What is the best year predator I've heard bad things about the 2003's and 2004's but which is the best year?Or should I save my money and buy an outlaw?I ride with two raptor 660's and a yfz and I'm tired of losing badly.

 

In '05 they added reverse. Each year they made some changes. But the best year for the Predator was the '07 especially the LE (Limited Edition) with the Fox Podium XL suspension. In '07 they lost 10 lbs, eliminated the PRO steering, added handle bar reverse and they raised the rev limiter by 500 RPM. But if you are going to spend that kind of money I would definately get an Outlaw 525. You can now pick up used Outlaw 525 for some really good prices. The Predator will hang with the 660's and be close to the the YFZ's, but an Outlaw 525 will have all your buddies scrambling for more mods.

 

I agree with evasiveone. I have had an 05 preddy and now have the 07 preddy troy lee edition he is talking about. It is definitely an improvement over the earlier years, but if I were you I would save my money and by an outlaw with the ktm motor! It would certainly keep up with them... until you wanted to pull away! LOL!

 

How are they in power,top speed and handling?

 

The earlier years had the no bump steer design. It was really different and took some getting used to, but when you turned hang on! The top speed of the preddys is really what they are known for. They usually pulled away from the competition (in stock form). Add a full pipe and intake and you will see great improvement in the low and mid range. One thing I don't like is they seem to "walk" when I'm doing 80! Mind you I only have about 20 hours on my new preddy so haven't gotten a real feel for it, but it seem to be more inline with the competition.

 

I heard that you can't full throttle the 2003s when did they eliminate that problem

 

I haven't heard that before. One of my son's friends has an 03 and has never said anything about it? I have heard the 03's have the most power out of the fuji motor, but their shifting sucks and no reverse.

 

I meant to say I heard you can't full throttle shift them did they fix that?

 

Ha that makes more sense! Yeah, I'm not sure about 04, but they definitely fixed it in 05, which is when they added reverse. Don't let anybody fool you, either, you will use reverse often and it sucks to stop, get off, pick it up and turn it around! By then, your friends will be long gone and you will be playing catch up! Been there, done that! In fact, I still have the stone bruises! LOL!