Predator 500 or Honda 400 ex?

[IndyBoy7]

I am selling my dirtbike and am looking for a quad to buy. Price range between $2000-$3000. I am most interested by the 400 ex (because i am usually a honda person) but I've started taking interest to the Predator 500. I'm trying to get as many points of view as possible because I am having a really hard time deciding so I'd really appreciate everyones help. Thanks guys


p.s.
I need it to be basically a nice all-around quad. It's mostly trails at my local riding spot but they have a track and I want it to be able to hold its own there also.

Thanks again for everyones help

[DementeD]

i know nothing about the predator 500
however if u want opinions on the 400ex..just read the "why did u buy a 400ex" thread..
ull get all the info u need right there..

[400exkid2]

id get the honda i raced against a 500 and i smoked him there not that reliable either

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by 400exkid2
id get the honda i raced against a 500 and i smoked him there not that reliable either

that predator had a crappy rider or some mechanical issues then. speed wise, predators are fast, much faster than 400ex's. however, if its a 2003 pred, i would pass on it because of significant reliability issues. also, what are you looking for out of a quad? handling stock for stock, id go with the predator, but modded, not much can touch the handling of a 400. so with that being said, its hard to point you in the right direction without knowing what type of riding you do. whatever you do, please don't listen to anybody who has sentences that look like the above post.

[klutch]

I would say it completely depends on the style of riding you do. In my opinion if you were big into MX I would go for the Predator. But, if your are more of a trail rider I don't think anything can beat a nice 400EX for trails.

[Honda#4]

the early preds had tranny issues I think, If it was me id stick with honda.

[Hondamaster5505]

Personally, I HATE polaris.

- Their customer support sucks
- Poor reliability
- Cheap components

BUT, that aside, if your looking for power, the 500 has much more of it. If your aiming towards MX with some trails, it might be better. If your doing more strictly trails, the 400ex is probably better.

Also, if you were not planning on keeping it stock, a 440 kit on the 400ex will keep a smile on your face.

But, why only these two choices? Raptor 700's are nice quads. The Kawi 450 is one of the more trail-friendly 450's.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
Personally, I HATE polaris.

- Their customer support sucks
- Poor reliability
- Cheap components

BUT, that aside, if your looking for power, the 500 has much more of it. If your aiming towards MX with some trails, it might be better. If your doing more strictly trails, the 400ex is probably better.

Also, if you were not planning on keeping it stock, a 440 kit on the 400ex will keep a smile on your face.

But, why only these two choices? Raptor 700's are nice quads. The Kawi 450 is one of the more trail-friendly 450's.

check his price range? the quads you listed will run him $6k or more and they're nearly impossible to find used.

[klutch]

Originally posted by Hondamaster5505
Personally, I HATE polaris.

- Their customer support sucks
- Poor reliability
- Cheap components

BUT, that aside, if your looking for power, the 500 has much more of it. If your aiming towards MX with some trails, it might be better. If your doing more strictly trails, the 400ex is probably better.

Also, if you were not planning on keeping it stock, a 440 kit on the 400ex will keep a smile on your face.

But, why only these two choices? Raptor 700's are nice quads. The Kawi 450 is one of the more trail-friendly 450's.

He is on a budget and these 2 Bikes fit best in that budget. Alot of the 450s are fairly trail friendly. The Kawi is probably the most trail friendly or the KTM.

The 400EX can be used in MX too. Could use a set of 450R front shocks. Its not too bad.

[Hondamaster5505]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
check his price range? the quads you listed will run him $6k or more and they're nearly impossible to find used.

You can find 06 raptor 700r's for around $4000. Ive actually seen some hit in the high 3's. Predators are close to the 3g range too.

If he is on a budget, i still say 400ex.

[klutch]

Originally posted by IndyBoy7
Price range between $2000-$3000.

You can pick up a nice mildy modded 400EX for $2000 and use the extra $1000 for a few nice mods.

[Flynbryan19]

I have owned a Predator and also spent considerable time on a 400ex. The 400ex is head and shoulders a better quad in all aspects but all out power. Do not even bother with the Predator. Though they are faster they are cheaply made. The new Outlaws seem to be very nice, but are out of your price range obviously. ;)

[RATPACK Z400]

Why just these two quads there are other kinds ! i would also look at the Z 400s as well Im not a fan of the polaris. so I would go with the Z400 or the Ex 400 my pick is clearly shown in my name had both liked Z better!

[400ex28]

ex fo sho

[gcart2]

like everyone has said 400's are the way to go. i have a 400 ex for sale if you would like to check it out.


3500 and it has lots of money in it as you can see



http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php?topic=32581.0

[big400boy]

id go with the honda. not to much experience with the polaris but friends of mine have looooaaaadds of issues with em. and customer service blows. one time i went to a dealer to just check it out and i said to the guy that my friend had problems and he started fighting with me in the store! hes like well they didnt take care of it right these machines are very dependable! if its broke liek that then hes a bad driver and he needs to take classes! yeah great customer service.. haha

[TRXRacer1]

I'd take a newer pred over a 400ex but not an early one. Polaris can make a nice machine, they just suck for the first couple of years they release anything!

[smelly$cat]

I'd vote for a EX as well. I've ridden 2 predators in my tenure. Both times it was in sand at the dunes (Sand Lakes Oregon and Little Sahara Utah), so, not sure how they handle on the trails or MX. In my experience, the EX just FEELS better. Smoother power. Better ergonomics. Lighter feeling.

I have 2 400ex's. A 426 with 13.1 CP piston and a 440. Both of these FEEL faster than the predators I rode. Both predators were stockers. Well, one had a pipe, but I don't think it had it's follow up jetting done, so maybe that was a bad example.

Predators don't do much for me from a looks perspective either. The front looks pretty mean sometimes, but the rear grab bar is nasty (in a bad way) lol.

I think the after market support is better for the EX as well.

My 2 yen

[smelly$cat]

Just one quick follow up, the suspension on the predator is appealing. The adjustable Fox shocks impressed me, especially since they come stock. But regardless, I still enjoyed the feeling of riding my EX better.

Ok, done now....