Ok here is the situation, my dad and i both have slightly modified z400s, they have the basic pipe, jet kit, and airfilter stuff. I like mine just fine, but my dad is a bigger guy, he is over 6 feet tall and weights slightly over 300 pounds, and when we go to dumont the z just cant pull him up the bigger hills, so here is the thing, he has ridden his buddy's ds650 that has the same mods as our zs and he likes it so much better, it is a perfect fit, and he knows a guy were he can get an 01 ds650 with pipe, jet kit, and k&n airfilter for 4500, he wants it but the question is, will this quad be able to pull him up the big hills at places like dumont at glamis, anyone that knows or is a big guy that rides a ds at big dunes, i would really appreciate your insight

 

It sounds like the DS will be a perfect fit for him. Bigger guys LOVE the DS. I've got a DS but I only weigh a bit over 200 and love it. The DS has monster torque and that is really what bigger guys need to get up those hills. With the right tires you should have no problem even on a mostly stock DS650. A 2001 in great shape sounds like a decent deal for $4500, but even still I'd say look around and also stand it up and make sure the frame is straight.

The V paddles I recomend are the Sand Skate IIs for play tires if he wants straight paddles (more traction, which isn't a bad idea) would be the 22" 8 paddle extreme haulers. If he were planning to race or other BS there are other options, but those are the tires I'd go with for someone looking to just have fun & actually enjoy a trip to the dunes on a regular basis.

 

Im 6' 3" at 220lbs......................
I can tell you that no other quad fits better than the DS.

 

I agree that the DS will be a whole lot better ATV for your dad than a Z400; no contest there. But I'm not too sure that $4500 for an '01 DS 650 is a good price. In 2003 I sold an '02 DS 650 Baja for $4900. And in June of this year I paid $5500 OTD for a brand new '05 DS 650 Viper. It surprises me that a four year old DS 650 would be worth within $900 of what a brand new one cost, but maybe I'm wrong.

You may want to look at www.kbb.com or www.nada.com to find the NADA Book and Kelly Blue Book price on an '01.

 

I'm close to 270 lbs, and I found I could get up most of the hills in Glamis. I was even running the crappy stock rear tires. I will admit though, it wasn't a pretty sight, nor would I say I was too speedy.... If your Pop runs paddles, he won't have a problem at all.
Justin

 

If he has trouble getting up the dunes on the DS he may want to gear down a tooth on the front sprocket. 300lbs is a lot of weight to carry up some of the larger dunes but if any quad can do it, its the DS!

 

for that size a 15-42 gearing and a cdi that raises the rev limit would probably take care of most hills, plus give it that pull off the line, oh and a set of clutch springs to make up for the drag of sand tires and the weight. price seems a little high on the 01

 

That Price isnt too bad IF !! Its in next to perfect shape ... Minor plastic scratches, rims are good, no abuse to frame ...etc Are there maint. records?
Its at the top of the price range but I see them sell for that so its not a big surprise.

That bike with those mods should work just fine for a big guy ... properly set up of course. You might want to hold off running China Wall at Glamis .... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I'm 6'3" 275lbs., but about 300lbs with all my gear and back pack. The DS is great for big guys. It's a good fit.

As far as making up big hills. It's all about momentum. There was no hill in Glamis that I didn't make with my bike completely stock. When dunnin, keep your speed up and in the power curve of the gear and he won't have any problems. Remember to down shift when needed, not after you have already lost momentum. As far as hill shooting I can make it China Wall on a stock DS. Unless mess in the little whoop section it has, or miss a shift, you won't have to spin around.

$4500 seems a little high to me for an 01.

Im just an average rider "trailblazer" I guess. So if I can do it. I'm pretty sure just about anyone else can too.

 

i'm 5.9 and 165 lbs and my ds fits me great. even though they say i shouldn't be able to throw it around