Out on the first big ride with the new DS met up with a group that included a guy with a Raptor out on his first big ride. Both of us bought our quads with no test ride. I was just coming back from a very rough trail ride that had beat me up pretty good, convincing me that new front shocks are a must. No way could I keep up with my friend on my old Sportsman or my 12 year old on his 425 EXP. The sand washes were a different story, the power and stablity of the DS are intoxicating.
So we are talking about how it sucks that you can't get a decent ride out of things before you buy 'em. So we swapped bikes for 15 minutes and rode up a small canyon with a combination of fast sand and very rough rock outcroppings carved into the stream bed.. Good spot for a quick test ride.
The Raptor felt very good in the fast sand, better than I expected, and the shocks are much more forgiving than the DS. It felt small, but not that tippy, just not as stabile as the DS. The front end felt light, in a good way, like you could pick it up and place it right where you wanted it, with the throttle. The motor did not feel as strong as the DS, but still felt good. Both bikes shift great, though I missed shifts with both, it was my fault. Both need a granny gear for our kind of trail riding. Both need better ground clearance for our kind of rocky trails. Both would be better our here with I.R.S.
The Raptor guy liked the stability of the DS in the sand, but agreed the front end is too stiff.
These two quads are such a toss-up. The DS has a fantastic motor, but no reverse. The Raptor has a distinct weight advantage, and reverse. All the shocks and A-arms and axles and all that have to be messed with anyway. I think the Raptor with a wider rear axle would be a very fine quad for my son without going to full blown suspension mods. I think the power of these quads is what quads should be. Most ATV's are simply underpowered.
I think we are going to sell/trade the EXP for a Raptor for my son Skyler, 13 in July.
This would make a really nice stable.
A DS-650, an H.O. and a Raptor.

 

Fourlix, I suggest you try a steering damper, before you replace the front shocks. I have put one last week and it feels like a miracle. The steering is much more stable when going through bumps.
JNBOMB650

 

JNBOMB650 whose steering dampner did you get and from where, thanks

 

Hi! Got a PEP. Bought it in Portugal from my dealer. But I think Graydon has it.
I forgot to mention that it also works great at high speeds. It is really a must have thing.

 

The Timmy Boy upper A-arms help stability a lot, though I could see having a steering damper too.
But those shocks got to go. They are way too stiff, both spring and dampening, with no adjustment but preload. I ordered Works Steelers, $339 from Shock Connection, should be here in 2 weeks. This is rough country, the front end of this thing literally bounces along, beating me up as we go. The DS can no way keep up with my old SP or my son's EXP.
I have to slow down for rough spots these quads just plow through, 'cause I am feeling every ripple and they are not.
I don't have the back end dialed in yet, it's okay, I just can't fine tune it with the front shocks being so totally wrong.

 

3TV...so now your wife's new quad will be the DS650??? Let me know when you're going to sell the Scrambler...and for how much. Looks like some of us have to settle for the hand-me- downs . Of course, if Honda does come out with the 650EX or whatever, I'll just take out a second on my home .

 

Fourlix,
First, congrats on your new quad! I've been watching your posts and wondering if there may be something wrong with your factory shocks, of if it was just a combination of your weight and terrain that is causing the bad ride. Now that youe have ridden a Raptor and feel as though the suspension is more compliant on the Raptor, I believe that there is very likely something wrong with the OE shocks on your quad.

Here in the So. Cal. deserts we have some pretty rough terrain also and I have ridden my buddies Raptor several times and I gotta tell ya the reverse is true in my experience. His Raptor is a great bike but there is simply no comparison in the suspension. His quad beats me up compared to my DS.

I hate to see you spend hard earned dollars on something that may very well be a warranty issue. By the way, the steering stabilizer is an excellent addition. I got mine from Alba for about $150.

 

same argument different day, i have both, my wife loves the raptor and i love the ds, we are both happy and thays all that matters, even though the ds is better hehe. check out our rides at ds650andraptor.homestead.com/index.html