‘Flawless Performer’ For Over 25 Years

‘Flawless Performer’ For Over 25 Years L. Manthey, Kenyon, Minn: “Thirty years ago, I bought a three-year-old 250 cc Yamaha Timberwolf based on the dealer’s recommendation. It started and ran well for a couple of months, driving on our up, down and around acreage trails. Then it sputtered and spit at higher rpm, and eventually didn’t want to start at all. I emptied the fuel tank, cleaned the carb, and put in new gas, along with a good dose of Seafoam. That brought it to life for about a week, then it just plain quit. “I hauled it back to the dealer and told him about the issues. He responded, ‘Guess you got a guinea pig model.’ I replied, ‘And that’s another word for lemon, right?’ He shrugged it off with a grin and said, ‘Those early 250s had some problems; some people even called them guinea pigs. How about driving a nice used 4-WD 1998 Kodiak 400 that just came in?’ “I took it for a spin, traded in the lemon, and to this day consider it one of my favorite best buys. My 27-year-old air-cooled Yamaha Kodiak 400, known as ‘Ol’ Red,’ has an electric start, push-button 4-WD, adequate headlights and a comfortable seat. With the Ultramatic transmission, it’s great on trails, pulls a half-ton capacity trailer and starts easily, even in cold weather. In fact, riding through 6 in. of fresh snow is more fun than on dusty trails. “The strong tubular steel frame is supported by MacPherson struts on the front and a rear swingarm/monocross suspension. For more than 25 years, ‘Ol’ Red’ has been a flawless performer. I’ve replaced a short fuel line, shocks, tires and a couple of batteries. “The front and rear utility racks are handy for carrying yard tools, a cooler, or young grandkids riding in a strapped-on kid jumper seat. The $2,000 I paid in trade for ‘Ol’ Red’ was a real bargain. “A few years ago, I saw a faded relative of my ‘Ol’ Red’ in the back of a muddy South Dakota hunter’s pickup, tucked between two large mule deer. I asked him about the wheeler. “He smiled and said, ‘Ol’ Red’ here’s my deer buggy, my fencin’ buggy, my calf gettin’ buggy and my grandkid ridin’ buggy. I’m never gettin’ rid of it ‘cuz there’s none better out there.’ “I’ll second that endorsement any day.”

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