Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
Dec 16, 2002 | 02:52 PM
#1
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Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
First and right off the bat, I've been a long time BRAND LOYAL Yamaha rider having owned and enjoyed a blaster, warrior, big bear 4x4 and built banshee. And while I've had many good hours riding Raptors too, I had to go out and buy what I feel is a better all-around performance sport quad........
All I can say is WOW, after my first Predator ride. After putting on 20 miles and 3 hours ride time of tight mountain trails, woods, and logging roads, I’ve come away very very impressed for a well rounded package.
I can honestly say is that the new Predator is simply awesome and incredible. For reference, this is my 6th quad I’ve owned, with a 400cc Warrior and 404cc 60 h.p. banshee with works suspension in my past. I’m 6 foot 230 pounds, and consider myself an advanced intermediate rider, and this was my first real shake down trail ride on my new Troy Lee Predator.
Suspension: This quad has the best stock OEM suspension hands down. The front shocks soaked up 5 foot high 20 foot long jumps like you were landing in firm jello. Smooth. Softening up the rear compression and infinitely adjustable front preload is very easy to adjust by hand on the trail, as no tools are required. Lots and Lots of travel. it handled a 8 foot tall ledge drop off fine with no bottoming out which is great for a guy my size. I can't wait to air it out big time at the dunes.........
Handling: WOW; words come to mind like: precise, light, forgiving. Even when pushed hard through the corners, through woops, or fast washboard, all four tires mostly kept planted firmly and it’s a very “flat and stable” ride. It’s a wider feeling than a Banshee or Raptor, and I really liked the flatter seat similar to my Warrior. It’s comfortable up close to the gas tank (not as steep valley or narrow as a Raptor), or sitting way back for banging through woops. You can toss it around and I found myself pushing it harder and faster into jumps and corners. It also tracked straight and confidently at 50-60 mph on asphalt. Doing donuts and powerslides are smooth and predictable. DO believe the “anti-dive” and “PRO” suspension claims. Can you say NASCAR type handling? Turn radius is VERY tight for woods riding or weaving through rocks. You could almost say it had power steering. Almost too light and you tend to oversteer as a result, so a steering dampner will get added to mine soon.
Power: This quad begs to be ridden hard and fast. The 500cc 4 valve DOHC engine could best be described as cross-breeding my Warrior and Banshee. Revs FAST and pulls hard regardless of gear. Mostly it’s a 2nd and 3rd gear trail ride, with 4th for wide logging roads. 5th? Hardly need it except for WFO banzi runs. I feel a 13 tooth sprocket is needed, for slower 1st gear tight forest trail work & rock climbing, and to make 4th and 5th gear more usable. That said, the 14 tooth stock sprocket will still loft the front end with ease at speed in 2nd or 3rd to cleanly clear a big mud puddle or rock in the trail. The throttle response is quick and sharp, which is great for a huge 42mm carb. No bogging or hesitation, though I did stall it a few times. It must be a very light flywheel, cam is much more a mid and high RPM range unit, and a 13 tooth front sprocket will make it even quicker to rev. I'm running the WB slip on silencer, and it was meaty and throaty without being too obnoxiously loud.
Brakes/Traction: Simply awesome, tight and crisp. The braided steel lines provide a very firm precise feel. Whether the tire rubber is a harder compound, or the fact that it was very wet and raining, in some rocky situations I couldn’t get the traction I needed and simply spun out on a level surface of orange and grapefruit sized rocks. Still, some of the best OEM tires on any stock quad though.
Misc:
1) The rear swing arm is a box built up weld-ment and may be hard to extend.
2) Parking brake has a ratcheting engagement on the front brake lever. Very slick.
3) Front of the frame has 2 holes built in for Tie-down points for trailering. Nice.
4) Zerks in the all normal spots, but also includes the rear bearing carrier and upper steering stem.
5) Steel Plate “Case Saver” is provided underneath the front sprocket cover. Good idea.
6) Illuminated Kill Switch and headlight switch on left grips, novel, but nice and different.
Out of the box, it's one of the best stock ATV’s on the market today. What it gives up in displacement to the 660cc Raptor, it more than makes up for it in the suspension department while still having power to spare. I figure it would take about $1500-2000 into a Raptor for axle/a-arms/shocks/tires to get what an equivalent Predator comes with factory stock. What good is more power if you can’t keep getting it to the ground? The fact that the Predator is almost $600 cheaper than a Raptor is a powerful decision maker too!
Most people aren’t pure straight-line drag racers, but ride a variety of terrain so pure top speed isn’t the only factor. My only gripe is that it doesn't have reverse, but then again neither does a Blaster, Banshee, 250R, 400ex or other sport quads. For an all-around package, I'll take this over any of them, as the way the Predator keeps all four tires in contact with the ground with superior suspension through the rough stuff is phenomenal. They've really done their home-work on this machine, and it shows. No one quad is perfect for everyone, in every environment, but this quad dead-on hits all targets in Power, Suspension, and Handling departments.
All I can say is WOW, after my first Predator ride. After putting on 20 miles and 3 hours ride time of tight mountain trails, woods, and logging roads, I’ve come away very very impressed for a well rounded package.
I can honestly say is that the new Predator is simply awesome and incredible. For reference, this is my 6th quad I’ve owned, with a 400cc Warrior and 404cc 60 h.p. banshee with works suspension in my past. I’m 6 foot 230 pounds, and consider myself an advanced intermediate rider, and this was my first real shake down trail ride on my new Troy Lee Predator.
Suspension: This quad has the best stock OEM suspension hands down. The front shocks soaked up 5 foot high 20 foot long jumps like you were landing in firm jello. Smooth. Softening up the rear compression and infinitely adjustable front preload is very easy to adjust by hand on the trail, as no tools are required. Lots and Lots of travel. it handled a 8 foot tall ledge drop off fine with no bottoming out which is great for a guy my size. I can't wait to air it out big time at the dunes.........
Handling: WOW; words come to mind like: precise, light, forgiving. Even when pushed hard through the corners, through woops, or fast washboard, all four tires mostly kept planted firmly and it’s a very “flat and stable” ride. It’s a wider feeling than a Banshee or Raptor, and I really liked the flatter seat similar to my Warrior. It’s comfortable up close to the gas tank (not as steep valley or narrow as a Raptor), or sitting way back for banging through woops. You can toss it around and I found myself pushing it harder and faster into jumps and corners. It also tracked straight and confidently at 50-60 mph on asphalt. Doing donuts and powerslides are smooth and predictable. DO believe the “anti-dive” and “PRO” suspension claims. Can you say NASCAR type handling? Turn radius is VERY tight for woods riding or weaving through rocks. You could almost say it had power steering. Almost too light and you tend to oversteer as a result, so a steering dampner will get added to mine soon.
Power: This quad begs to be ridden hard and fast. The 500cc 4 valve DOHC engine could best be described as cross-breeding my Warrior and Banshee. Revs FAST and pulls hard regardless of gear. Mostly it’s a 2nd and 3rd gear trail ride, with 4th for wide logging roads. 5th? Hardly need it except for WFO banzi runs. I feel a 13 tooth sprocket is needed, for slower 1st gear tight forest trail work & rock climbing, and to make 4th and 5th gear more usable. That said, the 14 tooth stock sprocket will still loft the front end with ease at speed in 2nd or 3rd to cleanly clear a big mud puddle or rock in the trail. The throttle response is quick and sharp, which is great for a huge 42mm carb. No bogging or hesitation, though I did stall it a few times. It must be a very light flywheel, cam is much more a mid and high RPM range unit, and a 13 tooth front sprocket will make it even quicker to rev. I'm running the WB slip on silencer, and it was meaty and throaty without being too obnoxiously loud.
Brakes/Traction: Simply awesome, tight and crisp. The braided steel lines provide a very firm precise feel. Whether the tire rubber is a harder compound, or the fact that it was very wet and raining, in some rocky situations I couldn’t get the traction I needed and simply spun out on a level surface of orange and grapefruit sized rocks. Still, some of the best OEM tires on any stock quad though.
Misc:
1) The rear swing arm is a box built up weld-ment and may be hard to extend.
2) Parking brake has a ratcheting engagement on the front brake lever. Very slick.
3) Front of the frame has 2 holes built in for Tie-down points for trailering. Nice.
4) Zerks in the all normal spots, but also includes the rear bearing carrier and upper steering stem.
5) Steel Plate “Case Saver” is provided underneath the front sprocket cover. Good idea.
6) Illuminated Kill Switch and headlight switch on left grips, novel, but nice and different.
Out of the box, it's one of the best stock ATV’s on the market today. What it gives up in displacement to the 660cc Raptor, it more than makes up for it in the suspension department while still having power to spare. I figure it would take about $1500-2000 into a Raptor for axle/a-arms/shocks/tires to get what an equivalent Predator comes with factory stock. What good is more power if you can’t keep getting it to the ground? The fact that the Predator is almost $600 cheaper than a Raptor is a powerful decision maker too!
Most people aren’t pure straight-line drag racers, but ride a variety of terrain so pure top speed isn’t the only factor. My only gripe is that it doesn't have reverse, but then again neither does a Blaster, Banshee, 250R, 400ex or other sport quads. For an all-around package, I'll take this over any of them, as the way the Predator keeps all four tires in contact with the ground with superior suspension through the rough stuff is phenomenal. They've really done their home-work on this machine, and it shows. No one quad is perfect for everyone, in every environment, but this quad dead-on hits all targets in Power, Suspension, and Handling departments.
Dec 16, 2002 | 03:21 PM
#2
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 510
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Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
Nice review, I felt the same way, stock for stock the handling and the suspension felt much better than a stock Raptor! So all in all Polaris has done a pretty good job on thier first manual clutch sport quad!
Nocando
Nocando
Dec 16, 2002 | 03:33 PM
#3
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,549
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Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
heapster, good review. we played with one yesterday. Nobody i ride with is going to get one today. The rappy is a 10 times better quad. The predator is better than a z400 though. None of us were impressed with the power. The polari did not feel as heavy as claimed. I would rather spend 1500 over the price of a raptor than settle for something less
Dec 16, 2002 | 03:39 PM
#4
Range Rover
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: West Virginia
Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Excellent review!
I am so glad I keep reading stuff like this. I'm picking mine up Saturday to ride in the Tennessee mountains. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
I have read one review where a guy said the stock sprockets were fine for climbing. There is alot of steep rocky hills to climb where we ride, you really think a 13 tooth sprocket would be better?
Scott
Excellent review!
I am so glad I keep reading stuff like this. I'm picking mine up Saturday to ride in the Tennessee mountains. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
I have read one review where a guy said the stock sprockets were fine for climbing. There is alot of steep rocky hills to climb where we ride, you really think a 13 tooth sprocket would be better?
Scott
Dec 17, 2002 | 04:49 AM
#7
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,449
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Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
NASCAR handling eh? so it goes round and round and round only in one direction unless you adjust the suspension and change the tires? J/K bad reference. Try Indy Car handling or Cart handling [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
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Dec 17, 2002 | 11:57 AM
#9
Elite Pro Rider
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 5,309
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Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
Hmmm, and the duck billed platapus blaster redesign wins what award for artist creativity? Everyone likes different things....frankly the metallic black TLD Predator looks pretty sweet.
Ken
Ken
Dec 18, 2002 | 10:35 AM
#10
Pro Rider
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
Predator - Better All-around package than Raptor.
although I'd still pick the Raptor as my next new quad....
thumbs up to Polaris for: 1.) building their first real sport quad & 2.) designing such a state-of-the-art suspension/steering setup!
it raises the bar for next-generation quads in that department...
if we could just get a quad that mixes the Raptors HP potential, the reliability of the 400EX, and the suspension/steering of the Predator.... man we would have the perfect quad!!!
can you say "450EX" ?!?!?!?!? pray hard, pray real hard
thumbs up to Polaris for: 1.) building their first real sport quad & 2.) designing such a state-of-the-art suspension/steering setup!
it raises the bar for next-generation quads in that department...
if we could just get a quad that mixes the Raptors HP potential, the reliability of the 400EX, and the suspension/steering of the Predator.... man we would have the perfect quad!!!
can you say "450EX" ?!?!?!?!? pray hard, pray real hard