All my buddies have bought Kawasaki Teryx's and ended up putting another $10-$15,000 into them. After investing $25,000, they still seem to be underpowered for the dunes. I keep seeing the Predator X-18 Intimidator buggies (which cost about the same as a modified Teryx) all over the Internet. Was wondering if anyone has heard anything good or bad about the Predator and if it may be a better choice for me. I'm not much of a mechanic, so that's why a side by side appealed to me. I'v always assumed there's alot of wrenching associated with owning a rail. Please help.

i think the x-18s are pretty sweet.. dont really know how strong they are or how good those shocks are that they use on them so i cant really help but im sure someone on here knows a thing or 2 about em.

I also think the X18 is a nice 2 seat car. I took a demo ride in one at Glamis. I'm no expert, and of course it's no Funco, Tatum, etc, but I think it's head and shoulders above any worked Rhino or Kawi, or any S X S. Hell, my Rhino has way more than the 22K they are asking for one. Wish I knew. The only negative I see, is they are heavy for a little car, about 2000 lbs. If you're at Glamis, I suggest taking a demo ride, or PM JohnBishop. I did after my ride, he has alot of history with this car, and the owner of the company.

Even SXSs need a wrench thrown at them at one time or another. Stock or modified. They all have issues, even in stock trim. If you don't know anyone with mechanical skills, you will find tons of useful information on the forums that will help you fix the issues that you come accross. For the most part, everyone is cool about helping you figure out a problem that has you stumped.

I have seen those X-18s, they look pretty cool, but I have not heard any feedback.

John Bishop here in the board has a couple.. I think he used to be a dealer..
He would be the guy to ask.

Not real clear on the drive system of the Predator car but I understand it is a CVT belt type system and it is already pushed over its designed limits on the Ecotec and is prone to failure. Sure it may just be a $100 belt but that will surely add up. That and the knock off King shocks may be a weak point... However I did see a couple at the sand drags and they held their own for a small buggy.

I do know two of the x-18s's finished this years baja 1000.

I think one had the King upgrade, and the other was on the stock voigtland's or whatever they are.

Let me start off by saying that we have an X18S we use for desert racing.

The Vogtland shocks are basically Fox clones made by a german company. They actually work VERY well. I was fully expecting to have to replace them, but they're holding up fine and give an amazing ride.

The CVT uses some of the best parts on the market, a Comet primary and a Team secondary. As long as the clutches are adjusted properly, the belts should last for a long time. One of the Baja 1000 cars used the same belt for the entire race, which is pretty darn good. Another benefit of a CVT is that if you screw up on a jump or bad landing, you break the belt instead of a tranny or CV. These clutches are rated for 200hp, more then sufficient for a stock Ecotec motor. If you decide to upgrade the motor, there are upgraded clutches available that will handle 400hp.

As already stated, they do tend to be a little heavy. But they're intended to be a dual-sport car and need a stronger chassis for desert use.

Predator has been giving demo rides at Glamis on the weekends. Give them a call and check one out. Let us know what you think.

My customer just bought one. Kings all the way around and something about an Arctic Cat CVT upgrade?

Yep. They're running the Artic Cat clutches on the newest ones do to ease of tuning and parts availability.

If you do get one... We make a Alpine Marine 7" system for them

people always compare them to a sxs, well here is what you can do with a sxs that you can't do with a x-18

you can put a sxs with long travel in a small toy hauler, you can't with a predator, other than that,there great.

Any pics?

Well, I can not only fit mine in my Gearbox toyhauler, it fits fine in my 16' box trailer. You have to remember, they're less then 13' long and only about 5' high, so they'll fit under bunks when many folks have issues getting their SxS's under their bunks. Yes, they are wide, but most TH's can handle the 86" width of the Predator.

I think the X18 is sick....as for the Comet primary, comet is out of buisness............

FYI , My friends drive Taz cars and they keep getting stopped to ask how there X-18s run. One is silver and blue with lots of chrome and the other is red and black with skulls all over it they run together with a larger orange rail. Again these are not X-18s but from what I heard they are close to the same and these little Taz cars GET IT DONE. From what I can tell is the Taz is a little lighter and runs Fox internal by pass shocks which I'm sure makes a big difference. you do have to learn how to dive with the a belt or you can rip the belt right off the clutch but once you get he hange of it they are great. Automatic in the Dunes is Sweet.

sorry for the crappy pics. More to come. They are in stock and shipping

This is the easiest kit to install we've ever made... (well, next to the Weatherproof overheads).
2ch Alpine 2.150 digital amp, 2 7" marine ALpine speakers in molded fiberglass kicks that fill the dead space triangle near the pedal box/cooler rack. Everytihng is right there. inlcudes everything needed for install, and can be done in only a few hours.

Your website doesn't list the item or a price.
How much?

STILL not on the site. the Cannon's been on the fritz. Should be done 2nd week of Jan...

call or email with questions. They are IN STOCK and ready to rock:

Trevor
trevor@ssvworks.com
818-991-1778

If they only weigh in at 2000lbs, has anyone weighed a rhino lately??? Figure a 2 seat rhino with a bed delete cage and few goodies to make it look and run better will weigh in at 1300+ lbs and if it is really running at tops will make 50hp so 2k out of a Predator and 190hp sounds like it is perfect. Had these been as well priced and bugs worked out before I started a family I promise I wouldd have bought one rather then a standard SxS. only down fall I see is lack of 4wd but really in the desert I never use 4wd in any of my old Rhino's or my new Teryx and well in the sand only reason to use 4wd is lack of power and well it seems the power of the Predator has got that issue resolved!!! I say screw a SxS unless you need the seat space buy and Enjoy the X-18!!!

That's exactly my thought. I do like my Rhino, but there's no comparison to the Predator. The only thing I really like the Rhino better for is dragging my yard....

My buddy was able to get a used one here off the board for $16k and it was like new. Unfortunately he only got to drive it for about an hour before his girlfriend launched it off a razorback and rolled it and tore it up. He said it ran really well, had good power and the shocks soaked up the whoops like a dream. I would recommend one over a SXS all day.

Wow, I hope she's OK.
Any info on the accident and damage to the car would be appreciated.

I wasn't there but my friends said she was driving in Pismo towards Comp Hill and flew off a drop off going about 35 mph and rolled over a couple of times. I heard it tore off the left control arm and messed up some fiber glass. They said the car held up really well considering. His girlfriend was banged up a little and had to go get some stitches on her leg. I have not seen the car as it went to a shop and buddy is too pissed off to give any details. Sorry as there are no photos.

I appreciate the info. Glad to hear his GF is OK. Sounds like the damage was minimal all things considered.

sounds like it held up well. a few stiches is not bad. someone rolled a ranger out at the races last weekend, and she was killed because the cage came in on her! predators look sweet too! IMHO (and i know some may disagree, but i think all side x sides are a little too underpowered for the thick sand of mother G, a little too slow for me, but to each their own!) you and your buddies should be going to places like superstition or Ocotillo Wells with all the side x sides the only ones that do well in glamis are the streetbike powered ones. open desert is fun! and those x- 18s will do some work out there! I would love to own one someday!

I cant say who is building it but there will be something out in the next couple months by a very reliable builder that will be in 25k price range. It'll tear up the dunes and is built very well. That's all i can say though.

I enjoy our Teryx but we did have an entirely new machine once we added the 840 kit. I enjoy the 4x4 feature in areas other than Glamis so it depends on what you use your machine for...I know I have never seen a X-18 rock crawling or up in Big Bear...it is nice to be able to ride year round just about anywhere other than Pismo...if your just going to go to Glamis then I don't think you could go wrong with either one...but if you want to use it for anything else? Then the Teryx gets my vote...

I have a Rhino and a Predator, and they definately have different capabilities. There is a lot of overlap, so it also depends on what you plan to use it for. Technical trail riding, foraging for firewood, tailgating at Comp, dragging the yard...Rhino wins, hands-down. Pretty much anything else, I'll take the Predator.

I just saw up close one of those redline riots. that was a nice machine. If I was in the side by side market with just a two seater it would be on my list. I want a 3 or 4 seater and 4X4. I would buy that redline in a heart beat. I do love my Teryx.

The Riot is a good Machine and well made with tons of fun, my wife owns one and she is happy with it much better as a Rhino or Tyrex !!!a good Machine right out of the Box .
I own a Predator as well and i can tell you that Thing is awesome in any direction I drive it with a Constant Grin in my face best Fun ever Off Road !!!! The shocks are great and take it all, I run on very ruff conditions here on the west coast of Aruba and the X 18 takes it all like a Pro . There is no comparison and the X 18 plays in another league as the Rhino RZR or Tyrex cars The Predator eats them all for breakfast.

100% X18 Predator !!!!!!!!!! all the way