Thread: Kodiak

Just got my hands on a decent looking Yamaha Kodiak, mostly for use round the farm but i have a few hunting access points where it'd be the ideal transports, looking for some inspiration for your hunting quad set ups, she's a blank canvas at the min.

I'm in a similar position having just picked up a Grizzly. planning so far includes adding a bit of height, a winch and some storage, I'll be following this for more inspiration.

Kinda exciting having a new toy to kit out aye, I'm interested in shooting set ups to the basic racks are cheap and easy but when travelling though a bit of brush I'm convinced it's not offering a lot of protection

Originally Posted by charlie1991

Kinda exciting having a new toy to kit out aye, I'm interested in shooting set ups to the basic racks are cheap and easy but when travelling though a bit of brush I'm convinced it's not offering a lot of protection

@charlie1991 nice one mate, is it the 450 or 700 ? I just got me the 450 last Nov, still a blank canvas and been looking at options too for kitting out.
I got a farm kit out on, nice brush bars from Hamilton, Ventura, got them in black.

And I ordered some angel eyes from the states which arrived last week.


https://www.dold.co.nz/products/Vent..._ATV/1501.aspx

ahhh those bars look great, i remember spending ages buying all this stuff for motorbikes not too long ago, cant just leave anything stock.

Its the 700, im not sure it needs to be but its real fun so far. First plans are to buy a handheld spotlight and mont it to the front rack so it can be angled around to search trees and such.

probably want some better driving lights followed by storage, a gun carrier of some sort , that allows quick access but reasonable protection, then get some protection on it barred and such, also the bash plate underneath is plastic.... sure this will need changing to a decent metal one.

As someone who gets involved in quad accident investigations, be aware that farm kitted out ATV's have a much higher incident of breaking bones of the operator/passenger than ones that are stock. Plastic mudguards bend around your body when you roll the quad onto its side...or worse. Bars don't give an ounce, and being small diameter break arms and legs pretty easily. Too much shit strapped/bolted to a quad can also make it more difficult to 'abandon ship' when the shit hits the fan.

All depends where and how you use your quad. Its easy to get trapped into kitting your 300 kg quad out till it weighs 400kgs before you step on board. Then you are riding a half ton machine. Fine if all you do is tootle about a flatish farm, but can easily turn lethal when you head into the steep country. Then a moments inattention, or tired at the end of a night's spotlighting and over she goes.

Originally Posted by charlie1991

ahhh those bars look great, i remember spending ages buying all this stuff for motorbikes not too long ago, cant just leave anything stock.

Its the 700, im not sure it needs to be but its real fun so far. First plans are to buy a handheld spotlight and mont it to the front rack so it can be angled around to search trees and such.

probably want some better driving lights followed by storage, a gun carrier of some sort , that allows quick access but reasonable protection, then get some protection on it barred and such, also the bash plate underneath is plastic.... sure this will need changing to a decent metal one.

Yep, all the same questions I have and have been thinking, especially the spot light part, but also looking at an led light bar.
I did consider moving to metal bash/skid plates but I don’t think I would be going anywhere too nasty.
Have got my gun grips sorted and are checking out making a storage tube out of PVC pipe to fix to the front.
Unfortunately the 450 has not storage except under the seat.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

Originally Posted by XR500

As someone who gets involved in quad accident investigations, be aware that farm kitted out ATV's have a much higher incident of breaking bones of the operator/passenger than ones that are stock. Plastic mudguards bend around your body when you roll the quad onto its side...or worse. Bars don't give an ounce, and being small diameter break arms and legs pretty easily. Too much shit strapped/bolted to a quad can also make it more difficult to 'abandon ship' when the shit hits the fan.

All depends where and how you use your quad. Its easy to get trapped into kitting your 300 kg quad out till it weighs 400kgs before you step on board. Then you are riding a half ton machine. Fine if all you do is tootle about a flatish farm, but can easily turn lethal when you head into the steep country with a moments inattention, or tired at the end of a night's spotlighting.

Totally agree, hence I gave the metal bash plates/skid a pass.
300kg was already an eye raiser as stock.
If I can, I avoid the steep terrain, I’d rather ride further to go around than risk it.

I have seen a few NZ designed anti roll bar that attach to the back of the quads. But do hinder carrying gear on the back.

Here's my farm quad.



The front box is mounted on quick release rubber cups (box just pulls off and presses on).

The taller box makes the handle bar mounted light useless so I've added a switch so that it can be turned off when the box is mounted. The front box is the ideal height to rest a Harris 6-9" bipod, with your elbows on resting on the handle bars.

I've mounted the box as far forward to allow the gun rack to be mounted behind. Firearm is nice and handy and also protected by the box. I've found these gun racks to be very good.

https://traxequipment.co.nz/product/...V-Gun-Bow-Rack

Shop around as they were cheaper at the local bike shop.

When spot lighting I just run a rifle mounted torch in conjuction with either a head mounted light or hand held (Maxtorch) for spotting.

What year Kodiak is it? Does it have the 686cc engine or 708cc? If its an earlier Kodiak with the 708cc, keep an eye on your oil level as they are known to burn oil once they've done a few K's...a lot were repaired under warantee but that didn't always fix the problem. Probably why they dropped the "new" 708cc engine after a couple of years and went back to the older 686cc. Other than that they are a good bike...bit thirsty with the 686cc is the only downside.

Originally Posted by NZShoota

Here's my farm quad.

Attachment 159395

The front box is mounted on quick release rubber cups (box just pulls off and presses on).

What are the cup mounts for the box?, I like the idea of being it being removable

One for all the Polaris haters ........

My Polaris Ute - model selected due to the slightly wider and longer wheelbase and the considerably higher factory rated load capacity.

It has a hinged lid front box as part of the front wheel arch moulding which is flat topped (enough room for some gloves, hat, couple of tow ropes, toilet paper, game hoist and gimble hook, puncher repair kit, first aid kit, etc). I fitted a ply deck to the top of the lid and then used Rail Blazer mounts and gun racks to carry 4x rifles (helps keep weigh forward and makes for quick access when spotlighting). Fitted a bungy cord setup in the middle for a raincoat and leggings for quick access (utilises the space but keeps the headlight usable), and have a Bacho knife screwed to the top of easy access.

On the rear tray, I made up a lightweight frame that engages into a Polaris mounting system. The frame incorporates extra seating for two and can carry two standard fish bins while still giving usable access to the back tray via the rear tail gate. Bins are used to keep light weight stuff dry like lunch, clothing etc, and makes it easy to throw the day pack in. A lid goes on top to keep the rain out.
The rear tray is reserved for meat recovery.

The extra seating is really useful for getting other shooters out into the field or home after the hunt. I have fitted a couple of squabs to the wooden base for rider comfort. These squabs are the ones designed to fit on the lids of icy-teck chilly bins for use in boats as extra seating - they work very well and are water proof.
I have gradient limits whereby passengers have to get off and walk while I ride through for safety.

Has winch fitted, and I have also fitted LED spot lights since this photo where the lights shine 45-60deg out to the sides for better driving line assessment at night in rough terrain, plus one wide beam under the deck at the back for reversing and to make it easy for closing gates behind you without a torch.
Tires are often one of the biggest performance (and safety) improvements you can make. Fortunately the Polaris Ute comes out with Bear Claw's as standard and I have had no reason to complain.


If you are new to riding a quad, or you are riding a new quad, I strongly suggest that you test and understand the stability limits of your particular machine in a controlled environment, before you go onto the hills. Good way to do this is to find an appropriate water course on the edge of a farm track where you can get the bike crossed up and off balance. Get a good strong mate(s), tie a rope to the quad appropriate for the stability angle being tested, and use them to catch the quad if you exceed the stability limit and keep it on all 4 wheels. Try different angles of approach and practice using your body weight to shift the centre of gravity to your advantage. Strap a couple of full 20L canisters of water to the bike and see what differences it makes to its performance. You will be surprised at how much stability is lost if loads are incorrectly positioned. In the real world once you hit the hills you also have to factor in dynamic loads, and the 'unexpected' like a pothole or a hump in the wrong place, and loss of traction.

@hotbarrels nice setup mate, when are we going out on a trail ride together? ��

See, this is the kind of shit I love to see some nice mods, no Polaris hating, it works, it’s functional.
I’ve just purchased me a whites LED light bar, and I’m slowly understanding what I need to makeup the wiring harnesses, don’t judge I just don’t understand all the electronics jargon and workings, definitely not my strong point.

Are those indicators?

Originally Posted by Survy

Are those indicators?

@Survy Yep, its factory 'road legal'.

Originally Posted by Survy

@hotbarrels nice setup mate, when are we going out on a trail ride together? ��

I'm keen on doing some trail rides. Back surgery has buggered me up for the last 18 months, and I am currently two weeks post my last surgery now but should be good to go in about 8 weeks.
I have never been but Honda Park at Maramarua Forest hold quad/SxS only days on a monthly basis. https://www.silverbullet.co.nz/event.php?id=16217
There is supposed to be a huge number of tracks in there to explore.
There are also a number of fund raising rides around that look interesting, but a lot of them are non-quad.
https://www.silverbullet.co.nz/events.php
https://www.silverbullet.co.nz/event.php?id=16232

Originally Posted by ROKTOY

What are the cup mounts for the box?, I like the idea of being it being removable

Sorry not sure what they are called but local motorbike shop suggested (and supplied) them. The rubber cup is bolted to the carrier, and the part bolted to the box is a hard plastic material.