I am debating between a 2004 DS and Predator now. What is faster, and is the DS closer to everything else since they lightened it more?

I want something that I can use in desert, trails (5-6' wide) and dunes. What is the fastest. The yfz seems too small for me. 6'2" 205#.

If you mod a new DS, will is be faster than a lot out there? How much do you have to mad it to be faster than a Raptor and Predator w/ pipes and filters?

Thanks

MY BRO HAS 03 BAJA AND IT IS NOT THE FASTEST UP OLDS BUT IT DOES HAVE A GREAT POWERBAND AND EXCELLENT TORQUE ESPECIALLY FOR A BIG GUY.
FOR DESSERT TRAILS IT KICKS MAJOR BUTT. MY BIKE GOT STOLEN AND WHEN
I GET ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A NEW ONE IT WILL BE TOP ON MY LIST. THE BIKE HAS A GREAT TOP SPEED. IF YOU PUT AN PIPE AND RE JET CARB WITH A K&N
FILTER IT WILL WAKEN THE BIKE.

i have a lt500 and recently rode a ds650 and predator. i'm a big (6'6" 225), bit older (35) mello, lazy rider. i liked the ds a lot. it has tons of power, lots of suspension so you can be lazy and ride sitting down and who cares what gear you're in (similar to the zilla). but it did feel large and heavy so you kinda have to muscle it around a bit sometimes. if you want something lighter and flingable the predator is a much better choice. the predator is probably more rewarding to ride if you don't mind shifting and working it more.

The DS650 is your only choice. I am a member of the Big Dumb White Boy Club 250+ and the predator feels small. I have not ridden the New Lighter DS but am looking forward to riding one. The Rotax engine has been proven in Baja and Dacar (sp?). The Engine has been in BMW Enduro bikes for a few years prior to being placed in a quad. The only upgrades I have done are the standard ones: Pipe, Jetting, Air Filter and Rev-box. I hope this Helps. Wrench

What mods are needed on a new DS to beat Banshee's and 450's. If not beat them, at least be neck and neck w/ them.

who cares? I have a v force 700 and put the smack down on the LT400. The Yamaha 450 put the smack down on me. I am 6'5", 250#....if your big, the only choice is the ds650 or v force 700, unless you find a LT500 used....keeping up with the jones....well.....some bikes plain haul ass up the hill...thats all they do....What are you gonna use it for? Dragging, or riding....like....Glamis, Ocotillo, orman, Dumont, el Mirage...you get the point....buy an overall good bike that fits your overall riding needs. ATV sport magazine has a great review for 04 bikes...read it....

In the dunes the DS is the bike of choice for the knitting circle the owners themselves are know to compare it to there couch at home .Tons of suspension they claim and every inch is used when they actuly get them airborne and its time to land.In the desert they are a fierce compeditor but when it comes time for the tight trails they tend to find every jumping tree and rolling rock out there .
So in short if you want to ride a atv that is best compaired to the 74 El Derado then the DS is the one for you.
Now the Raptor on the other hand, has a sportier feel to it .It may not be as forgiving in the dunes as the DS but will run /w/ them all day long ,desert is just about the same the DS might be doing the leading but your not going to be far behind on the Raptor.But when it comes time for thoose tight trails your going to be saying so long to your friend on the DS rather quiickly .You will probaly even have time to stop get out your camera and take the picture as the tree you just missed jumps right out in front of the DS taking off it's A-arm and the funny little fender .

They Ds650, lots of power, the fastest stock quad in the shootout last year, but i dont know if its faster than the yfz450, the only down side is the weight

*****What mods are needed on a new DS to beat Banshee's and 450's. If not beat them, at least be neck and neck w/ them.*****

A supercharger or NOS. I really dont think it's possible without serious engine work.

As for the DS, I like to call it the Cadillac in the dunes. Nice travel, big, good power. Good choice for the big dogs.

I just picked up a 01 DS and love the ride, yes it is a bit bigger and not as easy to throw around in the dunes but who cares with all that suspension and power. As for beeting a banshee or a yfz450 I dont think its ever going to happen in a straight line down the drags or up a hill but both of those bikes will not dune in 4th gear either, what I mean is my ds is a torque monster the others are not. I can dune in 4 & 5 come to the top of a hill in 4th almost come to a stop and torque right back up to speed without downshifting, theres no banshee or 450 that can do that! I would compare the power to be very similar to the Raptor but with a plush ride.

DS's are ugly as shiat. The new ones have a "shorter swingarm" in their ads. Like that is a good thing? Not many out there either. I like to be able to ask other people about their Banshees and what else I could do to mine. You're gonna have to find a Bomardier site to find anything out.
I'm 6'6", 225lbs. My Banshee pushes me around fine.

just go buy it already......

Ijust got back from getting a alba z400, and alba had alot of ds650's in that huge facility

I really liked the '02 Baja. I thought it was nimble and had good power.
It needed to be able to rev higher. CT Racing has a nice pipe for it.

See this link for more info:
http://www.atvconnection.com/atvconnection...Impressions.cfm