Hi Everyone,

I'm absolutely sure this subject has been beat to death. However, I'm considering purchasing a DS650. I'm 6'0 225lbs. I'm also considering a Raptor or a Z400. I'm very new to sport quads. How does the DS compare in straight line drags all quads stock? It will be used in very shallow wide river basins and Little Sahara. How is the bottom end power compared to the other two?

PLEASE enlighten me, again, I know this subject has been beat to death probably but I'm new so someone break it down for me. Also, I found a very reasonable deal on a YFZ450, how does the DS compare against it in the aforementioned format?

Your help is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The YFZ and Z400 make good kids quads, but they might feel too puny to someone that is 6' tall and over 220 lbs. I bought my 13 year old son a YFZ, and he can beat me at drag racing, and on a motocross track, but I can beat him in the desert. One thing I have noticed with our DS650 and YFZ is that the small ATV handles great with the small rider, but a big rider does not do as well on that ATV because his rider weight messes up the center of gravity too much. So a bigger rider may actually do better on an ATV that is not too small. I would suggest you ride them all, and pick the one you like the best.

 

can you go to the local riding area and check them out?

 

Here's my experience with the 3 quads mentioned..(Ds650..mine, Z400 and YFZ450..the later two were owned by my buddy.

Drag races..we both weigh in at around 225lbs..when he owned the Z400..my DS would beat him fairly easy..especially from 3rd gear on...(by the way..thats the reason he now has a YFZ..

Against the YFZ..I'll be honest, it was alittle different story. The YFZ is much easier to holeshot..probably due to its lighter weight..so he does get me out of the hole. But if the race is long enough..I do catch him in 4th and pass him in 5th..we are both stock at this time.

Cadillac Style!!!..As for riding comfort, especially for us bigger boys, the DS wins hands down. We rode yesterday for a few hours of hard draggin, woods and alittle mud and my buddy on the YFZ was way more tired due to the YFZ's rougher ride and "parkbench seat". Can't beat the DS for comfort.

My opinion is that I wouldn't trade my comfort and reliability for any sport bike out there..

 

I have not rode the YFZ or the New 450R but I've watched them and believe that Stock for Stock on the sand both will pull the DS on a short drag type race, but not by much. The DS will out run both in the long run if you like 70MPH stuff. The Raptor and Z400 will both be watching you from behind (stock for Stock). I also believe that both the 450's are designed for a smaller rider with less comfort and a small hard on the a$$ seat which will lead to a tired rider by the end of the day.
just my thoughts, Best thing is to ride as many as possible, and ride them hard like you would your own.

 

Raptor is an option too ... stock for stock the DS is faster... but the rappy have more potential with aftermarket parts...
i say for a big guy like you, test the rappy and the baja X im sure you'll pick one of them ...
you just wont fit on the 450r's and the z is slow (comparing to the ds and rappy)...
Btw you'll probably find that you'll invest much more money on a rappy since the baja x got:

nerf bars
3 headlights that can light a whole track in dark ( and i mean it!!)
WAYYYYYYYYY more better shocks
RPM watch
better rims
shocks covers
and alot of goodies [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].

Good Luck with your purchase!!!

 

For Little Sahara, and the Canadian river you will be extremely happy with a DS.

I used to switch ATV's every 3 months. I;ve owned Banshee's, 250R's, and several 3 wheelers. But once I bought my DS back in 2001 I have never wanted anything "different" since. I also own a V-force that I like alot, but thier is just no out doing the DS when it comes to suspension, comfort,reliability,and power.


Good luck.




Bigger.

 

the 450 class is quicker for the first 300 feet, but go to some place like sand mt. nevada and you will see where the big engine comes in

 

At only 225 lbs. and 6' tall I would say you could buy any bike you felt comfortable on. I've rode both the 450R and the YFZ, I like the Honda better. Seems to have a better feel to it. The kick start is nice too. The last time we were out the starter solenoid took a dump on one of the YFZ's, and the Honda guys didn't let him live that down.

I might be a little Honda bias though. I've been a 250R 3 wheel guy, up until my purchase of the "COUCH" in 03. Love the DS, but the smaller bikes are still very fun to ride also.

My opinion is only offered as far as recreational purpose only. I just ride for fun, no pro racing, or extreme stuff here.