Thanks for the report Mark! Great info! Now what about the KTM 525XC ?

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DuneMe

Hello!



[img][/img]



Back on topic. . .



I sat on the DS450 at the dealer. Picked-up the front and the back. . . no question. . . this IS NOT a DS650!!!



I think honestly, you'll miss the big-bore for the dunes if that's what you liked before.



The DS suspension and smooth ride are tough to beat but, the newer bread of light bikes are tough to ride with when on a DS as it just doesn't have that nimble factor of the other bikes.



On the 450, I was impressed with a few features and checked out everything I had heard about. They did a great job but, I doubt they'll be able to draw in the riders like other Mfgrs. can. The steering was WAY easy, I can see the need for a Stabilizer for the dunes for sure.



Good hearing from all you guys!!</end quote></div>

 

I like the KTM! I hear they are going to come out with a wider version next year?

The only thing (and it is a big one). . . it's NOT fuel injected.

I just can't see buying a bike with a carb. I believe people looking at used quads over the next few years will want fuel injection as that is what all the bikes will come with in just a couple years. Maybe not the small bikes (250's, 90's, etc.) but, the big dollar bikes will all have fuel injection very soon. I'm sure KTM will step-up on Fuel Injection as well but, the older KTM's without it will be as desirable as a kick-start early model Honda 450.

So, for the KTM, I would say great bike but, wait for a few more enhancements before putting down the big dollars for the bike. IMO.

It seems like I've said it a lot on here lately but, I've switched over to the dark-side [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] The Raptor 700 is the big-bore sport quad that everyone is going to be chasing for now. The new Honda 700 is 100# heavier!!! The seat looks just like the DS seat from the pics I've seen. I can see this becoming the new Big Boy quad. . . we'll see.

While at the Bomb dealer the other day, I was talking with the owner of the shop (a buddy) and we both were talking about how BRP really screwed up on the DS650. This year they could have put the same bike out with a 102 or 103mm bore and fuel injection. They could have then worked on an Altec Frame version to save some weight. Piggy-back shocks? There's got to be a number of things that could be done to save weight and get the bike more competitive to the Raptor without too much work.

Oh well???

 

Yeah, the fuel injection thing is a big factor for me now. It's making my decision that much harder. I agree with you Mark! EFI seems to be the future.

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: DuneMe

I like the KTM! I hear they are going to come out with a wider version next year?



The only thing (and it is a big one). . . it's NOT fuel injected.



I just can't see buying a bike with a carb. I believe people looking at used quads over the next few years will want fuel injection as that is what all the bikes will come with in just a couple years. Maybe not the small bikes (250's, 90's, etc.) but, the big dollar bikes will all have fuel injection very soon. I'm sure KTM will step-up on Fuel Injection as well but, the older KTM's without it will be as desirable as a kick-start early model Honda 450.



So, for the KTM, I would say great bike but, wait for a few more enhancements before putting down the big dollars for the bike. IMO.



It seems like I've said it a lot on here lately but, I've switched over to the dark-side [img][/img] The Raptor 700 is the big-bore sport quad that everyone is going to be chasing for now. The new Honda 700 is 100# heavier!!! The seat looks just like the DS seat from the pics I've seen. I can see this becoming the new Big Boy quad. . . we'll see.



While at the Bomb dealer the other day, I was talking with the owner of the shop (a buddy) and we both were talking about how BRP really screwed up on the DS650. This year they could have put the same bike out with a 102 or 103mm bore and fuel injection. They could have then worked on an Altec Frame version to save some weight. Piggy-back shocks? There's got to be a number of things that could be done to save weight and get the bike more competitive to the Raptor without too much work.



Oh well???</end quote></div>

 

duneme is right brp did kind of miss the boat, and as far as switching to the dark side, just seems to be the choice for a new machine right now. As far as a bigbore from brp, there is one in the works. there is a engine builder in central oregon that hears of the industry comings a little sooner than most, maybe this is how they have pipes ready when a machine hits the market? as far as the wider ktm that is exactly the same thing they told me, also. It will probably be the best performance machine in the near future, but like mark said no fuel injection will be kind of a bitter point.

 

I'm going to go sit on a ds450 at lunch and take a look just for grins.

 

DS 450 is great in the dunes....some might opt for a stabilizer but the thing is the steering is so light and there is soooo much less feedback to your arms a stabilizer may not be necessary.

The stock suspension is great in the chop too, real soft but you can air it out and it will stiffen up when you need it.

Now in modded form you really scoot since you are already lighter than most so yeah, it just works real well.


TPR

 

so is there any word on the engine, does it hold up?

 

What is the wet weight of the Raptor 700? I have only seen the dry weight listed.

 

Just remember, efi has no pressure flow at low to low-mid range throttle, and you can not do ANY performance enhancements ANYWHERE: even exhausts. You can, but there will be misfires at throttle gaps. Instead of changing jets, it will be a minimum of 2 hours mapping IF you have the computer tools to do it.

EFI is great for high-mid to high throttle range: period. Good gas mileage at that range ONLY. EFI works great in 2 strokes, and ok in cars. EFI sux in thumps and not even made well for 4 cycles due to low pressure at low rpms.

But forget performance enhancements and low throttle torque with EFI. Go for the best, latest, and greatest carb for your preferred riding style if you can make it work.

For atv's, efi is NO advantage at all for riders.

OF COURSE, if you got $$$$ for turbo and rock-guts for 90mph off road riding, then efi may be what you want.

 

I sat on the ds450 at lunch and it is one fine machine! Light! super easy steering! Almost pulled the trigger..lol