I am buying a new sport atv. I have my eye on the predator. I have read numerous different reviews of the predator and it seems the shifting is not very good. Anybody having problems with the transmission? Is the shifting horrible in the predator? In one review, the predator even "lost a gear". Does anybody know if polaris has fixed this problems for the 2004 model? Beside the transmission problems, the quad gets a good review. I don't want to buy a quad with a crappy transmission. If polaris is going to fix this problem for 2004 model, I can wait.

 

Welcome Javex, I see this is your first post.


Do more searching, and ask more questions, but you'll find that only 1% of riders have had ANY problems with the predators tranny......

Some people (ragazine reviewers) just pound the snot out of a machine, and I believe the article you mentioned stated that they were speed shifting at full throttle without letting off the gas and not using the clutch while shifting.....

The predators tranny has held up fine after many months of riding for me, and most all other long term predator owners I know.

Its a solid quad, the best out of the other 5 I've owned. You can't go wrong with the Pred, but thats just my opinion.

 

I agree with Heapster, the only problems with the trans seem to stem from bent shift forks and that results from improper shifting. I am surprised how smooth my Predator shifts, it's as good as my Hondas. I really like this quad.....

 

The clearances on the predator tranny are real tight from the factory,new machine should be hand clutched and taken easy on (no speed shifting)for first 10 hours,then change oil and you are good to go.You can pound on it and speed shift it after it is properly broken in.

 

Like the others stated, take your time and treat it right, and it'll take care of you in return. They're very notchy at first, just give 'em time.

 

My buddy's pred has a really mushy feeling shifter, almost like you dont feel it pushing through the gear at all, weird.... tell ya one thing though, the way the suspension is set up from the factory, it will beat the snot out of you in a hurry on a bumpy trail, god it was stiff!! Not to knock the pred, but it didnt seem to have much for low speed, out of the hole punch... rips on the top though, they all like that?


TJ
03 Raptor

 

Suspension settings and power curve all depends on what you're used to..........If you've ridden a banshee at all, you'll know what I mean about having to keep it in its power band. What torque? <grins>

I LOVE the fact that the Preddy suspension actually has the snardlies to take some big air for "bigger" guys........I'm 6' ~230, and while even I softened up the suspension to soak up more logging road washboard, I could bottom out my stock banshee or warrior suspension way too easily.........

we're not all 16 years old and 150 pounds anymore, and I do feel that Polaris made the Predator as a 2nd or 3rd quad for a more middle age intermediate or advanced rider.........not alot of teenagers have $7K to drop on a toy either........

Better to have a suspension that you can soften up, rather than wishing you could get more out of it.

Even personal prefernce on the shift lever height and what kind of boots you where make a difference. The preddy tranny holds up fine. Don't worry about it. You're wasting riding time, go out and buy one today.

 

Anyone that has had any tranny problems is due to being to lazy to pull the clutch in before shifting...power shifting is not kind on the pred. as long as you always pull in teh clutch for a shift, you will have no problems!!

 

we're not all 16 years old and 150 pounds anymore, and I do feel that Polaris made the Predator as a 2nd or 3rd quad for a more middle age intermediate or advanced rider.........not alot of teenagers have $7K to drop on a toy either........

Hey, Im 25 and Im only 160 lbs, 5'11"..... put on a whole 5 pounds since high school.... whats wrong with that HUH??

Despite the 2 things I pointed out, I did like the pred, looked like they put some time and thought into it, had a lot of upgrades from the factory.

TJ

 

It was quite the daring adventure, and I thank them everytime I hit the start button. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]