DS650 pro's and con's ?????

[jsimonh]

I may have the oppurtunity to buy a used DS650 (2000 model), and I'm wanting to know the pro's and con's of them. Keep in mind that I'm around 6'6" and weigh 237 pounds. I do alot of dirt road riding and soon will be doing alot of riding in the sand. I like to jump, lug around, and go fast quite a bit and I'm wondering if this quad will be good for my size and style.

I hate to say this, but I will probably have to sell my 350x to get it:( , so if you have any input on how they stack up against each other I would like to hear it as well.

[smokinwrench]

I have ridden 2 different ones a yellow 2000 or 2001 model. It is fast but big and bulky. It rides so smooth at high speeds. It will not wheelie the owner can dump the clutch on pavement and it won't wheelie.

I have also ridden a newer red one. It has a shorter swing arm so it seems to handle much better.

They are built like tanks bigger people seem to love them. I do know for a fact that if you goto the dunes you need to buy a more agressive paddles such as 21x10x10 tires. I would also say they will need to be 9 or 10 paddle.

Billy Golightly has one (its his moms) ask him about it.

[Kintore]

I always found them really top heavy when riding around. But other than that, they really gave her the beans!

[MTS]

Watch the first few years of them, had Weak Pistons in them from factory,,,

[conig]

if it won't wheelie theres something wrong, my riding buddy has one and with a 16 tooth front and an end cap it wheelies on comand his is an 05 X. They are big quads so at times they can be a handful, they have plenty of power as well as lots of suspension, for the money I think there a great buy.

[z400nate]

Conig, the first couple of production years the DS's could not wheelie whatsoever, either in 2001 or so they shortened the swingarm and did a few other changes that affected its handling.

Overall I dont really care for the DS, I have ridden one and just really prefer the handling characteristics of my z compared to one. They are big and bulky, like a VFORCE. But if you ride a lot of roads/wide open trails, they would be a blast.

[jsimonh]

Being as tall as I am I think it will fit me better than most. I was able to ride a z400 and it was just to small. It was a good running quad, just not a good fit for me. I talked to the guy that owns the DS last night, and I think it's a done deal. We just have to get together and work out a few minor things.

On a side note I was able to work out a deal with the bank, and the 350x isn't going anywhere for a very, very, long time!:w00t: I'm pretty excited to be getting my first quad, and getting to keep my first love!:TrikesOwn :D

[Billy Golightly]

I've put quite a little seat time on an 03 Baja X edition. The brakes are pretty good, it wheelies really well (Which means it also sucks for hill climbing), its tall and is hard to power slide(I explain it as, you have to ride it like a trike and hang way the heck off to the side), SUCKS in the sand without paddle tires, It has awesome suspension travel but is very temperamental in the air. If you get a little off center (nose to high, or to low) its near impossible to correct it just from the shear size and weight of it. Its got great upper rpm power but don't expect to be lugging it around much. I'm not a real big guy (185lbs, 5ft 10) and it fits me ok, but I'm much more comfortable on something like my TRX250R. The DS650 was made for sand duning and Baja racing. It really shines in those areas but lacks in most everything else.

[brapp]

be careful with jumpitn the pre 01 models the front a arms twist significantly if ridden agressivly.

[bigred1981]

Being 6'6", anything less or smaller would be a mini. I'd say It will be just fine being you are big and tall enough to work the bike around a little, no matter what the bike weighs.

[Lomax]

Conig, the first couple of production years the DS's could not wheelie whatsoever, either in 2001 or so they shortened the swingarm and did a few other changes that affected its handling.

Overall I dont really care for the DS, I have ridden one and just really prefer the handling characteristics of my z compared to one. They are big and bulky, like a VFORCE. But if you ride a lot of roads/wide open trails, they would be a blast.

Stock gearing on a DS650 is 16-40

Mine is a 2000 model with 16-37 gearing ron woods rev box, HMF pipe and heavier clutch springs. I have NO problems making the front end of mine reach for the sky, While it might not be as easy to stand up my DVX 400, Dotn think that it wont do it, My reaches for the sky very easily with a Second gear launch and thats with the higher gearing. IF your on a DS that wont stand up then its either broke or your not doing something right. The Swingarms was changed along with the A-arms in 2004. 2003 down are all basically the same with a few exceptions on the Baja version.

I wasnt throwing all this at you z400nate, but your comments was similar to others posted so I just quoted yours.

[Modded660R2fast]

i actually traded my o1 raptor 660 which was heaviley modified for a 2000 ds650 and Im very pleased, it does awesome in the dunes and for trail riding and even flat track racing it handles pretty good but on the track it lags big time. It's hard when jumping plus it doesnt want to preload the springs because it was just designed that way. If you want to go fast and have control when doing it then the ds is your quad.

[z400nate]

Lomax, no problem at all. I was just simply stating my experience from riding it the one time. I ride tight wooded trails and like a machine that I can easily whip around and the DS just was not the machine for me.

[tri-shee]

I bought mine brand new and i love it . I can ride wheeles all the way through third gear no problem , i am 6' -3" 320lbs .

[Lomax]

Lomax, no problem at all. I was just simply stating my experience from riding it the one time. I ride tight wooded trails and like a machine that I can easily whip around and the DS just was not the machine for me.

I understand, my main riding is in woods so I am actually parting ways with my DS in Order to keep my DVX 400 which is the same thing as your Z400.
-Will

[badasskfx]

early models had a steering geometry issue. the bars would go back and forth when going over bumps. steering stabilizer will take care of this. also go up one tooth in the front or you will be bouncing off the rev limiter constantly. the handle awesome and the suspension is sweet. my buddy had one and we loved that thing. that have awesome power. id say go for it if the price is right.