ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE BEST IN CLASS AWARDS (Part 2)
(November 25, 2003)

Best Sport ATV : Polaris Predator 500

Presented to the candidate producing a vehicle which best fulfills the demands of Sport Class consumers in the areas of value, quality, features, performance, ride, comfort and handling.

It was a close race but our extensive head to head comparison in the September 2003 issue of All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine showed why we chose the Predator.

Runners Up (in no particular order): Yamaha YF-Z450, Yamaha Raptor, Suzuki z-400

Yamaha’s YF-Z comes with essentials built-in, too. First, it’s engine is just flat-out incredible. The 450 cube twin cammer pulls like a tugboat and Yamaha’s engineers have done an amazing job of delivering a light, sturdy and balanced chassis.

Had our criteria allowed even minor modifications, the YF-Z would have dominated. Spend a few hundred more on tires and a Yamaha GYT silencer and the "Eff" is race ready.

Solid endorsement of Suzuki’s QuadSport Z-400 is based on the fact its engine and chassis are used on Kawasaki’s KFX-400 and Arctic Cat’s DVX-400. Let’s make this clear.

Suzuki has created a near perfect balance for the largest group of Sport ATV buyers. Engine, chassis, brakes and ergonomics are all top notch. Once again, for serious racing, cash is required.

Yamaha’s Raptor delivers on the promise for Sport ATV riders who want big displacement power and gargantuan torque.

The designers have cleverly kept the weight low and delivered a full featured wheeler for both trail riding and closed track duties. Thousands of happy owners aren’t wrong.

This should get a few comments.

 

Best in class?

 

where did you find this at? i am happy ya.. but i thot yamaha had bought every1 out!!! lol

 

lol hozed
true true

 

Isnt this the second year running hehe?

 

What class? They aren't in the same class. One is under 450cc and can be raced in major classes the other cannot. 2 classes.... the Polaris is best in class, IMO, when compared to the quads in its class, the Raptor, the DS650, the Vforce ...

The YFZ is in a different class and on any level of racing, they aren't very close.

Again I say, that is comparing 2 classes .. and who is this anyways? At least Polaris could afford to buy someone off [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

the pred and 450 are in differnet race classes... not ATV classes... they mean utility/sport.. and they probably judge that by all around.. a 450 is a lousy trail machine as far as comfort... the pred isnt.. but then you can also take a pred on a track and compete... unlike a raptor.
thats what they mean by best in class.