I am thinking about getting a 2003 Ds650 Baja but I am a little worried about the width of the machine and the low end power. I live in Ohio and we ride trails that are tight at times and some pretty steep hills. My 400ex is beating me up and I would like a smoother ride with similar engine performance if not better. So if somebody that rides the DS in similar conditions could give me some feedback I would appreciate it. I know they are coming out with a narrower version for 2004 but the 2003's are marked down and I dont want to pay the 7199 price tag of a 2004.

 

I would suggest you get some AFTERMARKET SUSPENSION for the 400EX and maybe some engine mods, and save yourself a bundle of money. A friend of mine has a DS, and when we go trail riding, he leaves it at home and rides his wifes 400EX!!! The EX is an excellent trail machine. The DS is no trail machine at all.

 

me and my cousin go riding at gorman. Where there all trails and every time he goes he will roll his bike.
He rides a 2001 ds 650 by the way.Right now his bike is at the shop for rolling it. I would just get better suspension.

 

DS's are 6599

 

i live in ohio,and have a 03'ds650, it sortof sux becuse there is no reverse and is is so heavy when i get stuck i get mad [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img] id fix up youre 400ex, you will do a lot beter with it than a ds650 around here in ohio.

 

I've ridden with a DS on some tight trails and was amazed it made it through in a few places. Some friends and I were riding the Marienville (PA) ANF bike trail. The guy on the DS was constantly bring up the rear. I'm convinced it was because of the width more than anything else. There are some places on that trail my Polaris barely made it through.

 

All my bikes are widened, and my Z400 and 400EX are nearly as wide as a DS. I don't think it is as much width that hampers the DS in the tight stuff, as it is that the DS is just a big heavy beast. And, don't even think about doing any TECHNICAL trail riding.

 

I'd have to agree with the suspension mods to your 400 .... I had a DS 650 I traded in for a predator I have ridden all my life and am 30yrs old... I can attest it will roll!! I have bent the steering stem, bars and even the factory baja bark busters,.. sweet machine but, heavy.... and a bit to oversized... for the dunes you want it.... for the trails I'd leave it.... just my opinion you asked ....

 

I've ridden big atv's for the last 14 years (Zilla) and trailriding a DS is the best. I've had 2 back surgeries because of a work accident and the suspension is so plush I'm not even tired at the end of the day. Most trails are wide enough for the DS. Nothing I've ever ridden is as comfortable. No bike has a more comfortable seat as well. Everyone that has ridden mine remarks on the seat comfort. I wouldn't trade my Baja. We ride a lot of dice runs and never have a problem getting through. The weight is great for taking out those pesky trees that sometime get in the way.

 

All I do is trail ride. Had a Banshee as last quad and would not trade DS for anything.
If you want to ride tight woods the trees do seem to be a little closer, But everyone I know is spending a lot of money widening their present quad. I would not trade for anything else. It is also
cool to pull in parking lot and people ask "What in the hell is that".