(reply directed at roostking)
Hehe, benchracers are cool!

Have you ever seen a DS650? Yet alone ridden one... On a track.... Against a 400EX or 250R.

I have listened to you spout DS650 this, and DS650 that for months now. How can you possibly make statements like you make with no pratical experience?

I am not saying that the DS650 isn't maybe the best thing since sliced bread, but come on, lets let this machine prove itself before making ridiculous claims, based on the specs read from magazines. I have a hard time believing that a machine that heavy can be whipped and thrown around on the ragged edge like a good MX bike needs to be, but maybe I'm wrong.... Until I find out otherwise, I'll continue to "suffer" with my poor slow, lethargic, uninspiring 400EX....

 

I have given this a lot of thought and I have determined that this was the stupidest test that DW has ever done. Everyone on the planet knows that a 300ex doesn't hold a candle to the 400ex. The sorry excuse for a Honda was a 300ex with a 600 stuffed in it. Rediculous. The 250R was just as bad because the conditions were not good for a 2 stroke. So, basically, the 2 stroke spun the tires all the way around the track like on ice and the others with a smoother powerband, hooked up. If it would have been set up different, the 250r would have killed the other 2. I don't care how fast the albatross goes, I like knowing that I have 85 less pounds to deal with with my 400ex.

 

What they should have done was take a stock Banshee and spent $2000 on suspension and took a 400ex and spent $300 for a 440 kit and $2000 on suspension or maybe $500 for front shocks, $500 for front +2 a arms and $1200 for motor mods. This would show what $8000 would get you from the 3 choices and we know that the DS650 would still get 3rd place.

 

Hakmazter,
Ok, then spend another $1000 on the DS for a pipe and maybe some head/cylinder work, and your BAnshee or 400ex is back where is started from, in the back of the DS on the track. One more point, the 600 had a custom Laeger frame, it was not simply a 300 ex frame with a 600cc motor in it. As far as becnh racing, hey thats what we are all doing unless we own every machine made, so we leave it up to the magazines to do the work for us. I dont mean to **** 400 ex owners off, but lets look at the facts. For $5700 (financed prolly) you get a good recreational sport quad(400ex) that most people will modify anyhow. Now for $7000 you get a pure high performance quad that will run rings around the competition. Do I own one, no, but I do talk to the owners of these fine machines (2 of which have since sold there Quadzillas, which says quite a bit right there) and they love them.
So the original question still stands. Why did they not run a STOCK 400EX or a STOCK Banshee vs. the DS-650?

RoostkIng...

 

My comment was dollar for dollar. If I had $7000 or $8000 or whatever it costs, I would still buy my 400ex and buy new front shocks (350) new +2 a-arms (450) 440 kit (285) new FMF powercoreIV2 (400)and at that point weigh 100 lbs less and totally kick the DS650 anywhere except top speed. I weigh 160lbs and I know I can throw around 350-375lbs way easier than 460+. Isn't there a ratio of every 7lbs = 1hp?

 

By the way, the Laeger frame was off a 300ex design, not a 250r design. Sort of like putting a big block in a Cavalier or Escort.

 

By the way, Roostking, what does financed probably mean? I paid $1000 cash for my 2000 400ex and traded my 99 Warrior that was paid for. If someone were to buy the Albatross, their financing would be more likely and more expensive. Don't get me wrong, the DS650 is a great bike, but it is entirely too large for me and I'm 5'11". I feel that the Cannondale would be the bike to buy. Lighter, more suspension, bigger engine than the 400ex, more hp. I would be concerned about breaking the frame but it sounds better to me. I just can't see going on a MX track on something that weighs 3x what I do and seem in control. If I wanted a sport pig, I would get a grizzly600 and put Nitrous and some PEP shocks on it.

 

HakMazter,
You do have some valid points regarding the DS, but is still stands, why not run the 400Ex/Banshee/DS against eachother on the track, as oppossed to 2 "specialty" quads? Now, the introduction of the Cannondale is intriuging. I have the same concerns as you regarding the size, but Scooby(a DS owner and member of ATVConnection) is 5'7 i think and he says he does not have any trouble at all(except for the brake lever). Do you have any other information on the engine in the Cannondale? Has it ever been used in another application? If not, then I'd be leary about owning one. The DS motor has been used by othters so it is proven, but the Cannondale, well that could be a whole new ballgame. I do know the frame is probably pretty sturdy ( I owned a nice race pedal bike once, Cannondale aluminum frame) and it held up well, so they do have the background there for sure... When i talk about financing, I think (could be wrong) that most people probably finance new quad purchases. So when someone says the DS is so much mroe expensivce than a 400 or BAnshee, in really it may only be a bit more per month is a bunk argument.

RoostKing...

 

OK, now I get it about the financing. Pennies a month, and here I thought you were trying to insult me. Anyways, Here's my opinion about the whole thing. I have a 2000 400ex. It is a little lighter than the Banshee, It supposedly handles better, and it has electric start. The Banshee is a great bike, I have always wanted one. I feel that it is over priced though. As I am sure you know, there are a lot less parts in a two stroke and I feel that the extra 10HP is not worth kickstarting and not having a bright lighting system. I think that we should thank Honda for bringing back the competition for sport quads. The Banshee would be leaps and bounds ahead if there would have been ANY competition from another manufacturer. Now comes the Enforcer. Neat idea, too bad plastic is ugly and it is not in the US. Bombardier. Great, thank you for upping the bar! Only problem is that it is TOO BIG. I saw one next to a Banshee and it looks like a 300ex. I would never consider it. GAS GAS. Oh my God. The only way I would buy that quad is if they threw the front plastic away. I could make a better front end. Then comes the cannondale. Totally kick ***, looks modern ,fast, etc... But look at the whole picture. Now 12" is average suspension, 35-50 is average horsepower. Times are looking good. I hope that Suzuki comes out with something personally. I liked my old bike. However I will say this... If the Banshee were priced at $4500 to 5000 new (where I feel it should be) Then I would own one unquestionably. But I own a 400ex because I felt it was best for me for the time.

Meanwhile, Praying for a yzf426 of kfz250 since I only trust the big 4. But that is just me.

 

Yea I think the Cannondale quad looks promising, well see. And you are right, the 400ex does deserve credit for coming out when it did, kinda like opened the flood gates for all others to follow. One point though. Although the Ds-650 is large, it does have a sharper turing radious athn a 400ex. I know, I could not believe it at first either, but its true.
I have realized something though, I seem to be the nbiggest cheerleader for the DS, yet I do not own one, so from here on out, Im gonna maintain a low profile when it comes to the DS. I fear that with my enthusiasm, I may have come across too bold and "in your face" as it were and actually turned people off by my actions. THis is unfair to the DS, so i will chill now!

LAter,

RoostKing...