Yes I also heard the DS is faster than the raptor in stock for stock setup. I own a raptor and my friend has a DS. Both bought brand new and the same age. We always ride together. The other day we went on a paved road for about 5 miles and we opened both bikes up. The DS could not pass me. Nor could I get away from it. They where tied. Both bikes where running stock pipes. The only thing we changed was a dynojet kit in both bikes. The DS had a K&N filter in it and yes, it was jetted correctly.

I have done some mods to the raptor that made a big power difference. It cost me nothing. Either remove the airbox lid or what I did was to cut the snorkel open and cut 2 X 2" holes into the back of stock lid of the raptor. In this configuration my raptor made 44HP and 52Nm of torque. A stock raptor makes 36HP and about 31 Nm of torque. I also did a mod on the rubber intakes between the carbs and head.

The biggest difference in power came from getting the duel carbs set up right on the raptor. Not a single raptor is tuned correctly from the factory and 95% of people are running the wrong carb setup on the raptor.

I now installed a Spark X6 full exhaust and an L&A adaptor. The jetting is not perfect yet, but the raptor is now pushing out 49.5HP and 56Nm or torque. I am sure if the jetting is 100% the raptor will push 50 to 52HP. I am going back to the dyno to get the jetting done and I will be taking the DS with me. The DS now have a Ron Woods pipe on it and my friend have done some mods to the intake of the airbox. It will be interesting to see what the dyno reports push out when you show the raptor and DS together.

The DS is a great bike and very well built. Problem with it is its weight and traction problems when you open the bike up. It is not so easy doing tight trails with a DS.

The raptor needs spacers or a new back axle to get it more stable and less tippy. But it has more low down power and acceleration that the DS. It is also very light and a great trail bike for tight and difficult conditions.

Personally I would not say the one is better then the other. They are different bikes. Some people like a bigger softer ride (DS) some people like a smaller more nimble bike (Raptor).

You decide. In the end raptor owners will say the raptor is better and DS guys will say the DS is better. It’s all about what you personally like in an ATV.

 

the raptor seemed quicker out of the hole to me and the ds came on strong and would pass this goes back to the weight of the machine. other than that there both fun to ride , the ds does seem to hold up to the abuse better.