Saturday was one of the best days for me yet this year. The weather was great, had the company of a very pretty lady and then....BROKE OUT THE DEMON!!! I couldn't beleive how good it felt, getting back on the DS that is[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]. Anyways, I was joined by Batoutahell and his way cool Baja monster. We were riding in a very good desert location that had endless roads and few rocks and small hills. Can you say DS country!!!

Now for the questions. I had the pleasure of riding Bat's monster, THANKS BAT, and was absolutly amazed at it. Power wise the two quads were very close but the Baja truly spoke to me when I rode it. Is the incredible light feeling it has all due to the tires? It feels way lighter, way, way, lighter, is it? Is the great handleing due to it's narower stance? I am for sure now going to get some different tires. I still want to throw the Ohtsu's on it first to see how wel they coincide with my lower gearing before I decide between them and something in a 22". If it would take it to get my DS to handle that way, I will be replacing my A-Arm's with some that are Baja specked if someone aftermarket wise builds some. So what is the secret behind the Baja?

Demon

P.S. Sorry, but the Baja got the shaft in the recent shootout, period. Did anyone watch the Dakar ralley coverage on Speed today? Showed a Baja DS several times[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img].

 

if your looking for baja style a-arms look into timmyboy designs. Tim helped build the baja 2000 winning DS 650 and the baja ds is a variation of that quad

 

Dirt Wheels and ATV magazine both said that the Baja a-arm geometry is exactly the same as the DS - the only difference is that the Baja a-arms are manufactured more economical. They said the hadnling difference was due only to the tires...and the toe spec has also changed, which can be easily adjusted on your DS.
If you liked the way the Baja you rode handled, adjust your toe like it is, and try the Ohtsu tires if he'll let you swap. I'd guess that the bandits would handle just as well, if you decide to get the 22".
Funny thing about toe, it changes as suspension compresses, so rider weight can make handling feel different from one person to next. I'm 6'-8", 240lbs. and like a neutral toe when I'm on the bike. With the front propped up, its 3/8" toed-in, but when I get on and she compresses its just right...Play with it, and you'll be amazed what a difference 1/8" can make...

 

Actualy I am not looking for a Baja style a-arms I guess. whta I mant to say was that I would buy a_arms that are meant to replace the stock ones on a Baja DS. I know that the geometry is the same but the width isnt. That is the part that I wonder if it makes it easier to handle or not.

 

Demon, next time we ride, or get together we should take some measurements between your ds and the baja.

I am not sure, and I too have read that the front end geometry did not change, but the a-arms sure do look different. I am not sure if they are actually what makes the front end width less, or if that is in the rim offset.

There are so many variables that it is hard to tell. I know that the baja handles and feels much more nimble than the regular ds.

I had never ridden a regular ds until this past saturday when I got to ride the demon. I do like the feel of the baja more, I don't know exactly why or what makes it feel that way but it is more comfortable.

Next time we should swap the tires out and see what that does to each bike.

Later
Bat

 

Bat,

We could get pretty scientific with this thing. Like I said before, we should do three runs of a set distance, with both quads with both sets of tires on each. That would be really a good comparo with the mods also. I would be interested in seeing if the big gun or the RWR pipe puts out the most gusto. The only difference would be my front gear. Maybe if I feel ambitious I will put the stocker back on. I will change it back though before I hit the dunes.

I know that here pretty quick that I am going to check the toe on it. It would be great if I could do this with you around so we can make any adjustments to it with me still on it.

I forgot to say that when I was on yours it seemed to me like yours a bit on the rich side still. Mine I think was tad lean because I run it leaner even in the summer so with the thicker, cool air it was probably a tad bit to lean.