So is the DS the ultimate quad for duning? I read a thread on the ASA board that talks between a couple of guys that out of the few people that they let try out their DS every single one eventually traded out for DSs.

The other quad I'm considering is the YFZ primarily because the Hp to weight ratio is unreal. Plus I had that motor (almost identical) in my YZ 426 and it was the most bulletproof engine I've ever owned.

Thanks in advance.

 

Very good engine very hard seat abd stiff springs on shocks. If you get one get a new seat with more foam. When I look at the YFZ I just dit not like the way I sat on it felt like I was falling off the front. If you going on long dune rides or just long rides in the desert get the DS.

 

I have been wondering what would be the ultimate dune quad myself. I have two ATVs of my own, a DS650 and a Prairie 800, and I have had the chance to ride my son's YFZ 450 at times, so I know how a DS650 and a YFZ 450 do at the dunes, and I think you would be happy with either one. The DS is bigger, heavier, plusher riding, and torquier. The YFZ is alot more manuverable, and every bit as fast as a DS (with similar mods). The wheelie balance point on the DS is higher than on the YFZ, so it is a bit easier to get too high with the DS, and end up using the grab bar as a "sand brake" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. Between these two, it depends on whether you like a big torquey ATV, or a small rocket fast ATV. My son says my DS is too big, and I say his YFZ is too small, so personal preference should be the ultimate decision maker. I would choose a DS between those two ATVs though.

And I don't want to highjack this thread, but my question is a bit broader, and I wonder which would be the ultimate dune quad between a DS, a YFZ, and a <u>Banshee</u>. My son also has a YZ 125 dirt bike that I have been riding a little bit lately, and I really must admit that the two stroke power is very intoxicating, and down right addicting. I just love that rev it to 14,000 RPM and hope it doesn't melt kind of top end power. So to those of you that have ridden a Banshee, does it feel like a YZ 125 in regards to high revving power, or is it considerably mellower?

Thanks,

TG8

 

I started with a LTZ400 a nice duning machine, then I got the 660 Raptor very nice duning machine, then to me the ultimate duner the new Baja DS 650 X .. Now WOW what a duning and racing machine.. But just my opinion.. 05BlackBombOfied

 

My neighbor had a bad *** banshee for a while. It was an absolute blast to hill-shoot with but I hated it on dune rides. No low end at all, and very minimal midrange....it was a light switch which. I can't flow duning with a light switch of a power plant.

p.s. I've owned a half-dozen 125 and 250 2-strokes but the Banshee was the worst power deliver I've ever experienced for riding anything but racing up sand hills (which it is awesome!).

 

Thanks for the info Rich807. Its hard to imagine anything having less low end power than a YZ125, but the added weight of an ATV sure might make it feel like it has a more gutless low end than a dirt bike. I shouldn't have rode that little two stroke, because I discovered that I like RPMs, LOL. Anyway, good luck with your ultimate dune quad, I'm going to post my Banshee question over on the Yamaha forum so I don't hijack your thread anymore. Too bad I don't know someone with a Banshee that I can test ride.

TG8

 

Raptor is a pritty awsome dune machine as well. It has its "tippy" problems people say, but i think its just fine. DS's are awsome dune machines as well... The bigger guys seem to like them better, though i have seen some not so big guys riding them as well. I havn't got the chance to ride the yfz at the dunes yet, but ive seen them. For a stock quad they are extremely fast and do really well at the dunes. I love my raptor, but if I had to choose quads I would say YFZ (for me anyways) If you are above 6' or wiegh more than 200 I would say go for the DS.

 

i think ds is great on the dunes i have friends with yfz, v-force, raptors, and polaris. but imop my rides better runs better. except for one friends banshee he had it dyno at 65 horses. i have got to run it real good because he broke at the dunes last spring right after i got the ds. then in the he did not go the fall trip becuase of broken leg. but i waiting for the spring trip to the dunes so we can run them after i have done the mods. but the ds is the machine.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I have ridden over the years, in order, a souped up Honda 250R, a Banshee, Yamaha Warrior, Honda 400ex, Yamaha YFZ 450, Honda 450R, Kawasaki VForce 700, and my current ride, the 2005 DS650X, all mostly in the Dunes. I can honestly say that the DS650 is the more capable dune quad and can be ridden faster than any of these other very capable bikes for longer periods of time. Its not the quickest but overall its the one I would choose in the dunes or the desert because its easier on your body. Its weight and size are not issues with me, in fact, in my opinion it is a plus. If I were you I would ride both, each for a long period, at least a several hour ride, only then will you know what we are all talking about. Good luck.

 

Thanks guys, good inputs. I'm 5'11' 235lbs so I'm thinking the DS is a major candidate for what I do now. My neighbor has a raptor and I don't really care for it at all, of course it's an 01 model and he's had the big problems that year came with. I wish I could sell my CRF 450 soon so I can move-out on this particular quad selection, just have to be patient though.