The way Yamaha talked before the Raptor came out, they made it sound like the Raptor was the end all in ATV's!

Now, the "reviews" come out and they look more like continuations of the two page color ads that Yamaha took out to pimp their precious Raptor.

All they did was take an engine from a dual purpose and slap it into a modified Banshee frame with the same Banshee suspension, which was outdated before it even came out in the first place and threw together some funky plastic, cheap headlights (that fortunately unbolt, so you can take them off and save them for when you sell the thing) and millions of dollars in advertising to sell this precious "new" quad.

Now, the Raptor onwers have to spend even more, that brings their cost over that of a DS, to make their Raptor perform as well as the DS.

It's really funny how the cool narrow seat that's like a dirtbike seat has gone from wonderfull in one review to now it's uncomfortable and narrow. Maybe Yamaha has cut down on their advertising dollars? Maybe they are getting ready for the Canondale reviews where it's going to spank on the Raptor!

We'll see,
CRT_Leech

 

Umm Ok, I hope you guys feel better about the DS, I have the facts people, I Know whats true and whats not. Maybe you guys will figure that out when you grow up. Until then I hope you like your DS. By The Way BOMBARDIER is a Far larger company than Yamaha, so if they cant put on a good set of tires for $7100 or pay for a 2 page ad in Dirtwheels, then go tell them about it.

 

I have set by and kept quiet when the yamaha guys come to this forum and try to make themselves feel better about there manhood by attacking the ds650.Most DS 650 owners think the Raptor is a great machine just not right for them,and after months of harrasment on the Bombardier site many have started going to youre site to fight back. After all a DS 650 finished 1 and 2 in class at the baja 2000 and 5 and 6 at Pont De Vaux,the legend grows.After a week of riding in the desert at Thanksgiving with a friend that owns a raptor I can tell you the yamaha hauls, but the ds would consistently win every drag race from 2 gear on to top speed!We raced many Banshees winning some and loosing some.However if I had lost every race it would not have changed my mind.For me the DS is a better machine and I am sure back east and on tight trails the Raptor would have beat me, but keep this in mind we both rolled our quads, the DS will need new grips and the black plastic piece that goes around the gas tank about 40 dollars in damage,the raptor folded like a kite bending the subframe,handelbars,rear plastic, the electrical controls on the bars etc,etc,etc.One thing my buddy and I learned is no more racing jerks especially on Banshees, if you win they will resort to violence.Enough is enough this is supposed to be fun and we need to enjoy our machines as a community not enemys.
Bearman

 

Wrong info on Baja a Honda 400ex was 2nd

 

The Raptor beats a DS in a drag. I have beaten two and tottaly destroyed banshee and 250R's. Maybe Bomb. will wake up and cut down the wait on the submarine and make it have way avarage. Then you all can say how good the DS is.

 

The raptor does NOT beat the DS in a drag race.
But just imagine after DS won the race, if the Ds & raptor had a jump contest.
BENT raptor parts everywhere.
WEIGHT=strenght =durability=reliability

 

YaMaRaPtoR,

Could you answer a question please?

If your theory holds true, is that why Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Hummer (to name a few) don't advertise / run 2 page ads in Car & Driver?

I woulnd't trust any magazine where the participants of a review PAY to have their products reviewed! What does THAT tell you? Hmm, wonder if the opinions stated by Dirt Wheels have any direct relationship with the size of the check they receive?

Go ahead and deny it, but your the most nieve person if you believe different.

In fact, I woulnd't be surprised if this post get's deleted for telling something so close to the truth!

 

MY raptor has beaten 2 differant ds650. I have seen others beat ds before i got my Raptor. That is bogus about things breaking. I have rolled mine several times and no problems, besides the handle bars. Bombardier has a long way before they can match Yamaha or Honda!!

 

I will answer that, have you never seen a new product that did not have an advertisement? I Think that you probably have seen chevy ads on every issue of Truckin magazine in the last 10 years. Every one has seen the DS Sandbox ads, and really its a company that is at fault to not advertise. what else are they going to do with the extra $700 they are charging over the Raptor for a DS? Does Honda advertise in Dirtwheels? Yes. There is no end to what you could claim. But then again who will actually Listen.

 

I'm glad that your Raptor has beaten DS's and that your DS has beaten Raptors!! But for crying out loud!! This immature crap is getting really old!! Grow up poeple!! And I'm sure both you guys bikes are totally stock right? yeah right!