i would keep the DS man. Mine can slap the grab bar on the ground in forth gear! but will stay flat on the ground 1-5 if you want with the right mods these quads are awsome.Do the right thing and keep the DS [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

And yes a smaller front spocket makes a world of difference -3 teeth [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

What about a different rear sprocket?? is there anything else besides the swing arm? how much shorter are the 04 swingarms?

 

older raptors suck AZZ. the only reason i would think a raptor would do better than a DS is in tight woods and mountain trail situations where lighter is better, and the need for a reverse exists.

other than that, the old rappys are top heavy, and of course being a yammy..there is reliability issues.....don't know anyone that owns a yammy that isn't always wrenching on it.....lol

i have had my 2000 DS for about 4 yrs now, and the only probs i have had is a dead battery, which i replaced with an oddessey, and a cracked oil tank, which i fixed with JB weld. with the OMR mods done to it...thanks to ACEISBACK and BLACKHAWK, a k and n, along with a big gun race exhaust...it freekin hauls azz now....no need to go faster for me.