Guys,
Have the opportunity to buy a polaris predator. Its a 2005 500, and appears to be in good condition. Before I go buying, is there anything I should look out for/check? Is there any known faults or parts I should inspect prior to buying?

Many thanks

Scott

Edited by masterplan, 08 August 2012 - 06:54 AM.

Just do a general once over before even making an offer. Some things you can look for to know if it was taken care of is to ask for any service records, .....

Ask how often the oil was changed,

CHECK THE AIR FILTER!!

Ask how many hours are on it and compare that to how the parts look like how worn the sprockets are, the grips, the tires, the chain and guides, the rear carrier and if the engine is stained with dirt at all

Check for any engine noises,

Check the radiator for coolant, (it has saved me before)

Important!!  Have the guy change the oil in front of you and inspect the oil for any shavings. I cant tell you how many times that has saved me from getting another headache.

Also, check how the clutch feels on acceleration, no slipping, smooth takeoff and shifting

How the bars feel turning,

Check the suspension action

Make sure it goes through all the gears and that it shift into neutral easily)

Check the clutch and brake cables,

Make sure it fires right up COLD and make sure it IS cold and not warmed up before you get there.

Edited by bobbyw1200, 08 August 2012 - 08:08 PM.

Thats fantastic, Thank you!

Another quick question, how often do these machines need to be rebuilt? I have a two stroke MX bike and rebuild it fairly frequently. Just wondering how often these machines need to be done.

Air filter cleaned after EVERY RIDE!!

They just need general maintenance every few hours of riding time like changine the oil and filter, lubing the chain, brake pads every once in a while. sprockets.

Predators from what ive read so far are supposed to be decent. They will need to be rebuilt more frequently than a regular 4 stroke trail bike if they are taken care of right. Just make sure you stay up on maintenance and dont stay on the rev limiter all day.

Go out and get yourself a service manual it should tell you exactly how many hours things will need to be replaced for mx, but you can add a few more hours if you will just be trail riding.

So you reckon it will need rebuilt more often than a 4 stroke mx bike?

I'm just wondering how often I;ll need to rebuild it if I'm just general trail riding with the occasional mx.

No i said it would have to be rebuilt a little more often than a 4 stroke trail bike if you were taking it in trails only. For occasional mx too it wont be too much different. Just get a manual and it will tell you how often