Polaris Predator

[Tyler33]

Rode mine a little today, then rode my bros 400ex inbetween riding. His has a WB slip on, KN filter, and works triple rates with rezzys on the front. Acceleration was no match, his felt like a utility compared to mine. He did have more torque and low end punch. On a small jump his front suspension didnt feel any better than mine. I felt more confident riding through bumpy terrain and powersliding on mine than his although ive probly had 5 hours of seat time on it in the past year. My clutch and throttle felt much better. On his, it seemed like i could feel every bump through the handlebars while on the predator it was much smoother. It may have helped that he had his front wheels flipped inside out since that gives the tires more leverage over the bars. All he could do was shake his head after riding mine, he wants a kfx 700 so he will have the faster 4wheeler again. (hes only 13) The squeaking doesnt happen when i turn the handlebars and its not moving, only when im moving and its somewhat bumpy. Its not real loud, just enough to notice it. No other problems, i did have to tighten the chain after only 2 hours of riding, its fine now after 2 more hours or so. The gas lasts a long time, i have around 4 hours on it and im not sure im under half tank.

[Woody_YZF]

It'll be interesting to see how the KFX 700 turns out. It sounds like Polaris has made a pretty nice bike. I just may have to try one out next year.

[Desert Rat]

A Little Off Topic.

The White Brother CDI allows the 400ex to rev higher. I don't think it would do much for a stock 400ex. You need the other mods to have the extra poop to utilize the higher revs. It does make cold starting harder also. You need a fully charged battery and may have to bump start it first time on really cold mornings. I read that Big Gun (I think in the latest ATV Action) is marketing a CDI that also helps the overall maping of the 400ex power. Comes on stronger and sooner. That would help even a stock quad. A steering stabilizer helps a lot on a quad that has the front tires reversed. You can get a lot of head shake otherwise. Your right, that new Kawasaki may be a monster. Its going to be real interesting to see what everybody thinks of the automatic transmission.

[Tyler33]

Desert Rat, I have a question if you dont mind checking. I had my airbox lid off yesterday and i saw that it has already rubbed through the paint on the frame in front of the airbox. There is a hole drilled there like there is possibly supposed to be some kind of rubber bushing or something to keep the airbox off the paint. If you could check yours and let me know if there is supposed to be something there, id appreciate it. I just stuck some duct tape on there for now, the frame looks like it has 2 or 3 layers of paint on it. I rode in the snow today and yesterday. It has probably almost an inch less ground clearance in the rear than an ex. I wish i had a set of realtors to put on it, it throws a roost like no other with knobbies. We have about 4-6 inches which is about right to get it into 4th and whip cookies. I did notice it hitting the rev limiter when my brother was riding it, but i hadnt when i rode it. In the lower gears in the snow it did pretty quickly. It never bothered me though.

[SandDiegoDuner]

Just thought I'd spread a rumor... from what my local dealership says... Yamaha has been testing a new quad based on the YZ450 dirt bike motor. There could be a posibility of a new machine next year. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

[2fun]

I'm all for newer more powerful quads!

[Woody_393]

I love rumors...

[Woody_YZF]

I've heard that same rumor, hope it happens, the Raptor is just a little too tall.

[Tyler33]

Rode with a raptor and a couple ex's yesterday for a bit. They all seemed pretty envious. I didnt get a chance to ride the raptor. A guy with a new ex rode mine and came back with a big grin. So far so good, havent had any problems and ill be doing the 10 hour oil change soon.

[Woody_YZF]

I hope it proves itself. It seems like a pretty nice bike.

[Woody_393]

Yes, it does.

The price is right too. That is one thing it has going for it that the C-Dales didn't. They were just too expensive.

[Tyler33]

Rode today, it was about the most fun ive had with the pred. I rode with my bro (400ex) and a couple scramblers. We rode in trails along the river. Im pretty comfortable on the predator now, i can handle it as well as or better than my scrambler that i had for 3 years. My friend has a 500 4x4 scrambler and he flipped it on a small, steep hill. He never did make it up while i made it twice. Im a little better rider but that says something about the predator since the scram is heavier in the front and 4x4. I also went across (through) a small creek that he wouldnt even try. It was dry and had steep sides. I tested the a arms a bit too. I was in 4th gear in a bean field and hit a pile of bean stubble (which was frozen) that was maybe 12-18 inches high. It jerked the bars out of my hands and i could have swore somthing broke. Checked it out after i stopped and everything is fine. With my scrambler im not sure id be here right now after something like that.

[2fun]

Good info!

Thanks!

[Woody_YZF]

Keep us posted on the Predator, I'm very interested in the way it holds up over the next year. If it proves to be as good as they say it is, I'll probably be a proud owner of one. Thanks for the info.

[Tyler33]

Cant complain about mine. The only problem ive had is the starter switch. It got some water/ice in it and it sticks once in awhile and sometimes you have to push it in and up for it to work. I'll get it checked out next time i go to get oil. The main thing i like is the stability, on hills, turns and whatever you can think of. The thrilling power is nice too, it hides until about 3/4 throttle. I dont know much about suspension so i havent played with it too much. I loosened the preload on the front and loosened the compression damping 1 click. I weigh about 160 so she seemed a little rough at first.

[Woody_YZF]

I'm about that same weight and every time I try out somebody's bike they are all too rough for me, so it's good to know that it can be softened up.

[Desert Rat]

Got the Predator broke in enough to open it up last weekend. Went out to the local dunes on Sunday and low and behold, two young guys on a new white Z400 and a new red and black Raptor. They were bone stock as was my Predator. None of us had paddles. I'm hoping my haulers come in today, got my trakers yesterday. Ordered them all on offset rims to widen the stance even more. Anyhow, after some teasing I got the kids to do a little drag racing in the sandy parking area. The Predator and Raptor feasted on the Z400. The Predator was ever so slightly faster than the Raptor through the gears until they got wound up and Preadator would pull the Raptor a little more.

I put my White Brothers pipe on this week, that I got through the local Polaris dealy, and Rath finally shipped my K&N, airbox mods kit and new jets and needle on Wednesday. A least they charged my account that day. Hope they show up today for the weekend, but life is never that good. Rath has been he$$ to deal with. This is 4 weeks three phone calls I have made trying to get this my stuff out of them and they told me it was all in stock when I order it. It was either shipped yesterday or would go out today when I called them. Needles to say they have lost a good customer. Tell you how the mod work when I get them all on. Time is starting to get short. Headed for Yuma on the 21st for a week and will be spending several day out at Glamis.

P.S. If anyone is in doubt, ATV Sport's latest shoot out, with 8 sports quads, picked the Predator #1 overall for whatever that is worth. I know I'm a happy camper.

[2fun]

Hey Desert Rat;
We are going to St. Anthony June 16th-21st.

Love to have you come along!

[Woody_YZF]

Thanks for the info. I'll have to check out the shootout.

[Desert Rat]

OOOH you are tempting me 2fun. I'll work on it as long as you kids promise not to pick on a old guy too much that has a geritol dispenser and an oxygen bottle mounted on his quad to keep his body going half a day at a time.