Trail riding

tg1 · Feb 4, 2003

What's it like trail riding with a Predator? When I say trail riding I mean various terrains, firm dirt trails to gravel, to rocky areas to a little mud. General trail riding that you'd see in the east. Is there any special setup, such as a larger rear sprocket?

Like I said before I have very little sport bike experience, but tons of questions. Always wanted to find a 250R sitting in someone’s barn.

red121572 · Feb 4, 2003

Compared to my stock suspended 400EX, the ride is very plush.

speedy · Feb 4, 2003

the gearin is too tall for woods riding. I changed to a 13 tooth on the front and havnt got to ride it much cuz of the weather. With the stock gearing it is very hard to get the machine into third in the woods. Its got some crazy climbin power and i have dialed in the suspension and jumping is fantastic.

tg1 · Feb 4, 2003

Is it everything you expected? Any surprises in terms of trail handling?

speedy · Feb 5, 2003

Its great honestly. I havent felt much better. I used to have a raptor and i liked it too but this is just better. The harderd u push it the better it feels.

robg · Feb 5, 2003

TG1:

The thing to remember about sport quads is that they ride a lot more firmly than a utility quad. My Grizzly, for example, rides like a Cadillac. My Arctic Cat rides more like a BMW. The Predator rides like a Corvette. But with that, you get better handling too.

But like RED said, it rides waaaay better than a 400EX, which was also my last sport quad. The #1 thing I disliked about it were the front shocks... even on full soft they were rock-hard.

Rob

speedy · Feb 5, 2003

TG1:

Sorry i didnt know you rode a utility quad and i was comparing it to other sport quads. Since you have been on a 400ex,its like Rob said, "Waay faster". I think the best thing about going from a a utility quad to a sport quad is how light and snappy they feel. If you like fast woods riding i would recommend the predator highly. Havent seen a hill i couldnt get up yet. Were you thinking about buying a sport quad?

tg1 · Feb 6, 2003

Not anytime soon, not because I wouldn't like one... After my Cat gets paid for I'd like to get my girlfriend an Outlander, she likes riding and has improved 200% since she first went for a ride (little more than a year ago).

Don't think I'm trying to waste your time, I value all the input. It helps me better understand what it's like riding a sport quad out on the trails. Does the handling get better the faster you ride? I'm assuming a sport quad is made to ride fast as opposed to a utility. Is there a time or situation when it gets tiring? Are you able to slow the pace down without losing all the trail performance (again I'm assuming the engines are designed to be revved a lot more than a utility)? Sorry for all the questions but this seems like the best place to ask my question about sport quads.

red121572 · Feb 9, 2003

Predator 19 does have a good point. The gearing does seem a bit tall at times.
My 400EX is mildly modified, but the front wheels dont like staying on the ground when alot of throttle is applied.

The predator is a nice change. Instead of me worrying about keeping the front end down, I can hammer it down and concentrate on the trail more. Im having alot of fun on mine so far. The tranny is finally breakin in and its getting pretty smooth.

One more thing about the front suspension. Now I know why racers spend 2-3 grand on extended front ends on there 400EX. The front ends on the Predator are a dream come true for me.

speedy · Feb 9, 2003

I gotta agree its a great trail machine and i believe that once the suspension and gearing are dialed in it could very well be the best in the woods.

robg · Feb 16, 2003

My Predator is a LOT more fun to ride on trails than my 400EX was. The 400EX was just too harsh. The front shocks were awful, and it was kinda darty.

However, I have to say I still prefer a utility quad for trail riding. My Grizzly is just soooo plush, and still very powerful. Yeah it doesn't accelerate anything like a Predator, but it still goes.

Rob

predatorman · Feb 17, 2003

I do like my sportsman 500 also, and like Rob said the utilities ride like a caddy, but I dont see myself usin my sportsman for trail riding anymore unless its for mud boggin or something the pred cant handle. I find that my sportsman is way to hard to steer compared to the pred. I'm just used to the pred's effortless steering now and riding my sportsman now doesn't impress me anymore. Anyways, the pred is a great trail machine from what I have expeirenced on it.

Guest · Feb 21, 2003

FINALY GOT TO RIDE MINE ON LAKE THIS WEEKEND IT WENT BY AN 86 250R W PIPE LIKE HE WAS HOOKED TO A TREE.WAS FUN ON ICE AND SNOW CAN'T WAIT TILL I RIDE IN SAND OR TRAIL RIDE.BUMP-STEERING WORKS FINE ON ICE-FISHING HOLES!!!!!!

tg1 · Feb 23, 2003

predator236
Just wondering what kind of setup you have for the Predator for Maine trails since we have some fairly rocky and muddy areas?

Guest · Feb 23, 2003

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Guest · Feb 23, 2003

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Guest · Feb 23, 2003

out of the box set up so far .
might gear it down for trails around here but also plan to ride r.r. bed in caribou maine,and into cananda this summer

tg1 · Feb 24, 2003

I'll be interested to know how it performs out on the trails and what adjustments you do to improve it. Have you always ridden sport bikes, just curious how they perform for trail riding?

drewwalker · Feb 24, 2003

Has anyone had any problems with the wider stance of the Predator? I believe it is 4 inchs wider than the Raptor. Does it make much of a difference in trail riding-like getting between trees on winding trails. And does anyone know how well the Predator fits into the back of a full-size pick-up truck??

red121572 · Feb 25, 2003

I havent had a prob in the woods. Ive got a dodge ram long bed and the bed is plenty wide for the Pred.

Trail riding

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