Actually the shocking (disappointing) thing is a 90HP HPD quad finishing behind a 426 & 440.

 

Actually, all those riders are VERY close. You figure the first three are all basically modded 250R/400ex geometry. The HPD is the race mod motor mounted in a race 250R frame. The HPD almost always takes the holeshot, then it's battle royal til the end. With more Predator seat time, and some fine tuning, who knows what the Predator will be doing. Sure looks promising.

Ken

 

Sounds like rider skill had more to do with it than pure all out power.

 

Daryl rode both Veteran and Open class on the Predator. He was awfully secretive between motos as to the nature of this new beast! Reports from numerous competitors and spectators attest to the fact that this thing rips! Of course Mr. Rath could make a shopping cart with one broken wheel look fast.

 

Our rider checked out the Predator on the starting line next to his TRX-r and said many of the dimensions seemed very 250R-like! This doesn't surprise me a bit due to the heritage of some key development personell! I expect the Predator to be very race-bred. Mr. Rath will tell you so.

 

Bob, are we talking about the same race? Were you talking the open, or the vet? I talked to Daryl today, and other than the previously noted parts, the bike was stock. That Mr. Lind guy be a terror, no? Also a very nice person.


Ken

 

The HPD unit I was told was Rivard's black one....don't know if Ewing made it, or any other racers.


Ken

 

I WOULD NEVER HAVE A POLARIS IF I WAS YOU I WOULD JUST GO OUT AND GET ME A 400EX. IT IS THE FIRST YEAR THEY ARE MAKING A FOURWHEELER WITH A CLUTCH AND GEARS AND EVERYTHING AND POLARIS ALREADY HAS PROBLEMS BOUT REGULAR FOURWHEELERS THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NEVER MADE AN ATV LIKE THIS BEFORE AND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE GOOD THE FIRST YEAR AT ALL. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Really **** Jar whats the point. Go take your 400EX to the Honda forum and have a nice little party.

 

I wouldn't buy it just because it is a 1st year quad. I don't think being a Polaris makes it junk. After the Raptor incident I'd be more patient. Those that waited for 2002 got a much improved Raptor. I think the Predator is an overdue step in the right direction for Polaris. It looks to be a great quad. I think however the Polaris stigma is hard to overcome (even Polaris knows, that's why they marketed it with no name on it). Not to knock Polaris too much, but it's like AMC. Yeah the AMX might have been faster than a Camaro, but in the end it's still an AMC. It might years for Polaris to ever get respect.