Banshee or DS650???

[Sandrider]

I have an modified Banshee, spending years and a lot of $$$ to make into a superior dune riding machine. (it doesn't help that it performed flawlessly this past weekend)

BUT, it is a two-stroke and is getting old. The DS reminds me of my first 2-stroke, a Quadzilla. I was happy with the Quadzilla's ergonomics and ride, but the motor kept blowing up.

My dilema is: should I sell it and start over with a DS? I know I will have to relearn riding in the dunes on a 4-stroke, but will the DS perform well enough?

My riding style is moderate to agreesive, lots of turns and railing through whoops, but not a lot of jumping or hill racing. I like a ride that feels "front light" too. By the way, I weigh 330#, so that has to be considered.

I was realley hoping to hook up with some DS riders to ride with to see how they perform.

I'm not interested in Raptors (too tipsy), Z400 (to little), Or the Kawasaki 700 (too heavy), so I just want help from DS owners.

Thanks.

T. Wight
Mesa, Az.
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[firefighters-raptor]

I am a raptor owner I also weigh in at around 300 problem I have with DS is it a heavy bike already. The tipsy prob with a raptor is easy to fix I flipped my front rims gave me 3 inches up front and put extenders on the rear she is wide fast machine now. I say no DS better to stay with bansee if that is your only 2 options.

02 raptor pilot
MX #170
"If your not living on the edge then your taking up to much room"

"There are only two types of people in this world...Raptor owners and those who wish they where"

[Arizona Griz]

The new DS's have dropped about 30 pounds from when they first came out. I am a Yamaha fan but I would choose the DS over the Banchee.
Arizona Griz.

"Just another day in paradise"

'03 Yamaha Raptor
'02 Yamaha Grizzly
'00 Polaris Trailboss
'98 Yamaha Big Bear 4WD

[mhoffman]

Go with the DS. Very reliable and tons of power! Just got back from the dunes and I still have a grin on my face.:D I weigh 200# and I have no problem with the DS.

Mark 02 DS650
Ruth 03 300ex
Brock (15)
Haley (12)
Nicole (3)
Tanner (1)

[ed]

DS650 would be my choice also

[duneDS650]

I own a Banshee (370 ported long-rod) with all the tricks and a DS650. Here' my opinion:

The DS will never be as quick as the Banshee. If you try to make the DS run like I assume your Banshee does you will spend even more money and you probably still won't be happy. There is nothing like the thrill of a Banshee when you're "on-the-pipe."

However, the DS is great. It's big and comfortable, the seat is great, the bar height is right, the distance from the seat to the pegs is right, everything is perfect (I'm 6'1"). The suspension is great (12" in front and 11" in the rear with a dual-rate rear shock). A 290W stator (with battery) means terrific lights that don't dim just when you need them. It's already 50-inches wide (except the new ones, don't know why Bombardier changed that). No more pre-mix and it gets great mileage. With my desert tank, my DS can probably go 60-70mi. My Banshee is on reserve at 24mi.

At your weight, if you aren't going to be too disappointed that you will no longer be king-of-the-hill, you will like riding the DS better.

DS650 Whiplash #281 ATV (me)
400EX Whiplash #388 ATV (son)

[q53]

i'm a huge yamaha fan but for what you're looking out of it then i'd go ds all the way even though i'm still a hardcore raptor fan. they'll take a lot of abuse. lynn was in a bad accident during the encenada race this year were she was hit on the right side by a bike doing about 50 and the damn thing started right up. only problem was that the big gun was toast. as mentioned before you'll love the fact of not pre mixing everything (we still run a race gas/high octance mix).
you said something about the raptor being "tipsy".....have you rode a raptor with aftermarket suspension? i know that i fell in love with my bike all over again after i blew the cash for it.

my bike (s)
raptor

my old ladies bike (s)
#53 bomb (desert racer)
#53 250R (old moto x)
#53 YFZ450 (new moto x)
sponsors: lonestar, scott, big gun, maxxis, big joe's cycles, moose etc..

[rexnkim1]

sandrider, I will be in glamis the day after t-day thru the weekend, I ride an 03 ds baja. If you want we can hook up and I may let you check out the ds. I don't care what anyone says, I am the same size as you and you would be most comfortable on a ds the other sport bikes are just to small. And you will not be disappointed

Rex Harmon
2003 Bombardier DS650 Baja (Me)
97 polaris trailblazer 250 (Kim)
99 Yamaha badger 80 (kids)
Raptor? What craptor? Oh the one following me.