machine for the money

nothing wrong with the belt. works great

Isn't the new Big Bear a IRS quad, with Lockable Diffs, semi-auto-tranny and standard mud lites??? Not a upgrade from the 350, but an upgrade everywhere else...

Glenn.

Darn i must be blind or something! I did not know that yamaha cut out the High and Low range selector on the BB 400!

ya ive got a 07 bb 400 love it irs,diff lock and the mudlites so glad i got this atv..

Thanks for all the replies, this coming weekend should be fun. I've convinced my father to come with me to look at the new BB as well as some other machines of interest! I just hope my father doesnt try and chew out the dealer with his "bargain hunting skills"

From experience, Yammy's CVT is bulletproof.

My CVT works good and if it acts up just throw another belt in.

The only people that don't like Yam belt drive is the guys that don't own one!!

My father and I were unable to go to the dealer due to a plumbing call he got the night before. I could have gone by myself but i chose not to because it is boring to go and look by yourself. maybe next weekend!