Good story. I think the DS probably is a better choice for a newbee. If you do not lean on the Rap it can feel tippy...especially with the stock tires. Thats OK though, the seat - tank junction is narrow and facilitates moving around. I have never had a problem with my Raptors handling. After seeing what mines been through, his must have taken a really hard shot too bend the frame.

 

He was literally flung into the mountain. I think mayby caught the edge and got the catapolt into the other side of the was. Like I said before, that darn raptor was one of the most good looking bikes I have ever seen. Beautiful. With a couple of mods in the dimensional rhelm, That would be a great bike for a regular guy. I, of course, am a freak of nature and have one choice in the matter. Guess I better love my DS.

 

I just purchased my first ever quad about 5 months ago. A 2000 DS 650. I have been riding a modified 600 Dirtbike for 12 years. Im a small guy, 5'10" at 180Lbs. I rode my buddys wifes quad, my first time ever on a quad. It was a 250 slow something or other utility quad. No power, toped out at about 35. Rode it for about 15 miles in the trails. At the end of the ride, i didnt feel convinced to get into the sport, even though it was fun. So he had me get on his KFX700 for a few minutes. I didnt want to give it back! That 2 minute ride sold me on teh sport. But i had to get something to keep up with his 700 or i would just never be happy.

Long story short, I ended up with a used DS that needed some atention. It was a bit hard to ride at first (improper suspension setup), and seemed way to big adn powerfull for me. Then came the day i hit a invisable log in some tall grass at about 35 MPH. The bike fliped end over end, and i saw my life flash before my eyes. Luckilly, i had all my MX gear on including chest protector, and came out with only a twisted up back and knocked the wind out of me. A few $50 visits to the Chiropractor and a month or two to heal and im fine. The funny thing was nothing happened to the bike! Sure it poped the bead on one rear tire, and bent the handle bars. But a can of fix a flat and i drove it to the trailer myself. No busted plastic, suspension, rims bumpers, just the bars!

I later replaced the bad balljoints and added adjustable a arms, and its easy to ride now. I love my ds, its stable, it doesnt feel like a toy, and i **** my buddy off cause im just a tad faster then him on a 50cc smaller worne out used motor that was less then half what he paid for his 700.

The DS is a durable heavy bike, but after my rough tumble and a proper alignment, it impressed me and i like it that way, as i only had to replace the crappy factory handelbars.

My $.02.....