I just traded in my ds650 for a 2000 400ex and let me tell you I feel mighty violated After talking with many dealers the highest price I got was $5500.00 and that was from a dealer who sold Bombardier and honda and they had no ds quads in stock which im sure helped me out on the final price.I did hold off for a few weeks and put it up for sale on this web sight and in some local classafied newspapers for $6000.00 with the exaust and a few extras and I was amazed with not one call or e mail.Im really wondering the fate of the mighty DS.Are there a lot of people buying them???I really enjoyed the quad a lot but out here in Connecticut the trails are too tight for the width and when the ds gets stuck boy does it get stuck.It takes 2 guys just to pull it out,so for me the 400ex is a much better choice.Wish I thoght of this before spending the $7300.00 for it ,But at the time we were riding in sand pits which are all closed down now thanks to the wonderful state of CT.Well anyways you live and learn.I also have a nice package I put together with the leftover parts I have from the DS.If anyone has a stock ds heres a good chance to save some dollars.I posted it under the free classafied here on this websight or you can e mail me at sonydigit@aol.com.

 

I don't think it reflects on the DS at all. Here in Arizona sales on the DS are extremely brisk and I'm sure this is reflected throughout the west as obviously the DS's strengths cater to the wide open spaces. I think what you found will befall others trying to move a used machine now and in the forseable future. With so many new models poised to be released for 2001 and beyond those of us starved for showroom fresh sport machines are going to drive down prices on used bikes. Chcking the local cycle trader prices on used Banshees are ridiculous. $6000 is common while dealers are moving them for $4499, Brand new DS's are going for $5499. With more people looking to trade used bikes for one of the promising new models the days of used ATV's holding much higher resale value than they should for something used off-road are probably ending. We are reverting to a time some of us actually may remember when you will never get the money you put in in aftermarket parts back out when you try to sell the bike. The best advice may be if you like your old machine and its paid off you might just want to let that new machine share the space in your stable next to your old war-horse.

 

Well sorry to hear you did not get more for your DS 650 as I dont care what anyone says on this post or anywhere else it is one nice Quad and I have said this before that I have never burned so much gas on a machine in my life than on my DS! However not to make you feel bad but I just sold mine for $6700. They are more expensive out here than they are in other states and our dealers just plain may be more GREEDY! Also tell us where to write to help keep your land open and we will fight for ya.

 

why did you sell?

 

Combination of reasons
1) have 5 machines in the garage.....4 now.
2) riding in the summer is to hot so it would sit alot.
3) could use the money for other things instead of being wrapped up in the DS (one fast *****!)
4) wife had a difficult time riding it and griped alot about it...this weighed heavy on decision.
5) and yes the release of other quads info (raptor, cannondale) caught my attention as well.

No I am not a trader!

 

Well ATVINSTRUCTOR,

Don't worry..alot of us have wives and gripes.
As for me, I bought it and fortunately my wife is the kind of person that says you buy it you keep it. **She doesn't like to loose money buying something new and then trading it in for the latest and greatest.

I have to say this engine with mods will rock the ATV industry (Raptor or whatever).

 

This is pretty typical with any new vehicle purchase. Try selling a new car right after purchasing it. You lose 20% of the value as soon as you sign the papers and leave the dealers lot! Don't even think of recovering any of the finance charges and such.

Yea, it sucks, but it's the old adage, who wants somebodies old, used ATV? How bad did they abuse it, over-rev it or whatever?

How do you like the 400EX compared to the DS650 so far, besides the fact that it fits the trails better?

Good luck,
CRT_Leech

 

Well for me right now the 400ex is the better choice even though I miss the Ds dearly Theres nothing like breaking out the yellow monster and having people drule all over it Now what do I have but a 400ex.Not too many people have them right?Oh well I should have waited a few weeks and bought a yellow one just to be somewhat different.I am probably gonna trade it in on a Rapter once they come out.From the looks of that thing I think it has everything I am looking for.Fast,narrow and the added bonus of reverse.I was never a yamaha fan but this thing looks too good to be true.But I sure wouldnt mind seeing that guy on his 105 mph ds serf by all of the compatition,Just too shut everyone up who bad mouths Bombardier and everyone who has one.I dont no about you guys but im pretty sick of people talking crap about the rapter when they havent even ridden one yet.

 

One other option is to have two quads. I have considered keeping the DS for dunes and drags and then buying a used lightweight ATV for trail riding. No ATV is ideal for every type of sport riding, but the Raptor might be pretty close. But a stock Raptor is not going to compete in the dunes with stroked banshees or quadzillas running alcohol. As far as the DS goes, you could always pick up another one at some point fairly cheap used or new, now that the Raptor is here. But I have a feeling that the DS will cease to exist within a few years, if no significant changes are made to it.

 

Or, you could install that turbo kit in Dirt Wheels for the 400EX!!!