Predator 500

[Mike_socal]

What's everyone's opinion on the polaris predator 500 for desert riding. I'm looking for a quad that handles the whoops as well as the chop. I'm really only interested in re-valving the shocks at the most and not investing in an entire suspension. The predator has 10" front and 11" rear of travel and overall seems to be well thought out. The other option would be a yfz450 but again a revalve on that bike would probably be a must since I hear it's a rough ride. Thanks for the opinions.

[rkracing]

The predators are great for desert riding. I have a 2002 and never had any problems with it. They have a lot of travel, and it has the PRO(Polaris Rider Optimized) steering, which claims to reduce bumpsteer. I prefer a heavier bike for the desert, it makes me feel more confident than riding a lighter bike. They are great quads and the newer ones are even better.

[TRichards]

I had a Predator 500 and I sold it because it was way to heavy, nearly 420lbs dry, The power was great though, I have bought a suzuki 400 for dune riding but for desert racing I don't think you can go wrong with the Honda 450 quad. I rode one and it flies and handled great and weighs a lot less, around 350lbs dry.

[Mike_socal]

The weight doesn't really bother me. I picked up the front and back of the predator and ds650 and neither was that bad to lift. The wheelbase on the 400's seem too small. The suspension on either of the 450's need work to be desert capable. The only stock desert worthy quads seem to be the Predator or the DS650. The ds650 seems a little too tall when I sit on it. I really the like the motor on the yfz450 but wish the suspension and seat weren't so harsh. Thanks for the opinions.

[rkracing]

I agree with Mike, the weight doesnt really matter to me, the best desert quads to me are the predator and ds650, they dont jump too much on the whoops and have alot of power, and Id rather go for a 450r than the yfz 450for the desert.

[Vtr_Racing]

I have ridden the Predator and its alot of bike to manhandle around. Great power though. The weight and suspension give you a false sense of security by making the bike feel plush. When you start thrashing on it is when the flaws come out. So dont think you wont need some suspension work on it to keep you happy. Try them all if you can before you buy. Good luck :confused:

[desertratt]

i race both a 450r and a yfz in the dezert. both are good bikes. i prefer the yfz to my honda though. its faster handles good and has that magic button for when you stall in those not so good spots. lol! i would rather have a lighter bike then one that weighs to much. some of the racing i do, we have to get off and pick the bike up over stuff.

[Disco_Chief]

I have a friend that has an '05 predator with fox front and rear witrh cans in both locations. It has a much better ride than his '04. Which he gave to his kid. The new predator is about as nice as my raptor but he did not have to go out and drop a lot of cash on shocks, pipe, and filters to get it there. I love my raptor but if I were to buy a new bike it would be the predator.