Anyone here that has owned the raptor in the past and made the switch, are you glad you did so.

A simple yes or no will do just fine(so this doesn't get strung out). My tranny is gone for the second time and I am thinking about changing quads now. Thanks.

 

My best friend has had nothing but problems with his 01 Raptor. Two stator plates, starter gear, rear bearings just to name a couple of times it's been in the shop. He is going to trade it in on a Predator as soon as he has the cash to make up the difference. He rode mine, and the only complaint he had was the the shift lever isn't located where he likes it on his Raptor. I think he said it felt too far back.

 

I can sure see yer problem, but I'd reallt research this. going from one first year quad to another...
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I plan to make a switch someday. It will surely be to a tried and true machine of at least 2 years in production.

caviat emptor !!!!!!!

 

ryenol- I understand your frustation but wait and see how the predator plays out. Biting the bullet and adding 02 gears will be okay. By the time you sell the rappy for 4G (after you fix it) and pay close to 6k for the predator you will not have gained anything but added money. If you do not have a hi-comp piston and cam yet, now is the time. I would wait it out on the predator a bit. They seem to be okay but the 01 rappys started out the same way. lol

 

I have to add to this... As far as issues or problems Polaris has a warranty,... that is what they are there for!! If you feel you will need it for the long haul,.. after 6 months (if you didn't buy it at the begining) Polaris will send you a reminder stating that you may elect to extend your warranty for up to 4 years for about 500 or less!! How is that for service? I have had the simplest issues and have had nothing but praise for them including a rubed and frayed strap on my nerf bars...that they replaced both sides with a complete new set up! Dude,... buy what you like..but if it is no problems your after, and a good service plan,.. spend the $ and you'll have piece of mind and one hell of a machine They are not going to turn there backs like most of the companys ....and you can modify your bike with white bros. parts right from the dealer and maintain your warranty lets see the others step to the plate for this one Hell they can bolt parts on this thing all day as long as the warranty is ther after 4.5 years I would like to think they will (if any problems ever do occur) have it corrected by then......Tom

 

I have both, still like the Raptor ,but love the Pred. I put an FMF pipe and did some jetting to the Raptor so it really runs good now - in a straight line. Where the Predator really shines is in its handling and suspension. There is no Quad on the market that steers as nice , it turns where and when you point it, doesn't want to pitch you off. We'll be taking them both down to Florence Oregon to play in the sand next month so the extra Disp of the Raptor may be an advantage there, but we will see how it works out.
Brad
03 TLD Pred
01 Raptor

 

A predator may be a good machine, but the 03 raptor seems great. If you can ride it will go.