and yes,they did an AMAZING story about HPD race mod quad 1-2 months ago,they're great,they tried the new sportsman 600 and they were very surprised about the engine even called it a "rocket",more to come...

 

Is the 600 in this issue? Borrowed it to a buddy for the weekend. They were kind shocked when the HPD article elevated their subscriptions. Hmmm, and how did people find out? Right Here on da Connection. There's that powerful internet thing again.


Ken

 

I had a chance to look over the Predator this weekend at the MN State Fair. I couldn't help but notice the steering set up. Amazing how something so simple took so long to incorporate into a machine. Everything looked great on the machine with the exception of the plastic on one of the fenders where it appeared as though the mold had been damaged during the machining process. There were some ripples on the top edge of the front right fender that looked like there were some programming issues with the CNC while building the mold. Of course this was only a prototype and should be fixed by the time they hit the showrooms. I'm looking forward to seeing these machines on the tracks/trails.

 

yeah it is in this last issue,but they just first tried it out,it is only 1 page in the mag,they said they will get a full review on the new 600 next issue,it seem the sportsman 600 is faster,crisper response and better handling than the 700...

 

Cool, thanks Scramblered, gotta get that issue back.

Lep77m, you're right about it being a prototype...did you notice the special sticker, the dealer show units had those also. I like how someone tried peeling the Predator decal off the tank. There are truely some not so bright people out there. Too bad they didn't have a little test track...would've been more popular than the Bobcat Sandbox.

Did you get your copy of the brochure? If you did, how's that for a toystore!!!!Yahoo!!

Ken

 

I did notice that someone tried to get some of the graphics off the front left fender. Kind of just pushed up like a decal, but I just shook my head on how smoeone tried to get it off. I didn't notice the special sticker on it. I was mainly interested in the steering. I would give the machine a year before I would consider buying one just to get the bugs worked out. One thing I really like d is how low everything was. No more "Ape Hanger" handle bars like the Scramblers. The ergo's were very good.

 

Tap, tap, tap goes the foot....getting tired of waiting. Worse than being 5 years old and knowing the big box under the Christmas tree has your name on it. Kinda has to help things when over 900 Troy Lee units have already be reserved.

Might have to settle for roosting snow with it. Those Black River Falls quad trails are SWEEET in da winter don'tcha know!!!

Ken

 

If ya like the Preditor 500, you're gonna love the Preditor 600 that'll be coming out as a 2004 model late next year. It's going to have the Sportsman 600 motor in it. (Just a little something I heard through the grapevine.)

I just hope the 600 has reverse!

 

After all the factory people I've spoken with, I highly doubt that. Then again, the name Xtreme was supposedly in concrete before it was changed to Predator. Truthfully, it would be like Yamaha coming out with a 770 Raptor, Bomber bringing out the 750 baja. I could be wrong, but this was a purpose built machine where EVERYTHING was to be balanced. That includes the power. Granted the acceleration graph is part of the sales brochure, but if it already out runs the Raptor (being est 160cc smaller) then why would you need more. Just mod the beast you have.

Ken...just my 2c

 

a 600cc pred would probly stomp a raptor 660, bomb 650 or c'dale
what would be sweet is a EFI pred 500.