I would like some info on the ds as i am looking to buy a new machine soon and as a honda owner i was waiting for the new 450, but the kick start thing is getting a little old now. i currently have a 250r with a lot of mods including a +4" axel.

I ride dunes that are at a beach so they have a lot of tracks cut through the grass areas i get through on the 250 ok would the ds be wider. and how much does it weigh as i like jumping ect.

I am 5`11" and 195 pounds

i live in the north of scotland UK so there aint much in the way of dealers to go and look at them.

Also any suggestions of a reputable dealer in the us that will export?

All help apreciated.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

i'm around the same size as u and i love to jump my ds, lands wayyyyy softer than a stock ex, it is heavier so its harder to throw it around, but i like it just the ways it is, i highly doubt it'd b wider than urs, the older ones weigh about 500 the 04s are about 20-30lbs less

 

The key points that made me want the DS are these: (I'm sure I'll forget a few, some of the other guys can help out.)

1. Durability - this ATV is built heavy duty to withstand a lot of hits and abuse & still not bend or break. (I have proven this to be true myself - I did a nose dive off of a 12' dune drop off & the ATV was OK!)
2. Easy to maintain - compared to the LT250R I owned this thing is easy. do the basics then add gas and go. No BS just lots of fun & plenty of power to go up anything as it is from the factory. Once you add more power, you just go up the same things faster.
3. Stability - the ATV is wide & long from the factory with 12" of suspension travel meaning you can hit high speeds and it wont feel like it's going to fall over.
4. 4 stroke power! This ATV has some serious grunt to it. I'm adding a new carburetor that'll give me even more grunt!
5. Comfort - nothing is as nice to sit on as the DS.
6. Solid & Reliable - the Rotax power plant even since the first DS in 2000 is extremely reliable and has never had any 'major' problems. All of the minor problems worked their way out in 2002 and 2003. Now 2004 has introduced new features everyone wants!
7. Lighting - with 290 watts, you can run lots of extra lighting. I'm running a 55/100w Xenon main light and dual Xenon 55w Baja lights. I can see quite well at night!

There is more to tell, but I've gotta go do some other stuff, I'm sure some other guys will give some more input as well.

 

As big and heavy as the DS is, I'd have to say is has very good air manners, and soaks up just about everything, very good building block to start with and has good power to a point stock.

 

Thanks for the info so far It would be an 04 bike im thinking of getting

I already had heard the engines were bullet proof this is a good selling point for me as i have grenaded a few two strokes in my time.

How does the reliabilaty of the rest of the bike compare to say a 400 ex as my freind bought one in 99 and its been no problem so far, if its on a par with this it i would seriosly consider one.

I am an industrial mechanic to trade but i prefer riding to fixing.

any other info or advise welcome

ps is the baja worth the extra cash

 

i have a couple ds's and a couple honda's, there all good. they seem to run without any attention, i adjust the chains and change the oil clean the air filters and off we go. the power of the ds is much better. bigslim and i were at the dunes jumping last fall and we were there pretty much by ourself then we found a couple honda 400's they started to jump with us but as we started to go farther and farther the honda's couldn't they couldn't pull the hill any faster were the ds had plenty to spare. the 400 is better for climbing snow trails just because it was lighter and you could handle it easier after you got stuck. the new ds is probably much easier on the trails from what i've rode them the front comes up much easier.

 

what he said
mines a first year quad gota love it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Sam

 

Thanks for the info guys

Looks like i will go ahead with a DS.
Can any of you suggest a dealer in the US as it is cheaper for me to buy in the US and ship one over.
A good established company preferably

 

I only have west coast dealers, and I'm pretty sure that would just cost you more to ship it farther. I think your best bet is a dealer on the extreme east coast. I know we have a couple of guys on the forums who live in new york & very eastern areas, I think they should be able to hook you up. I know of a dealer in Canada that is really good.

Precision Power Sports
http://www.lambtoncounty.com/precision/
(519)541-1802 fax (519)541-1806 ask for James
If you call Precision, tell him Chris from California sent you his way. I think (if he remembers me) that he'ed find it amusing some guy from California sent him business - from Scotland. Who knows, it might not work out so well, or it could be perfect - only one way to find out. Also Lilnotts on these forums lives right by Precision Power Sports so you could always ask him to go inspect your machine before it gets shipped!