Opinions on the Polaris Predator?

[GlowBoy]

What do you guys personally think of em? I know that Polaris has a ****ty record, but I think they did a good job. We do a little MX and alot of wide woods riding, he doesn't like Raptors, and doesn't care for the 450's price tag and wants something faster than his 400ex. Hows the reliability with this quad?

[QUADROOKIE]

I wouldnt reccommend it for much mx, but for recreational trail riding, it is hard to beat it for the price. very comfy, and pretty reliable.

[gilliam2364]

just put a few mods in his 400 and i think he will be happy.

[TheFontMaster]

My friend has a couple predators. They are a solid reliable quad. Great for trails, and his went good in sand. Like someone else said, it's not the best choice of an MX quad.

[LTR450_#67]

The early Preds had some bugs in them but they have been resolved. I think they're nice with the FOX or Ryde FX shocks on them. You can get some good power out of them too!

[PolarisRider06]

with the right suspension setup they aren't bad for MX but dont expect to run a fast class with one, they are more just for fun on an mx track not serious harcore racing. in the woods they are great and they have great power. i've had no problems with mine so far that werent because of my own mistakes. its an all around great quad very reliable and definately worth the money....


.... i just need a 450 for MX... lol...

[xXx*PREDATOR*xXx]

I got a pred the year they came out (the year with all the mistakes) and I was lucky enough to still have NO problems with mine :) I love my bike but recently returned it back to stock form. I think it is def. worth the price.

They used to be ****. But now I wouldn't say no to one.

[YFZ450Ridr]

if i didnt have a 450, i would be riding a predator for sure.

[DOHC]

I like them alot, when i sell my 400ex im buying one for sure. I own alot of polaris products and they treat me right hardly any problems :D

crap

[GlowBoy]

^ lol

[700bRad]

Predators are wicked machines, and should not be underestimated.

[Predator Slim]

I have a 2004 and it is a good running machine. I really like the width and the Fox shocks. It really handles and rarely wants to tip.

[my88r]

junk

[bradley300]

the TLD has the ebst feeling stock suspension of all the quads to me. i liked mine alot, but i felt a little small on it. i'm 5ft. 9, if i was 6 feet tall or better, i would have been real comfortable on mine, but my yfz fits me better

its just another 4 stroke. im sure it would work just fine for what he is looking for (faster then a EX, relieable and inexpensive)

[bradley300]

honestly i think power wise he will be disapointed with any of the 450's (or pred) from what i gather he wants. all these quads are way faster than a400ex, but you have to work hard to keep the rpm's in the right spot. not exactly like a 400ex. my opinion is if you want something faster than a 400ex, but with a similar power curve, get a raptor 700 or a newer raptor 660. it has lots o low end and it easy to lug around a gear or two high, unlike a 450/pred. but its all in what he's after, he might want a little more agrresive ride

[katch26]

its a really great all around quad.....its not the best for mx but def can be raced competetivly.
Polak1035 "crap" :rolleyes:
99% of the people that say their crap are
1. brand loyalists- nothing wrong with liking a particular brand but that doesnt make everything else "crap"
2. have no experience with the quad
3. didnt read about it in dirt wheels so it must not be good
4. heard from a friend that his ex g/f father's brother in laws old college roomate's brother had one and it sucked.

[my88r]

well you would want something that is that big and heavy

[katch26]

weight is really only an issue for mx......do some research the predator is 415 dry (maybe 425 wet) most desert or xc bike are in the 470-480s, so.......read up

[my88r]

matt smiley rode last year in the gncc and did trouble on now hes riden a 450r and doing well. i had the trail blazer 250 one the worst quad ive owned heavy and about the slowest quad ive rode plus cant run it in pro mx needs to be a 450

[Toadz400]

The weight is really all in the engine. Other than the weight issue it's an awesome all-around quad. That really means a lot coming from me because I probably hate Polaris more than anyone on this site.

A friend of mine has a Predator and it's got plenty of torque, the gearing is PERFECT for trails and riding in the wide open, and the suspension is awesome stock. I believe the weight and size is the only issue with this quad, but for the bigger people it's a Godsend.

[Predator Slim]

I am 6'5" and the pred is one of the few quads that doesn't feel like I'm sitting on a power-wheels.

[400EXTRA]

Originally posted by my88r
junk
id stick with a HONDA!

[my88r]

yep i have a honda 250r

[Toadz400]

Originally posted by my88r
yep i have a honda 250r

That's great. I have a YFZ450, Banshee, and LT185 but none of those have anything to do with this thread. I'm thinking the same with yours:) .

[Outlaw 50]

Originally posted by my88r
matt smiley rode last year in the gncc and did trouble on now hes riden a 450r and doing well. i had the trail blazer 250 one the worst quad ive owned heavy and about the slowest quad ive rode plus cant run it in pro mx needs to be a 450

Matt Smiley had a bad knee last year which he failed to discuss with Polaris last year which is why he had a bad season. If you were paying attention you would know that he got really good starts in all the races and then faded after the start. He was looking for a way out of his contract all year.

Comparing a Predator 500 to a 250 Trailblazer is like comparing a moped to a
Hyabusa, they both roll but c'mon.

As far as buying a Predator, the quad is solid. It is high maintenance like most performance quads but will give good service if properly maintained.

[54warrior]

My biggest beef with Polaris over the years has been fit/finish of their machines. They just seem to be kinda dull and boring looking and don't seem to go together that well.

I also hate the fact that you need three sets of tools (standard, metric, and torx) to work on them.

I for one will probably never own one, but I think overall they are probably a good machine.