This is my first post on this site but I have been reading posts for awhile. I have several questions for you DS guys that I hope you can help me with. First I have just sold my 88 250r and am now looking for a new quad. I went and looked at the DS's and totally fell in love. I am 6'3", 220 and that thing fits like a glove. It just seems like the DS's really have their share of problems. Hopefully I am wrong on that, but really need some input on the reliability factor, seeing as how the dealership is 2 hours from me, and me not being to mechanically inclined. I can fix most things, but when it comes to slipping clutches and valve adjustments I just don't have the aptitude.

So if you guys can give me any input on the reliability of the DS I would greatly appreciate it. Other than that I know the bike was made for me, just don't want to spend more time working on a bike when I could be riding it.

Thanks again for the input.

 

Ever heard the saying ... Bad News Travels Fast ?

Most of what you read on here are small problems, nothing that you could'nt find on any other quad. I have two DS both 2001 and one is Bone stock that my wife rides. Other than minor stupid things like a loose bolt that holds the ground wire to the frame causing much confusion, I have had "..2.." problems with it. Then theres My DS which I pound on and for all the crashes and abuse it has survived theres only been 2 problems with it and I think Im being picky....


The two issues I had were when we bought them The swing arm bolts were too tight and I had to loosen the up so it would work properly.... no thanks to the dealer who prepped the quads. and the other was the old issues with the fans going out.. we went through 4 on each in the first year or so till the problem was solved. This was a true Bombardier issue. I think that problem has been solved since the 2001s .

The motor is Rock Solid and the tranny is just as good..... I would'nt think twice about getting another one.

 

I have been sitting here for a couple of minutes trying to think of something that has failed on my 02. unless I am forgetting something. I have never had a problem with my ds.

oops, I lied. the upper chain roller bearings went out. that was due to the fact that the chain was riding on the roller all the time when I first got it. I did not know until it failed. put on new roller. adjusted rear shock preload to keep it off the roller with me on the bike. no problem with it since.

 

My only failure was a battery,except for rider error

 

The kind of problems you are refering to are problems that happen when you start pushing the motor to its limits with cams, high compression pistons etc. There are a bunch of guys on here who are looking for that extra horsepower that comes at the expense of reliability.

For the rest of us on here who maybe mess around with a pipe, jetting and air filters at most, the DS is a problem free machine... It is truly one of the most reliable machines on the market. IT is built like a tank. Yes there were fan issues early on, but that has been solved,,,,besides that,,,,the early A-arms had crappy geometry which made it handle funny,,,,,and I am not a big fan of RideFX front shocks,,,but that's all I can think of,,,,,and I am a Bomb dealer, and am riding my third DS.....Adjusting the valves is a pain,,,as it is with any DOHC set up,,but checking them is easy, and actually having to change a shim is rare. The ROTAX engine is a masterpiece.....just a little heavy,,,but that is the nature of a DS....It is a Cadillac and we love them.

 

My 04 X has only had one problem with a carb setting that that I changed myself with the dealers aproval, they had me adjust the pilot jet on it a 1/4 turn. And the dealer replaced oil sending unit. But as far as major problems it has been nothing but perfect and bulletproof just as everyone else told me when I was looking for a quad. I can tell you that they are correct. Mine has been flipped a few times now and everytime it was put back on its wheels it fired right up and ran for the rest of the afternoon.

 

I don't know where you got your information about DS's having "their fare share of problems", because they are without a doubt the most reliable sport ATV made. Seriously, ... I've owned pretty much all of them, and the DS is far more reliable than anything else you can buy. I have had no problems so far with my '05 DS, unless you count having to explain to my co-workers why a 44 year old doctor is competing in wheelie contest at the dunes, LOL. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Hey Phil, did you get a new Toyhauler? What happened to the Weekend Warrior?

 

I just checked out your pics....Holy sh!+,,,that is one fine lookin' toy hauler!!!

 

I have an 05' DS, and have not had any issues with it yet. It runs great, i haven't had to adjust anything so far, suspension or anything. I absolutely love this bike. Best ATV ever made, bar none. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]