I have noticed as I ride more trails lately that my ds has very poor traction. take today, there was a slighty muddy, pretty steep hillclimb. I was riding with a Suzuki z-400 and a 400ex, they went first and made it right up (though there frontends came up a bit), then I tried it and I almost didn't make if b/c my tries were spinning so bad. to my benefit the frontend didn't come up. also, on dirt roads now it's impossible to do a wheelie. no matter what I do, pop the clutch, lean back and pull on the bars, the only thing that happens is the tires spin.

I havent had my ds long, and last week I put on a 15t front sprocket, I don't know if thats the problem but I don't think so.

so does my ds have to much power or am I doing something wrong....

 

In you signature it says you are using Fast Trekker front and rear tires. I have never used these tires so I can not comment if its the optimal tire for your terrain. I think you are on to something when you mentioned about the front end coming up on the z-400 and 400ex. The pre '04 DS650 are more nose heavy then most stock quads. This is due to many factors such as frame design, engine placement, and swing arm length. If the front end is heavy, then that means the rear end is light! If the rear end is too light, it will lose traction easier. You can compensate for the distribution of weight with your own body weight. Try different positions on the seat, try sliding back a bit. I believe in the sand, riders with extended swingarms usually have a larger number of paddle to compensate for loss of traction. Some trail riders will go to a -1 swingarm.

 

yeah I was even leaning back on the seat trying to climb the hill. I don't know what a better tire design would be, but maybe a 22" tire would help?? I ride mainly trails, dirt roads and some open feilds.

 

What tyre pressure are u running?
As that can make a big differance
more psi lass traction

 

Due go with the 22 inch rear tires. I like the ITP Holeshots XCT and try 15/41 sprockets. The DS650 will just over power 20 inch tires. You will get better traction with the 22's.

 

these Fast Trekkers mad e aHUGE improvment over the stock Kenda Dominators. at the rate they are wearing I'll need a new set in a few weeks, maybe I'll try 22's then....

 

22s are a natural on a DS. XCTs or Razrs work great. Traction is awesome.

 

if your runnin 20's throw that 16t back on, once u buy 22's then use the 15t

 

ok I'll try that. since my 20's are like brand new, I'll put the 16t back on, then when these 20's wear out I'll get a set of 22's.

I't amazing what 1 tooth on the sprocket can do!!

 

As you know, here in New York we don't have any sand dunes. The sand riders are the ones that really need that 15T front sprocket to compensate for the larger sand tires they are running. For the riding we do, stay with the 20" tires and go with a Holeshot XCR-03 . I put them on my DS three weeks ago and can't believe the difference in traction in ALL terrains. With all the rain we have had I have only gotten stuck once and that was totally my fault. Bartlett also gave you a good choice with the razor2 tires through they don't grab as well is wet slippery clay that NY has. Instead of a 15T try a 17T with the 20" tires, That gear seems to wake up the motor since it comes under- geared from the factory. Not only will you push past 80mph on the top, you get more out of first and second gears and don't ping your rev limiter as much. This was the gearing that Ron woods Racing recomended for a stock piped machine. Add a Woods pipe and new rev limiter and you could easily pull an 18T front sprocket and get top speeds around 87mph +. That 15T just wastes so much potential of the 650 motor. Good Luck!