Who's gonna win in a drag race, oh ya by the way the preditor has reverse now. I hope the new z-450 is going to be awsome and not a honda blow out "trx-450r".

 

Don't know, but if both are stock I would say probably the Predator. I went to the Polaris 50th anniversity party in St Paul MN this weekend and test rode both versions of the 2005 Predator. They offer the 2005 in two flavors, the std version now with reverse and a 1" taller steering post and a Troy Lee version that sports a close ratio transmission and Maxis Radial tires on douglas rims, in addition to aluminum FOX shocks with external resevor front shocks. I was able to speak to some of the design engineers and after I showed them my Wisconsin ATV Intructors License they allowed me to come back in the evening and take multiple laps on their demo track on each version. The std version is very close to my LTZ but from what I can tell has quite a bit more torque, and that combined with a factory rev limiter set at 9K I think it is going to beat a stock LTZ no problem. The Troy Lee version was REAL NICE on this short track and would certanly blow away the stock and probably a piped LTZ. It has a very quick reving engine, was very easy to pop the front end up, not unlike the LTZ, but with the 11' of travel in the rear and the 10" in the front it realy soaks up the whoops. First time I have ever riden a Predator and that PRO steering is awsom in the tight corners and rough berms, very easy to break the rear end loose yet keep heading where you have it pointed.

I have been thinking about getting me a new quad as I want more power and better Dune speed but dont want to dump close to a grand into the LTZ the get what I want. I like my LTZ but it is really not that much faster than my 400ex. If anyone has some tricks or tips to get my LTZ to perform better I am all ears, otherwize I might just buy a Predator when the 05's come out at the dealer in late September.

Here is what my LTZ has doen to it.
152 main jet
125 pilot
airbox to carb screen removed
EHS racing airbox cover
Uni air filter
Dial a Jet
Yoshi slip on pipe big end (no quite core, and LOUD)


400EX mods
150 main jet
125 Pilot
EHS racing airbox cover
Uni air filter
Dial a jet
Pro Circuit T4 Exaust
Big Gun Rev Box

 

the predator will beat a z-400 stock for stock.

 

the new preds have reverse?

 

yes the new preds do have reverse they also have a different seat, ratchet style shifter, and 1 inch higher steering stem. the tld version alos have different front shock and close gear ratios in gears 2-4.

 

You bet they do, starting with the 2005 units, should be in the showroom of your dealer in late September or early October. Has a selector almost exactly like the LTZ and Raptor. I selected it when test driving the Pred, and it works exacly like the LTZ.

 

Do you engage reverse on the Preds the same way as on the Z's?

 

There going to make big money off of the reverse and differnt model with aleternate transmission. I know its making me rethink alot of things if you know what i am saying it could be the next best trail machine. I hope suzuki comes out with reverse on there next z-450 if it ever comes out.