hello im planing on picking up a new ds650 this saturday but wanted to know how the new 03-06 compare to the old longer wider 00-02 ds650.

 

Puga, they actually changed the suspension in 04'. It all depends on what you want. If you are going to leave it stock, the shorter swingarm will help you wheelie alot easier, and the machine will feel alot smaller aswell. Heck my brother went as far as a stage three with his 04' before he did a swingarm. Now he couldnt launch it, but man it was a blast to ride around on, you can wheelie on command!
Honestly, they solved most of all the issues by 02', what few they had. So there all good. When they went to the shorter arm, and actually somewhere in 03' they did some axle changes too, but they lightened up alot of parts, that are worth having. And the X package, or Baja package shocks are worth having aswell.

Good luck.

 

ddi they fix the motor & trans problems in the o3-06 years.

 

In I think 02' they added the self priming oil system. Also changed the shift forks, and a few other minor things. Is that what you were asking?

 

yup thanks.

 

The 04 and up ds's have always looked faster and seem faster to me....they are lighter, handle better, and get better traction due to shorter swingarm, they also have better shocks on the X version.

 

Bigger is better [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Honestly i dont notice much of a diff. ridin a new DS on my '01

 

What were the issues?

 

The only one I know of for sure was the shift forks. They were bending. The fans on the early years didnt last as long either.....

 

I have an '02 and I've run it hard for 4 seasons. No issues anywhere. Fan is fine, shift forks have not given any issues... I'm a bigun' too so everything gets a good workout when I hit the dunes. I sometimes wonder if I have an '02 1/2 because the issues I have heard of on other early models are nonexistant on my ride.