I have many great things to say about the Raptor! Fast, Plush/Comfortable, Good handling, great looks and, no problems!

But, if i did have one complaint, they aren't all that easy to work on. Everything is really tucked and, jammed into a tight package.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: selector
Sam... yer machine would make it, but just like wshrdskin said, a stocker w/ a 200lb pilot would have a very tough if not impossible time @ it. The chute furthest to the south/left is the toughest. The runup to that particular chute is a little sand trail. You don't have to take that trail to get to that chute, but it's part of the challenge. That little sand trail will definitely slow you down versus the other approach.

Gotto to say, I think #1 and #2 are backwards..
I rode my buddies Raptor, Full Yosh, and felt it was top-heavy, tippy, tall, and skinny. Alot of power but really difficult to ride and I am 6'4" 190lbs.
I bought the YFZ, yup 1st year,. and the thing is low, light, really easy to throw around, easy to stop, soft and plush (you need to set the suspension, that is what all those dials are for), and fast as fell, and right now mine is stock, excpet for Oneal CR-bend bars. Gives me more room in the cockpit, and lower than stock bars.
If you like riding dirtbikes, this is the top dog. It feels really small when you just sit on it, but it makes it so much more pliable when on the trails.
And who sits down anyways? I'm always standing.

I bought mine in Utah for 6400 OTD shipped.

I have only sat on the Predator, that was my 2nd choice with all the advancements it has.

Since price is a factor, I would go with the Predator.

 

Sorry for that post. I meant to Quote this list. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

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1. Raptor= effortless quad, great power easy to ride responds well to bolt ons. Lots sold and few problems
2. yfz450= takes more effort to ride but the reward is huge
3. Banshee= the harder you like to play the funner the ride gets
4. Z400= smooth and fun but low on power
5. predator=fast yugo, bring a rope and a bucket to put the chesey parts in as they fall off
6. V-force= Not enough seat time to tell but i may put one in the stable
7. DS= sherman tank will run over anything in its way
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The Banshee is a blast and in the sand it's amazing the fun and not to mention the killer pictures and video you can take with the powerband roosting sand on demand as you come out of every berm.

 

Climbing hills and a mix of trail riding-- Raptor is the best bet here........

 

i just dont think yamaha owners have the right to bash a pred on its first year... if the 04 pred has the same problems.. then go ahead.. polaris should have learned the first time..

 

Hozed- yamaha will screw us ever chance they get but..... Polaris has the same problems year after year after year with nickel and dime parts. The quaility of the parts needs to be upped a little. If you look at yamaha, honda, suzuki, kawisaki as the detroit big for it makes polaris seems like yugo, kia. Not bad but could be better. Polaris is built in the states but i guess the labor cost make them scrimp on materials. (controls, plastics, bolts, ball joints, switches etc)

 

i will say i broke a few bolts while getting my motor out.. and several before that... as for ball joints.. they have upgraded them.. and i dont see how plastic can be cheap... ive rolled my pred atleast 7 times.. and i dont have a broken peice of plastic yet.. just 1 broke mount that i welded.. and the rest of the mounts bend right back to wear you want them..

 

The 2004 ds is cheaper than a predator at 5,999 but i would choose the Raptor[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I think the Raptor is your best bet. The YFZ is a trail machine. And the Raptor is a trail and Sand Rider. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

-Eric-