how does the DS compare to other sport quads is the shifting more like a 400ex or banshee? how hard is it to wheelie whats the last gear it will raise up in

 

Two things strike me as curious:
1. If you have already decided to get a Banshee or a Raptor, why are you asking about the DS?

2. Did you think posting this twice would get you different answers or just twice as many answers.

You'll get a good view of how a DS shifts as it blows by you once you get your Raptor or Banshee. One difference between the shifting of the DS and the Raptor is that after shifting on the DS, the transmission stays together.

Sorry, just my brand pride showing through. Prob. the same pride that keeps you on a Yamaha

 

Come on Knutz that's a low blow to some of us here...

However, I'm not really brand loyal, I just get what I like at the time. So I can give you an honest answer.

YES! Judging from the DS that I've been on, they shift extremely smooth. I am impressed least by their handling and most by their engine and transmission.

 

As long as the question wasn't loaded......
Upshifts reasonably well and downshifts great. Likes lots of clutch on the 1-2 shift and just a touch of clutch up through the rest of the gearbox. Not the best gearbox I've owned but a long way from the worst either.

As for wheelies...my DS is stock except for some pipe mods and it is NOT a wheelie machine. If I can get bite in first it'll lift and it's a rare thing in second. On the other hand everybody knows that wheelies can easily be produced by having a high centre of gravity, a short wheelbase and an utter lack of power also (ask any kid on a bicycle)!! That's one reason the desert racers extend the Raptor swingarm (to a geometry closer to a DS) - to keep the front end down.

 

i have no problem with 2nd gear wheelies.my bike is slightly modded(look below) so that does help.all i have to do is punch the gas and itll go up untill the grab bar hits the ground and im a big guy.my dealer rode it and almost flipped it in 3rd,but he is a little guy(125lbs).now this is without feathering the clutch,i mean just punch the gas and up it goes.

 

I 2nd that,Chop!But when stock,they are alot harder to wheelie.As far as compared to my 400 ex,Even with the modes on the DS ,I would have to say that the EX would be a better wheelie machine.The EX just seems to be made for wheelies.The DS has more weight bias in the front end compared to the EX.But the DS has plenty of power to get the front end up in the air.

 

Sorry if you took that as a low blow. I'm just very proud of my DS, and personally not impressed with the Raptor. I own a Banshee, but that is primarilly for demonstrating the power advantage of the Team Pami motors. Since everyone is familiar with the typicly modded banshee's performance, I use it as a measurement of how the DS will do against one.

As far as wheelies go, I'm a large guy and I sit very far forward on the seat, and still pull the front in third gear with no clutch at all, pure power wheelies. If I sit in a normal position, I might be able to do the same thing in fourth. I had to learn to ride in a forward position in order to keep the front down when applying the power.