So after a few years of testing the atv waters (and actually having good luck) with a Chinese quad I've decided it is time to upgrade to a quality machine that will be with me for a while and can handle my improved skills. That being said, I'm now in the market for a sport atv that will see 100% trail riding. I've had my heart set on a 2006 ltr 450 but recently came across a 2005 Predator 500 TL edition. Both have super low hours, priced about the same, are about the same distance from me, and both are bone stock motor wise which I plan on keeping it that way. Now, I've read a lot about the 450 but haven't really seen much on the 500. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough. So, I thought I'd ask here:

Any Predator riders wanna share some insight?
If it were your money, which one would you buy?
Any other suggestions to look around for?

Plenty of Raptors and 400ex's around which (maybe I'm wrong to think this) kinda scares me. Thanks in advance and any info I can get is greatly appreciated!

 

get the ltr450. a 2006 was the only year 450 i rode and thought it was slower then the yfz450 and the honda 450r and the predator, but from what ive seen the ltr opens up nicely with a $35 cherry bomb and taking the baffle out of the exhaust. i owned a 2004 predator, i liked it but the rear end is very loose and handle like its got a hinge in the middle, only on the most traction filled surface did it not handle like that, plus it felt more used and had more squeaks and creaks then anything else i ever owned. get the ltr or any of the jap 450s

 

I think you should stay away from the Predator and the LTR. If you are riding trails, yo uneed something that is skinnier than a moto quad and has reverse. I would recommend a LTZ 400. Great reliable motor and the ground clearance you'll need to ride trails.

 

I would go with the Zuk. Plenty of guys will jump on here and defend the Pred, but for the money the Zuk has more power, better suspension, better handling, more aftermarket potential, and most likely easier access to parts. An '05 Pred will have reverse but it really isn't essential, most of the time I can be turned around and waiting for the guys that use reverse while I am on my forward only YFZ. While the Zuk will need more frequent engine maintenance than the 500 Fuji(any 450 will), the rest of the quad has proven more durable and easier to work on than the Pred(that is my opinion at least.)

Oh, and you see a lot of 400EX because they were the fastest sporty until 2001, and the best handling until the 450s arrived late '03. They are still a great bang for the buck new and have sold a ton of units. Same thing with the Raptor 660/700. It is claimed to be one of the best selling quads of all time. I see a lot of them sold as riders get older and get into utes more, decide to get a 450 for racing/performance purposes, etc. Both of these are abundant in the classifieds for the same reason there are a million Honda accords used. They have sold well neeeew year in and year out so there are a lot of them out there.

 

predator i love mine it handles exelent and has plenty of power

 

handles EXCELLENT compared to a shopping cart maybe

 

i have a 03 pred and it is sloppier in the trials then my buddies 450s after i threw an ekla suspension on the back it started to straighten out but in my opinion 450 are better in the trails and way lighter if you get stuck ... but i have never beat the tar out of a quad like my pred and she just begs for more