I am right now looking for a new 4-wheeler. I strictly ride it in the dunes, that is all I ride. And in the dunes my all time favorite thing to do is jump, both small ones and huge leaps. I am 19 years old, 6'2" and weigh aprox 180lbs. And I need a few honest opinions on what 4-wheeler you think would best fit me. I am right now looking at the DS650, Z400 or a Raptor. I have driven a Raptor, but my opinion it felt to tippy and narrow. I dont know if this is actually a problem with them, if they are to narrow that they tip out easy or not. And the DS the weight scares me a little 460 pounds in my opinion is a little much to toss around in the air. And with the Z I dont know if a 400 is enough cc's. I am just curious on what everyone thinks would best fit my needs. The 400ex is compleatly out, of the picture for me.

Thanks

 

I would say the Z400 as it has more power then the 400ex and better all around handling then the Raptor.

 

If I lived closer to the dunes than 50 miles away, I would definately have a Banshee. I now have a 400ex and I am a honda guy and all that yadda yadda yadda, but the reality is, Banshees rule the dunes.

 

I'm not much of a jumper but I think ALL of the quads will need aftermarket suspension if you're catching really big air. Of the stock suspensions I think the DS650 is probably the best for jumping with so much travel. Plus, the DS650 is a great dune machine too. I like the Z400 but would rule that out since the others are so much more powerful. I agree that the Raptor is a little too tall & tippy feeling but a DS also feels tall but not tippy. The C-Dale is aimed at MX and from what I have seen jump well and have power.

So, if it were me personally I would take the DS650 then a Banshee with aftermarket suspension. I know you didn't mention the Banshee but for general duning it is the king.

 

I'm on a desert race team that fields a DS. The stock suspension is way better than any other bike out there. But, the huge thing is scarry to jump, especially if you are going big. I agree that the Raptor is tall and tippy, but does have lots of power. If you are going to spend most of your time in the air (and you cant find a 250R), I would pick the Z from the bikes you mentioned. I was in some dunes (with Holeshot tires) last weekend, and the little Z pulled just fine. I would definitely go +4" wider on the Raptor, and also the Z. The DS is pretty wide already.

 

The C'dale always gets over looked when talking about DUNES, but the fact is they have great power, and have the best jumping manners out their. I absolutely luv my DS in the dunes, by if I was wanting to get BIG air i would go with the C'dale. The DS can take it, but if your not a experienced jumper, it is hard too correct in the air.




Biggerisbetter.

 

I agree the DS is probably too big for you.
I haven't seen a C'Dale at the dunes to commemment on them.
The Z400 doesn't have the power needed for the sand as compaired to the Raptor & Shee. The sand really sucks up the power so the more the better!!


That being said I love my Raptor in the dunes (Little Sahara, OK), All I've done is add Douglass wheels with Extreme Haulers & Mohawks on the front. This will give you an additional 1" width all around, I also added 1 1/2" per side wheel spacers on the rear. No problems being tippy at all.
The Shee is also a great dune machine. I got the Raptor because I was tired of messing with 2 strokes (86 250R) & wanted all around power without a peaky powerband.

IMO you can't go wrong with either the Raptor or Shee for you. Just add some Elkas & maybe a +3 swingarm & you have a great dune runner!

 

Everyone here has made good points. I would have to get a Raptor again. To make any of them perfect you are going to have to add mods. I would rather mod just the suspension on the Raptor, a-arms and shocks and an axel, rather than doing motor work on the Z and then having to add shocks anyway. If it weren't for the weight of the DS I would chose it, and like MOOSE said I have NO expeirance to comment on a Dale.

 

If all you want to do is jump, power really isn't a problem. Pick up a used 400EX for $4000 add some shocks (a-arms, axle if you can afford it) and you'll have one of the best jumpers around.

The Z has a better motor, but there aren't many used ones and you don't care about the motor anyway. Spend the 2 grand you saved on suspension.

 

<u>If I were you....</u> I would not rule out the Banshee at all. They DO rule the dunes as some1 else said. They have ***** and great cooling and a great balance and weight/power ratio needed for the dunes. But if you had to get one of the three I would just get the Raptor and get like +2" A-Arms in the front, and an extended axle if you were really worried. If you did those two things you would pretty much meet all of your requirements and you would have a HeLLa quad. And once you get sick of it you can just put a trinity kit into it! That's my 2 cents.