I know that I must be several years behind on this topic but I just don't know. I am looking at and old ds650 but I hate to be behind the pack. I have a renegade 800 but am looking for a duner to go with it. I was at the Genoa rally in Nebraska but none of the stock or even close to stock ds 650's were racing. They all just sat and watched. It makes me suspicious that they aren't very competitive against the raptors, 450's, or the new outlaw 525. A true comparison stock for stock or piped vs piped is ok. I am not going into the engine with this thing. I love the turbo ds videos on youtube but I don't have the working tuning knowledge or dyno to get that done. I realize the ds is very top heavy but I am a big guy and don't fit well on small sport quads, hence the renegade. I am more of a straight line runner and hope to do more duning. I just need some honest feedback before I buy.

 

you will stay with the pack with the ds650. i mean i am a raptor 700 owner and love it but whould not leave you in the dust. where the 450s and the 700 will get ahead of you whould probaly be on the whooped sections b/c they come with great stock suspestion. this bikes are close enough to make it a whos the better rider type of a race. also another thing to think about is that there are so meny raptors and 450s that the parts are very easy to get.

 

You will easily come in last place unless your racing over an 1/8 mile.

 

Or if you are racing in a techinical section......they will kiss your a$$ goodbye.

 

Thanks guys, kind of what I thought. I opted not to get the DS 650. I can't stand to be behind the others. I guess I'll wait for the ktm 525. I found a posted weight of 356 lbs with 53 hp. Unknown if that is dry or wet weight. Polaris outlaw 525s is posting wet weight of 375. I'll pay more for the better shocks and 19 possible pounds less on the ktm. MSRP difference is $1800 more for the ktm, but you would spend most of that on the difference in shocks and tires. I'm ktm bound it looks, unless the Renegade X is introduced in August. If the X comes to exist then I'll just have to have a fleet of two renegades.

 

The DS is not at all top heavy. It is very stable and has a very plush ride for duning. It also jumps, flys and lands very well. As far a s power goes, stock to stock its going to be right there with any of them, and if and when you decide to build it......well you saw in Nebraska what the potential is...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

If the price is right for the used one your looking, you cant beat it. IMO

 

My 525 with just a slip-on pulls the same gears up the hills at Glamis as my DS730 does.

 

Hey CALDS650 is the 525 as comfy as a DS?

 

Yes and it is lighter

 

stock 4 stock the outlaw and raptor r neck and neck with the ds and yfz slightly behind