SHOOTOUT: Yamaha Kodiak 700 vs. Honda Rancher 420

Let’s say you’re thinking about buying a new 4×4 quad this year and $8200 is the highest price you’d like to go. What are your options in that price range? Well, you can get the top-of-the-line version of Honda’s Rancher 420 with all of the available features. Or, you can go to a larger size, as high as a 700 if you consider Yamaha’s new Kodiak. They specifically designed this machine to sell in the same price range of smaller 4×4 quads. So, these are the two machines we’re matching up in this $8200 shootout.

YAMAHA KODIAK 700: $8199
Yamaha has equipped their new $8199 Kodiak with a 708cc, fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, dual-overheadcam, four-valve engine. To get the power to the wheels, the Kodiak features Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission that is mated to a gated shifter with high and low range, neutral, reverse and park. To aid in keeping the steering light and nimble, Yamaha has installed Electronic Power Steering. You can purchase a non-EPS model for $6999. The Kodiakspecific CVT settings are designed to provide a smooth power delivery at lower rpm. Switching from 2WD to 4WD is done through a lever on the left-side handlebar for easy operation.

With 7.1 inches of front suspension travel and 9.1 inches in the rear, it’s controlled through double A-arms and five-way preload-adjustable shocks that provide a plush ride over rough terrain. Ground clearance is a substantial 10.8 inches. To help bring you to a halt, dual-hydraulic disc brakes up front and a multi-disc wet brake in the rear are standard features. Maxxis 25-inch tires are mounted on steel wheels. The fuel tank offers a 4.76-gallon capacity.

HONDA RANCHER 420: $8250
Honda’s $8250, Rancher has a smaller engine displacement with a 420cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, overhead-valve, four-stroke engine. Getting the traction to the ground is an automatic DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) with reverse. You have the option of automatic and manual shifting through push buttons on the left-side handlebar. Selecting from 2WD and 4WD is done through a gated shifter. Honda equipped this model Rancher with EPS to help keep the steering light and offers a non-EPS model as well. Double-Aarm suspension controls the front shock with 7.28 inches of travel and 8.46 inches in the rear. Preloadadjustable shocks provide a plush ride over rough terrain. With 9.2 inches of ground clearance, you can traverse over rocks and other obstacles with ease. Maxxis 24-inch tires are mounted on steel wheels. Fuel capacity is 3.9 gallons with a 1.3-gallon reserve.

CREATURE COMFORTS
When it comes to comparing the cockpit area of both machines, it is a toss-up between which one is nicer. The Kodiak has a plush seat and comfortable riding position. Storage can be found in front of the seat, and front and rear cargo racks with a 110pound front capacity and 198-pound rear capacity. The grips are comfortable on long rides, and the levers are nicely positioned. The Rancher has raised footpegs for a sporty feel. The grips are a bit on the firm side compared to the Kodiak’s. Front and rear cargo racks are mounted with a rear storage box to keep your loose items secure.

OUT ON THE TRAIL
The power delivery on the Rancher is smooth without any abrupt acceleration hit, but tends to be searching for the right gear when you let off the throttle. Neither the Kodiak or the Rancher have a diff-lock option. The Honda seems to get by without this feature, as its front tires get good bite in most cases. The Kodiak, on the other hand, seems to deliver more power to the rear tires than the front in 4×4 mode. On slick dirt the rear end likes to step out instead of being pulled along by the front tires.

At our testing facility, the Yamaha Kodiak had a higher top speed of 67 mph, with the Honda Rancher trailing behind at 50 mph. The Kodiak would jump off the line, leaving the Rancher behind with ease. To get a consistent reading on suspension action, we ran the same trail a few times in each machine with a mixture of bumps, rocks and off-camber roads. The Kodiak felt to have the smoothest ride and is the most controllable. The Rancher felt a tad on the stiff side of things with less suspension travel. The Kodiak felt very well-planted at high speeds over rough terrain, while the Rancher would tend to have twitchy steering at higher speeds in the rough. It’s interesting to note that the smaller Rancher 420 actually weighs 9 pounds more than the Kodiak 700, so it’s not really more nimble on tight switchback trails.

AND THE WINNER IS…
Honda and Yamaha are both great machines in every form and function. Handling for both machines is almost identical, with minor differences coming from suspension travel and steering. The Yamaha handles very well in the rough, with more suspension travel and better-tuned shocks compared to the Rancher. In the rough, the Rancher handles well, but lacks in suspension travel and the steering is twitchy when in 4WD. Yamaha takes top honor in the power department, but the Honda isn’t far behind. Both 4WD systems work very well, but the Honda comes out on top with its tighter front differential, while the Yamaha felt like it was putting more power to the rear wheels when it needed it up front. With the Yamaha and Honda being priced nearly identical, our test riders favored the Kodiak 700 over the Rancher 420.

SPECS
YAMAHA KODIAK 700… HONDA RANCHER 420
Engine…Liquid cooled DOHC, 4-stroke…Liquid cooled OHV 4-valve, 4-stroke
Displacement…708cc…420cc
Fuel system…44mm EFI…33mm EFI
Fuel capacity…4.76 gal…3.9 gal.
Starting system…Electric…Electric
Transmission…Ultramatic V-belt, H/L/N/R/P..Auto 5-speed w/ reverse
Final drive…Shaft…Shaft
Suspension/wheel travel:
Front…Double A-arm/7.1″…Double A-arm/7.3″
Rear…Double A-arm/9.1″…Double A-arm/8.5″
Tires:
Front…25×8-12…24×8-12
Rear…25×10-12…24×10-12
Brakes:
Front…Dual hydraulic disc…190mm dual hydraulic disc
Rear…Multi-disc wet…170mm hydraulic disc
Wheelbase…49.2″…50.9″
Length/width/height…81.5″/46.5″/48.8″…84.6″/47.4″/46.8″
Ground clearance…10.8″…9.2″
Towing capacity…1322 lb…848 lb.
Curb weight…677 lb…686 lb.
Colors…Red, Steel Blue,…Red, camo, orange Hunter Green, Realtree Xtra
MSRP…$8199…$8250