Im wondering wat are the benefits of getting the raptor over the predator . im leaning towards the predator more a lil becuase of the tippy ness is that really a big deal and also the suspension and the engine being on the top lot of weight ...?
thnks in advance

 

Get the new ATV Action or Rider...I cant remember which one, but it has a shootout. Raptor wins in all categories and is proven to be the better on the two, but Predator still held on strong.

 

Its the May edition on ATV Action.

 

Dont make your decision based upon what a magazine says, or what an internet forum says for that matter. Do a search for raptor and predator and you'll come up with literally dozens and dozens of good threads with all kinds of good info, even on the new 05 models with reverse vs the raptor.

The pred handles better, and its heavier. The raptor isnt so much top heavy as it is narrow which worsens the presence of a taller engine. The narrow raptor can more easily navigate tight trails, but you give up some handling ability to do it. The pred has better shocks and a wider stance. Throw some better shocks on the raptor and it calms down pretty well even on stock width.

The raptor is more responsive to performance mods, and cheaper to modify. Not really all that important for a trail bike, but nice to know if you want to wax your friends when they upgrade thier bike. There are also more aftermarket companies making more aftermarket parts for the raptor than the pred by a large margin. But by the same token the predator is a less abundant bike, so you arent apt to see as many around the local riding area as you would raptors.

Both are great and you'll be happy with either. Research, learn more, then go try them out if you can. If not, get on the seat at the local dealership and see how it fits you. Your comfort with the bike is going to be more important than the differences between them.

 

I remeber hearing from a few people that their new 05 preds have way too tall gearing for the top 3 gears. And it has terrible acceleration and hill climbing ablitities over the older models. Suspension goes to the pred, and stance also the pred, but i personally would rather the raptor any day, so much more comfortable, more fun, to me anyway.---Rider1169

 

Ride them both. That's the only way.

 

Ditto to what Maddogg56 said. However I believe the preadator come with a better stock set up so also consider price.

 

Dude from my oppinion i would get the predator. Loads more power. It's a quad thats known everywhere around here. It kills the raptor.

 

Yall are INSANE. First off. . MSRP's are the same at 6199. And the Predator has NOTHING on the Raptor if the Raptor rider knows how to handle the power. ATV Action just proved it in a shootout in the May magazine. Yall are insane.....

 

I wasn't saying there was a up front price difference, however the pred comes stock with a better set up imo