I found a left over 04 ds 650 for 5,000 otd and was wandering what they are like. The dealer said that the only thing they are good for is dunes. But i figured they would be pretty snappy with a 650 in them. And i was also wandering if it would beat my friends 04 predator.

 

I'm 6'2", 290lbs and have had no problem riding my DS on the trails in MI.

 

99% of the riding I do is trails and track and the DS works great for me.

 

you should ask your dealer why in the world he stocks the DS then - we sure know it aint because there are so many dunes in PA.
I love the DS for everywhere, there are machines better suited for trails sure, but in the hands of the right person it will keep up with anything anywhere if you set it up right.

 

After just a couple of hours on my DS I can tell the trails are a little more work, of course I've been riding an outlander so there was no shifting involved. After getting warmed up I found I could take corners a lot faster without braking like I would have had to in the utilities. I haven't had a chance to go out on any real trail riding though so It's hard for me to tell.

 

Thanks for all the info. And that doesnt make much sense of him keeping them in stock if he thinks there only good on dunes.

 

I personaly think the DS is the best thing on the market,it has better ground clearence at the swing arm it is geared a little lower.And is tough as a boot.Up until 02 I rode polaris scrambler 500's Then I bought a new raptor and after my first trip to southeast Oklahoma I regreted the puchase,It would hang up on everything My budies still riding Polaris's had to help all the time so they gave me the name DragAss, I wont even talk about what all broke.So after four mouth I sold the crapor and bought a used 01 DS and had to learn to ride it smart in the woods but I was impresed on how well it could take steep hill's, and glad the name dragass was gone.what is funny two riding friend's now have DS's and a nother buddy bought my 01 I now have a baja X.

 

there fine, just don't plan going thru trees 4 feet apart, the ds is wide this is for a stable ride, mine has done fine every time i took it to the trails and if your talking like back roads, it's the best even dirtwheels rated it the best there. it is great for the dunes but that's not all it's good at. and as stated there tuff

 

I think it's a very good trail rig, in fact, thats about all my DS see's except for the once or twice a year dune trip. Yes, it's a little wide and heavy, but the power and suspension are excellent. It's all in what you get used to riding.

 

One of my friends told me they dont have any low end torque and that his predator is faster, is this true?