I asked this question before, but never got a reply. I am still trying to get a quad but it looks like i won't be getting the quad I really want(cannondale). I have seen a couple used DS650's for about 3500 dollars, which seems really cheap for such a new model, and new '01 models for 5000 dollars. Everyone talks about how strong of a motor they have, and that they are comfortable for big riders. Has anyone raced them in a MX series, how did they do compared to everything else out there. I don't want a Raptor because personally, I think they are porrly manufactured, or last years were anyway. 400EX is too underpowered for me, I will be racing MX 50% of the time I ride, and the rest just "free riding." but most of the "free riding" I do invloves alot of jumping. I guess is, for where I ride, would the DS be alright for me. I know I would still rather have a 250R, but I think if I go 4 stroke, the DS seems like a nice quad. Thanks guys.

 

i have a mx DS, watch the videos on my web site below and decide for yourself.

 

I have never ridden my Ds on a track, and really don't want to, just not my thing. I have heard of a few, but I don't know them personally.

I really don't think the Ds is the best bet for mx. It is just not what it was designed to do. I am not saying it cant, but that it is just probably not at home on a track.

The DS was built for Desert and dune riding and that is where it excels. That is the type of riding that I do and it is the best bet in my book. I love mine and would not trade it for anything.

If I were into mx, I would go for the cannondale like you said. That is what it is designed for and that is where the cannon is at home. It is not really the dune machine the ds is.

I hope that helps a little.

Bat

 

Well, I would go with the Cannondale, but they're too expensive for me right now. 250R's are hard to come by over here that aren't outrageously priced POS. There are about 4 new DS models for $4999 at 2 different dealers in the new cycle trader, and that about what I'd pay for a nice 250R, thats mainly stock. I know the Raptor would probably be better on a track but they have some issues, and I haven't found any real good deal on them. DS650stage1, I like the videos, but where's the sound? Still waiting for the rythem section video to load, but the rest are cool. Oh another reason I would want a DS is because I am not that far from the dunes, and there are alot of wide desert trails down here. Anyway, I'll probably get screwed over again on getting a new quad, so I guess I shouldn't really worry about it, I guess I was just curious about the DS.

 

OregonMXracer, while I've never done any organized racing, I do race around alot, including MX tracks. The biggest problem with the DS is the OEM tires. I found that every once in a while I would spin out in turns because the stock Kenda's have very little side bite. Actually, they don't grab that well going forward either. With a new set of tires it's a great bike for fast play riding for just about any terrain, but it's never gonna be the MXer that a 250R is.