Sorry to here about the problem with your Raptor, but what a surprize, A Raptor with tranny problems. I really don't understand the following these Yamaha's have. Between all the bent frames and toasted trannies, why do these things still sell so much better than the DS?

 

Knutz, it's gotta be in the name. When I first took the DS to the coast last summer everyone was asking what kind is that and where did you get it, they didn't have a clue. Most people know very little about Bombardier but have heard about Yamaha for years.

 

 

I think the magizenes are burying their noses in Yamahas @$#!%$ because thats where the money is. This months Dirt Wheels is a typical example. Funny they dont talk about the transmission, frame and other reliability problems plagueing the raptor but they do mention the questionable reliability of the Cannondale which hasn't had many problems compared to other new upstarts.
When Bombardier gives the mags a long term tester (or two) and pays for exotic trips, you will see more favorable write-ups. Its all about the money... Whew, glad I got that off my chest.

00-DS, yosh pipe, k&n

 

I think it might also be,that people will not believe that a first time high-performance quad builder,(Bombardier) can come in and blow the competition away on their first try.They dont want to give credit,when credit is due.

 

A Yamaha, Honda, shop in selling new 2001 Ds650's for 5695 brand new! Steadmans in Toole, Utah

 

The rags know where they get their bread and butter so you have to take their opinion with a grain of salt no matter how hard it is to swallow. The shootout is biased when reliability is not a major factor. The bomb is right up there with the honda in terms of reliability and craftmanship and the shootout should have reflected this but didn't. In my opinion the baja is a proving ground for performance quads and the bomb and the honda have finished with mostly stock components, none were towed or ridden across the finish with broken frames or gernaded trannies.