I'm in the market for a new outty and am considering a ds250 for my better half. She wouldn't ride one that she had to shift and this is the only sport bike i've found that's auto. i've never been on one and wondered if it was underpowered for standard Northern Michigan trail riding? Any issues with the chain drive? Is it comfortable enough for 1/2 day rides? The wife is 5'8" and skinny. enough power? will it drag my 180lbs around? can you jump it? any mechanical issues?
Thanks for any replies.

 

not a bad little machine for the wife. you will be bored though.

 

That's why there's an 800, so I don't get board. I'd consider a scrambler if they didn't cost as much. If she likes it, i can always upgrade. I've got a little girl that might grow into a 250 real fast.

 

Well it doesn't have a Rotax and it's not techincally made by BRP, it's a Tiawan/Asian import with the Can-Am/BRP logo's.......I think it's pretty similar to something offered by Arctic Cat?? I don't know this would have anything to do with your decision, just an FYI.

 

Mike67, funny, i was just looking at the AC250. Looks similar, but no arctic cat pages list msrp. they all say call for quote. I'm guessing it's also about 3k. i think something that size would be perfect to get a new rider hooked. Is there anything "add on", to get more hp in the 250 4strokes?

 

Is there anything "add on", to get more hp in the 250 4strokes?
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I dunno, not sure how much more you will get out of it. How much does it weigh? Yamaha has the 350 Wolverine, not sure if its an auto like the 450 but might be worth looking at.

 

A buddies wife has one and she really likes it, she tried riding a trx400 that I had but was to intimidated by the shifting, so he bought her the 250 and her fun factor went through the roof, She now enjoys riding and being a part of the experiance..If you are buying it for your wife, listen to her, and keep in mind the bike is not for you, it has good power for what it is and works well in the sand, so it will have plenty of power for her on the trails. Her confidance level will eventually rise and she my grow into a bigger bike with a clutch, that will leave your daughter with a great beginers bike. I brought my wife along slowly first a trx 250, then she jumped to a 400, now she rides a DS 650...I have a 90lb jocky once she gets the speed shifting down look out[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Tbone, thanks for the positive response. That's exactly what i was thinking, just needed someone to say "it's not for you, it's for the wife". I think she'd do well on that little sport bike and i think she'd get hooked if she rode something that she was in control of instead of the machine being in control of her. I'll look into it, but total price is overall factor. I don't know what kind of buddy packs "deals" the dealers are putting togather, but if it's no better than just buying 2 outright, than forget it.

 

I don't know what kind of buddy packs "deals" the dealers are putting togather, but if it's no better than just buying 2 outright, than forget it.
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Good luck! Sometimes us guys dont think for a minute that maybe some of the ladies don't put as much thought into what these machines are then we do, they usually just wanna hop on and ride. I tried to show an ex how to ride a 250 with a foot shifter(no clutch) she got SO frustrated <ughh> I wouldn't have even considered a clutch t ype set up.

 

I think the out the door price was 3250, here in the bay area.