Outlaw 500 or Predator 500?

[dc2millz]

Hi Newbie from the UK

Looking to buy my first Polaris but can't decide wether to buy an Outlaw 500 or Predator 500.

I will be riding mainly road and trail tracks.

Heard that there is more maintanence require on the outlaw because of the IRS?

Is there much a difference in power between the two with the extra weight of the Outlaw?

Thanks

[Bruce!]

Welcome to the board!

[Jaberwaki]

I currently own both rides in question.

I can say this right off the bat, you cant make a wrong choice here, they are both outstanding quads. Both give me a grin from ear to ear from crank to park.

There is nearly no difference in the power or the acceleration of these quads. My wife and I have raced each other on them and every race is so close that there is very little other then who got a better start separating them.

Where you will find a diff, The solid rear of the predator allows it to slide around corners more freely then the IRS of the outlaw which want to plant the tires in every corner.
So if you like to slide the ass end around then you might lean towards the predator...
On rough terrain and steep inclines is where the IRS of the outlaw shines. It will make it up hills that most quads wont, and will beat to the top even those that will.
The IRS is a smoother ride much more gentle if you are the type to sit and ride vrs standing most the time. Its "almost" too gentle...

You best bet is to ride both of them. See which one soots your personal riding style better.

Best of luck and enjoy either of these FAST quad beasts...

[OutlawRider85]

I agree with Jaberwaki. They are both great machines. I own a 2006 Outlaw and I love it. I went from a 01 Yamaha Blaster to a 05 Suzuki King Quad 700 to my 06 Outlaw 500. And the Outlaw is my favorite. Well I would prefer my King Quad in deep mud or snow. The Outlaw gives you the best of both worlds. I have had mine in everything; mud, snow, trail, track. It is awesome at everyone. I love it on the track over some solid axle quads because the IRS allows for better smoother landings and gets the power to the ground better in my opinion. Also the extra ground clearance is awesome. It is really comfortable too. When I first bought it I was a little worried about how the IRS would be for sliding and cornering. Polaris has been making IRS quads for a long time and it really shows. I am not afraid to whip it around and I have never felt like I would flip it over. I have gone fast down the trail and spun it out and not once did I feel like I would flip it. There have only been a couple of times i have felt the tire bit too much but still it felt controllable.

In my opinion, I would get the Outlaw because it is more bang for your buck. You can do everything the Predator can but more and better. I have heard that the Predator has a taller 5th gear that allows it to go a little faster than the Outlaw. I have never raced one but the Outlaw is fast enough and for being a heaver machine I have kept up with 450rs, Raptor 700s, and even beat a Banshee in short races.

That is my two cents worth!

[croghan23]

if i was going to get the the irs i'd get it in the 525 (so you can go fast lol) But the maintence shouldnt be much different had sportsmans all my life and never done anything different to them than i have my straight axle bikes. The best thing you can do is go out and test ride them and see which one feels best to you.