hey i personally would go with the ds650! it is bigger n more physicall to ride but it gives a better ride. also iv been riding my bomb since i was 13 n im a small built guy after riding it for a week ul see the sixe isnt a prob n infact wen u hope onto another bike it will feel to small. goodluck with ur decision. Njoi

 

I also dont believe that the DS is better suited for bigger guys, its easier no question but easy isnt an answer, if your a small guy it doesnt mean u shouldnt get one lol, im 6'1" 165lbs and i got my DS 7 years ago, its a personal preference, i hate sittin on other quads and feel like im towering over the thing, the DS best suits what i look for, so thats all u haveta do, go try each one and pick for urself

 

depends on your riding experience to, if your a good and agressive rider and can handle the DS i'd say go with the DS..i personally like the DS over the 450 class quads, on the long runs they are just to small for me im not big by no means 5'10 190...i ride mine on the trails in the north woods of WI they are very tight, and i can keep up fine with my buddys....

 

(DS650 ALL THE WAY)
Do you have any idea on what an Baja X model offers the base model?
*Way more power 04 models over previous Ds models
*Longer swing arm
*All stainless steel brake lines
*Higher quality racing shocks
*Additional driving lights
I beleive it won the Baja 1000 in 2004 "I'm sure of it."

The DS package was close to $1,000 more than the base model.
I just bought an 04 Baja and I took it out last week for a 30 mile run until
my legs ended-up soaked & frozin here in MIch.

What a powerful beast to drive (Wow) I cannot wait until the crappy snow
goes away to really see how this baby rocks.

If your not a very experienced rider look else where, I know your a racing legend
and bla bla bla. Be real these things are only for a very experienced rider (ONLY) I drove a 2006 ZF450 Yamaha before I bought my Ds way to small for me.

I'm a little worried about the wider front end driving tight trails here in Mich. According to what you read up on only 1 1/5 wider than a 450 (Nothing to worry about than) Trail test both units before you buy one?

If most of your riding is on tight trails and under 200 pounds the 450 will suite you just fine. Do your self a favor and drive both. (Let us know) What you ended-up doing and why?

Garman

 

NICKDS650:
"You dont think the Ds is better suited for bigger guy's:
You better reread all these post's and look through others as well.

The DS is (Clearly a bigger machine and better suited for bigger riders)

I made the mistake of buying a 2004 Kawasaki V-Force V-twin when they
first came out with all the hoopla about the new motor. As it turms out the
Ds was way faster and a better handling machine all along. I have always
wanted to buy a Ds ever since I drove one back in 2004. Now I have one
and will never sell it.

Sooner or later People are going to realize what an awsome machine the Ds really is and the price will go way up compared to the average selling price for them right now. Just like the 500CC two stroke Suzuki Quadzilla way to much power for the average rider.

garman

 

garman, what i meant was that if your a small guy it doesnt mean u arent suited for a DS.

 

I own both. I've had my '01 DS650 since it was new. I'm only about 5'9" and 140lbs. In 01' There wasn't as many choices as today: Banshee, 400EX, and DS650. Even though I was getting off a 250X, I rolled the dice and bought the big yellow tank. I have to say that I really was surprized at how easily I can handle such a big quad. Since 90% of my riding is either dunes, or similar open areas, the DS is great. It has more than enough power, and it's width, weight, and wheel travel make it quite difficult to get out of shape. Point the nose where you want to go, open it up, and hang on while the suspension does the rest. The more spacious your riding area, the more you will enjoy a DS650. The few times I tried to run any tight or technical trails, however had me wishing I had kept my 250X. This is a beast for anybody to wrestle through narrow trails. Especially when the narrow ruts from everyone who went before you are placing you 1/2 in and 1/2 out.

Recently got my wife a new '05 450R. This thing rips! To me, it's much more of a handful to ride fast. Open it up and you'd better have ahold of it. It wants to carry the front end alot more, but is also much more nimble than the DS. I can brake later w/o sliding past the turns, and can definately feel the weight difference of the much lighter 450R. Around the same track, I "feel" like the 450R is a much faster bike, but I've not timed myself to make sure. As long as I brake soon enough for the corners, the DS feels like I'm cruising around the track, no matter how fast I go. It has a much smoother feel to it. The 450R is like a lightswitch. I have to concentrate alot more on what I'm doing. It's light weight and high revving engine mean that I have to be in control at all times. It's much easier to get out of shape on. Then again, I've also spent alot of years on my DS, so I know that I'm more comfortable on it.

I'd have to say, with my experience, that the question isn't the size of the person on the bike. It's more the size of the area the bike is going to be ridden in. For really tight trail use, I wouldn't reccommend either. The DS is too big, and the R is too high strung. Widen things out a bit, give it a good rider, and the 450R will fly. The DS will get with the program also. It just needs more room to be enjoyed. DS stands for Dune Sport or Desert Sled and that's it's element. aka: Few Trees

 

i just bought an 07 450r. I love it beings im only 5,7 and 140lbs. I can really throw it around well in the woods. Yes it is very high strung and you must keep your r's up. I took mine one tooth smaller in the front to give me more low end torque. If you ride alot of bumpy trails you might want to get the ds beings it will ride a little better becouse of the weight and plush suspension. Also the 450r is not made to put around on. If you have to ride very technichal trails the ds will have more bottom end torque.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: wealldieyoung18

im 5'9 about 170lbs.</end quote></div>

Honda 450