OK, thanks guys. I posted my stats in my first ever post a week or 2 ago, but I'll give you some info again so you can better give me your oppinion. I'm 6' 200lbs with an athletic build (I'm a strong 200). I like the feel of the DS, it feels right, other quads feel small, except the Raptor and sport utes. I'll be riding alot of trails (many of them tight) and powerline and sand pit type riding, that's the type of stuff we've got out here. Not too much wide open stuff, which is all these guys seem to think the bomb is good for.

One of these guys told me that the stock DS needs cluthing to bring the front end up in 1st gear, and he was a bomb dealer and not Yamaha! I sincerely doubt that, but if it's anything like that, I'd be unhappy. I like tourque and being able to lift the front end with ease whenever I need it. I also like constant power on tap. I'm used to riding 2 stroke 250's and like the way that I can just leave them in 3 gear and chug through trails and no matter what the RPM, I have power at my finger tips. Is the DS like this? From what I've been reading, the Raptor is most like this, but I really like the feel and price of that DS, plus I get all the extras that I'd like like the nerfs and beadlocks and whatnot.

I'd like to be able to hang with 400's in technical trails and stuff with the DS. Do you think it will do that, or is it too large and not nimble enough? I know you guys are Bomb guys, but I'd really appreciate some honest, unbiased feedback based on my particular situation and stats, because I really want to make the right decision on this new quad. If I can give you anymore info that will help, let me know. Sorry if this post is kinda like my "please help me....." post, but this is very important to me. And thanks for all your feedback so far, IT'S GREAT!! Thanks!

 

Endcap, jetting and K&N filter and I have no problem lifting the front in 1,2 or 3rd gear, if I had to do it over again I would stay with the DS. Mine has over 100hrs on the clock now and no real problems at all. Still a lot of people over here where I ride do not even know what a DS is which makes it good IMO. Just compare the two bikes side by side and you will see which bike is better built, take them both for a hard ride and compare the suspensions and you will soon work out why the DS has a good name and loyal customers. Goodluck

Gav

 

Hey Scotty that's pretty much the same situation I'm in.
I just sold my zilla and I'm looking at the same two machines.
I like the DS because it feels like my 500 size wise, everyone
says the zilla is too big for trails...BS I've ridden for many years
and had nothing but fun. The only thing that makes the choice
hard is that the raptor (its an 05) feels quicker than the DS
but with all the extra's and that suspension the DS is a hard
one to beat.
Where do you ride? I have been going up to the sullivan co.
trails alot and they are great for big fast machines.
these trails around here are just beaten!
they used to be good about 10 years ago.

 

Thank you Raptorgav. Your oppinion especially means alot to me because you own both. I know what you mean about how they're built, that's what I like most about the DS. THe a-arms, axle, etc, etc, etc seem "overbuilt" compared to anything else. I really like that, I'll take the added weight for something to be tough, over something being lighter but weaker. See, I really do like that DS, it's just these dealers have put some bad thoughts in my head.

When you guys refer to the "endcap", what is that? I'm assuming its an endcap on the muffler. I would probably like to do a few mods and get some extra hp out of anything I buy, but I don't want it to be necessary if you know what I mean.

Raptorgav, what did your filter, endcap and jetting cost to get set up and how much power did you gain? Did you have to dyno it to get optimal performance or have you guys already worked out what works with what as far as jetting, etc?

Thanks again!

 

Badoldzilla,

I haven't ridden in about 3 years, had baby, bought a house, etc, but when I was riding I rode mostly on the old railroad beds (state trails) and the trails off of them in Windham and DErry. I live right down the street. I was also riding mx bikes, never owned a quad and I'm looking forward to the comfort. I've done some riding in Clough Park too, it was pretty good. I grew up in MA and used to ride a few places there too. Not familiar with Sullivan Co, where is it? Where are you located, as of right now, I don't have a ton of people to ride with! All my friends who should have toys, have babys or mortgages or both now instead!

 

Scottynh, I own a 2000 DS and my sis owns an 05 craptor, I will say that the raptor is easy to bring the front end up on, but so is my DS, without clutching all the way up to 3rd gear. I ride some fairly tight trails and a lot of dunes out west, but I can hang with all the 450's around. A couple weeks ago me and the wife were out with some friends and one of em had a 06 raptor, we drag raced several times, depnding on the start we were dead even. Y'know for 5200 I wouldn't hesitate to buy the DS, and show all them 450's what real power is.

 

No problem Scotty, I live in Australia so the price I paid for the endcap etc will seem high. If I remember right go to hpresearch.com and the endcaps were about $100US and I bought a K&N and dynojet kit over here, I would say they are cheaper over there. The endcap replaces the stock endcap (takes about 5min to change) and really wakes up the rotax. Do a search on the bomb forum and you will get lots of info. I have not had this bike on the dyno but performance wise I run even with a raptor660 with the same mods, the 700r easily beats me in a straight line. I run Razor 2 tyres all round which probably slow her down a bit. I bought this bike as a backup for when the rappy was down and now I have grown to luv her. It is hard to hold back and not do some engine work on the DS, maybe the bossnoss kit would be all I need[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Gav

 

Scotty, for air filters, jets ,exhaust options check out Alba action.com and Rockymountainatv/mc.com. Both will ship fast and have quality parts.
Seth

 

Scotty
I used to live right off 28 in windham and could ride right out of my yard to the rail beds.
I live on the other side of town now. I'm also a Mass transplant, grew up in tewksbury and used to
ride dirt bikes in pepperell and groton alot like 20-25 years ago. switched to atv's in the early 90's
and haven't gone back. Sullivan Co. is over by sunappe area, about an hour from here. The cool
thing is you can ride right up to gas stations and ride all day. That was one of the only bummers
about my zilla was mixing fuel, and finding good fuels. I do wish the DS had reverse, pulling that
beast out of a wrong turn too many times could ruin a day. But not any worse than kicking that
zilla over a few times. I'm going to try to finalize my choice this weekend. I've got a friend down
in lowell who has a raptor that he put lots of $$ into that I'm going to ride sat. I still think that the
DS is probably the one...we'll see.

 

Raptorgav, thanks for the info. When you say the 700 beats you, is that stock or with similar mods?

Seth, thanks for the info, I'll check it out if in fact I go with the DS.

Zilla, your bikes look pretty sick. I've ridden a 500 before, it's going to be pretty hard to replace that kind of power no matter what you buy and mod! Tewksbury to Windham huh, wow I'm Methuen to Derry. I've been in Derry for about 5 years now and I like it. I used to ride at Brox Gravel Pits in Dracut back in the day, ever ride there? Some small spots in town too. I live in east Derry, pretty close to the beds, about 2 miles east of Chopperworks. I'd like to check out the Sullivan place, sounds good. I don't know how often I'll get to ride, I'm busy alot, and work some weird hours and every other weekend. I do have some days off during the week though. Alot of the times I ride may just be after work for a few hours, but I'd love to get over to that place for a day! I probably won't be getting a quad until the end of April or so, I got some money coming to me then.

Guys, any more oppinions on the DS not being good for the trails, let me know, Thanks!!!!