Preditor 500 for my 400ex

[mbellaver]

I've been offered an unmodified 2003 Pred 500 in average condition for my 2001 400ex that has a White Bros Pipe, KN filter and a ton of other spare parts (including extra frame, stator, starter, engine covers,gas tank, oil tank,etc). I'm intresed in what you all think of the preditor 500. The reason I would trade is that I'm looking for something that would be easier to get to "race ready". I guess I would be doing MX in the open class since its a 500.

[Wheelie]

Don't do it. The Predator is a very heavy, ill handling, POS. Keep your EX, if you want or need something faster, modify your EX or trade up to a 450R.

[katch26]

the 03's tend to have tranny problems and with their weight and lack of aftermarket options it would be hard/ expensive to make mx ready if you were going to xc race than I would say do it but imo its not the best mx platform. They are fast though:D

[katch26]

Im not sure if wheelie has ever ridden one or going by what he hears on the interweb but they are def not ill handling....its def alot more stable than a 400ex stock for stock

[Wheelie]

I've ridden an 03 and an 06, both IMO handled like crap. They push very badly in corners, and the stock seat sucks.

I'd take a stock EX over a stock Predator in the handling dept any day of the week.

[katch26]

I guess we'll agree to disagree but either way you look at it that is a bad trade for you.....maybe bike for bike but the extra parts make it more valuable than his bike

If it was a newer predator, I would say go for it. They were pretty nice.

But the 03's were a pos. Rear tires spun like crazy, tranny issues, poorly valved shocks, akward ergo's/handling, etc.

In their later years, they got a taller steering stem, much better suspension, less weight, better colors, and they shortened the swingarm so it don't spin like crazy.
Plus the tranny shifted like butter on the 05-up.

So nay on the 03, you'll regret it.

[mbellaver]

Thanks for all the responses! It looked like a good option when I read the reviews of it when it was released in 03'. I liked the fact that it was wider in stock form and had fox shocks stock. The top speed and power looked good too. So, they are heavy and have tranny problems? My 400 is near bullet proof!

[scuzz]

Originally posted by mbellaver
My 400 is near bullet proof!


Yes, it is. Mine was too. (I sold it.)

Originally posted by mbellaver
Thanks for all the responses! It looked like a good option when I read the reviews of it when it was released in 03'. I liked the fact that it was wider in stock form and had fox shocks stock. The top speed and power looked good too. So, they are heavy and have tranny problems? My 400 is near bullet proof!

yeah, it had fox shocks, big deal.

They are still regular shocks with the fox badge on them. 2003 had horrible suspension. It was stiff, slow, and and just sucked all around.

In 04 they revalved them and made a couple changes. In 05 they offered fox podium X shocks.

And the predator isn't amazingly fast either. I wasn't impressed by it. A 450 would still smoke it with equal riders hands down. The pred needs to go on a diet before he can play with the bigs boys.

[400exrider720]

Hey where do u live mbellaver? ill trade the guy my 416 for his preadtor.

[mbellaver]

Illinois

[400exrider720]

damn. thats a little far for me to drive.

[2muchquad]

And the predator isn't amazingly fast either. I wasn't impressed by it. A 450 would still smoke it with equal riders hands down

Im not a polaris fan but they arent slow by any stretch,i think they are faster stock for stock than most 450s that i have seen.:)

Originally posted by 2muchquad
Im not a polaris fan but they arent slow by any stretch,i think they are faster stock for stock than most 450s that i have seen.:)

I rode one with a full HMF exhaust system and K&N filter.

It was not what I was expecting..

I was getting all excited after hearing all the hype about them, so I got on. Turned it on, let it warm up, and took it for a spin.
It was quick, faster then the 400ex but not amazingly faster, but definitely not what I was expecting for this "42hp 500cc engine"

I was actually disapointed.

Most of the 450's i ride have pretty much the same stuff, and theres absolutely no comparison. It's like a rocket ship and a cow. They don't compare.

The motor seemed to run good, and it was peppy, but nothing to ride home about.

[2muchquad]

As usual...results may vary:D One with full system and stock jetting may not run as it should:D

Originally posted by 2muchquad
As usual...results may vary:D One with full system and stock jetting may not run as it should:D

No, it was jetted properly for the mods. There was nothing wrong with the thing.
We had it because my dad repairs quads on the side and he had to put a new carrier and axle bearings on it.

Who knows, maybe we got the bad egg of the bunch. It was an 03 but the engine never really changed. Just the trans.

[mbellaver]

Well guys, against the advice of many, I decided to do it! It turns out that it was an 04" model (without the tranny problems of the 03') It has an White bros pipe, Edlebrock carb., new Razr tires. I think the Fox Podium shocks are more than just a Fox sticker. I talked to GT Thunder and they are rebuildable and they can add remote rezeys to them for a couple hundred dollars.

It definately handled jumps better than the stock 400ex. It has a ton more power and top end. However, it is a little squirrely and it does tend to spin out a lot. I broke them loose going into 3rd gear where the 400ex would have lifted the front up. It is way heavier and wider. I hope I don't miss how the 400 handled in the woods!

Thanks for all your help and advice in the forums.......

sorry to hear you made that mistake

[Pipeless416]

congrats, its always fun to get a new toy :)

[Wheelie]

Originally posted by speedyquad
sorry to hear you made that mistake

Couldn't agree more.

[mbellaver]

Don't feel bad for me guys....I can always trade back for something else. From what I've seen on Craigslist and ebay, an 04 Pred 500 with the accessories I've got is going for quite a bit more than a mostly stock 2001 model 400ex. Right now I'm happy with it though!

Hey Pipeless416, you're in Chucktown huh? I lived there a couple years back........

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by mbellaver
Don't feel bad for me guys....I can always trade back for something else. From what I've seen on Craigslist and ebay, an 04 Pred 500 with the accessories I've got is going for quite a bit more than a mostly stock 2001 model 400ex. Right now I'm happy with it though!

Hey Pipeless416, you're in Chucktown huh? I lived there a couple years back........

sure am, at least for 9 months out of the year

[mbellaver]

have fun...Mother's on Thursdays kicks off the weekend!

[katch26]

Originally posted by Pipeless416
congrats, its always fun to get a new toy :)

if its an 04 I think you made a good trade. As far as the squirrleyness goes are you talking about at wide open? I fixed my problem with adjustable uppers from jdperformanceatv.com. They have the adjustable caster which slows the steering down and it is solid now and it was very reasonable. I have both and unless its r e a l l y tight woods sections the predator outhandles the 400ex, but the 400 can literally run circles around me in the tight stuff so it is a tradeoff. If you ever need help with the motor hit me up.

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by mbellaver
have fun...Mother's on Thursdays kicks off the weekend!

haha i turn 21 in 8 days, so i'll be a bingo frequenter! :D