I have a chance to trade my '98 polaris scrambler 400 4x4 for an '02 DS 650, I know people can be very brand loyal on here but what do you guys think about this? The DS was previously raced, has AC nerfs, '03 baja plastic on it, and baja rims, it looks to be in decent conditon but it will however need a rev box before it can run, I guess this prematurely failed? I have always been intrigued by the DS's being a quadzilla owner in the past but I'm not sure if this is the one for me, what do you all think?? My polaris has always been good to me and I'd hate to get rid of it and regret it, thanks all for any input...

 

i this the one on ebay. you should trade they are very reliable and fast bikes i have never broken anything on my ds go for it

 

hold up a minute pugas! They are only reliable when people take care of them (well in some cases people get away with no maintenance, but we need more info on this cdi)

What makes you think it needs a new cdi? If they say it dosnt run now, but once it gets a new cdi it will run perfect, tell them they need to buy it now, and install it so you can ride it before you work out any kind of deal. Before I did any kind of trade/purchase I would have to hear and ride on the machine while its fully operational (unless that was part of the deal...it not running for a good price). Things I do when I check used machines are look at brake fluid level, check oil (color/level) listen to the engine closely for any valvetrain noise and just a good visual inspection to see if it has really been ridden a lot. Check out the frame above the footpegs to see how much paint is rubbed away, also look at the bottom for dings/dents in the frame or anything thats bent.

Since it was raced it probably has some good heavy use on it, but if it looks good to you (and you get the fully story on the cdi) I would go for it. Since you have a scrambler now you are used to a pretty heafty machine, so the weight wont be a big change, but the ride and power will be!

 

Thanks for the input, I'm not sure whats up with the CDI I'll have to check into that. Do the engines hold up well providing all the normal maintence is done? Also how does the power of one of these stack up against a raptor or predator?

 

against an older raptor, it is faster, predator is a bit closer, but a DS can still take one. If you are talking about the new raptor 700's I think the ds would probably lose by a bike length or two.

I have always been consistently even with my YFZ buddies, and they are 75 lbs lighter, and their bike is almost 200 lbs lighter!

The rotax engine is a very strong reliable engine. Even if proper maintenance wasnt done, the engien probably has plenty of life left in it (as long as it is now running strong). My buddies dad's old ds (00) was purchased second hand from a local guy who raced it and really thrased on it (didnt care much for maintenance either) and it held up very well considering.

 

so did you get it

 

First off.... The bike itself (if in good condition) is about 5 times the ride. I've owned both, and I still own a couple of Trail Blazers (wife and daughters). I have everything on my lift from a Superbike to a chopper. In my opinion, Polaris has it's place, but if you're looking for something sporty, there is no comparison. Comparing a Raptor to a DS is probably one of the only Apple to Apple comps.

I would agree with others. CHECK the story on the CDI. Sounds fishy..... Could be a stator, mag, sensor etc. etc. I'd do a compression check and ask for bunches of pics. If the wire harness is torn up, it's a clue that all is not on the up and up.

Let us know what happens.

 

I got an email from the guy today and he said he got it running with a CDI from a friends bike so it looks like it will definately need one of those. As far as condition I would say its in fair to decent, you can definately tell that its been run hard but I think it has some life left in it. I'm going to talk it over with the wifie today and see what she thinks since she is the one who has been riding the scrambler lately and she will most likely get demoted to something else. I'll keep you guys posted on the outcome!!

 

Hey there. I also was talking to the guy about that ds. No problem with you wanting it. The 03' ds650 baja that I have came with a few missing parts. Yes I bought it cheap "$1200" but as of right now I have a little over $3000 in it. But now that it is back together "thanks for some of the parts off this forum" and some off ebay and some from a dealer that I couldn't find anywhere else. What I am getting at is if you want a good deal then I would try buying it for around $2000, but anything much more and you may be getting the lower hand. But if money is a issue then that might be a way to go. DEFF. have the vin # checked out before hand. I was gonna email him tonight with a cash offer since I seen that he ended it early, but now I won't knowing you want it. By the way where are ya located? If your not too far away from me than I might be able to help find you one, there is a few in the Indiana/Ohio auto trader. And I just talked to a guy only 45mins from me that has a real nice 01 ds650 and you probably saw it on Ebay. Anyways it is yellow and it was sitting in a garage in front of the door, remember the auction yet, it only ended a couple days ago. My point here is the quad has a loan on it and the kid was only 16 but his mother said that his father wanted a 4x4. I have their number if you would be interested. I hope I can help. RUSS

 

so did you get the ds