thanks! Were all the improvements much needed? Why did they shorten the swing arm, was the front end heavy?

 

I wish they would have left the swing arm the same lenght.....

 

I was a proud 03 owner. Always wil be. That machine is built like a tank. Feels like you are riding a couch through the woods!
I rode both longer and shorter swing arm. I liked the longer(03) MUCH more.
I bought the 06YFZ and laughed when someone here said I would be wore out from riding it. Well, they got the last laugh. As Entomber said, they are meant to race and are not comfortable. TRUST ME ON THIS!
The Rotax engine is the same engine BMW uses in the BMW 650F. VERY reliable and easy to maintain. Well except for changing the oil LOL!!

 

You will not be disappointed with the DS, maybe wait for the 07 models to be released and see whats new? As far as the shorter swingarm goes I suppose it depends on how many ponies you have,I have an 04 and I like coming out of a slide in 3rd gear and pulling the front up on the straights, and I have only jetting and an endcap. A few of the older DS's I have ridden with can not do this and find it hard to believe I am basically stock. Good luck with what ever you choose.

Gav

 

Newer DS650s are a tad lighter. Would be nice if they went back to stock swing arm lenght in aluminum swimarm instead of the heavy steel. I held both in each arm and the new style swing arm is like 1/2 (if not more) the weight of the older style.

 

Thanks guys! Well it looks like the long swingarm aint so bad. I have a sweet deal lined up on an 03, let you know how it goes.