Just joined this forum today in hopes that I might get some feed back from real owners of theseBombardier Quads, I am looking into purchasing a used quad 2000 or newer DS650. I have ridden before so am not a newbie. I was looking into either a Raptor 660 or the Bombadier 650. I would rather go with the Bombardier cause of the wider stance whereas I have heard that Raptors tend to launch up easier. My main concerns about the Bombardier are the reliability and durability of the machine, any experience here is greatly appreciated. Allso how do you determine a reasonable price for a stock 2000-2001? Nada and Kelly retail are both around $3400 (2000) and $3700 (2001) thanks for reading the long post...

 

I havent seen many more reliable machines than a DS650.

I beat the heck out of both of mine and they still ride like day 1. (2000 and 2001).

Rode my 2001 almost every weekend and more for 3+ years straight.

I ride alot less now that I am married with baby girl.

 

reliability on a par or even surpassing Honda

 

I agree with everone, the ds is is a very reliable bike. I am curious tho what a longer [+4 inch] and wider [+4 inch] raptor would handle like.

 

Here ya go, My little brother has spent nearly $5000 on his Honda 400EX ( PLUS the price of the machine), all this and he BEARLY keep up with me! (Mine still out climbs his) My DS motor is bone stock, accept for the pipe, air filter and jetting. As for reliability, the only issues with the "older" DS is the cooling fan. Mine lasted about a year, replaced it with a Spal aftermarket replacement ($70), been on there 4 years now with NO problems. There is NO more reliable bike out there! You won't be sorry!

 

 

I've owned three DS 650's, with a total of about 7,000 miles worth of riding on them. No reliability issues other than a rear axle bearing on my 2005 that was replaced under warranty.

The DS doesn't corner as good as the super low 450s do, but it certainly corners better than the tall and narrow Raptor that is the other quad he is considering. I've owned both a Raptor and the DS's, and no question which one I would choose to own (the DS).

 

It seems that you are mainly a two-stroke person. The DS is one of the fastest quads out there, stock for stock. As someone else said, it takes thousands of dollars to bring a 400EX or a Raptor to be on par with the DS, engine mods, suspension, etc.. A friend of mine has a Raptor and we raced 3 times on grass, my DS is stock except a 15 tooth front sprocket, his Raptor has a full exhaust and jetted and we were side by side every run(3 times). And he is a better rider that I am. That's my $.02.

 

I have an 04 DS and my wife has a 05 Raptor. She is a good rider and weighs about half of what I weigh. I win everytime in any kind of race. Dunes, hillclimbs desert and trails. Nuff said.

 

WEll,i officialy retract my recent statement,ds650 vs. lt250r is not a good comparison. As far as the big dogs go,like the raptor/ds/kfx700?, i would definitely like a ds. I really hated riding the raptor my neighbor has. I guess riding my lt250 all day then jumping on a ds was kind of a wierd switch.. I have ridden one of those huge kfx700 and it was really really lame. Now that i think of it,even in the bumpy stuff,the ds was really smooth and stable. You cant beat a rotax motor either