what's up DS owners? Here's my predicament. I'm looking to buy a new bike and I thought for sure it would be the new 450r, but I got to thinking and most of my riding is done in the dunes and I'm a fairly big guy a 6'1 220lbs. I ride a 440 ex right now and it doesn't feel small to me. I think the new Honda is going to be awesome but I don't race mx or ride trails. I just like recreational riding with the occasional drag or Hill race. I've always had Hondas and love the fact that they have all been very reliable. How solid is a ds650? Are there any common problems? How many performance upgrades are available? Any input would be greatly appreciated thanks!

 

i have a couple ds's and a honda 400 and another on the way, there both bullet proof. the honda seems small though if you get on the ds and try to go back and forth. for up grades there is always more for the hondas, but what there is for the ds seems to work really well, for pure dune riding and racing the ds would be my pick at this point, but since we haven't had a chance with the honda 450 it's hard to know how the quads will do.

 

The DS is big, and still heavy. IF you got to air it out, you will be happier with any of the flyweight MX quads. On tight undulating trails, like MX, the DS's weight can be felt. The DS has great suspension, but it is not enough to make up for the extra weight. If you like sand, fireroads, open space hauling a$$ then the DS is totally in its element. My son's Z is way better on the tight trails with jumps, but as soon as it opens up, he is toast. The power and stability are all there, even with the new model, which is slightly narrower, in the rear only, than its predessors....The Predator held my interest for a while...but I didn't get one, instead I am on my third DS.....AT your size/weight you can ride about anything out there.

 

thanks guys I think I'm going to wait a few months and see if I can ride both at the dealership. I really like the look of the DS. Are there any big bore kits available for it? Is it worth it to get the baja or the X kits? Since the 450r isn't out yet how does the DS stand up to the yfz in a hill climb or 300 ft drag?

 

Stock for Stock, the YFZ will smoke a DS. Nothing against Honda (I own one), but the YFZ seems much better than the TRX-R. Kick v. Electric and they weigh the same?

If you aren't racing MX, the DS is a far better choice. The YFZ and TRX are not comfortable to ride, they are fast and agile. If you want to tear up a race course they are THE choice (unless it's 100 mi of desert, then we're back to the DS).

The DS and TRX/YFZ are pretty different in how they ride and feel. They aren't good at the same things so your choice should be easier. Good luck.

 

thanks, starting to lean a little more toward the DS. I found one at a dealership here 03 baja with like 10 hrs for $4999. It just got me thinking how much I could save over a 450r. Anyone know if there is a big bore kit for the DS?

 

TVI has a very reliable 720 kit reasonably priced.

 

Thanks crazy, does it make a huge difference? Do you know a web site where I can check it out?

 

TVI's DS Works

Do a search on the forums to see what others think of their 720. A lot of improvements have been made lately, and it sounds like the kits currently available are pretty good.

 

the 720 makes a big difference, you won't be losing to many 450's with it. plus if you want to later it will be just another step to go 760 plus rumor has it it may be in the 800 range soon.