I'm not going to be on the track ... so the New Yamaha is out... it's too small and not well suited for trails from what I am told.

So.... what I have heard on the Negative side for the DS is it's weight and size... being just too big.

2004 version is about the exact demensions of the Raptor, though still a bit wider, which to me says more stability.

2004 DS Baha (or) Raptor with modifications to suspension to widen it out a bit..

Thoughts?

 

WTF?!?! The YFZ450 is all set up for the track and trails. This thing screams GNCC racer!!!

I don't know why you would be considering the DS and Raptor over the YFZ for trails. Granted that the big-bore quads are competent machines in the woods, but they aren't of the same caliber as the YFZ in this category.

Whoever told you that needs to step away from the crack-pipe...

my $.05

 

ds baja is a nice bike. they are faster than a raptor. seems like you already are into bombardiers already by looking at your sig. ds are bigger and heavier, though. where/what type of riding you gonna be doing? raptors bad for trails? i dont think so. it is a little tippy though, due to its high center of gravity.

 

Yamaha brought the new YFZ450 to a race track here in Central Wisconsin and allowed a few of the members of the local dealership to run it around for about 8 hours. What I've been told is that the size of this new quad is such that it is meant for you to be riding UP on it most of the time (out of the seat), as you would be on the track. It's nimble .. fast as hell and very much race ready. These guys were very impressed but a little concerned about the "on the edge" feel.

The concern that my dealer has (who is a former World Champion Snowmobile Racer and MX Racer) has is that if you intend on being on the trails for long periods of time, your just not going to like the seat and the small size as you knees will be up by your ears.. I sat on this thing a couple of days ago and it feels small... but is that a real problem for a 50 mile trail run or not?

That's why the DS650 Baha (smaller than last year but larger than the YFZ450) comes up as a suggestion along with the Raptor. I'm not married to either brand.. I just don't want to get a quad that is so race ready that it's out of place on the long runs down the trail. Is there any sense to this or is faster just better know matter what?

 

I can't see the Raptor being any more suitable than the YFZ for running on trails... but of course, I hardly sit down at all when I'm riding in the woods anyways...

 

Alaska:

I didn't notice until now that you have the new Yamaha..... Since my original post.. I've done some more digging around the net and the bottom line is that the YFZ450 is just that good. Not sure at this point in my jouney, how I'm going to fork out about the same cash for something that just isn't as good.

The tide turns towards the YFZ450... Many reviews out there.. here's one that you should all read with words like this:

Talk more about how well you think it will work in the cross country scene. Can a pro level GNCC racer win on it in stock form?
Without a doubt, yes! We did a little trail blazing with it and can honestly say it will be just as good of a cross country quad than it will on the motocross scene. The airbox is well built, water tight and looks really durable. The poweband won't tire you out like a built R will, which is good when your racing hard for two hours. Plus the electric start fires instantly. I was impressed with how fast it started. They'll really appreciate that. After it's started, I'm confident that it's fast enough to pull the holeshot in the pro class and win a pro GNCC with nothing more than a pipe, a bigger gas tank and maybe an aftermarket skid plate or two.
Text

CLICK FOR REVIEW

 

He dosent have the yfz, look at the year, 2005, he plans to wait a year before buying i guess....

 

Yea whoever buys a first year yamaha should take the same advise Alaska

just my $.02

 

Get the bomb! The DS650 has the best suspension of ANY Quad. The motor is bullet proof, The lighting on the Baja and Baja X are far superior for night riding over the Yamaha's. The Bajas are more stable than the Raptor and are faster top speed than both the raptor and the Yfz. If anyone posts that a pipe and gearing will take care of that, then the same could be said for the Baja. I picked my Baja X up for $6499 and the regular Baja could be had for $5699. The Baja is only 37 pounds heavier than a raptor. Remember, A five gallon gas jug weighs about 37 - 38 pounds, not much of a weight difference is there? But before I get every Yamaha owners panties in a bunch, let me at least say that the Raptor is a hell of a machine that is very capable and very fast, just not as fast as a DS650. The Yfz 450 seems like a great machine so far, but lets face it, Yamaha doesn't have a good track record on first year machines reliability and Quality. If you are intent on buying the Yfz 450, I would wait a year so the first year bugs can be sorted out. If you plan on riding a lot of trails and "normal" riding the DS650 should suit you just fine at least the 04' models will. Good luck!

 

What's your beef- been getting spanked by Raptors every time you go out!?!!

I am waiting until '05 for my YFZ450 for two reasons: 1) I'm building my Raptor up and at this point I don't need another machine and 2) Yamaha is almost certain to bump it up to 449cc for next year by dropping in the YZ450F crank. I can be patient

FYI - I have had zero problems with my '01 Raptor...