Donal and I have had the same results stock for stock. The 700r is a real nice bike. I see one in my future. My DS is getting harder to dune by the day. I have ridden and raced the 700 its got smooth power and comfortable ride. Yamaha got it right, Bombardier should really catch a clue and start thinking lighter and EFI. My .02

 

I would have to agree with most of the posts here. Got back from the dunes this last weekend and got to ride my buddies new 700. Its much much lighter than the ds650 but like most of the people have said it doesnt feel as stable as the ds650, front end feels very light especially after a few mods like exhaust and k&N filter. The front end pops up very easy but there is alot of power. Im 6'6 and about 250 lbs so the ds is definitely more of a comfortable ride but I dont think your friend can go wrong with buying either of these two quads.

 

F.Y.I. the DS doesn't have reverse, but i think he could pick one up for about a grand less than the 700R.

 

Atv sport has a big rite up comparing the raptor 700, the kawasakikfx 700. theds 650, and the polaris outlaw. pretty interesting if you trail ride

 

now i know this is off subject and i hate to steal peoples thread but i read a rumor from a guy that lives in canada and says that he rides by the bomb test area and has seen a ds 1000, 3 silver ds v-twins (size unkown) and a ds 450 and i heard that bomb dealers are going to canada in july to ride 7 new models that they are releasing so i just thought i would share that with you guys


matt

 

AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU ARE NOT RACING COMPETIVETLY, YOU WANT THE MOST COMFORTABLE, STABLE AND BUMP SOAKING QUAD YOU CAN GET...

i chose my ds for its ability to float, the suspension is great and for its comfort...they are all powerful and fast, but not all comfortable and smooth

oh yeah and one other thing you said......you cant find a ds to ride, it is not a dime a dozen like these craptors and yzf's..they are all over..i have yet to ever see another ds were i ride and it has been 2 yrs..it has SHOCK factor...people are always like what is that , can i sit on it! thats cool!!!

 

I have 2 close friends that have 700 raptors and I've ridden them both. One is basically stock the other is decently modded (pipe, & on-the-fly FI box). To be honest the raptor low end is absolutely incredible, and the overall power is very nice. What I was (and still am) shocked over is how horrendous (and that's the right word) the new raptors ride quality is. The last time I rode one it was at Dumont during a busy weekend and right after I'd been on a 35minute dune run on the DS. Long story short after about 5 minutes in the dunes I was so tired of getting beat around on the raptor I came back and told him "thanks but no thanks". My other neighbor literally won't even ride his unless the dunes are near virgin.

So, IMHO I say the power is totally awesome on the raptor however, the DS's power delivery isn't that far off and when you throw in the egro and ride quality categories the DS far outshines the raptor (at least for where we ride here out west).

 

AZpredator - he is mainly looking for a bike that is comfortable, stable, fun to ride, powerful enough to hold it's own, and dependable. basically a jack of all trades. it doesn't have to be the best at anything, but it would be nice if it were good at everything.
>>>>>>>>>>>

My only complaint is no reverse and it's a bit heavy but IMO this is a slight advantage as it would appear to be more stable. You cant' go wrong with either bike although the 700 is a first year production model with EFI so there COULD be a few bugs.

If comfort is that important look at the Outlander 800 or 650 IMO, I wish they had been out when I got the DS, I would have opted for either one. The DS is rock solid and won't disappoint. There is a reason so many run the Baja 1000 with these.

 

Some people dont like the ride,

I think my 700 rides awesome, i have no probs riding the thing all day hard, and it doesnt wear me out.

 

I think you can get the DS for less than a 700R right now. Here's a new '05 for $5,800. Check it out.

http://www.richardsonmotorsports.com...181&pov=261497