Predator
Aug 2, 2002 | 04:42 PM
#21
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,858
Likes: 0
Rincon,
a 400ex will stay with anything 0-30mph, thats just second gear. I will not be surprised one bit if those charts are for real, I have seen this machine in action and if the production model is anything like the test models, they WILL be the machine to beat(especially in a striat line). This 500cc engine is running the same carburator my DS650 is. and I know that that are running at a higher compression, because they rev very quickly and keep biulding power all the way through thier powerband.(just like the C'dale).
Its OK if the Predator is faster than the Raptor,C'dale,and DS. Theirs nothing wrong with rising the bar. Personally I am tired of manufactures "watering down" these "performance" quads we pay $7 G's for. Cannondale is the only Manufacture that will sell you a Highly tuned quad. I think its time for ALL manufactures to follow their example. WE will all benefit from it!!!!
Biggerisbetter.
a 400ex will stay with anything 0-30mph, thats just second gear. I will not be surprised one bit if those charts are for real, I have seen this machine in action and if the production model is anything like the test models, they WILL be the machine to beat(especially in a striat line). This 500cc engine is running the same carburator my DS650 is. and I know that that are running at a higher compression, because they rev very quickly and keep biulding power all the way through thier powerband.(just like the C'dale).
Its OK if the Predator is faster than the Raptor,C'dale,and DS. Theirs nothing wrong with rising the bar. Personally I am tired of manufactures "watering down" these "performance" quads we pay $7 G's for. Cannondale is the only Manufacture that will sell you a Highly tuned quad. I think its time for ALL manufactures to follow their example. WE will all benefit from it!!!!
Biggerisbetter.
Aug 2, 2002 | 06:00 PM
#23
Thread Starter
|
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
I'm still not convinced till I see it with my own eyes.
Ok, I just check out Polarisindustries.com, and the preadtor is on it. That didn't shock me, what did was they quit making the scrambler 400, and kept the scrambler 500 only avaliable with 4x4. Now for 2003 they have 2 Trailblazer's : the Trailblazer 250, and the Trailblazer 400 with the same motor as the scrambler 400. If it used the same Chassis as the 250 Trailblazer it would be a screamer, beacuse it's a light weight chassis compared to the scrambler.
Ok, I just check out Polarisindustries.com, and the preadtor is on it. That didn't shock me, what did was they quit making the scrambler 400, and kept the scrambler 500 only avaliable with 4x4. Now for 2003 they have 2 Trailblazer's : the Trailblazer 250, and the Trailblazer 400 with the same motor as the scrambler 400. If it used the same Chassis as the 250 Trailblazer it would be a screamer, beacuse it's a light weight chassis compared to the scrambler.
Aug 3, 2002 | 12:16 AM
#24
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
<< If it used the same Chassis as the 250 Trailblazer it would be a screamer, beacuse it's a light weight chassis compared to the scrambler. >>
it may not handle the extra punishment the 400 would throw at it.
I know the predator is a powerhouse, afterall it's a rotax, isn't it??? the 400EX won't stay with a raptor from 0-30mph, well mabey even, but there's no way it beats it!
Aug 3, 2002 | 02:21 PM
#28
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
The Predator engine is NOT a Rotax. It is a Fugi, designed by Polaris, built in Japan, the Predator is assembled and the rest of it built in the U.S. It revs freely up to 9,000 rpm, feels like a DS but with a smoother powerband and much higher rpms. A Raptor feels like a thumper, this does not. IT is lower and wider than a Raptor, but not as big as a DS. IT corners better than anything. The steering geometry/linkage is brilliant, with a little linkage that makes the tie rods the same length as the a-arms, so no change in toe as the wheels go up and down. Zero Bump steer. It has a chrome moly axle and is plenty wide, even for me.
...I just got back from the dealer show, I talked at length with the engine guys as well as the riders and development guys. The motor cost 6 million in R&D. They have been fine tuning it for a year. IT comes good to go. No need for aftermarket a-arms, tires, axles, shocks. It comes with Douglas wheels, Maxi Razrs, Chrome Moly axle, and Fox Racing shocks, for which rezzies are an option. Nerfs, and a bunch of cool accessories are going to be available as well as the dune and XC accessory packages.
....The demo track had one huge jump and a set of 6 small jumps which could be doubled or tripled. We got to ride the Predator on a less dramatic track with no jumps, just lots of tight turns. Not a great track, I really wanted to try jumping it, but I can understand why they didn't let us. IT handles better than anything I have ever ridden, including 400 EX, the width, lower center of gravity, great suspension and the trick steering are a head above anything else out there.
.....Polaris has raised the standard. NO stock sport ever made can compare. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
...I just got back from the dealer show, I talked at length with the engine guys as well as the riders and development guys. The motor cost 6 million in R&D. They have been fine tuning it for a year. IT comes good to go. No need for aftermarket a-arms, tires, axles, shocks. It comes with Douglas wheels, Maxi Razrs, Chrome Moly axle, and Fox Racing shocks, for which rezzies are an option. Nerfs, and a bunch of cool accessories are going to be available as well as the dune and XC accessory packages.
....The demo track had one huge jump and a set of 6 small jumps which could be doubled or tripled. We got to ride the Predator on a less dramatic track with no jumps, just lots of tight turns. Not a great track, I really wanted to try jumping it, but I can understand why they didn't let us. IT handles better than anything I have ever ridden, including 400 EX, the width, lower center of gravity, great suspension and the trick steering are a head above anything else out there.
.....Polaris has raised the standard. NO stock sport ever made can compare. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
Aug 3, 2002 | 02:59 PM
#30
Trailblazer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
thanks for the great post fourlix i sounds like a mean machine what im inpressed with is it sounds like it handles great the shocks me. A Polaris that can out handle a honda Hmmmmmm..... This is getting better every day now i need to ride this predator. Hey Question for everybody you guys remeber some wheres in a dirtwheels mag where it advertised t-shirts, there was a t-shirt with a raptor on the front that said Better to be the predator than the prey. I thought that was hilarious when i seen it i think they will be changing it.
