im looking to buy a new quad. im new to the sport but im a large guy. ive narrowed it down to two models. either the raptor or the baja any suggestions i could use the help....

 

A DS650/baja is built for bigger riders. Plus the DS is extremely strong and will hold up much longer than any other brand. It also has way more power than a raptor. Go ride each one. Spend some time looking at each one.......you will see the DS was built with durability in mind.

 

how much is a new 650 selling for??

 

The Baja X is just under $7000 and the regular DS650 is just under $6000. Most people feel that the extra $1000 is more than worth it. Other people that just want a dune machine get the regular DS650.....get some paddles and your done.

 

i have a dealer in my area with 2 04 leftovers he has a ds for $5400 and a baja for $6400. as of right now everything points to the baja over the raptor. iv only heard 1 bad report nad that was the size but i think that could be over come with thime...

 

It really depends what your doing...
DS650 is a big, big quad. Much wider than the raptor. And much heavier.
The Raptor is lower profile quad, and is suited more to trails because of its obsurd low end touque.

So take this into consideration, "Am i going to be riding tight trails, or open area(e.g. dunes)"
If tight trails, no question Raptor reverse and low end takes it
If open, DS will perform a better.
I'm not saying that you can't do tight trails with DS (Vice versa) But the quad would be more suited to that terrian.
IMO

 

Glad I'm not so big that I have to ride a huge bike, especially out on the trails!

I have several friends who own or have owned both these machines. None of them are absolutely happy with either machine. Most of them have gone up for sale, pretty fast. But you big guys only have limited choices.

Personally, I find the Raptor to be a little tall and tippy. I would have to spend $2,000 right off, to widen it. That engine will pull forever though! The DS has pretty good suspension, but just to huge for the trail.

 

I forgot to mention I am 160 lbs and I ride My DS 650 Baja-X through the extremely rocky AZ & NV mountians. My 04 DS650 has NEVER given me ANY issues with its 48.5" width. This quad is a DS=dune sport. It also is a very serious Cross Country race quad....has won many Baja and Dakar races in very close to stock form. So to me that is the best of both worlds. It has Ohlins shocks and they are amazing. You wont go wrong with a DS. It has 23% more horsepower and 14% more torque than the Yamaha Raptor. I have installed a pipe end cap and a K&N w/175 jet....it's even faster now. Put it up for sale??? NEVER!

 

do yourself a favor, go with the baja x.

it rides like a mercedes compared with the raptor and has so much more room to get comfortable on, especially for larger riders. the width can be a bit of a concern on tight trails but here is a secret...if possible give it some gas when the tight stuff comes up (like between two trees) and the suspension will narrow a bit.

it is much faster too than a stock raptor and a rider can stay faster longer on it without getting into trouble. it is very forgiving. it also has a nice rappy sound to it and a tachometer. if possible, go with the x rather than just the straight baja. the extra stuff is a deal and very nice.

one drawback that is serious...no reverse.

hope that helps:-)

 

Are you meaning much faster as in 1-2mph? Becasue thats not much faster in my book.

Reverse is a huge issue if your riding tight trails.... Lifting a 500lb machine! pshh good luck

Raptors are tippy, but you wouldn't have to spend $2000 to make it comfortable! $50 wheel spacers or a $350 axle..