Talk to the folks at PRM Products they have a Dune Runnin DS that weighs about 370. They might give you some insight on how to lower the weight so much, and make it reliable.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: biggerisbetter<br. A ChomeMOLY frame as tuff as a rappy's or Z400's frame would still save probably 30 lbs!! WE all know that the DS frame is OVER engineered to take the very WORST beating, and 95% of us will never race the BAJA1000. (unfortunately)
q]

well i think i'll stick with my over engineered ds then make it like a weak raptor

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: lilnotts
I havnt had any problems with my frame, seems like a weak bash, grow up plz

 

well sOOORRry, i didn't realize i wasn't allowed to share my opinion, jeeze, and i didn't mean just the frame, i mean everything

 

ive heard of some looking at a aluminum frame. but doesn't it come to hp to weight or are we talking a light quad that the average guy can toss around? something about being able to air out and not worry about the landing.

 

hehehehe[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I'm with lilnotts. Then again, I'm heavy enough that even with a 350lb DS I'd be at a weight disadvantage in most cases. I like Scooby's idea that horsepower overcomes all.

There are definately some areas where the DS could lose weight. A more "purpose engineered" frame (not drag-light specs, nor Bomb's bulletproof approach) of chromoly would be a good start.
Seems like aluminum fatigues quickly.

 

Aluminum would most likely not be the answer. A properly engineered Chro-mo frame would save about 30 to maybe 40 lbs and keep it durable. The biggest "problem" is the 650's way of tearing stuff up. They just like to beat up components since the thing has been over engineered, the quad's limits are higher and in turn will take more of a beating, which will break stuff easier if it's not up to snuff. We're not talking a torque-less 2 smoke or a little 400 or 450, were talking a big powerful 650.
I'm debating wheather to build one myself and see ho light I can make a ground up built 650 so if I give it a go, I'll keep you all informed.

 

GO FOR IT!!

We will all be very interested in the out-come!

One thing people aren't taking into consideration about a "light" frame is that it is not meant as a "replacement frame" for a Stock DS. People that buy "light" frames have already spent much time and money, getting the other components down in wieght as much as possible. So thier wont be allot of heavy tires,Axles,A-arms,and Swing-arms attached to the "light "


Doesn't nessasseraly(sp) have to be a Duner, but these seem to be the folks that want LIGHT quads, simply because the DS's wieght is exploited in the SAND,and on Hillshoots.






Bigger.

 

guys if you want something to be light and durable then why dont you use titanium instead of aluminium. Titanium is stronger than aluminium and lighter...............................but more expensive.