around here i can get a '03 predator for 5600 or a '04 troy lee for like 6100 and a yfz for 6500, i like both the predator and the yfz but from what i hear the yfz is lighter, faster, and can be easily modded for lots more power, but i also like the handling of the predator and powerband for it plus it has been around enough and proven its self but at least 2 people around here have predators i kinda wanna be different but if you think i would be more happy on a pred i will prolly get it, i am about 6' tall 225lbs do mostly high speed trail, road, moderate racing(usually just my friends on their quads) and descent sized jumps. what do u guys think i have sat on both and drove both but they both seem suprisingly close to the same thing to me with the exception of weight of course. i wanna know what you would do?
thanks

 

yamaha yamaha yamaha all the way!!!

 

Your name tells it all j/k.Well it's up to you if you want a black pred or a blue/white yfz they perform about the same if you were looking for a drag bike go with the yfz,if looking for top speed then go with the pred.The predator tops out faster than the yfz,but not by that much, if you were looking to put mods on both, i think you can get more out of the pred.All in all there both awesome and won't regret either.

 

i saw yamaha due to the fact is is the all around best handling quad

 

What I would do is take a long hard look at both of them. I'd spend some time sitting on them and would test ride them if I could. I'd try to imagine how comfortable I'd feel on them at the end of a long trail ride. I'd list the pro's and con's of each machine and I'd ask myself how important each pro or con was. I'd take a good hard look at my pocket book and see how much that extra cash for the YFZ would carry me, and ask myself if the machine warrented the spending (for some, it might).

For many people, buying one machine is a luxary they can't afford more than once in many years. Take your time and be as certain as possible that you're buying the machine you feel you will be most happy with.

I, personally, don't race. Top speed isn't as important to me, though I like to go fast. Oddly enough, the deciding factor between these two machines would probably be the fact that I can use 89 octane gas in the Predator but not in the YFZ (92 minimum there, I think). I know, I am quibbling about a few penny's per gallon here, but if you ride a lot and share a common gas can with other machines that don't need the higher grade gas, that money adds up. I'd also prefer to spend the $900 difference on other things (like nerf bars, exhaust, etc).

That's just me, though. YOU need to buy the machine you feel is best for YOU and YOUR situation.