I'll be purchasing a new Quad soon. This will be my second machine. I purchased a 91 Yamaha Warrior in 1991. I sold that machine in 1994. I haven't had one since. A couple of friends and I are going to purchase machines over the next couple of months. I need some assistance for riders who ride the trails, not ***** to the walls on the dunes. Although we have Silver Lake State park here in Michigan for dune riding. 95% of my riding will be on the trails. I'm 6'2" and weigh 290lbs. I need a quad that can deal with my large frame and weight.

I've read in ATV rags that the DS is great on the dunes and in the desert. I've also read that the DS isn't the machine for the trails. Can anyone elaborate if the Baha DS650 is good on the trails? I'd appreciate any comments both good and bad. I need to make the right decision when spending close to 7 grand.

One of my friends called earlier tonight and told me to pick-up ATV Sport mag. I don't have it yet, probably pick it up over the weekend. He mentioned that one of the reviews states that the DS is okay on the trails, not great. It states that the DS is bad to the bone on the dunes. The 03 Polaris Predator is rated the best amongst all categories.

I need some input from riders.

TIA,
Brian

 

HEY OZ, IM 6'2" 245 LBS. AND THE ONLY QUAD THAT KEEPS UP WITH ME ON THE TRAILS IS MY BUDDY'S DS650....I RIDE TIGHT TRAILS AND UNDEVELOPED LAND AREAS....I HAD A MODDED OUT BANSHEE, SOLD IT AND GOT MY 02' DS650 BAJA, AND LET ME TELL YA, WHEN IT COMES TO LONG DISTANCE TRAIL RIDING, ***** OUT, WITH THE DS SUSPENSION AND FREIGHT TRAIN-LIKE PULLING POWER, IT IS SECOND TO NONE. SOAKS UP BUMPS LIKE A CADDY, POWERS OUT OF TURNS LIKE A BULL.....ALL THOSE GUYS THAT **** AND MOAN ABOUT THE DS DOING POORLY IN THE TRAILS NEED TO QUIT EATING SALADS AND COME OUT AND RIDE WITH THE BIG DOGS........ENOUGH SAID, GET ONE.
PEACE.

 

Well, let me give you my two cents after having a Baja for the past several months and riding nothing but trails. The Baja rides good in the woods, and handles well, especially in the rough stuff. I can tell you that a couple things make it kinda rough on the rider.. 1) its wide compared to most sports so if you are riding tight trails you won't be moving nearly as fast and it will be work to get through (50 inch trails are a tough ride on the Baja). 2) its heavy. Its hard to throw the bike around in the tight stuff with as much as it weighs. That said, its a great bike but make sure you take that into consideration. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any other questions.

As far as the Predator being the best all around.. having ridden one, I don't know that I go that far. I think the Z / KFX is probably better in the woods than it is..

My .02.

 

I use mine for the trail 100% of the time. I'll say that it isn't the best for the trails but it works just fine the extra width of the DS can cause you to take an alternate route around obstacles or slow down but it also makes you more stable in off camber situations. I don't know about the predator (haven't seen one on the trails yet), but for your size the baja will feel the most comfortable for you

 

for your size anything but a ds is going to be small. that said they say the ds is to big for trails, i ride trails with 4 wheel drive quads and it would say they are the better choice, but then that isn't my thing. youy might want a bike if trails is all you do, because all quads a wide compared to a bike.

 

No question the ds is for you! You can ride it all day long on the trails or the dunes and not get that ole' "monkey butt" that a smaller quad would give you! Trust me on that one! ..lol[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Go for it!!!! you will be very happy, i trail ride and dune you cant beat the DS. It is heavy, but it is built to last, the weight is not that big of a deal i weigh 170 lbs and still have no problems with the weight, look around i purchased mine new Nov 2002 $5600.00 out the door in Phoenix where i live.
Brandon[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Hey OZ. I am from bay city, where are you from? I know nearly all the trails around this area. This summer we need to hook up and get to some ridin!

-nick

 

Thanks for the input people, I'm sold on the 03 DS650. I sat on the DS at a local Bombardier dealer a week ago, it felt good for a guy my size. I needed some input from DS owners and non-owners alike. I remember feeling a little cramped on my 91 Warrior.

The price I received for the 03 DS650 Baha was 7200 out-the-door. MSRP is 7,199 and MI sales tax would push the price to $7630.94 with license or title fees added to that, say $7645. There's a savings off list of about $445. I'll try to work the price down to $7000 OTD.

87Banshee250sx: I live in Saginaw, not too far from Bay City. I think this new bike will take some time away from the links this summer. I used to ride in Leota in the early 90's and up in the Grand Traverse area every now and then. I've been out to the DNR website to check on ORV/ATV riding areas. There's more up north then I realized. You'll have to give me some input. And yes, we'll have to hook-up for a trail ride sometime.

Thanks again!
lAtE

 

size wise and power i think it's great for you, i guess it might depend on how often you think you'll need reverse.