Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/575161
ATV/UTV 34 • October 5, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com Yamaha develops its 2016 Grizzly for play, while the Kodiak's designed for work BY LIZ KEENER MANAGING EDITOR When Yamaha set out to create its 2016 Griz- zly 4X4 and Kodiak 700 4X4 models, the OEM wanted to bring two distinct models to market. The Grizzly, with its new styling and chas- sis, On-Command 4WD system, 26-inch tires, two-piston four-wheel disc brakes and new suspension, was manufactured for rec- reational ATV riders. The Kodiak, however, with hydraulic disc brakes in the front and sealed wet brakes in the back, a mechanical rider-engaged 2WD/4WD system and 25-inch wheels, was developed as a work model, aimed square at farmers, ranchers and others who use ATVs — or who have employees who ride ATVs — to get work done. As a point of distinction between the Yamaha ATVs and others in the work and play segment and the $6,999 and $8,899 starting price range, Yamaha has powered the Grizzly and Kodiak with 708cc power plants. Yamaha introduced both models to media at a late July event at Windrock Park near Knoxville, Tenn., and though there was a clear distinction between the work-focused Kodiak and the aggressive and playful Grizzly, both were more than capable of taking on some aggressive hill climbing, creek crossings and rut maneuvering. After a full day of climbing up and down the trails, I caught up with Travis Hollins, product planning manager at Yamaha, who explained the reasoning between the Grizzly and Kodiak differentiation. "We basically just kind of saw the need for it," he said. "In the past we had Grizzly; we had Grizzly 450, and we had a Bruin 350 before that. When we were out talking primarily just to people that are using them for more work related activities, the Grizzly was just a little too aggressive. It's a big machine; it's a tall machine; it's got a lot of power. And the 450s and those sort of products in certain applications just didn't have enough power. They thought the size was good, and the physical dimensions were good, but not the overall power." With those findings in mind, Yamaha matched a 708cc motor with a number of fea- tures that make the Grizzly a uniquely fun machine and the Kodiak a workhorse. "When we were looking at the next genera- tion and what we wanted to do, we kind of felt like if we had a vehicle and a power plant that we could tailor a little closer, we could take the Grizzly and push it a little more recreation; we can add a little more sportiness to that one, and then we could bring the Kodiak in and address the work guy a little more closely," Hollins said. As I jumped from the Kodiak to the Griz- zly, the first characteristic that stuck out as different was the seating. The new large and plush Grizzly seat is built so the rider can have a more aggressive stance to help him or her tackle trails of varying difficulties. The Kodiak's seat, however, is long and plush, designed for workers to spend time on the saddle, while also offering easy on and off for those who mount and dismount frequently throughout their day. One power plant, two different ATVs PHOTOS BY FRANK HOPPEN PHOTOGRAPHY PSB managing editor Liz Keener shows the 2016 Yamaha Kodiak has been designed to tackle a variety of work- related tasks.