Hello all-
Im looking at getting a Predator 500 very soon,however, I would like to hear FROM the owners of this bike. So if you may, please just list a few of what you believe the predator weaks and strengths are. Thank you for your time!

 

interesting the 580

 

Pros and Cons?
Well if you buy one your gonna be smilin from ear to ear and it it will make you ride like a PRO.
If you steal one you wont be smilin and from behind bars you'll be a CON.
O.K? ,..... I've had mine since the end of November, Hav'nt had i single problem. Never Had a problem speed shifting, or with tie rods or anything else you've probably read. Maybe I'm lucky, I dont know.
But i think the guys that have had problems are pretty few and far between. - From what im gathering I think it REALLY depends on the bike to how delicate they are to tune/jet/pipe. It seems that with the exception of the Air Force kit - Lots of guys are comming up with stuff that works for them that wouldnt work for someone else... Go figure....

 

the only con i have is shifting whith the gas pinned. it sometimes will not shift but from what i understand it has to do with the oil pressure or something like that. lack of monsterous bottom end torque, it will not pull your arms off like a raptor BUT...if your going to race it, you wont get as fatigued, i always got wore out when riding my raptor on trails fast and aggressive. my hands would be killing me after about 15 minutes of wide open tight trails. the predator is MUCH more forgiving, the power is much more linear, as in the higher it windes, the harder it pulls. it is as fast as a raptor but with a different power delivery. it likes to rev out where as the raptor likes to lug and pull your arms from the sockets. this is my description of the 2 machines for comparision, i dont have a DS650, but from what i understand and a few that i have rode, they run much like the predator.

the suspension is very good, easy to adjust and this bike loves to fly.

the front fenders were getting in my way so i cut them, i was bashing my knee caps, now when i bump the fenders they flex so no more problems there.
the shifting, i have gotten used to it somewhat...i let it rev out pretty high and most of the time it shifts no problems.

there is not problem shifting under regular riding conditions, its flawless.


turbo bobby

 

The power band isn't as linear as you'd like. The white brothers slip on handles that problem, but develops another con (it's a bitch to tune) which leads to a pro. Once set up right, it will run with a fully piped (header and silencer) rappy.

Only real con is that it's only been out a few months and the first mods that are now comming out are unproven

Mine is now comparable to my cousins which has a CT racing pipe, pro-flow airfilter and jetted.

 

The only cons I have with my Predator are:
1.No reverse...which I really need like I need another hole in my head!!
2.The plastic on the side of the tank will "stab" your knees.
3.I can't ride two at the same time.

This machine IS truly unbelievable!!

 

-=Pros=-
FAST!
LOTS of great features for the price!
Handles like a dream!
The suspension is amazing!

-=Cons=-
No reverse, my wifes KFX has it..But then again, I didnt buy the bikes to go backwards
First year quad...
Notchy tranny.

 

Free-style-and stock your #1

 

The only con I can think of is this bike is so fast that one day its going to stomp my a$$.

 

I have a TLD I've never experienced any of the problems that anyone else has had. With the exception of tuning with the pipe, its' been a great machine. I've now got the tuning figured out so all is well again! It handles better than any other ATV I've ridden. I just wish it was warmer here (Wisconsin) so I could get out and ride more.