i know a guy that is gonna sell me a ds 650 for 4000. all i care about is speed so i dont know what to buy a raptor or the ds and i am not gonna get a banshee and there is always the predator so what is the best way to go for a fourstroke that is fast as hell!!!!!!!!!

 

I think an atv magazine just did a shootout and the ds was faster and the raptor and predator tied.

 

"IMO".... Banshee is the fastest (empasize fast) but 80's design. The Predator is well its in its first year so who really knows? ( I have a Polaris SLX 780 SKI) so im not biased against Polaris. The Raptor is faster stock than the DS, but the owners are bigger puzzys. But the DS on the other hand has the beast of everything. The beast suspension, the beast motor, the beast design, the beast quality, etc etc. No the DS is not the best at any one thing but "IMO" its the beast overall. Only thing that sux about the DS is the weight. Go "play on a Z400 and it will feel like a toy"

 

I concur with AIRRAPTOR

 

The greatest diff between the two stock for stock mod for mod is the guy (or gal) in the seat. Not only does rider experience make a big difference but rider weight is a huge factor when it comes to hill shooting and dragging. 50lbs between riders can be the deciding factor and that's no bull! I believe that even with the DSs greater wieght, the Rotax generates considerable more torque than the Raptor and pound for pound, riders being equal, the DS is the winner everytime!

Jim

 

The only reason stock for stock the rappy's faster is cause of the Crazy *** rev limiter the DS comes with, it aint even fair.. so replace that CDI first and youll be out in front..... And the DOHC Rotax design engine is a better design, than the Raptor. But then again youll hardly ever encounter anyone out there with the same mods as you, the two bikes are pretty equal its just who has the more mods, and the traction and gearing of the situation.
Jetjock16

 

Well, from what I have seen in the last two years. DS's seem to Biuld more power than the rappys. Both great quads, but for the drag guys, the Rotax 650 seems to be the engine of choice.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]






Biggerisbetter.

 

my wifes ds was stock and regeasred with a cdi, our friend run some 20o2 raptors she out runs them both by a lot. put a pipe on a raptor and things get very exciting. my brother has a stock ds and a stock 2003 raptor so this is where the test was of most interest to us, off of the line the raptor had a definate edge, and looked to walk away, well then came the shift to fourth, something in the gear spacing is to wide, the raptor has a harder time all of a sudden and the ds would track it down, we have switch back and forth and came up with the same results. but this is a line that can go back and forth for years and it already has. they are both neat machines there isn't any thing like pulling up to each other and fighting for a victory at the top of a hill while a couple of banshee eat your sand. iknow i lean on the ds's side, but i think i could make a fast raptor, to beat most ds's. the predator is fun to have along too they seem to be in the race the few times that i've raced with them. i'd go with the machine that is in your price range and that is comfortable.

 

I concurr with all the above information. There is one other factor to consider. The comfort. Stock for stock the DS definately takes the cake in the comfort and ergo department.

My bro-in-law, has a 01 rappy and loves it to death. I have a 03 DS and love it to death. My bro-in-law finally took a quick trip around my property a couple of days ago and the first thing he said is WOW. He felt that it has about the same power by the seat of the pants measurement. However, the one thing he added was, it's like the difference between driving a chevy and a caddie. (the rappy being the chevy).

He was impressed to say the least. Of course this doesn't mean that he is about to trade in his rappy for a DS. But it really opened his eyes a bit.

The DS is built like a tank. It is more or less bullet proof, and IMO the rappy is a bit more fragile, or at least not as durable. But they are both excellent machines.

 

I don't know what kind of stock Raptor's you DS guys are racing, or for that fact, what kind of DS's you are riding, but in my experience I have never had an ounce of trouble beating a stock Raptor. This was before I had any mods, I was completely stock. I'd be racing 180-200lb guys on Raptors, and I am just under 300lbs. I beat my share of piped Raptors too. I am sitting here tripping about all these guys that are saying a Raptor is faster stock for stock. I have alot of experience with this too, I also have a Raptor sitting in my garage!!

I don't know what else to say....I find it kind of funny.