I am trying to find out if yamaha has fixed some of the issues with the Raptors. I am looking to purchase my first ATV. I have always had Kawasaki including my 2001 ZX-9, 1992 ZX-6 (wifes) and a 1993 KX250.

I am currently undecided between the DS650 and the Raptor. Based on everything I have read, I have found more complaints about the Raptor and the service from Yamaha. It could be that there are more Raptors then DS650's which would explain why I have read more stories about the Raptor's problems.

I like the looks and size of the Raptors more then that DS650's but I can't find any complaints about the DS650's anywhere. I want a dependable ATV that I don't have to work on everyday as I am purchasing two of them. Anyways dependability is always good but I also like power and handling. I know with work I can get the Raptor and almost any ATV to perform well so that's not a huge concern but it does cost money to make them faster.

I would rather ride them with my wife then work on them constantly.

Thanks in advance for your comments, I hope to make a decision and start riding in the next 2 months.

 

yes the new 03's are very good. very dependable ... what kind of riding do you do? you leave them stock and they will run forever... pipes you and filter and the basics like that you will still be doing good.. but once you start tinkering with that motor.. well thats where i have seen all problems with them..

 

I just got an 03 LE raptor. I wouldnt trade it for anything!! And im not saying this just becuase I have one. If your a speed freak, go with the raptor. I love speed and 4 strokes, so basically thats the quad for me. Look into the Polaris and Z, very very good quads. As for the DS IMO is a boat, but it is very fast....

 

Thanks for the replies this is what I have been looking for.

I am not sure exactly what type of riding we will do. In the past when I would ride other quads or dirt bikes, I have had the bike either full throttle or full brake. I know we have a state forest about 45 minutes from Toledo, OH so I will probably do a lot of riding there. I am also planning on taking them to Michigan and riding on some of those trails. I also want to jump the Raptor. I am not sure how high I am planning on jumping it; I guess it depends on my comfort with it. I would say most of the riding will be trail riding.

The plan is to get the Ultimate Rack and put both on the back of the truck and travel to different places to do some riding. I can tell you my wife will not ride nearly as hard as I will but that because she has only been riding a few years. She is starting to get on her ZX-6 a little bit so I think the quad will be a lot of fun for her.

At some point I will probably modify it but if it will run without any issues stock that is what I am looking for. Just trying to figure out what the problems are with the 2003's and how has Yamaha responded to those issues. I understand that the 2003’s haven’t been out very long so I will not get a big response on this one and that I will probably have some type of issues with any ATV.

Oh yea and the remark about the fat pig. I thought it was huge when I looked at it too and being bright orange doesn't help with the pig thing. Anyways, I was at the local shop and jumped on both of them. The DS650 felt huge but seemed to be more comfortable. It also sits a lot higher off of the ground. My guess is that the DS650 is probably more stable but weighs a ton more and the Raptor will probably handle better and is more maneuverable.

 

ZX900 - You should take a look at the new polaris predator. It is a little heavier than the raptor but lighter than the ds. It has much better suspension than the raptor and equal to the ds. The power is much smoother than the raptor and very simular to the ds.