Which is better? Bull vs. Kodiak

uphill · 05-07-2018, 11:04 AM

Which do you guys think is better in comparing the Kodiak 150cc Coolster to the Bull 150 Tao Tao? Looks like the Bull has a little more torque, a little bigger, but the Kodiak has a little wider wheel base. Any difference on reliability / maintenance or anything else to weigh in on?

**JerryHawk250** · 05-07-2018, 11:37 AM

The Kodiak is the Coolster 3150DX. I wouldn't focus to much on the posted HP and TQ on these sites. They basically use the same engine. Either one would be good.

uphill · 05-07-2018, 04:31 PM

Ok thanks. I talked to a dealer who said they are constantly getting Coolsters in for repairs. He says the Tao Tao is pretty much the standard best and Apollo is good as well. Obviously you've had excellent experience with yours.

One thing I noticed that didn't seem to be very smart engineering on the Kodiak, is the shifter sticking way up in front of the knee area. At least it looks like it in the pics I've seen. Looks like Tao Tao autos have it in more of a protected position.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-07-2018, 05:04 PM

That's kind of like saying a GMC is better than a Chevy. lol I guess it all depends on which one you selling.
The Coolster has the same shifter as the Bull. It's tuck in under the tank area. Must be the camera angle.
Honestly it would be which ever one you can get the best deal on.

uphill · 05-07-2018, 05:50 PM

Yeah haha that debate is in anything you can buy I guess. I realized the left side shifter is on the 125cc Coolster, and the Tao Tao 125 is the same. I was looking at the wrong pic earlier. I suppose it's close enough to the body to work for kids.

ckangaroo70 · 05-07-2018, 08:59 PM

I have purchased three Coolster 3150 DX 2's and just got my new TaoTao 200 BUll. I havn't had too many problems with the Coolsters. A new CDI boxes here and there and a few other minor things, but they have been good ATV's for what I use them for.
My new TaoTao Bull 200 has a bit more power and has a much better suspension, but a Coolster 3150 DX2 still has alot to offer for the ATV's in this price point we are dealing in. In fact at this point I don't have enough time or miles on the Bull 200 to say that it is any better then the three 150cc DX2 Coolsters I have bought. Those I have a ton of hours and miles on and they were all a good buy in my opinion. Hopefully my new Guinee Pig Bull 200 ATV will prove to be just as good or better, but we will see.
As for the Bull 150 compared to the Coolster DX2 150. Obviously I chose the 150 Coolsters, but I would say whatever one you can get the cheapest would be the best. I have read in the past where some guys were having troubles keeping chains on the Tao Tao Bull 150's and trouble with bearings. I have had none of those troubles with my three Coolster DX2 150's, but perhaps I just got lucky. Luck does play into some of these.

Darth Racer · 05-08-2018, 05:28 PM

I think the chain popping off issues were from the rear sprocket not being lined up with the front sprocket.... If you just blindly crank down the set screws you end up with a rear steer axle. If you look down the top of the chain like a rifle you can see it as not a straight line.

There is a way to get the axle straight using ratchet straps while you tighten the chain on this board. In a nutshell you ratchet the side of the axle without the sprocket towards the front to keep it lined up and true.

Wonder if that issue caused some premature bearing wear/stress from the wonky angles.

Darth Racer · 05-21-2018, 05:45 PM

Yeah looks to be the case.

The homemade hitch setup is a tough one ... I'm fine with it. Just don't use the angle iron from the crate. That stuff is too soft. Hit Home Depot or Lowes for a small section

I did pick up a Bull LED tail light from Parts Kit to swap out with the one on the Rhino.... never cared for incandescent bulbs much... mine burnt out in the first couple of trips. The price of the Bull Rims isn't bad.... at some point I will get a set.

uphill · 05-23-2018, 11:14 PM

I actually did something much simpler, and I think it's a great idea, but I just need stronger metal than I used. I got the idea from an Amazon reviewer who posted a pic. I resized it, so hopefully it's clear enough. Just a u bracket with eye bolt. Pretty cool idea I thought.

Darth Racer · 05-24-2018, 05:30 PM

The weight I pull with my Rhino would twist and mangle that up.

If the U part extended to the cross supports on the swing arm and braced to it, it would have a chance. Not much there to stop up and down movement.

uphill · 05-25-2018, 12:31 AM

Yep, wouldn't take what you're putting it through, maybe alright for those of us doing little or no climbing.

What do you think about pinning directly to the cross member support?

Darth Racer · 05-25-2018, 06:56 PM

Not to sure about that route. The welds might not hold up. A load full of logs in the yard trailer can knock some stuff around.

uphill · 05-26-2018, 01:22 AM

Yeah that's true. Thanks for the input.

Darth Racer · 05-26-2018, 08:10 AM

I saw the mod on here for 2LZ's angle iron hitch before I bought my Rhino... it looked good enough for me to consider doing this to a Chinese ATV... it was one of the things that pushed me to get the Rhino. Had to be hitch friendly to suit my purpose for getting one VS a used name brand ATV.

When it arrived I looked the rear over good and the angle iron route still seemed to be the best way to do it. It had to be strong enough to avoid up and down stress and side to side stress on the hitch. It also had to be done in a way that didn't depend on one mount point that would possibly break some of the not so great welds.

2LZ's mod was simple enough to make and looked strong enough. After using it for two and a half seasons it's held up great. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=18599

The last thing you want is this sort of stuff failing when you need it.... worse yet having it damage the frame in the process.

uphill · 05-27-2018, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth Racer

I saw the mod on here for 2LZ's angle iron hitch before I bought my Rhino... it looked good enough for me to consider doing this to a Chinese ATV... it was one of the things that pushed me to get the Rhino. Had to be hitch friendly to suit my purpose for getting one VS a used name brand ATV.

When it arrived I looked the rear over good and the angle iron route still seemed to be the best way to do it. It had to be strong enough to avoid up and down stress and side to side stress on the hitch. It also had to be done in a way that didn't depend on one mount point that would possibly break some of the not so great welds.

2LZ's mod was simple enough to make and looked strong enough. After using it for two and a half seasons it's held up great. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=18599

The last thing you want is this sort of stuff failing when you need it.... worse yet having it damage the frame in the process.

NICE! I don't know how I missed this thread. I thought I saw one before where the angle iron was welded on. No go for me... no welding here at least for now.

But this looks doable. Can't wait to get the new unit and slap one of these on! THANKS

05-07-2018, 11:04 AM	#1
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Which is better? Bull vs. Kodiak Which do you guys think is better in comparing the Kodiak 150cc Coolster to the Bull 150 Tao Tao? Looks like the Bull has a little more torque, a little bigger, but the Kodiak has a little wider wheel base. Any difference on reliability / maintenance or anything else to weigh in on?
	0

05-07-2018, 11:37 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,569	The Kodiak is the Coolster 3150DX. I wouldn't focus to much on the posted HP and TQ on these sites. They basically use the same engine. Either one would be good. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	0

05-07-2018, 05:04 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,569	That's kind of like saying a GMC is better than a Chevy. lol I guess it all depends on which one you selling. The Coolster has the same shifter as the Bull. It's tuck in under the tank area. Must be the camera angle. Honestly it would be which ever one you can get the best deal on. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	0

05-07-2018, 05:50 PM	#5
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Yeah haha that debate is in anything you can buy I guess. I realized the left side shifter is on the 125cc Coolster, and the Tao Tao 125 is the same. I was looking at the wrong pic earlier. I suppose it's close enough to the body to work for kids. Last edited by uphill; 05-07-2018 at 07:36 PM.
	0

05-07-2018, 04:31 PM	#3
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Ok thanks. I talked to a dealer who said they are constantly getting Coolsters in for repairs. He says the Tao Tao is pretty much the standard best and Apollo is good as well. Obviously you've had excellent experience with yours. One thing I noticed that didn't seem to be very smart engineering on the Kodiak, is the shifter sticking way up in front of the knee area. At least it looks like it in the pics I've seen. Looks like Tao Tao autos have it in more of a protected position.
	0

05-07-2018, 08:59 PM	#6
ckangaroo70 Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 113	I have purchased three Coolster 3150 DX 2's and just got my new TaoTao 200 BUll. I havn't had too many problems with the Coolsters. A new CDI boxes here and there and a few other minor things, but they have been good ATV's for what I use them for. My new TaoTao Bull 200 has a bit more power and has a much better suspension, but a Coolster 3150 DX2 still has alot to offer for the ATV's in this price point we are dealing in. In fact at this point I don't have enough time or miles on the Bull 200 to say that it is any better then the three 150cc DX2 Coolsters I have bought. Those I have a ton of hours and miles on and they were all a good buy in my opinion. Hopefully my new Guinee Pig Bull 200 ATV will prove to be just as good or better, but we will see. As for the Bull 150 compared to the Coolster DX2 150. Obviously I chose the 150 Coolsters, but I would say whatever one you can get the cheapest would be the best. I have read in the past where some guys were having troubles keeping chains on the Tao Tao Bull 150's and trouble with bearings. I have had none of those troubles with my three Coolster DX2 150's, but perhaps I just got lucky. Luck does play into some of these.
	2

05-08-2018, 05:28 PM	#7
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	I think the chain popping off issues were from the rear sprocket not being lined up with the front sprocket.... If you just blindly crank down the set screws you end up with a rear steer axle. If you look down the top of the chain like a rifle you can see it as not a straight line. There is a way to get the axle straight using ratchet straps while you tighten the chain on this board. In a nutshell you ratchet the side of the axle without the sprocket towards the front to keep it lined up and true. Wonder if that issue caused some premature bearing wear/stress from the wonky angles.
	1

05-21-2018, 05:45 PM	#8
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	Yeah looks to be the case. The homemade hitch setup is a tough one ... I'm fine with it. Just don't use the angle iron from the crate. That stuff is too soft. Hit Home Depot or Lowes for a small section I did pick up a Bull LED tail light from Parts Kit to swap out with the one on the Rhino.... never cared for incandescent bulbs much... mine burnt out in the first couple of trips. The price of the Bull Rims isn't bad.... at some point I will get a set.
	0

05-24-2018, 05:30 PM	#10
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	The weight I pull with my Rhino would twist and mangle that up. If the U part extended to the cross supports on the swing arm and braced to it, it would have a chance. Not much there to stop up and down movement.
	0

05-25-2018, 12:31 AM	#11
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Yep, wouldn't take what you're putting it through, maybe alright for those of us doing little or no climbing. What do you think about pinning directly to the cross member support?
	0

05-25-2018, 06:56 PM	#12
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	Not to sure about that route. The welds might not hold up. A load full of logs in the yard trailer can knock some stuff around.
	0

05-26-2018, 01:22 AM	#13
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Yeah that's true. Thanks for the input.
	0

05-26-2018, 08:10 AM	#14
Darth Racer Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: MD Posts: 558	I saw the mod on here for 2LZ's angle iron hitch before I bought my Rhino... it looked good enough for me to consider doing this to a Chinese ATV... it was one of the things that pushed me to get the Rhino. Had to be hitch friendly to suit my purpose for getting one VS a used name brand ATV. When it arrived I looked the rear over good and the angle iron route still seemed to be the best way to do it. It had to be strong enough to avoid up and down stress and side to side stress on the hitch. It also had to be done in a way that didn't depend on one mount point that would possibly break some of the not so great welds. 2LZ's mod was simple enough to make and looked strong enough. After using it for two and a half seasons it's held up great. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=18599 The last thing you want is this sort of stuff failing when you need it.... worse yet having it damage the frame in the process.
	2