Just read the ATV action December 2004 issue and they had a shoot out between the standard Predator vs the TLD predator. Here are some of the highlights from the article: Close ratio transmission-TLD overall gearing spread just under 2% narrower than the standard pred--that's hardly close ratio. In their opinion the standard has a closer ratio transmission from second through fifth gear so its a stretch to claim the TLD has a close ratio tranny compared to the standard pred. Additionally, they felt the standard pred was properly geared for the pred 500 motor, but the TLD is not. They also stated that the standard pred consisitantly walked away from the TLD on pavement. The standard spanks the TLD in acceleration testing. They also claim the standard trans ratios do a much better job of utilizing the 500 motor. They said by adding an after market pure polaris exhaust and rejetting would take care of any problems with low and mid-range power for you instantly. In their closing of the article their final answer was they would pick the TLD as the winner mostly because of front shocks and tires, but in their opinion they would take the front shocks off the TLD and put them on the standard pred. Is the TLD everything that Polaris claims it to be and is it worth the extra $500 over the standard pred price?
Thanks for your imput! P.S. Remember this is ATV Actions comments and not my own...

 

I think I made the right choice after all. I just don't have the shocks.

 

I don't think polaris would lie about the greater acceleration on the TLD!
i need to see more of these articles to know for sure like each one of us...

I don't think a std pred would beat a TLD pred on pavement unless i'd see it in my own eyes with equal riders...

polaris didnt changed the gear ratio for nothing...

 

So i don't have a std around here to race, but i'd have to say after driving my tld that you gotta know how to shift, or you're gonna get your a$$ handed to you for being slow. TLD is gonna be running good on top end instead of popping like my '03. Anyway, just another mag article, wait for real world after people get both out and running.

 

farmboyxc,

100% agree with you...

your the first 05 TLD i saw here, whats your TLD stock top speed??? im really intrested ...
and would the close gear ration makes us riders harder to wheelie cuz the gears are short and it would required alot of shifting while wheeling??

 

The Std. and the TLD Have the same top end speed!! All they did was change the 2-4 gear. I did all the research on both quads. I did not want to wait any longer on the TLD, I was planning on getting the TLD.

 

I see... well good things worth waiting!!!
anyway would you say a stock 05 LTD would beat a stock 05 Std. pred in a race on asphalt???

i would say yes because of the 2-4 gear changes.... i'd say the LTD will pass it not by much till they both hit lets say 5th....

 

That article in ATV Action is flawed as usual. They tell you the standard version is faster but when you look at their drag race chart it lists the TLE running a 6.52 in 100 yards and the standard at 6.83 (on concrete) It's my understanding that a 6.52 will beat a 6.83 any day of the week, maybe they have the numbers switched-who knows.

The trans ratios are listed also;

1st standard- 2.429 TLE- 2.357
2nd 1.611 1.867
3rd 1.286 1.529
4th 1.087 1.238
5th .920 .920


The trans ratios from my 04 owners manual are;

1st 2.60
2nd 1.70
3rd 1.30
4th 1.10
5th .90


So from that you may gather they have changed both of the 05 Preds compared to the 03/04 models.
I have no idea how accurate any of this is, anyone know what the actual numbers are for sure?

 

Yes the TLD should out ran the Std. in a drag race, the TLD should get there alot quicker. They said Std. Pred would be a better woods quad(less shifting) They both are great quads......you wont go wrong buying either one.

 

Exactly!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]