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.

uphill · 05-08-2018, 12:53 PM

Gotcha. Yeah, the chain issues sound like straight across the board with Tao Tao a few years back, and they say they have made adjustments to newer models. People had that with the 250D's as well, but I haven't heard about it with the Rhino's. Hope that Bull 200 turns out to be a good one, long term for you.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-08-2018, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uphill

Gotcha. Yeah, the chain issues sound like straight across the board with Tao Tao a few years back, and they say they have made adjustments to newer models. People had that with the 250D's as well, but I haven't heard about it with the Rhino's. Hope that Bull 200 turns out to be a good one, long term for you.

If it were me personally I would spend the few extra hundred and go with the Bull 200. It has a few nice upgrades and more power. Only down side I see is it doesn't have the kick start. I would be willing to bet if you look into it there might be a way to install one.

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.

uphill · 05-10-2018, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

If it were me personally I would spend the few extra hundred and go with the Bull 200. It has a few nice upgrades and more power. Only down side I see is it doesn't have the kick start. I would be willing to bet if you look into it there might be a way to install one.

I was thinking of that, but the thing that killed it for me was the rear brake is on the handlebar instead of the foot. The foot brake helps a lot for me due to the dexterity impairment in my left hand. I can handle it, like I can with clutching, but it is a huge difference to be at the foot. I'm looking forward to just steering with my left arm

As far as kick starts, I've only seen those RSP (if I remember correctly). I was actually thinking of starting a new thread on that and Cougar brands. I'd like to hear if anyone has on the board has experience with those.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-11-2018, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uphill

I was thinking of that, but the thing that killed it for me was the rear brake is on the handlebar instead of the foot. The foot brake helps a lot for me due to the dexterity impairment in my left hand. I can handle it, like I can with clutching, but it is a huge difference to be at the foot. I'm looking forward to just steering with my left arm

As far as kick starts, I've only seen those RSP (if I remember correctly). I was actually thinking of starting a new thread on that and Cougar brands. I'd like to hear if anyone has on the board has experience with those.

I've looked at the Cougar brand, they have some nice ATV's. Which one were you looking at?
I was looking hard at getting the water cooled Cougar Monster 300 4x4 but ended up getting my daughter a UTV and me a Hawk for about the same money. Not sure on how much money you were planning on spending. You can make a sweet deal on the 2 wheel drive version of it. http://www.apscusa.com/New-300-Water...NLY_p_962.html

uphill · 05-14-2018, 01:04 AM

It looks like I'll have to stick with the 150cc models to stay in my price range, they all seem to be somewhere just shy of $1300. I really like the back up kickstart, which looks to be on both Cougar and RPS 150's. What I HATE about some of the auto's, is the long handle shifter that is basically placed right at the knee. I don't know what genius came up with that, but I'm going to make sure I don't get that! It looks like the RPS placement is ok, I like the Tao's the best, where it's inside and totally out of the way, but I haven't found a pic of the Cougar shifter yet. If you know of any other options in that range, let me know. Thanks!

ckangaroo70 · 05-14-2018, 05:48 AM

If $1300 was my max budget for a new adult size atv, and having a kick start and a foot brake was a must....I still think the Coolster 3150 DX2 with it's 23/22 inch tires and ad-on $30 2" rear wheel spacers would be an obvious good choice.

**JerryHawk250** · 05-14-2018, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uphill

It looks like I'll have to stick with the 150cc models to stay in my price range, they all seem to be somewhere just shy of $1300. I really like the back up kickstart, which looks to be on both Cougar and RPS 150's. What I HATE about some of the auto's, is the long handle shifter that is basically placed right at the knee. I don't know what genius came up with that, but I'm going to make sure I don't get that! It looks like the RPS placement is ok, I like the Tao's the best, where it's inside and totally out of the way, but I haven't found a pic of the Cougar shifter yet. If you know of any other options in that range, let me know. Thanks!

The shifter on the Coolster doesn't stick out. It's out the way under the tank. From the pictures I looked at they all have the same shifter.
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uphill · 05-14-2018, 11:35 AM

Yep, that's the best placement imo. Tao Tao is exactly the same I believe. That RSP Desert 150 is almost identical as well, AND with the kickstart back up. I'd really like to have that. Nice looking pic btw!

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: 11,554	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
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05-07-2018, 05:04 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,554	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, 12:53 PM	#7
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Gotcha. Yeah, the chain issues sound like straight across the board with Tao Tao a few years back, and they say they have made adjustments to newer models. People had that with the 250D's as well, but I haven't heard about it with the Rhino's. Hope that Bull 200 turns out to be a good one, long term for you.
	0

05-08-2018, 05:28 PM	#9
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

05-14-2018, 01:04 AM	#12
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	It looks like I'll have to stick with the 150cc models to stay in my price range, they all seem to be somewhere just shy of $1300. I really like the back up kickstart, which looks to be on both Cougar and RPS 150's. What I HATE about some of the auto's, is the long handle shifter that is basically placed right at the knee. I don't know what genius came up with that, but I'm going to make sure I don't get that! It looks like the RPS placement is ok, I like the Tao's the best, where it's inside and totally out of the way, but I haven't found a pic of the Cougar shifter yet. If you know of any other options in that range, let me know. Thanks!
	0

05-14-2018, 05:48 AM	#13
ckangaroo70 Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 113	If $1300 was my max budget for a new adult size atv, and having a kick start and a foot brake was a must....I still think the Coolster 3150 DX2 with it's 23/22 inch tires and ad-on $30 2" rear wheel spacers would be an obvious good choice.
	1

05-14-2018, 11:35 AM	#15
uphill Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 63	Yep, that's the best placement imo. Tao Tao is exactly the same I believe. That RSP Desert 150 is almost identical as well, AND with the kickstart back up. I'd really like to have that. Nice looking pic btw!
	1