Once again, I seek the input of the DS 650 experts on this forum. I have a lead on a used DS 650 for sale within a few hours of my home. I plan to drive-up this weekend and take a look at it. The guy says (and don't they all) that it is super clean, all stock, and has very low hours. From some pictures he sent me, it looks pretty clean. When looking the bike over and considering whether or not to buy it, what should I keep an eye out for to try and ensure that I am not buying someone else's problem (I am not very mechanically knowledgeable)? What questions should I ask the seller? I am looking for a bike that is all stock that I won't have to wrench on. The only modification I would ever make would probably be a pipe and paddles. I want it to just start, run, and haul me up and around the sand dunes at Pismo, Dumont & Glamis. I am not interested in being the fastest. My riding buddies and I make about 4-5 riding trips per year, and they are a long drive. So, someone's bike breaking down puts a damper on everyone's good time. Are my requirements of a used DS 650 unrealistic? My 400ex struggles with my weight on it, but it has never ruined a trip by breaking down. Any advice you guys could give me would really be appreciated.

 

Not unrealistic by any means. I was in your same position 1 yr ago. I picked up a used 01 DS650 on the internet, put on a pipe, jet, K&N, CDI, paddles, and slicks for the front, and am extremely happy. No problems what so ever, other than rider errror. Not a place in the dunes you will not be able to go very fast without worrying about breaking anything (on your bike at least). Not the fastest by any means, but no slouch either. The sand tires in the front will be a huge help, as the DS is front heavy and the stock knobbies tend to want to dig in the soft sand too much. You will not be disappointed with the DS!

 

eh? the ds is probly the fastest stock quad in production! now by what your saying i'm guessing your ds isnt runing right.......... i agree with everything else you said[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
oh and jusrlax, a good way of telling how many hours a quad realy has is by looking at the foot pegs, just some frendly edvise[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Runs just fine, but if I spent more money it could be ALOT faster. Didn't mean that the my DS was slow by any means, it's just that there are a lot of faster quads out there (not stock quads). With the mods I listed you will outrun all others with the same mods, (don't know about the new Y450, or the new H450) but will never keep up with the heavily modified quads, I don't care what anyone says. More money = more speed

 

oh ok, didnt get you there

 

To the top

 

Wear on the footpegs, shifter and engine case sides all are indicators of hours of use. Look at the quad overall. Does it look like it has been well kept. Look for grease seeping from the front ball joints and the swingarm bearings, a sign of good maint. Sit on the bike and see if the steering lines up with the tires. Look for cracked paint on the frame or signs of repaint. All these areas are really minor compared to the motor though. I like to drain the oil and check for chunks, filings or water. If you're a serious buyer and the guy balks at draining a little oil or has fresh oil that's kind of a red flag. Get him to pop the intake airboot of the carb and look for sand or dirt going into the motor. Make sure the red light on the dash comes on when the key is turned on and then goes out when the engine runs. Most of the bike is almost indestructable without totaling the entire thing. Many of the little wear and tear items are pretty cheap to fix and the motor is of high quality and very durable. A stock DS does'nt try to hurt itself and the engine/tranny can hold up to alot more horsepower but like you said you don't want to buy someone elses lemon or something they screwed up and are trying to unload. A set of good paddles, front sand tires and a pipe are going to run you $700 or so. You may take that into consideration and look for a bike with those parts already, it may save you money.

 

For a 2001 bike, I think it's pretty normal for the front lower a-arms to be missing a few chips of paint... Riding repeatedly in small amounts of vegetation (thin stuff) will eventually take the paint off the lower arms... But if the bike was ONLY ridden in sand...it shouldn't be missing paint.

Check the steering stem for bends or dents, check to make sure the grease fittings on the front end and on the swingarm are well greased (a sign that shows the owner has been maintaining the bike somewhat). Check the oil, have a look at the air filter (see if it's clean and not damaged). Have a look underneath the quad and inspect the bottom. Don't expect the bottom to be perfect, but if it is, more power to you. Personally, I would call in advance and ask the seller not to start the quad for a while before you get there, that way you can see how well she will start when cold. (To make sure just touch the engine case above the rear brake lever. If the quad has been run in past 4-5 hours, the case will still be warm.)

Check the chain for lubrication. Check the shocks for firmness.

Another thing is to check the rear fenders. If you see scratches that go across the rear fenders from side to side (Probably a few scratches parallel to each other), that probaby means the quad has been rolled over. (It's possible it has been rolled and you still can't tell...but if you see scratches like those, the only possible way they got there is by rolling the quad).

Next, check the headlight mounts. Simply reach in and try to move or twist the headlight gently. If it does move considerably, that means there is probably a broken headlight mount (The mounts are very flimsy, and will break even in the gentlest roll-over).

That's all I can think of right now, but these are things I'd look for.


Jeff