On ds650.com I was looking at all the differences between the 2000-2001 and the 2001-2002. This worries me considering how many differences there are, obviously if Bombardier didn't think there was the potential for failure on all these items, they wouldn't have changed them out. Am I wrong in assuming this?

 

Every machine that you look at will have many differences over the years, some you may not notice. Yah they have changed alot of parts. Bombardier is doing whatever they can to make their machines as reliable as possible. This is just a common thing.

 

All in all those changes are all very minor. All vehicles undergo many many minor changes between years. The best overall picture for a potential buyer to look at it how many people with say, a 2000, or 2001 DS650 are really having problems. Very few of the guys in here with 2000 DS650s ever complain of troubles relating to the changes. Most of the changes really just help Bombardier keep their machines out of the dealers due to some nickle or dime problem. A good example: the DS650 has a temperature sensor with two terminals coming out of it. This temperature sensor seems to fail on some DSs due to vibration causing the terminals to come loose. (I saw this first hand on ThePunisher's 2002 DS650 Baja.) I noticed that on my 2003 Baja Bombardier had added a small about of hot glue or silicon to glue those terminals into place, thus keeping them from breaking loose. This change costs a penny or two, but keeps a few machines out of the shop.

The most major changes I am aware of are the oil breather the added in 2001 which in the event of a sustained rollover, helps the engine keep oil circulating. (In a 2000 machine, air bubbles can form which stops oil flow.) In 2002 they changes the front A-Arms. In 2002 they changes the chain roller, and in 2002 they changed the mounting of the fan to a rubber mount so there are no more fan troubles.

I have a 2001 Ds which I'm adding a rubber mount setup for the fan, I used a skateboard wheel & four skateboard bearings to replace the chain roller and I'm not worried about the A-Arms or anything else.

If someone buys a 2000 DS, I'd suggest getting more info about the oil breather line & get the oil filter cover from a 2001 or newer so you can use the longer oil filters. (It's never a bad idea to have a bigger filter!)

 

Well that all makes sense. More than likely, whatever I end up purchasing, I'll probably tear the whole machine down and inspect everything, then put it back together. May take a little while but I think it'd be worth it. Especially since if something goes wrong I'll be more familiar with every inch of the quad.

I thought they changed the A-arms in '01? I must not have been looking at that list very carefully... Anyways, did the upgraded A-arms make a good difference?

 

The change in the A-Arms helped suspension & handling enough that people stopped complaining about it. However, many people aren't really worried about it that do have a 2001 or 2000 model. Between my two ATVs I do notice the difference, however it isn't that extreme. If you ever think about aftermarket suspension you will want to replace the A-Arms anyway so it would be a moot point then. If you plan to just ride it & never change much, you might just go with the 2002 or newer, unless you find a good deal on a 2000 or 2001. There is a company on eBay selling upper A-Arms for the DS650 which when adjusted correctly correct the 'problem' with the 2000 & 2001 DS650s. If they stop selling those on Ebay, you are looking at $300 for new upper a-arms, so just keep that in mind if it even bothers you.

Personally - it didn't bother me in 2001 when I bought my 2001 model & it's not much of a concern now in 2003 for me & I have both. (In fact last weekend I took my 2001 out for a couple of hours after only riding my 2003 for the previous 11 hours of riding time & it didn't bother me a bit!)

 

They also have a Pair of a-arms on ebay right now from a 2003 Baja. Just thought i would mention them.
[L=]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34286&item=2413517 189[/L]

 

Hmm... thought the link would work. havent got it quite figured out yet