Okay my buddy was ranting so i figured i would share the rant on here. The in the h#ll was Polaris thinking with that dumb plastic stopping half way up the gas tank? and it isn't nice and rounded it's pointy! I've got some nice bruises from that plastic. I'm 6'2'' so my knees sit right behind it so every time i get slammed forward my knees nail that plastic. My buddy is coming out riding this weekend but before he comes out he's going to pick up knee pads because after the gravel pit last weekend the inside of his knees got pretty bruised.
I know I’ve talked about this before but after smacking my knees on it I’m wishing Polaris would fix this on the 05 or 06 model.

Am I the only one that’s having this problem?

Don’t get mad at me guy I’m not dissing your pred heck I was the one who talked my friend into going Polaris because I really like the machine.
This plastic is just a stupid design.

 

it all depends on the way you ride the machine i think.. i never had the problem.. and i am 6ft. but alot of others have.

 

i never hit my knees and im bout 6f half inch. i just know how to stay put and not get bounced around on it. o well good luck with the knee pads.

 

It has nothing to do with staying put.....if you are hitting you knees(like I do too, I am about 5'11") it means that you know how to ride hard and you ride hard enough that you have to grip the tank with your knees......staying put, instead of moving, would not allow you to throw the quad around and lean and other things like this....

 

so if my knees dont get bruised, im not riding hard enought? thats hilarious

 

I didn't say that(or mean that atleast)....but I know for fact that I ride hard, and my knees hurt sometimes......I'm not getting bounced around on it, I'm gripping with my knees to hold on, and to help lean and throw the quad....but think what you want...I guess I'm an old motorcycle rider....

 

Maybe thats my problem is i'm an motorcycle rider and i ride gripping the tank with my knees and thats how i showed my friend to ride.

Bradracer18 is correct you ride hard enough you really have to use your knees to help hang on and thats were i run into trouble with the plastic on the predator.

Side note: Did a lot of riding today and took a bunch of drag videos I have. Predator VS Xplorer 400 on grass and dirt. Predator VS Raptor on dirt, Predator VS piped CR125 on dirt, Raptor VS CR125 on dirt. I'll be compressing these tomorrow and getting them uploaded to my server so you guys can check them out.

 

I'd rather have the current design than a full plastic extension that gets all scuffed up as your leg rubs against it. Again, I guess it all depends how you ride, but I ride very aggressively and I never have a problem. The way its designed, its easy to maintain and keep looking good. But I guess if you're smacking your knees, it would be frustrating.

Why not just convert your plastics to the new Fullbore design?

 

Probably because the Fullbores cost around $700.....Not all of us have that kinda cash to throw around. BlackRaptor, I've noticed if I don't wear my knee braces I get bruises too. You just have to wear a set of knee pads.

 

I've never had a problem banging knees and I'm 6 foot........

One possible solution and a thing I am looking at doing, is relocating the foot pegs lower and further back.

I did this on my Banshee and it really help the feel and C.G of the machine.

You'll need to shorthen the shifter and rear brake lever too, but its just a bit of time with a grinder and welder.

Just a thought.