I had my mind set on the STD Pred for a long time, but I've been thinking I might as well spring the extra $300 mainly for the shock upgrade. The main question with that is how would the closer gear ratio be in the woods?

So my mind was set on the Predator...until I stopped by the local Yamaha/Suz/Kaw dealer (again). The price tag on the YFZ was MSRP and that always sent me back out the door. I was then informed that they have two more '04 YFZs left going for $5899 each. Not bad. So there lies my dilemma.

'05 STD Pred $5799
'05 TLD Pred $6199
'04 YFZ 450 $5899

I'm still leaning towards the Predator because I will be doing mostly trail riding and reverse nice to have. What do you guys think?

 

I wouldn't get an 04 YFZ, get the 05 YFZ because their is a oiling problem with the lower rod bearing of the 04. It will be like a needle in a hay stack if you buy the 04 YFZ, will it blow or not. Thats the major reason I purchased the Predator.

 

If its even money, and reverse is not an issue, I would seriously consider the YFZ. The Predator is the best bang for the buck IMO, but that's because it typcially costs $500 - $1500 less. If the dealer has 04 YFZ's on the floor, chances are those were manufactured more recently, and not the early 04 models made in 03. You will need to do some of the basics if you pick up the YFZ, such as replace the decompression plug, rejet it even stock (too lean) among other things. Probably the best thing about the YFZ is that it will have a higher resale than the Predator, and alot of people buy new quads every year or too. In no way am I saying that the Predator is not a great quad. The Predator is a "sleeper" in terms of bigger-bore performance quads. It is awesome and was the best model of the year (2003), when I purchased it. The 2005 Pred's are even nicer, Polaris has stepped up to the plate in refining an already good quad.

 

I had the same decisions you had-was waiting for the 05 Pred LTD to come out. I talked to my friend who owns a Polaris/Suzuki/Yamaha dealership and he said that the Pred is an okay bike but Polaris has minor problems with all there bikes and that the Yamaha would be a better bike. I bought the YFZ and am glad I did, after one year of hard riding have not had one problem while my friend who had an 04 Pred had his bike in the shop twice for minor things(front brakes and electrical problems). He ended up trading his in for a YFZ also. Just my 2 cents-if you can get a YFZ for the price of a Pred I would do it.

 

Go with what ever you want, they all will break down sooner or later.