[robg]

I was at my dealer today, and the owner had just returned from his trip to the Polaris Dealer's Conference.

He said that while there, they got to ride the 2004 Predator. He said there were absolutely no changes to the machine compared to 2003 that he could tell. Everything was the same... the color of the plastic, everything.

So, for anybody who wants to wait for a 2004, the only thing that will accomplish is getting you a machine later than the rest of us.

Rob

 

[robg]

Jeremy, I don't think they're going to announce as a feature of a new model year that, "problems have been fixed!" That isn't good marketing and it certainly isn't good business.

I personally am growing very tired of hearing you bitch and moan about Polaris and the Predator. If you think it's so bad, I strongly suggest you sell it and go get something else, like the Z400, which everybody seems to think is so bloody perfect.

As I stated before, Polaris is only now becoming aware of the various small problems. It is up to us owners to keep after our dealers and make sure that they contact Polaris about problem such as the dragging brakes. Each time a dealer makes a report about a problem, they keep a log. Once a certain number of calls have been logged, the problem is assigned priority and they start investigating it.

If you really want to have a hard time with a manufacturer, go buy a Yamaha product. They won't acknowledge any problems nor attempt to fix them. I just heard that new Kodiaks are having problems blowing servo motors for the 4WD system. Yamaha's response is that they are aware of this but they have no plans to correct the problem. They will cover the serve motors for as long as the vehicle is under warranty. That is all. Isn't that great?

Rob

 

[prink]

I am very happy with my predator, there are a few things i would like a little different, i hate the chain noise and the rattling plastic, but other than than i love it, for 2004 they should solve them two problems at least, i know everyone is having the same noises. and the dealer has been told by me, and from what the dealer said, everyone that has bought a pred from him has reported them two problems. I think i can deal with it, lol

 

[robg]

It's very likely that some of the small problems like that will be solved on the 2004 models. I was just reporting that there were no significant changes, like plastic colors or whatever.

Rob

 

[thetooth]

Out of curiosity, what do we do if there are fixes for plastic noise, chain rattling, brake drage, etc...

Do companies like Polaris retrofit our bikes, do we get a notice to upgrade for a price, or do we just have to find out through the grapevine and hope that we can retrofit our bikes with the upgraded parts without it costing us a fortune?

 

[robg]

I'd say of the options you listed, number three is the most likely case.

The rattling chain is going to be either an adjustment or break-in issue. My chain used to make a rattle/grinding noise until it finally wore in the rollers. Now it doesn't do it anymore.

My plastic used to rattle until I figured out why it was rattling and took care of the problem (I've posted the solution here more than once). Brake drag is more serious and I hope they will make it a fix for everybody.

Rob

 

[predatorman]

Yeah no **** Jeremy, why dont ya sell your pred if its so bad and causing you so many problems. Jeremy I hope you got the one LEMON predator that polaris built just for you.

 

[thetooth]

I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean to create any bad feelings or sound like I'm complaining. I actually have no problems with the plastic or brakes yet, and the chain noise doesn't really bother my much now that I know what it is.

I just haven't owned a first-year quad/car/etc before and didn't know how companies handle the corrections they tend to make in the following years. I really don't have too much of a problem with ordering new calipers (or whatever the fix may by) to solve the brake problems. I was just curious whether or not that was something that Polaris would give me or if I'd have to buy it.

 

[robg]

Jeremy:

There is a big difference between constructive negativity (yes there is such a thing) and bitching and moaning.

I've seen in almost every post you've made some sort of griping about Polaris. I'm sorry you've had to go to the dealer four times and that nothing has been fixed. I've been once, but I learned from going once that they don't KNOW what to do yet. The mechanics aren't miracle workers; in order for them to keep up with Polaris repair police and also to cover their own butts, they can only do so much before they have to just stop and say, "We don't know what else to do."

Yes, I complain too. But what have I complained about? The brakes. Not Polaris. BTW, removing my front brakes isn't a big deal because (1) I have rear brakes, and (2) if you ride on the dunes, brakes aren't all that necessary anyway. The only time I ever used my brakes was when coming to a complete stop. Everything else is just engine braking. Heck, on the dunes, your brakes will get you hurt sooner than probably anything else, because it's a natural reaction to turn away from something or slam on the brakes. On the dunes, you have to fight that and instead "embrace" (turn into) whatever's happening and punch it instead. That's how you stay alive.

I'm confident that the problem with the brakes will be resolved eventually... if not by Polaris, then by us. Now, if Polaris DOESN'T solve the problem, then I WILL be rather upset, and won't fault anybody else for being upset at them either.

They have to be given a reasonable amount of time. The Predator only showed up in dealers in late November. It's only now the end of February, two months later. That's not really enough time to find and fix problems like this.

Rob


Rob

 

[red121572]

I was at my dealer this morning and this is what I found out.(not much)

They havent received any service bulletins or didnt know that Predator had the recall.

My VIN didnt match those predators that are on the recall list for the caliber bolts.

RED

 

[shadow]

I've had no problems at all with mine..knock on wood...

 

[j_man]

I was at my Polaris dealer today and he said the following for 2004 fixes:
-Rubber O-rings around the torx bolts for the plastic.
-Upgrading the chain tensioner (whatever that means).
-Recalling the rear brake caliper bolts and re-designing the brake caliper.
-Higher thermostat for the fan.

I love mine, and the only problem I have is the sticky rear caliper. Only does it after I wash it. Not noticeable once I'm riding. Hope this helps....

 

[rupedawg]

My question...

Now that Polaris knows about these problems, are they going to wait until the next production year to change stuff? I'll be ready to buy one within a few months, but will mine have these bad parts too? Should I wait until the 04's come out?

-confused-

 

[modquad]

Good grief, go buy one and have a summer full of quad blasting like the rest of us. Predatorman, everytime I see that icon, I lose it. Don't know if people caught my info about the HPD steering links. The stockers, if you race, or really ride hard might loosen up, or break. The set of 4 with greaseable rod-ends, and larger chromoly rods goes for $225. Kinda spendy, but when you factor in how spendy the rod-ends are, it's not a bad deal. Would just be hard giving up those aluminum ones now that I polished them soooo bright.

 

[rupedawg]

modquad, I made the mistake of buying a quad without researching it, I'm not going to do it again. The reason I'm nervous about the noted problems with the Pred is because the local Polaris dealer got shut down. Now I have to drive
1 1/2 hours to the next closest dealer. I don't want to be making that trip every other week, I'd rather use that time riding. I just asked a simple question, is it too much to ask for a simple answer??

 

[prink]

I doubt that they are gonna fix any of the probs on this years quad, if you are that paranoid about it breaking then wait. Mine runs great. The only thing that has went wrong with mine is a bent steering stem, and handlebars. That is because i wiped out in third gear on a jump.

 

[justin]

I don't remember where I hear this from, but from my understanding some of the front brake hang-up is from a bad calaper or something like that. I heard that dealers are replacing some of the calapers. Brake pad wear will reduce the hangup, but when you replace the pads it's back again, or something like that. I'm going to call my dealer and see what he's heard.

 

[fastazz500]

hey i dont know if anyone knows this but the ratteling plastics can be fixed by tightening the bolt by thetop of the steering stem and maybe the lower screws and the clunking chain noise is because the chain comes loose on the predators so tighten them up and you will hae no problems. later

 

[buddha]

the 2004 model is going to be 15-20 lbs. lighter.it is also going to have a new rear grab bar and a few other minor adjustments.so i've heard....

 

[predator500]

"the 2004 model is going to be 15-20 lbs. lighter.it is also going to have a new rear grab bar and a few other minor adjustments.so i've heard.... "

Where did you hear that?