2004 Predator

[RNL]

Is this a good year for these? Anything good, bad, ugly? Theres one locally for $2300 thats is real nice shape, and I'm toying with the idea of making an offer on it. I was gonna look at a 400ex or z400, but this looks like a nice deal, any thoughts?

[sleddog66]

04 predator had tranny problems. For $2000 or less, you could have a nice 400 ex that is more bulletproof.....maybe $1500 if you look hard enough. I know my buddy is trying to sell his 400 ex for $2000, I wish I needed another quad.

[rundrave]

I thought it was the 03 (first year) that had the tranny problems

[preddy brian]

My Predator did not have any transmission problems. I had an 04 50th annivesary edition that was in perfect condition. It had DG nerf bars, Armadillo frt bumber, rad shrouds, guards for various parts. I sold it last July for $2100. I think unless the one you are looking st is mint condition and/or many exta add ons that is high. If you do end up buying it remember that resqle value for the Preds is not very good. Good luck and let us knoe what you get. Post pics.

You can see pics of my old Pred in the classifieds for Polaris, put ffrom beginning and it is on bottom of page.

[polaris04predtl]

I've had an 04 Pred for 3 years now and purchased used. White Bros pipe and any goodies... Pro Armor nerfs, Powermadd hand guards, etc.

I don't beleive the 04 Pred's had tranny problems, I think it was '03. The engine is stock on my '04 and it has been bullet-proof. I have raced it Cross-Country and it has held up excellent for a few races. I ride mainly woods/trails and have done some motocross for recreation only.

I see most pricing for '04 going from $2000-$2500. I would try to get them down to $2000 unless it is in near mint condition then go up to $2300.

Good luck. Make sure you ride it first though and the rear ends are a little loose and the Pred 500 is a little heavier than other 400-450 sport quads.

[RNL]

Thanks for the info guys. Came across this one today, any thoughts? Is this a better year and model? Whats the difference between a Troy Lee and regular model?


http://flint.craigslist.org/rvs/2480427154.html

[luigi]

A Predator will own a 400ex in almost every situation. The Honda is a great quad don't get me wrong. I have a 450r and a Predator and the Preddy is a little slower than the honda but much easier to trail ride. In the sand it wouldn't be close. The Predator would blow doors on a 400ex.

[sleddog66]

IMO a 05 is a better predy. My brother has that exact one, and the only issue or problem that he has EVER had, is the fact that it starts hard in sub freezing temps. It has not started good in the cold since day one. The TLD has a tighter shift ratio than the standard, plus if I remember correctly, better shocks. I know the TLD has fox resies. Between me and my brother, we have a 400 ex, a 05 TLD preddy, and a 07 outlaw IRS 525. The outlaw has the most power by far, and the 400 the least. The 400 is the lightest and most agile, but the outlaw is the smootest over bumps, and on off camber jumps and ruts. The predy is really somewhere in between the oulaw and the 400 in power and agility, so it just depends what you want. For trail banging, it is hard to beat the oulaw followed by the preddy, then 400. If power is a concearn....same order. If you want light and agile, probably reverse the order. I will say that the TLD has been as bulletproof as the 400.

[luigi]

05 have reverse. Not really needed but is nice for loading and stuff.

[HondaPohl]

In 05 I bought a new predator. Was ten times better than the 03's. Didnt clunk around like they did. Never had any problems with it.

[Polaris Brad]

I don't know if you are still in the market or not, but one issue you need to be aware of on the predators is they eat chain slides up. I have an 06 predator and I have to change the slide after about 15 to 20 hours of riding. Don,t get me wrong I love my predator, just something you should be aware of especially if you start dropping sprocket sizes it will eat them faster.