The DS 650 finished 1st, but the 400EX was only 15 min. behind. The Honda gives up 250cc (that's like having a whole extra engine) to the DS, but then the DS is a heavier machine. Anyway, in 2000 miles, 15 min. doesn't seem like much time. Congratulations to Bomabrdier, but I would say the Hondas did really well!

The Raptor is another story. Wes Miller said, "Well, the whole frame busted in half-twice. The bike broke a lot. We rebuilt the motor in Catavina, broke the radiator in La Paz..We were thinking of just launching it into the water and finish the thing off. Because, it's done." (see www.off-road.com).

 

You make some good points, YZGUY; the principal one being: don't read too much into any one race with respect to the winning machine.

Some might say, don't accept the "part for whole" fallacy. Lots of factors enter into a gruelling race, besides the design and contruction of "stock" machines participating.

In my misspent youth, the "Mexican Road Race," or Caretera Pan-Americana, considerably longer I think than the Baja versions, was run from Ciudad Juarez (across from El Paso, TX) to the Guatemalan border--over the Pan-American highway, with "stock" cars--Lincoln Capris were winners for many years, BUT: you could hardly find a Lincoln like the ones taking the checkered flag on the showroom floor--these beasts were highly modified and heavily supported.

I'm not against racing, the activity improves the breed, certainly; however, if a given model ATV wins a given race, coronation may be premature.

Tree Farmer