DS is the fastest stock quad out there on the market rite now. (not including quadzilla)

 

i own a pred and love it and love the warranty 5yrs but i have to admit its got good power and is a better rideing quad for all day runs it is the z its a great bike but if hes a big guy he may want to check out the ds 650 put the alba kit on and they work great eather way they r all great bquads to own

 

djm137,
Our local desert race series for ATVs uses the motorcycle desert race courses, so all of our ATV race courses are on motorcycle width race courses. They are very tight, technical, and rough courses that will beat you to a pulp by the time you finish the race. We have about 40 ATVs that are in the points series this year, with a Cannondale, a few 250Rs, a few modified 400 EX's (440 EXs), two DS 650s, two Z-400s, and a whole slew of 450cc race quads. With two races left to go in the points series, a 440 EX is 1st in points, a DS650 is second, a Z-400 is third, and another DS650 (myself) is in fourth. I have not seen one single Predators in this race series, so I cannot say how they would do, but the DS650s and Z-400s are both doing very well, considering how out numbered they are by the 450cc machines. And considering how tight and technical the courses are, the DS 650s are not letting their size get in their way too badly either.

Have your friend ride each machine, and it will be very apparent which one he should get. They are very different from each other, and he will know right away which one is best suited for him.

 

Im not tryin to make you look bad or the ds look bad, but where i live the ds is worthless.It would be a never ending money pit because i ride where conditions are hard packed ruts.The ds's a-arms and the rest of the chassis isnt made for the trails i ride in let alone really anyones trails.It is a fast stock bike but since the pipe is close to aftermarket already, it is kind of worthless to get a new pipe.A great combo for it though is pipe jetting and a k&n airfilter.Im not sayin that the ds is a crappy bike, but it just isnt durable enough for my riding conditions.The predator, z400, and the 660 are in that area.Also about comparing the predator to z400, what is the point?You are comparing and open class quad to a 400cc.This is like comparing a corvette to a neon.Im giving the z400 my vote because it is a 400cc quad and it still stays at least a bike length away from the predator in a flat out race.Why dont you compare the ds 650 predator and the 660?That would be a way better matchup.although it would come down to the ds 650 and the 660, it would still be better.Comparing 3 completely different class bikes....come on guys, you have to have more sense than that.

 

Wide open spaces...ok..enough said...DS650. Not a whole lot to argue about really. Stock w/ stainless steel braided lines. Ohtsu tires, which may be a lil on the soft, but I like them. Predators are a nice machine, don't get me wrong, but not the most durable. I've seen three broken frames in 9 months from friends of mine.

If you were riding tight trails, and tight trail only. I'd say Z400. But for any other application, I'd go with the DS. The new ones (04-up) are a bit narrower, 1.25" shorter on the swingarm, and 40lbs lighter than previous years. Very nimble bike....for it's size! If you get bored w/ the power...which i doubt you will. Spend the three hundred dollars for a ron woods rev eliminator box and you'll wake up a sleeping beast!

Last comment...the ROTAX engines are bulletproof compared to the other machines. Even though the motors in the other machines are good as well, I just feel a bit more comfortable knowing I've got a rotax in my bike.

And i don't wanna hear anyone sayin a pred will smoke a ds stock to stock, because it just won't happen. Not w/ equal drivers in equal conditions.

And if rumors end up confirmed, the new 800 outlander will be the fastest production atv, beating out the ds650 by a good 6-8mph.