I was just at my local Bombardier dealer and was checking out that awesome DS650 Baja X - WOW!! what a machine!! I was wondering how the new for '04 shortened swingarm affects the overall handling over previous years? I read elsewhere in the forum that the front end comes up easier and it wasn't really good for drag racing. Does it come up too easily - ie going up steep hills? Does it handle better in the woods compared to last years? How about the front end being slightly narrowed? - Any negative results from these changes? Last thing, the dealer would sell me a new DS 650 Baja X for $6050 plus tax - is this a pretty good price? What are dealers selling them for elsewhere?
Thanks.

 

That's a really good price.

Only the rear has been narrowed, it used to be wider than the front, now it is the same.
It looks like the axle has been changed, probably saved a pound or two.

I had a '01 DS and an '02 Baja, now the X. I almost got a Predator, took one out for a weekend ride, liked it a lot, but my BUTT talked me out of it. The DS is so much more comfortable.

The X gets traction to the rear wheels much better, and it does feel lighter.
I was going to lay down some skid marks to mark a trail, grabbed some gas and dumped the clutch and HOLY SHEET I popped a Wheelie! Not used to a DS doing that! I did notice that sometimes in tight turns the increased traction would cause it to "push" a little. Not a problem, just an observation.

It takes casual jumps in the trail much better, keeps the front end up with no problem, with either of the older DSs you had to make a delibrate attempt to "jump", and hit the gas just as you took off, or it would nosedive. IT is still too heavy to handle whoops like something that weighs a hundred pounds less, and it does not handle the tight bumpy, jumpy MX style trails like a Z-400, but when it opens up onto a fireroad, or a sandwash, the X loses that Z in a big hurry. The X can handle tight turns fine, just not the ups and downs, it is still heavy, and the ups and downs is where you can feel it.

I love the looks and the graphics, nerfs and the bumper, the rims, the handguards, the aluminum upper a-arms, the shorter aluminum swingarm, the new lighter double bulb headlight, the tach, (which I even put on my '01) the gas shocks are a little stiff for my taste, but I will keep them.

And it does seem faster. I haven't tried my dyno tested end cap yet, but soon. It's good for 5 hp. It has a case of the uglies and the X is so beautiful I hate to put it on just yet. I always liked the looks of the original DS. The Baja was cool but that orange always bugged me....THe Baja X is the best looking quad on the planet. I put carbon fibre radiator shrouds on it, oh man does it look cool!!!

Oh here's a tip. I heard the aluminum upper a-arms are being discontinued, for some safety reason or whatever, so if you want aluminum, you better get it now!

 

Fourlix how did the carbon fiber rad shrouds fit did you need to trim them around the baja lights ? I got the carbon fiber frame gaurds they are cool and fit nice got them from alba where did you get the shrouds? got a picture?



mike

 

I have an 04 and am very happy with it. It turns better than the other models and they raised the rev limiter[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I have beaten older model DS's that have been piped and other bolt on mods. I have only put a K&N Filter on. Have only ridden in the sand. I like the power of the 03 but when I rode the 04 it was for ME

 

I managed to smash the front end of my Baja X in November... when I attempted to order the aluminium upper a-arm, they told me they were being discontinued. However, the "customer support" rep that I talked to said that's what the parts dept. was telling her. She refused to contact production or engineering to see if the parts people knew what they were saying.

I work for Bombardier Aerospace, and I'll be the first to tell you that the parts people at Bombardier know absolutely nothing about the equipment (quads OR airplanes) they support. As an example... I had to order a RH lower control arm as a result of the trees I mowed down. When it arrived, the bag marked Right Hand contained a LEFT HAND lower a-arm. The Left lower arm is even stamped with a "G" which, if you remember high school french, means "gauche" (left).

My thought is that they have only produced enough upper a-arms so far to support the 2004 DS production, and when this run of quads is finished, those extra will make it to the shelf.

The good news is, I got sick of dealing with my own damn company and purchased steel adjustable upper arms off of E-bay. The steel arms are much heavier than the aluminiums. This did not affect the ability to wheelie the '04 at all. Drag racing with my buddies the other day, I stood her up starting in 2nd.

 

I have a 2001 Ds 650 with an alba pipe k&n filter and jets. I raced a 2003 baja with the same modifications i had and he could never kkeep up with me. We weighed about the same and we both had itp sand star paddles. I pooled him off of the line and kept pooling him the whole race. We raced like 10 times and i beat him every time. The 2001 ds 650 is the fastest they made from what i have raced and seen. I ride at Kermit, Texas sand dunes. If anybody can come and ride there let me know. E-mail me at lancekinney610@hotmail.com

 

The 04 DS"s are fast. While at DS days i raced DSSLUETH a few times on my 02 baja. He was only a couple lengths behind me granted he was lighter than me and he was running haulers and i was running crappy v paddles but they seem to have more power than previous years. Someone said it was different cams possibly? Anybody know for sure?

 

I love my 04 Baja X. I just added a set of 22inch rear tires and top speed is around 80-85 mph with no other mods on it. And I paid $6900 out the door for mine in Oct.

 

hey barttletracing if your thinking of gearing up let me know i've got aset of 17-39 which is great if your on hard dirt very fast but if your like me ( live at Pismo ) then it's not so good , although mid and high are very quick, it's not for me . they are rwr, check it

 

Hi 3 TV!
Gee, I really, really like the Baja X. It seems to have more power. IT does wheelies, is lighter, and feels lighter, jumps way better, nose stays up, more nimble. It is the best DS ever. I took a predator out for the weekend, and liked it, but it sure beat the hell out of me, and that was with the Walker Evans shocks, which are a lot softer than stock. My butt was so sore. Like I was beat with a board all day.
I just got one of those procomengineering CDIs for $99 off of ebay. Haven't put it on yet, but Skyler put his on his Z and LOVES IT.
I hear they are going to DISCONTINUE the aluminum upper a-arms for some reason. So get an X with the aluminum uppers while you can. Some liability issue or something. I think they are way cool. I also put an out-n-back rack on it and your old carbon fiber radiator shrouds, which look so extremely cool.
OH, even Skyler likes the X, you should see his wheelies, the balance and control have affected his riding, I can't even stay with him, he is on the next level. The one I never got to. His Z is pretty freakin' awesome. I can imagine one set up with +1,+2 A-arms, lonestar etc.
Bottom line, the '02 Baja seems like a big old heavy toad compared to the X. You should get one. How's work? We are still fighting the good fight over this OHV legislation. Shop isn't as slow as I was expecting January to be. I am working way too much.
I miss you guys, hopefully we can get together sometime this year.