this thread is perfect. I've been bitten by the desert racing bug BIG. Ran my first race a few weeks ago in the first timer group and finished the race. Now I want to do a few upgrades to my 04 DS650 that is 100% stock. I am thinking that front shocks, rev box, vaportech computer, reinforced rims and new tires. Is there really anything else a weekend racer should be thinking about?

 

Ya a better skid plate for the rear, if yours has the phony plastic one , get an aluminum one. Maybe look into a desert tank to get some distance. I too am going to start racing desert races this year, cept I'll be on my YZ450. Hope this helps and good luck.

 

Good deal man! Defiantly suspension first!! Get the best you can afford. I ran MOTOWOZ and they are by far the best shocks I have ran, but also one of the more expensive as well. Would also advise the FLEXX bars and a steering stabilizer without question! After suspension I would look at tires. Tires are gonna specific to your type of desert. The desert I raced is mostly sand, so I stayed away from the big heavy ITP types. The stock wheels are great and strong, I'd leave them unless you are gonna splurge on Hipers! The rev box and vaportech is up to you, but I would use that money elsewhere, ie FLEXX bars, or an IMS Desert Tank if your races are long range. I would also look into a good swingarm skid, as the half stock plastic one isn't all that great if you ride in rocky terrain. Make sure your running full belly and a-arm skids as well. If you are running the stock plastic heelguards try to reinforce the bottoms where your heels rest in them or try to find/make some better reinforced ones, which almost don't exist!

When I had mine set up for desert enduros I ran MOTOWOZ suspension, OMW 46Lectron, with K&N in the airbox, and HPR End Cap on the stock exhaust. This was a very potent combo for handling and power on my 04 DS650.

If you look at pics 8&9 in my gallery that is how my DS was set up for last seasons Desert Enduros. It has since gone through some major changes!!!!

Chris

 

OK, I'm going with shocks for sure - something in the 800-900 range. Do I really need a shock with a reservoirs? Any thoughts on a specific model? I also have full skids underneath the bike. I got the vapor tech for Christmas, it has a tach on it (my bike does not have one). I like the airbox idea and I put a power tip on the exhaust and i did put on some factory hand guards. I'm going to race with a friend at the Parker 250 in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

 

How wide is the DS? Have you guys ever thought about making them wider? Wider=more stable.More stable=faster lap times.

 

It's already plenty wide enough for desert races

 

I believe the 04' DS's are 48" wide. 03' and older DS's are 50" wide.

 

50"s wide with some 22" rears and some 23" fronts is about the ultimate desert setup.

 

Got Works shocks on the front from a guy on this forum (triple rated and set up for my exact body weight) and went riding yesterday in the desert. Wide open in 5th the bike just glides over the terrain. Big difference in the pounding that I took from before. I am racing in the Parker 250 next Saturday (www.bitd.com for info) with two other friends who have over 20 years on big bikes and atvs. They also gave the DS a thumbs up deemed it race ready (meaning it's ready to run 250 miles and NOT break down). I added an air filter and the big gun rev box (which I am thinking of taking off and putting the stock one back on - there seems to be a miss in the timing now that wasn't there before. Any experience from the forum with this issue?) and full skid plates and I am ready to go and have a blast!

 

Sounds good man! Have fun and ride safe!

Start hydrating now!

Chris