I want to know if a DS 650 will take a Raptor in a short race and a long race? And if anybody has either one, whats the top speed?

 

Both are equals in performance and top speed. If the course is open with a lot of whoops the DS650 should due better with the better stock suspension. In the woods and MX and tight ruff desert races the Honda is better. On desert race you have a lot to changes you have to make on the Raptor on the DS650 all you really need to change are the Shocks cause they will start to fade on a long day. Both can win it just a matter of were you ride and how much you want to spend on set-up

 

Any STOCK suspension will "fade" if ridden hard ALL day. The ds went a full day of baja and then they could "Start to tell some fade". Thats not the type of "racing" he's talking about i'm sure.

ryan

00 ds

 

in an open drag the raptor is said to have a slight advantage.(100 yards).after that the ds will have the advantage and pass the raptor.dirt wheels gave the ds 1 mile an hour faster.so its pretty damn close.Not enough 4 bragging rights either way.I put 22" tires on the back and 23" on the front of my ds.It stopped most of the wheel spin that you get in the first few gears.that got me the holeshot on the raptors i've raced it also got me alittle more top end so i never even saw them beside me.

 

I have raced DS on sand with my Raptor with a 12t on it and they get out of the whole faster b/ i spin and i can stay wthin a few lenghts of them. I have raced two on pavement at about 1/4 mile and if i start in second I can beat them everytime. It really matter who gets the better start, b/c Spinning th8e tires for a seconde will cost you the race with either quad.

Its just as easy as this: Both bikes are awesome.

 

Well,all I got to say is that I went to a atv motor-cross race last weekend, and watched a DS put the smack down on two Raptors,a quadzilla, one 400ex,one Banshee and one of two 250r's.It was a 4-lap race.The DS was stock,while the others were moded.It was a Great race.The DS got the hole shot and never looked back in the first straight away,then in the first turn he overshot,and went off the course.Everybody past him while he got off the DS and moved it back on the course.Well he got back on and before you know it, he caught up with the 400ex,past him then the blue Raptor,then in the whoops he blew bye the Banshee and past him, then the other black Raptor and the DS came into a hard turn ,the DS was on the inside of him and pulled away,then I was on the edge of my seat,when the quadzilla and DS were in some real nasty straight whoops,and the DS was comming up fast on the side of him then the guy on the quadzilla pushed it to try to stay with him,and he stood it sraight up,then it fell back on him. The DS got second,but if he had not over shot the first turn the DS would have tooken the honors of 1st.I learned later that in qualifing,that the DS,took 1st.I am just glad that I have that race on Video.

 

I feel chris is right the DS and Raptor(in stock form)are a very close race,winner usually determined by the rider.One mistake and you lose.When my DS was stock and I raced raptors up sand mountain and I would normally get taken for the first 200 ft but then take-em at the top by half a quad length,but a bad start or miss-shift by either rider puts you last.Just my experience,both are fast and make's it a fun rivalry
Jeff

2000 400ex
e-series exaust
2000 DS650
Ron Wood: stage #2,carb/w acc.pump,K&N filter on carb w/outerwear,tach in dash,15 tooth front sprocket,twist throttle & HD clutch springs.
Graydon Prolineipe w/super-trapp tip,steering dampner,rear skid,billet-gas,oil & brake caps,
Renthal bars
Pro-Design kill switch
PIAA superbrite replacement headlamp
L.E.D. tail light
bicycle computer with odometer,speedo,altimeter
Sidewinder 42 tooth rear sprocket
22x8x10 razorsbacks in front
22x11x10 ten paddle haulers in rear
Front bumper,rear grab bar,radiator grill,foot pegs,shifter & footbrake at the chrome shop
new plastic on order

 

Hi. Actually, the DS is faster in pavement drag races. I have done it with a friend like a dozen times and the DS always win.
But honestly, who cares about drag racing on pavement? It doesn't matter at all. What we all care about is the way it handles either in the woods, sand, fast tracks, etc.
In my opinion, the Raptor is a great bike in the woods, just like the DS is on fast tracks/sand. In everything else they are pretty much even.
Now, there are a lot of people saying that a 400EX can beat a Raptor in the woods...
Anyway, I think Yamaha should have made a better quad than the Raptor is. I mean, the Raptor is great but they have the know-how to make the best quad of all times, so why didn't they ???

JNBOMB650

 

The Raptor is one of the best quads of all time!

 

I would have to agree that both quads are too close to call, but the DS has one distinct advantage when it comes to a drag race. It has considerably more hop up potential, and after all, who leaves there quad stock when they are getting into races. I have yet to even hear of a Raptor that can stay with me, much less see one. But then again, I haven't seen every Raptor out there, and maybe there are some special motor kits I've never heard of for the Raptor.