I've been a diehard Polaris ATV/snowmobile nut my entire life, but when I decided to get a sportbike Polaris had nothing to choose from. I ended up on a 400EX, now I'm on a 02 Raptor that I just had a bunch of mods done to (GYT-R full exhaust system, K&N filter, hotcam cam). When I first saw the Predator, I was so-so on it. But the past few weeks its been growing on me, I watched a video of it at my Polaris dealer last friday, I was really impressed with the video. Now I hear on the internet this week that it's put on impressive performances at motocross' and on drag strips. So what do you guys think, is thing for real, or is Polaris teasing us with a souped up pre-production model? My dealer is not getting one till February, but he said he could have one for me in November if I want one, he has not sold one as of yet (sportbikes aren't popular up here in northern Maine). I've been debating this decision ever since I saw the video at my dealer last week! Is my modified Raptor worth keeping over the Predator?

Mitch
02 Raptor
GYT-R blue lightning graphics kit, polished aluminum front bumper, full exhaust system, K&N filter, jet kit, hotcam cam.

 

hey man, if you want something better than a raptor and a predator, and something you can acctually race with, get a cannondale. cannondale will handle both those quads

 

If you want one do not fiddle around because folks are getting in line for the 2003s when they arrive. It may be a hard quad to buy unless you reserve one eary.

 

I must say I really like what I've seen from the Predator so far. However, it is a new production quad. I would not jump on the bandwagon just yet. IMO I would let it hit the market and give it a little while to see how it fairs b4 laying down that hard earned cash. JMHO!

 

get the PREDATOR,it will outperform the raptor stock or modded,only with a pipe+fine jetting this thing really RIP,also some great specialist aftermarket compagnys like HPD,RCR,HOT SEAT,AAEN,will built some cool performance upgrades as well so it look very good to be and EXTREME package sport quad!enjoy the new carnivor.

 

Mitch I agree with stebob. It is like the raptor's first year. The raptor had a crappy tranny, but most things were fixed for year 2. If you have to have it at all costs, then no one can tell you to wait. I've been on the predator, and I had a buddy race his raptor against one. I personally don't see a lot of difference. I think the honest test posted said it was a mile or two slower on top end, and didn't accelerate quite as fast. When I was on board we were only aloud to move a foot or two, but it seemed to kick butt. Here is the decision maker for me IT HAS NO REVERSE!!!! All the kick butt packages, tech, and effort, and they forgot the reverse?? Yeah I don't have reverse on my Zilla, but come on a new quad without?? BTW my zilla was louder but I and a banshee smoked the predator in Coose Bay. The raptor I mentioned pulled ahead, but it was modified yet the slowest raptor of our group. I will say this, it does feel more stable than the raptor, and it comes in cool packages.

 

I do believe that first year models tend to have problems(eg Raptor,Grizz,Kawi650,SP700 and some on the Z-400 and Rincon). But I do belive all the bugs will be out of the Predator. This quad has been in the works for over 3 years. Also, how many other new atv's that have been released that have been out all over the country being tested and tested right in front of people before they sell to the public. There even racing this atv as a prototype, with no problems being mentioned. So by us the people seeing this quad in action, winning races and being beat on before production, makes me believe all the bugs will be out. What other Co. has done this.


As far as not having reverse, again this quad has been in the works for 3 years. So when they started the idea of the Predator, only the 400ex and the DS650 were out and they had no reverse. And it was well before the Raptor and Z400. And being a $1000 less then the C-dale, your getting a lot of atv for the money.

 

If I already had a modified raptor, I would not have ordered a Predator. Unless, I was unhappy with it and shopping for something else anyway.

 

Well, my only hope is that Polaris doesn't do one of these "limited release" deals on the Predator, like they did with the 1998 Scrambelr 500 H.O.. They made only 800 of these quads that year. The whole idea was to clear out the remaining 1997 Scrambler N.O. (No Output). That and the fact that they felt that most people wouldn't accept a machine with 20% more power than it's previous model year. Polaris certainly has a way with marketing that could put them in serious financial trouble.

 

keep the raptor for afew years until the preadtor is proven good and by then the price will be lower thats what iam doonig with the kfx400 waiting a year