Well, it looks like I just might be selling the DS. With the refinements to the Cannondale, and the release of the Polaris Predator, and both of those bikes being much lighter, and hopefully cheaper to mod in the near future (the 'dale shouldn't need much besides a remap) it may be time. I have had zero probs with the DS, and it sure is a comfy ride, but the high cost of mods, notoriously poor customer support from Bombardier and lack of technical expertise (no problems with the DS, just SEA-DOO issues)at the local dealers have me really thinking. The Raptor is out...I just don't like it. The Z400 is not in the same league (HP), the 400EX...boring. So my question is, has anyone ridden a DS, a 'dale, and a pre-production Predator? What do you think of all three?

 

I've got a DS and a 2002 Cannondale Speed. Depends on how you ride. I'm a smaller guy 5'9" 170lbs, and ride aggressively. The Cannondale rips it up. That bike is amazing. Outhandles, and out-motors the DS. However, for a bigger rider....the DS (and perhaps the Predator) would be an easier ride to deal with. I've also got to say that if I want to relax and take it easy, you can't beat the cush-ness of the DS suspension.

 

Based on you living in Ontario, CA I am guessing most of your riding is at Glamis (in the sand.) You are also talking about the high cost of mods on the DS so I am guessing you want something at least as powerful as the DS.

Based on this, keep what you have and go to Sam Coe for one of his kits. You will lose $2000 on the sale of your DS and purchase of the new Predator anyways.

I have ridden next to Cannondale's at Sand Mt. and they just don't have the displacement to shoot the steep hills and keep up with the torque of the big bores. (Not slamming the 'dale, this is just what I have seen.)

If you ride tracks in your area and you are looking at a faster quad for that, maybe the 'dale is what you want. I have not ridden one so, cannot say.

I too hate the idea of spending $2500 to $5000 on engine mods for the DS. However, you will know if you do spend that you will have a quad that can take most any 4-stroke out there.

We are getting a Raptor for my wife and I started to look into what it would take to make it handle like a DS and then get engine mods. What I found is those A-arms (+2 +1) are expensive. Add to that an extended swing arm and a wider axel (Durablue +4 or +5".) By the time all is said and done you are into it about $4000.

If I read between the lines, it sounds like your biggest issue is your dealers. If they are not getting parts quickly enough for you let me know. My dealer does a great job turning parts around and they would be willing to ship directly to your house. As for technical expertise, that can be tough sometimes. We are all here to help but, sometimes you need to talk with someone one-on-one. You may have to find another dealer that requires a bit more driving.

 

Hey, I'm in about the same position as you. I love the power of my DS650, but I am 5'8 and 115lbs, and the DS is just a little big for me. I am switching to a Raptor. I didn't like the Raptor at first, either, but then I got to spend some riding time on one, and it does take some time to get used to it after a big machine like the DS650. I loved how fast I could go on the Raptor in the trails, because it is so much narrower, I'm not affraid of clipping trees with my tires. Also the aftermarket avaliable for the Raptor is the main deciding factor. There is so much stuff out there for them, for so cheap. Also a good portion of the guys we ride with are Raptor owners, so I can get advice, tips, and mechanical help when I need it.

 

You guys are sell-outs. You'll be on the other boards crying about how you spend more time working on your bikes then riding them. Yeah it was cheap to fix up but now your realy paying for it by not getting to ride. Then you'll be back in here in a year begging to come back.!!!!

LOL just kidding guys, what ever floats your boat. Different strokes for different folks.

I am a fairly big guys at 6'1" 200+ so the Bomb is the only choice for me. I don't want to do to many more mods anyway, I want to keep the reliability.

JMO

 

Adam:

You better change your name to AdamsBadQuadOfTheDay [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the input guys. Like I said, I really don't have any complaints about the bike (aside from it being a bit heavy). Granted, it has EXTREMELY low hours, but I get the feeling it will be pretty much trouble free over the long haul. Maybe I am just a bit "soured" with the experiences I have had with my SEA-DOO products. I am 5'10" 200lbs, so the DS is a good fit for me, but so are the C'dale (never ridden one, just sat on one), and apparently the Predator would be too.
TheFasterTheBetter, you make some good points. I do like to ride in Glamis, and I must admit, coming from an old sport 400, the DS is a smooth fast ride in the dunes. Also true about losing big $$ on the sale....sure seems as if the resale of the DS's is soft, huh?
Sure would be nice to keep the DS, and get a 'dale and Predator...jus' dreamin'!

 

GHAR:

That's what wives are for [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Start telling your wife she needs a new quad (like maybe a Predator or a Cannondale.) Let it stew for a while then come Christmas, you er. . I mean. . SHE gets a new quad.

I cannot wait for my wife to get her new Raptor.

Also, are you going to be at Glamis during Christmas? We are thinking of planning a trip during the Christmas Holiday. How busy is it that time of year? We have never been.

 

Sandtastic: you say your Cannondale speed out handles your ds, i can buy, you say it out-motors it? i think you got a lemon for a ds, try getting the aftermarket rev limiter, that will make a world of differnce, id love to take your Cannondale to a friendly drag at the dunes, see who out motors who, ill drop ya a line the next time im up that way.
DPGRDI

 

I have 2 DS's right now, and I am selling them both. I have been to the mountain, well, Orlando, and I have ridden the Predator. IT is better handling than anything I have ever ridden, but not as cushy as a DS. I think a little work on the front shocks, maybe just backing off on the preload (which worked for my Baja) will do it. If not there's always Works triple rates. I am a big guy, 6' 220, and a Raptor is just not for me, though they are hugely better with wider axle and wider a-arms and Works shocks. The Predator is wide and low. Not as wide as a DS but with a lower center of gravity than anything else except for maybe a Cannondale Moto. And the front steering linkage is so amazingly brilliant it is just incredible that every quad doesn't do it this way.
.....Ultimately I think a Raptor or DS has more power potential. The Predator seems tuned spot on right out of the box. So there's probably not much more there. What you see is what you get. And for $5999 I really like what I see.....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]
....Magazines and the Raptor faithfull will talk trash about the new Predator, so be it. The Predator will be hugely successful, and raise the bar for a sport quad that doesn't need $1500 in aftermarket stuff to make it rideable.