Predator in Action!!!
Jul 18, 2002 | 06:55 PM
#11
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Nut,
There are still several problems with fuel injection that have to be worked out. Like for instance, try starting your machine with the throttle on. I learned this from a good friend who let me ride his Cannondale last weekend. Starting the machine with the throttle on is NOT a good thing.
To the rest of you "doubting Thomases", the Predator is here. I've seen it, felt it, heard it and did everything but ride it (understandable, there are only a few prototypes). IT IS REAL! Deal with it. Finally we have another American manufacturer who understands the meaning of high performance. Trust me the production machines will live up to their prototypical hype. All this for around $6000. Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Bombardier and Cannondale had better start going back to their respective drawing boards. There's a new sherriff in town, and his name is the Polaris Predator.
There are still several problems with fuel injection that have to be worked out. Like for instance, try starting your machine with the throttle on. I learned this from a good friend who let me ride his Cannondale last weekend. Starting the machine with the throttle on is NOT a good thing.
To the rest of you "doubting Thomases", the Predator is here. I've seen it, felt it, heard it and did everything but ride it (understandable, there are only a few prototypes). IT IS REAL! Deal with it. Finally we have another American manufacturer who understands the meaning of high performance. Trust me the production machines will live up to their prototypical hype. All this for around $6000. Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Bombardier and Cannondale had better start going back to their respective drawing boards. There's a new sherriff in town, and his name is the Polaris Predator.
Jul 18, 2002 | 09:25 PM
#12
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Why should anyone go back to the drawing boards? big deal 500cc 4 stroke, umm i still have a 150cc advantage to begin with. ohh your a fart pooplaris fan , good for you. those bikes are garbage from the start, they suck **** and are a dealers dream,{repair/shop time} good for them they brought out a REAL sport quad to catch up with everyone else cause the 400 sport is a laaame excuse to begin with. let them hype it, i'll still be out there tearin it up and having tons of worry free fun
smoke checkin another pooplaris
<< IT IS REAL! Deal with it >>
Deal with it? new sheriff?
HAHA dont make me laugh, im not sweatin that pig @ all.
it's to big to run anything but open class races, which means it's gonna have to deal with the big dogs on the block so it might wind up getting kicked....
smoke checkin another pooplaris
<< IT IS REAL! Deal with it >>
Deal with it? new sheriff?
HAHA dont make me laugh, im not sweatin that pig @ all.
it's to big to run anything but open class races, which means it's gonna have to deal with the big dogs on the block so it might wind up getting kicked....
Jul 19, 2002 | 08:25 AM
#13
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Jimbostew,
Normally I don't respond to people with the maturity level of a second grade kid, but in your case I'll make an exception. I could make a comment about the education system in Newport News, but I would be wasting my time. Your parents are the ones to blame for not raising you properly.
That aside, and speaking of education, you are about to get one. The first time you line up against a Predator (that is assuming you have the "Huevos" to do it). So far, a magazine (I believe it was offroad.com) did a short review on the capabilities of the new Predator. It was DESTROYING even modified Raptors by about 5-6 quad lengths, let alone stock ones. I confirmed this through "Tom", who is one of the test riders. Seeing as how your DS 650 is a bit slower than a Raptor, because it weighs more, it seems you will be the one eating a healthy serving of humble pie. You see, cubic centemeters doesn't mean a thing when it comes to how powerful a motor will be. Take a look at the Cannondales if you don't believe me. It will easily beat your much vaunted DS 650, and it is only a little 432cc machine. The 500 Predator is already in a "high performance" state of tune, nothing needs to be done to it to get it to "beat the big boys". Another example would be either the CRF 450 motor or the YZF motors. While they are smaller than your DS, they put out more power in stock trim than your DS will unless it's been heavily modified.
I also querried "Tom" about the reliability on the new machine, knowing full well that children like you would be so worried about it. He said that all they've done since they recieved the machine from the factory is to adjust the chain. Hmm, seems pretty reliable to me. They did break a ball joint when they crashed it last Sunday, but that was more rider error than an equipment fault.
And finally, no I'm not brand loyal. As you can see from my signature I do own a Honda TRX250EX. This is for my children, who at ages 11 and 14, are a lot more mature than you.
Normally I don't respond to people with the maturity level of a second grade kid, but in your case I'll make an exception. I could make a comment about the education system in Newport News, but I would be wasting my time. Your parents are the ones to blame for not raising you properly.
That aside, and speaking of education, you are about to get one. The first time you line up against a Predator (that is assuming you have the "Huevos" to do it). So far, a magazine (I believe it was offroad.com) did a short review on the capabilities of the new Predator. It was DESTROYING even modified Raptors by about 5-6 quad lengths, let alone stock ones. I confirmed this through "Tom", who is one of the test riders. Seeing as how your DS 650 is a bit slower than a Raptor, because it weighs more, it seems you will be the one eating a healthy serving of humble pie. You see, cubic centemeters doesn't mean a thing when it comes to how powerful a motor will be. Take a look at the Cannondales if you don't believe me. It will easily beat your much vaunted DS 650, and it is only a little 432cc machine. The 500 Predator is already in a "high performance" state of tune, nothing needs to be done to it to get it to "beat the big boys". Another example would be either the CRF 450 motor or the YZF motors. While they are smaller than your DS, they put out more power in stock trim than your DS will unless it's been heavily modified.
I also querried "Tom" about the reliability on the new machine, knowing full well that children like you would be so worried about it. He said that all they've done since they recieved the machine from the factory is to adjust the chain. Hmm, seems pretty reliable to me. They did break a ball joint when they crashed it last Sunday, but that was more rider error than an equipment fault.
And finally, no I'm not brand loyal. As you can see from my signature I do own a Honda TRX250EX. This is for my children, who at ages 11 and 14, are a lot more mature than you.
Jul 19, 2002 | 01:48 PM
#14
Trailblazer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
<< There are still several problems with fuel injection that have to be worked out. Like for instance, try starting your machine with the throttle on. I learned this from a good friend who let me ride his Cannondale last weekend. Starting the machine with the throttle on is NOT a good thing. >>
What problems need to be worked out? The fact that you don't start it by feathering the throttle is not a problem - it's called fuel-injection. When was the last time you started your fuel-injected car by pumping the gas pedal up & down a half dozen times and then turning the key?
<< To the rest of you "doubting Thomases", the Predator is here. I've seen it, felt it, heard it and did everything but ride it (understandable, there are only a few prototypes). IT IS REAL. >>
I'm not doubting anything - I've never seen or ridden the Predator. I'm just disputing the notion that Polaris is the first American company to make a new high-performance machine. I hope the machine is everything you say it is and I hope the reliability and customer service are there too. Again, I'm just saying "give credit where credit is due" when it comes to the first American-made high-performance quad. Hell I hope more companies put out these machines. I wish we quad guys had as many performance models to choose from as do the 250cc dirt bike guys. Think about it - Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, etc.
Jul 19, 2002 | 02:04 PM
#15
Pro Rider
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
Mike, Did you happen to ask about matinence? Any enging as hi strung as that might need a lot of TLC to keep running. That in its self isn't a problem for me but I wonder if you have to do any thing weird. The C'Dale requires you to remove the motor to adjust the valves, that's the kind of weird stuff I'm talking about.
While I'll still wait for Independant magazine testing as to the actual power & reliabilaty of the preadator (like DW is independant!! LOL) I hope it's a monster machine! The more fast & good handling sport quads that come out the more quads the big manufactures have to come out with to compete with it, (who knows maybe this will finally bring Honda out of their coma!) that'll just mean that when it's time to replace my Raptor I'll have more choices!! As Martha Stewart would say "That's a good thing"!!!!!
While I'll still wait for Independant magazine testing as to the actual power & reliabilaty of the preadator (like DW is independant!! LOL) I hope it's a monster machine! The more fast & good handling sport quads that come out the more quads the big manufactures have to come out with to compete with it, (who knows maybe this will finally bring Honda out of their coma!) that'll just mean that when it's time to replace my Raptor I'll have more choices!! As Martha Stewart would say "That's a good thing"!!!!!
Jul 19, 2002 | 02:28 PM
#16
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
THE MOOSE,
I did ask Tom and Gerry that very question. I mean, what good is a quad motor if you have to replace the rings and piston every other ride. The motor is a good compromise between high performance and relability. There is room for improvement in it, but not without making it unreliable. The factory engineers wanted a motor that was purpose built for a quad. Face facts the Raptor and DS 650 motors are in a VERY mild state of tune, compaired to what they could be, but they will also last forever in stock form. The Cannondale is about at the top of the game when it comes to making power out of 432ccs, but it will require a rebuild sooner than the Raptor or DS. They are still running the same motors since they started testing them several years ago. None have been rebuilt or replaced.
In other words, the motors in the prototypes have been reliable to the point of being boring, but I wouldn't want to push the envelop to see if I could make the motor more powerful. I thnk they made them just powerful enough to stay ahead of the competition without being unreliable (tear it down after every season and rebuild it).
I did ask Tom and Gerry that very question. I mean, what good is a quad motor if you have to replace the rings and piston every other ride. The motor is a good compromise between high performance and relability. There is room for improvement in it, but not without making it unreliable. The factory engineers wanted a motor that was purpose built for a quad. Face facts the Raptor and DS 650 motors are in a VERY mild state of tune, compaired to what they could be, but they will also last forever in stock form. The Cannondale is about at the top of the game when it comes to making power out of 432ccs, but it will require a rebuild sooner than the Raptor or DS. They are still running the same motors since they started testing them several years ago. None have been rebuilt or replaced.
In other words, the motors in the prototypes have been reliable to the point of being boring, but I wouldn't want to push the envelop to see if I could make the motor more powerful. I thnk they made them just powerful enough to stay ahead of the competition without being unreliable (tear it down after every season and rebuild it).
Jul 20, 2002 | 05:05 PM
#17
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
Ya, So am I supposed to be scared of this "Polaris"
To tell the truth I am scared of Polaris's, But its not because they are fast or perform good I am scared that I will see one and when I am passing it that they will floor it and it will blow up and swerve in to me.
POLARIS is the worst company ever, And no you cannot just say that I am making **** up, because I have owned 2 Polaris wheelers and 4 sleds, guess what none ran after I drove them, none lasted a year even.
Now I have a 01 ds that runs great, and 4 ski-doo's all that have blazed by Polaris's, and none of them have been past by a Polaris... (Because Polaris's slow nature.)
Now the dealers, jimbostew got it right on this one, Polaris dealers have it made, they sell you a Polaris, then it has to be fixed after every ride. Plus the dealers are asses, gone to like 10 different dealers and they all suck they dont bargain down or give you help.
SO TO SUM THAT UP POLAIRS=SHlT
To tell the truth I am scared of Polaris's, But its not because they are fast or perform good I am scared that I will see one and when I am passing it that they will floor it and it will blow up and swerve in to me.
POLARIS is the worst company ever, And no you cannot just say that I am making **** up, because I have owned 2 Polaris wheelers and 4 sleds, guess what none ran after I drove them, none lasted a year even.
Now I have a 01 ds that runs great, and 4 ski-doo's all that have blazed by Polaris's, and none of them have been past by a Polaris... (Because Polaris's slow nature.)
Now the dealers, jimbostew got it right on this one, Polaris dealers have it made, they sell you a Polaris, then it has to be fixed after every ride. Plus the dealers are asses, gone to like 10 different dealers and they all suck they dont bargain down or give you help.
SO TO SUM THAT UP POLAIRS=SHlT
Jul 20, 2002 | 06:04 PM
#18
Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 0
Jimbostew,
First off, I think you should use the link to my web page to see what you're bashing. Check out my list of modifications. The only time I've see the back end of a DS or Raptor is when I've caught up to them and can't pass them on a narrow trail. I have beaten numerous Banshees, Raptors, and DS 650 with my "mere" Sport. It isn't hard to do, add a pipe, bigger carb, porting and reeds. All of this, plus the cost of the quad costs less than the price on either a Raptor or DS. Of course I do have a lot more than a pipe, carb, porting and reed valve on my machine. Oh, yes. I've yet to have my Sport break down and leave me stranded along a trail.
I understand where you're coming from on the displacement issue. However, we aren't talking about car motors or Harleys here, but quad motors. The new Predator is using a purpose built quad motor, not a street bike motor (as the Banshee, Raptor or DS 650 use) or a dirt bike motor (like the 400EX, Cannondale and LTZ 400 motors). You can build a motor that is more relable and more powerful if you start from scratch and know what a quad's problems are as opposed to street and dirt bikes.
First off, I think you should use the link to my web page to see what you're bashing. Check out my list of modifications. The only time I've see the back end of a DS or Raptor is when I've caught up to them and can't pass them on a narrow trail. I have beaten numerous Banshees, Raptors, and DS 650 with my "mere" Sport. It isn't hard to do, add a pipe, bigger carb, porting and reeds. All of this, plus the cost of the quad costs less than the price on either a Raptor or DS. Of course I do have a lot more than a pipe, carb, porting and reed valve on my machine. Oh, yes. I've yet to have my Sport break down and leave me stranded along a trail.
I understand where you're coming from on the displacement issue. However, we aren't talking about car motors or Harleys here, but quad motors. The new Predator is using a purpose built quad motor, not a street bike motor (as the Banshee, Raptor or DS 650 use) or a dirt bike motor (like the 400EX, Cannondale and LTZ 400 motors). You can build a motor that is more relable and more powerful if you start from scratch and know what a quad's problems are as opposed to street and dirt bikes.
